Short Breaks Swansea provides an innovative scheme that gives children from families experiencing hardship or who are under pressure the chance to stay with carers for short periods. Families may be under pressure due to parents' ill health, caring for a disabled child or a young person's difficult behaviour. The scheme operates as part of the foster care service.
Short Breaks Swansea provides an innovative scheme that gives children from families experiencing hardship or who are under pressure the chance to stay with carers for short periods. Families may be under pressure due to parents' ill health, caring for a disabled child or a young person's difficult behaviour. The scheme operates as part of the foster care service.
Subject terms:
short break care, vulnerable children, children, families;
Child: Care, Health and Development, 33(6), November 2007, pp.664-669.
Publisher:
Wiley
In this article, the current climate of early intervention is considered, advocating the necessity for it to remain a cutting-edge service that attends to the changing needs profiles of children and their families. The article reviews the difficulties experienced by families in the UK, where, as the government acknowledges, life chances are still unequal. It emphasises that early interventions
In this article, the current climate of early intervention is considered, advocating the necessity for it to remain a cutting-edge service that attends to the changing needs profiles of children and their families. The article reviews the difficulties experienced by families in the UK, where, as the government acknowledges, life chances are still unequal. It emphasises that early interventions can increase the likelihood of the family being able to engage or re-engage with mainstream societal services, thus reducing the long-term costs to society. It discusses the past and present UK policy context from 2004, when Sohns reported that the UK was the only country without a national policy of infrastructure in relation to early childhood intervention, until the present when, a raft of legislation is in place acknowledging its importance and the need for priority. Central to many effective early intervention programmes is the goal of establishing shared communication in the infant–key carer dyad, using alternative communication and therapy-based interventions. The article discusses parent-inclusive programmes which meet the needs of both parents and children, and receive endorsement from parents. Finally, the article considers evaluation of early childhood services, and the necessity of increasing the centrality of the family in service delivery in order to provide services which are integrated, relevant and efficacious.
Subject terms:
vulnerable children, early intervention, families, family-centred approach;
The purpose of this circular is to advise you that the Welsh Assembly Government is making available a one-off specific grant payment of £2.2 million to local authorities in the financial year 2007/2008 to provide early support to families of disabled children and those on the brink of care proceedings.
The purpose of this circular is to advise you that the Welsh Assembly Government is making available a one-off specific grant payment of £2.2 million to local authorities in the financial year 2007/2008 to provide early support to families of disabled children and those on the brink of care proceedings.
Subject terms:
local authorities, vulnerable children, families, grants;
GREAT BRITAIN. Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. Social Exclusion Unit
Publisher:
Great Britain. Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. Social Exclusion Unit
Publication year:
2004
Pagination:
8p.
Place of publication:
London
There can often be a gap between the service provision for adults with mental health problems and services provided for children. As a result parenting and family issues are not always given the attention they deserve.
There can often be a gap between the service provision for adults with mental health problems and services provided for children. As a result parenting and family issues are not always given the attention they deserve.
Subject terms:
mental health problems, parenting, vulnerable children, families;
... their situation from teachers and other pupils; and 78% of the teachers surveyed believe that the families of young carers who do not receive support have decided not to inform social services for fear of interference, such as seeing the family broken up.
This survey of young carers in the UK, shows children caring for parents and other family members are missing out on vital support. Based on a poll of 1,000 primary and secondary school teachers, the survey found the vast majority of teachers - 91% - believe that young carers are not being identified and are falling through the net. About three-quarters think young carers deliberately conceal their situation from teachers and other pupils; and 78% of the teachers surveyed believe that the families of young carers who do not receive support have decided not to inform social services for fear of interference, such as seeing the family broken up.
Subject terms:
informal care, vulnerable children, young carers, families;
The experience of children living with, and affected by, parental substance use has become widely known as “Hidden Harm”, following the report of the UK Advisory Council on Misuse of Drugs in 2003. The phrase “hidden harm” encapsulates the 2 key features of that experience: the children are often not known to services; and they suffer harm in a number of ways through physical and emotional neglect, exposure to harm and poor parenting. The Think Tank that led to this report explored the factors that contribute to the “hidden harm”. These discussions covered a number of issues. While most of these issues have been addressed in policy and guidance documents in recent years, Aberlour believe that the Think Tank has offered some new insights into the problems of the children and the factors that should influence policy and practice. The 3 main areas of discussion were; the characteristics of substance use and the extent to which they affect the capacity of the parent to care for the child; the impact on the child; and key considerations for services. The Think Tank has come out with a very powerful re-affirmation of the principle that children’s needs must come first. This is not a new principle but the Think Tank report offers some new insights and makes clear statements about what needs to be done if we are to put that principle into practice.
The experience of children living with, and affected by, parental substance use has become widely known as “Hidden Harm”, following the report of the UK Advisory Council on Misuse of Drugs in 2003. The phrase “hidden harm” encapsulates the 2 key features of that experience: the children are often not known to services; and they suffer harm in a number of ways through physical and emotional neglect, exposure to harm and poor parenting. The Think Tank that led to this report explored the factors that contribute to the “hidden harm”. These discussions covered a number of issues. While most of these issues have been addressed in policy and guidance documents in recent years, Aberlour believe that the Think Tank has offered some new insights into the problems of the children and the factors that should influence policy and practice. The 3 main areas of discussion were; the characteristics of substance use and the extent to which they affect the capacity of the parent to care for the child; the impact on the child; and key considerations for services. The Think Tank has come out with a very powerful re-affirmation of the principle that children’s needs must come first. This is not a new principle but the Think Tank report offers some new insights and makes clear statements about what needs to be done if we are to put that principle into practice.
National Council of Voluntary Child Care Organisations
Families First is a Children's Services funded project serving the whole of Cumbria, with three-full time co-ordinators delivering family group conferences. The service in Cumbria aims to engage families where there are vulnerable children. The author explains how the conferencing works.
Families First is a Children's Services funded project serving the whole of Cumbria, with three-full time co-ordinators delivering family group conferences. The service in Cumbria aims to engage families where there are vulnerable children. The author explains how the conferencing works.
Subject terms:
vulnerable children, families, family group conferences;
Since their initial shock at their daughter's disability, Karina's parents have experienced the challenges and joys of raising a child with special needs. They have taken advantage of available services and programmes - and their own imaginations - to devise stimulating activities to assist her to develop to her full potential. They aim to provide her with every opportunity to fully participate in the community. This is the account of Karina's first six years.
Since their initial shock at their daughter's disability, Karina's parents have experienced the challenges and joys of raising a child with special needs. They have taken advantage of available services and programmes - and their own imaginations - to devise stimulating activities to assist her to develop to her full potential. They aim to provide her with every opportunity to fully participate in the community. This is the account of Karina's first six years.
Subject terms:
social care provision, vulnerable children, Downs syndrome, families;