This is an enewsletter from Releasing Potential, May 2012. Problems viewing? Click here
New Chichester
building is
operational
Releasing Potential has moved its West Sussex hub into Unit 4
St James's Works, Chichester. We are renting the site, which is
a large complex over two floors, previously inhabited by the
hairdressing department of Chichester College. Two Engage
groups are now settled there, as well as Forest School, Near to
School Chichester, and a Mentoring programme for West
Sussex. We have agreed to sub-let part of the uper floor to
PACSO (Parents And Carers Support Organisation) which works
with families of children with disabilities. There is also space
for a training room, which we've used for our Challenging
Behaviour Management course. All staff and young people are
enjoying working there.
ABOUT
RELEASING
POTENTIAL
Releasing Potential a charity
based in Havant that runs
programmes with young people in
Hampshire, West Sussex and
Portsmouth. These build their
skills and confidence so they have
the opportunity to make better
choices.
Through a variety of activities from
sailing to orienteering we reflect
with them on their thinking,
behaviour and the consequences
of their choices. Through one to
one and group work we build a
toolkit that the student can use in
challenging situations.
WE RUN A VARIETY OF
COURSES & PROGRAMMES:
OUTDOOR EDUCATION is a
vehicle to bring about change
within a young person. The
activities enable young people to
view themselves in a new light and
have a realistic understanding of
their potential within the context of
the activities. The young people
have the opportunity to gain
nationally recognised awards in
the activities, which validates the
learning that has taken place.
ACTIVATION supports young
people in Yr 11 who fall into the
NEET (Not in Employment,
Education or Training) category or
who are at high risk of failing in
YR12 in college or employment.
Activation engages young people
in learning, working towards reengagement after Yr 11 through
one to one work and an activity
programme. We offer support
through to next year when the
student re-enters education,
training or employment.
NEAR TO SCHOOL works in
partnership with schools to help
students who are struggling in
mainstream education. The
students develop emotional and
social skills, enabling them to work
in teams, communicate effectively
and respond appropriately in all
situations. It gives students a solid
foundation on which to go back
into school, giving them the
capacity to deal with difficult
situations in more appropriate and
effective ways.
Our new West Sussex base is housed in what was Chichester College's Hair Dressing
department
Releasing Potential
launches Mediation Service
We have been asked by Hampshire Local Education Authority to
provide an independent education mediation service. A recent
change in the law means that LEAs now have a duty to fund
impartial mediation which can be accessed by parents, schools
and Local Authorities on issues such as admissions, exclusions
and bullying. Kerry Buckley, who co-ordinates our Near to
School provision in Portsmouth, has undertaken a mediation
course, which is now complete. In all unit assessments Kerry
scored A grades, and she accomplished this in a period of less
than two months. In most cases the course takes 6 months to a
year, which makes Kerry's achievement even more
impressive. We opened the service in January, and have now
received four referrals. Well done Kerry!
ENGAGE is a small specialist
provision which is a full time
alternative to school, for students
who are emotionally vulnerable or
have emotional and behavioural
difficulties. These students are not
engaging with education in
mainstream schools and need a
different approach. The objective
of Engage is to enable students to
re-engage with education so they
leave school with the social and
educational skills to be able to
lead constructive lives.
Releasing Potential run National
Governing Body accredited
programs with the following
organisations:
CONTACT US
NVQ3 in Managing Challenging
Behaviour is underway
We have been delivering short courses in managing challenging
behaviour for many years. We've now developed a Level 3
Call:
0239 247 9762
[email protected]
8 Kingscroft Court,
programme which is accredited on the National Qualification
Framework. The first cohort of students is now half way
through the course.
The programme draws on a theoretical framework based on Choice
Theory, and on techniques from Neuro Linguistic Programming. It is
designed to appeal to anyone working in education, SEN, Outdoor
Ed, or support. Catherine Brennan and Alex Thakore deliver the
course, and report that it's going very well so far. Catherine
comments 'The sessions have felt good, with everyone interested
and engaged. Feedback has been excellent too - participants have
told us that they feel energized by their learning and inspired to use
the ideas back at work.'
The course is available in a range of formats, the current one is
running over four days in two blocks of 2 days,which seems to
be accessible for professionals in education. However, we can
deliver over different time periods, depending on demand.
A group learning that how you look at someone is how you allow them to be!
For details of the NVQ3, and our short courses in Managing
Challenging Behaviour, please concatct Catherine on 02392
479762O
Staff Profile
Catherine Brennan is Operations Manager at Releasing
Potential, here she answers some questions about her job:
Q: How long have you worked at Releasing Potential?
A: I started in September 2012, so getting on for three years now.
Q: What qualifications do you need to be Operations Manager at RP?
A: Well, my qualifications and experience are in education generally
and in support with vulnerable young people. But I think the most
important qualities in this role are flexibility and a sense of humour!
We all need to be able to think on our feet here, and respond
positively to whatever comes up. Sometimes we have very stressful
times, and it's essential that we can laugh at ourselves and the
situations we find ourselves in. Staff at RP are very good at looking
after each other and having fun together.
Q: What does your job entail?
A: It's really varied. I'm responsible for most of the day to day running
of the organisation, which involves a huge list of things - from
contributing to strategy decisions to taking my turn with the
cleaning. I think the most important part, though, is looking after
Ridgeway, Havant,
Hampshire PO9 1LS.
people. I try to make sure staff and students are thriving, and work on
the systems and processes which allow this to happen.
Q: What's your favourite part of the job?
A: I like the variety. I like that I get a chance to use my writing and
training skills - I'm heavily involved in the Challenging Behaviour
Management programme, which gives me a chance to do this. Best
of all, I enjoy the time I spend with the brilliant staff and young people
at RP.
Q: Where do you see yourself in five years?
A: I hope to be at RP still. Things are always growing and developing,
and I can't wait to see what exciting challenges will present
themselves.
Catherine is always working on raising her credibility in the outdoor world!
Young Person Profile
J is a young person who we began working with this year when
he was referred by the LEA because of his difficulties accessing
any kind of educational setting. J suffers from Autistic Spectrum
Disorder, and experiences extreme anxiety when attempting any
change from his regular routines, people and places.
J's anxiety has severely affected his ability to enjoy life or to look
forward positively to the future. We work with J on a one to one basis.
We began by visiting him at home and spending time getting to know
him and understand the barriers he faces and the things which are
important to him. At the beginning this involved speaking to him
through a closed bedroom door. Gradually, over time, we have
coaxed J out of the house and helped him experience a range of
tasks and activities. J has an interest in skate boarding, which he
shares with our staff member, Garry, and the two of them are working
on building a ramp.
J still struggles with new situations, and it's a continuing journey
towards him being comfortable to try different things. But he is
working well with several different staff members, and Garry
has persuaded him to come into the Havant building twice this term,
which was a hugely impressive step forward.
Fran Short, who co-ordinates our one to one provision is delighted
with J's progress: 'The range of staff input, which one to one work
involves, should be a barrier to a young person like J, but it works!
The students respond positively to the structure which helps
them build the confidence they need to achieve their potential.'
And Finally ...
We've had a number of staff changes since the last newsletter.
Helen Seear, Lauren Harding,and Matt Prince have all left this term
to pursue other opportunities. All are keeping in touch and enjoying
their new roles.
Jeff Stewart, Will Hoare, Lara Penfold, Natasha Shutte and Tom
Belcher have joined us and are making excellent contributions at
Alton, Chichester and Havant respectively. Welcome to them all.
Thanks to all our brilliant staff for their hard work and commitment to
improving outcomes for vulnerable young people.
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Releasing Potential · 8 Kingscroft Court · Ridgway · Havant, Hampshire PO9 1LS · United Kingdom