Communication
Everyday responses
Communication is a key part of what we
do. For this reason, we are keen to have
periodic meetings with family members
and school staff. In these meetings we
are happy to discuss a child’s general
welfare and how we think they are
responding to therapeutic play, but we
will only disclose the specific content of
their sessions if we are worried about
their safety. Any concerns are normally
addressed with the school’s child
protection teacher.
The way you respond to your child’s
behaviour can make a huge difference
to your whole family. We can
demonstrate how using positive
everyday responses can help you better
understand your child’s feelings, deal
with anger and upset, and deepen your
relationship.
Therapeutic play at home
with your child
What other help is there?
There are many great ways you can
encourage your child to learn, play and
communicate. We can help you find fun,
engaging and therapeutic out-of-school
activities and services in your area.
Experience shows us that children make
quicker progress if school and home
work together. By making therapeutic
play part of their home life, you can
encourage your child to see it as a safe
and natural process.
We can help you learn the best way to
use therapeutic play at home and
provide the right toys to encourage an
emotional, communicative and engaging
response. By setting aside just 30
minutes a week, you can significantly
benefit your child’s emotional wellbeing.
For more information, please contact us.
806 High Road Leyton, London E10 6AE
020 8558 7799
www.carefreekids.org
[email protected]
charity no. 1111949
2016
Information for parents
and carers
We are delighted to be able to provide one-to-one therapeutic play for your child. It’s a
brilliant opportunity to make a real difference, not to just their happiness, but to the
wellbeing of the whole family. We aim to help your child learn, play and communicate
better, usually leading to more harmonious relationships both at home and school.
Our method relies on non-directive, child-led play therapeutic play sessions run in your
child’s school, and we also offer art, drama and dance therapies. We are pleased to
provide free confidential support, advice and counselling to parents and carers.
Read on and discover more about how we can help you and your loved ones.
806 High Road Leyton, London E10 6AE
020 8558 7799
www.carefreekids.org
[email protected]
charity no. 1111949
About therapeutic play and
arts therapies
How can therapeutic
support help?
As we go through life, we all face
challenges. Yet for many of us it can be
difficult to put troubling feelings and
experiences in to words. And for
children, this can be even harder. But
expressing emotions through creativity
and play can be an effective way of
dealing with them.
Therapeutic play not only helps the
individual child, but can also benefit the
lives of their whole support network.
Although each child responds in their
own unique way, common results
include higher self-esteem, reduced
anxiety, better interaction with other
children and adults, improved selfcontrol and greater emotional stability.
However, this isn’t a quick fix and it may
be some time before improvements take
effect.
Children express themselves differently
to adults. Therapeutic play is a triedand-tested way to help a child’s
emotional development. By providing
weekly sessions in a safe space
stocked with toys and creative
materials, we give children an
opportunity to freely express themselves
in a way not always possible in
everyday life. Both art and drama
therapy offer different creative
approaches to helping children work
through emotional issues.
We employ a child-led, non-directive
method, encouraging your child to
decide how they use their therapeutic
session. Our sessions are usually oneto-one, and therapeutic play can be
effective from the age of three upwards.
Art therapy and Drama therapy benefits
children and adults alike and can be
used on an individual or group basis.
Who goes to therapeutic
play sessions?
We strongly believe that there is no
such thing as a “bad child”. As children
grow, they each face a variety of
changes, challenges and troubles. If
your child is showing signs of anger,
frustration, depression or general upset,
therapeutic play can help you
understand what they are going through
and support them as they deal with the
challenges they face.
“Carefree Kids is a great resource for children to have a fixed time to work through
difficulties in their lives. I’ve certainly noticed changes and had positive feedback from
parents. It’s a real bonus.”
Primary School Head Teacher, Waltham Forest
What is the room like?
Our therapeutic play rooms are set up to
provide a safe, warm, friendly
atmosphere. Each room is bursting with
toys and arts materials specially chosen
to encourage children to express
themselves. This freedom of expression
will help your child address their
problems and emotions in the way they
feel most comfortable.
To give your child a feeling of safety and
predictability, we use the same room
each week. Sessions are strictly private
and all school staff are aware of how
important it is that we are allowed to
work uninterrupted.
How often are the
sessions?
Each session lasts 45 minutes and
takes place at the same time each week
during the normal school term. Each
child has a volunteer therapeutic play
worker allocated to them – seeing the
same person weekly allows for further
continuity. We don’t offer a set number
of sessions, preferring to continue
seeing each child for as long as they
need our support. This can take months
or even years. Our sessions are very
affordable, meaning schools rarely
withdraw funding because of cost.
Talking about the
therapeutic play sessions
We are 100% focused on the needs of
each individual child. To ensure that
your child gets the most from their
sessions, it’s important that they arrive
free of expectations. It’s for this reason
that we ask parents and teachers to
refrain from discussing their sessions
with them. Some children choose to
discuss their sessions with their parents
and some don’t, but it’s essential that it
remains their choice.
Who are the volunteers?
Sessions are carried out by our team
volunteers who are a passionate group
of local people from a wide range of
social, cultural and educational
backgrounds. However, one thing they
all share is a dedication to helping
others. Before they are ready to engage
with children, they receive full training.
They are also required to attend weekly
supervision sessions.
You can have full confidence that every
member of Carefree Kids has
undergone an enhanced check with the
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
To protect confidentiality, we try to place
volunteers in schools where they don’t
know the families.
“She seems much happier and enjoys her sessions. She is coming along a lot better. The
sessions are definitely beneficial.”
Mother