What Jigsaw Family Support Do
Our Vision
Our vision is for every child to feel happy about themselves, realise their potential and be confident in their ability to succeed and build a brighter future for themselves.
Role and Responsibilities
My main role is to help and support Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Differences and those who may have complex needs. I support those who are struggling to engage with education and work with them to re-engage them with positive educational opportunities. Some of the children and young people have experienced exclusion, multiple exclusions and non-attendance issues.
I support by offering a small steps approach, one to one individualised support packages, building positive/ trusting relationships, offering consistency and boundaries, listening to the child, whilst putting the child and their significant others central to the work I do.
I can help take some of the pressure from parents and the anxiety away from the child\young person at the very beginning, it has been my experience that the child/ young person believes they will be forced into a school and the parents think they will get into trouble and fined for non attendance.
90% of the Children and Young People I support have been excluded from school or are struggling to attend due to a breakdown in the mainstream school system , there may be concerns of bullying, experiencing of anxieties, or struggling to communicate this within the family home. These young people could be masking or hiding their problems, concerns or issues from those best able to help them.
Some of the young people may be registered on the Child Protection Register (CPR), many of the young people I support have a Educational Heath Care Plan (EHCP) in place, have medical issues, disabilities or poor mental health. Often children just simply struggle with a mainstream education setting and the pressure that this can bring for some.
The majority although not all, Children and Young People who i support have been out of school for a long period of time, I work with many other multi agencies including Local Authorities (Cumbria Education Services) or (Cumbria Children Services), The NHS Community Paediatrician (Barrow in Furness, Kendal) and CAHMS in (Kendal) local schools in the south lakes area (Kendal, Windermere, Kirby-Lonsdale, Barrow ) where I work in collaboration to support and advise on how to re-engage a young person back with education. My work also includes working with the local community to help strengthen the child/young person sense of belonging allowing them to participate positively to where they live.
Early Intervention is the Key to support ALL Children and Young People, with a small stepped approach. A referral can be made by parents, Local Authorities, Children's Services, NHS partners and schools.
What to expect
Home contact
At first there will be a phone consultation with the parents, with a discussion of needs and a introduction of who I am and what services I can provide in supporting the child and the family.
A home contact will then be completed to meet the parents, or carers, during this time I will not be meet the child or young person ,it is important for me to gain some knowledge and understanding of how the family routine works at home. I will discuss the health and well being of the young person and family, and if there any concerns, worries or issues that are a concern. Time is also taken to discuss the child in detail and to get a history of when things became difficult and why.when they stopped engaging with education. This first meeting is about establishing a relationship where communication and trust can become an key element and ongoing feature of the professional relationship.
Meeting the Child or Young Person.
The second meeting will be with the parent and child\young person, but prior to this meeting the parents would have spoken to the child beforehand to explain fully who I am and what I will be supporting with. The meeting with the child/young person is open and honest, it's about being positive, being enthusiastic,listening to the child and confident about how I can best support the situation.
My approach has always been to be truthful and honest, black and white with no Grey areas when establishing a professional working relationship with any child/young person.
My initial work will start using one to one therapeutic support, ensuring that I help take the pressure/anxiety away from the child/young person about not attending school. As the positive relationship develops the child will be taken on activities of their choice so that communication can take place about any concerns, issues or problems they might be experiencing at home or in school.
This approach will be used until the child/young person responds positively to the support being offered. Only when the time is right would I then discuss with the child/young person about his re-engagement back into a educational setting which meet his needs.
I also support children and young people through the half term holidays, this keeps consistency and routine for the child and young person on his return to education,it also provides rest byte for the families.
This is a private arrangement between both parties please ask for more information if you require this.
Since 2016 I've worked and supported lots of children and young people with my approach of 'small steps' in fact I currently have a 100% success rate.
Please take time to read some of the testimonials I've received from parents and professionals in my field of work. This will give you an understanding of how and why my work of supporting children and young people really does work.
I love the work I do, I'm enthusiastic, passionate and proactive in my vision to ensure children and young people receive an education, reach their full potential and achieve their dreams.
