What do we offer?

• Individual emotional support for children
• Group work
• Training
• Consultations
• Missing You Bereavement School's Pack

By whom?

• Multi-disciplinary team of highly experienced workers with a range of professional social care qualifications including social work, teaching, play therapy, art therapy, counselling and trauma studies
• All workers receive external clinical consultation
• Since 2003 we have consistently provided a quality service to schools throughout Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.  Previous evaluations are available and references from schools already worked with

Which children would benefit?

Our support targets children whose resilience has been weakened through family changes, including, bereavement and domestic abuse.  Especially:

• Children who are facing difficult transitions in school life
• Children with low self esteem and emotional struggles
• Children not achieving their potential at school because of home circumstances

How do we support children?

INDIVIDUAL WORK

• Usually short term, 6 to 8 sessions (but can be longer if required)
• Based in school, works with school timetable
• Focuses on specific issues, works on self esteem, builds resilience and coping strategies

GROUP WORK

• Run in schools for up to 8 children (programme typically between 6-12 weeks)
• Focus can be a shared experience (eg bereavement/domestic abuse), or common issues such as bullying, feelings, low self esteem
• Enables children to feel good about themselves
• Gives children a positive experience of being in groups and being supported
• Provides early intervention and support before difficulties become more acute and complex
• Significantly raises their self esteem through being valued as a group member
• Longer term benefits of group programme within whole school community as creates positive role models

Training for teachers and school staff

Bespoke training for specific needs - please call to discuss - examples:

• Understanding the emotional impact of family changes for children (including bereavement and domestic abuse)
• Practical ideas and strategies for working directly with children and young people

Consultations

• For staff regarding individual children, or groups of children, or response to situation in school such as sudden death
• These are free to professionals

Past and Current Contracts

• 3 year contract in Family of Schools in Eastwood (Children Fund)
• 2006-2011 contract with Family of Schools in Calverton (see a short film which includes feedback from the school)
• Over 40 schools throughout Nottingham and Nottinghamshire have purchased therapeutic support for children within their schools
• 2009-Ongoing contract with CAMHS (Emotional Health and Well-being teams in Rushcliffe and Broxtowe), delivering individual and group work in schools in the Districts
• Schools Bereavement Pack, now in 250 schools
• Training provided to many schools (including Bulwell Academy, St Augustine's Nottingham, Holgate Hucknall)

What are outcomes?

"recognition, praise and feeling valued", (Every Child Matters) are core needs of children.

Our work consistently demonstrates:

• Increased concentration in class, as now freed up to focus on school work
• Increased emotional literacy, gives children vocabulary to express feelings, to talk about experiences
• Improvement in children's self esteem
• Positive group process leads to improved relationships with peers and family
• Increase in confidence encourages children to try other things, for example children have joined out of school activities following the group
• Gives children back sense of fun and 'childhood' and recognises play as an important component of children's well-being

Feedback

SCHOOL STAFF

• It really helped E feel better about herself and helped to remind her that other people cared for her (in and out of school)
• R finds dealing with social, emotional issues very difficult.  In recent months he has experienced a tidal wave of personal issues which Oksana has helped him address.  R appears more in control, and easier to reason with
• Child C appears to control his temper more and is not so easily upset since work began .... he is able to take turns and will think before butting in

PARENT/CARER

• Helped her understand she's not on her own
• Such a positive group of people and services
• Very helpful.  Actually went out of her way to help, eg, attending CAF meetings
• My son had a very special relationship with his worker.  She was very professional but in a caring and understanding way.  She was brilliant!

CHILDREN

• I really enjoyed working with Anne.  It has made me feel happy and more confident in myself.  It helped me express my thoughts and feelings to somebody else
• I felt listened to and understood
• They were kind, they didn't make me do anything I didn't want to do and they always made sure I was okay

TRAINING

• The training and bereavement pack was excellent.  It gave me some lovely ideas to work with
  
• Honest advice, discussion and ideas to share with children (St Mary's Edwinstowe)

How to Purchase - Enquire about costings

• For individual emotional support
• Training
• Group work

To download our Spiral Schools Leaflet click here.

For further information please contact Angela Cheadle:

angela.cheadle@familycare-nottingham.org.uk

Spiral at Family Care

28 Magdala Road

Nottingham    NG3 5DF