Foundations 4 Life update April-June 2011
The project has just completed its first quarter and we have made a positive
impression on our milestones set. The performance data direction of travel has
shown a strong commitment to the initial action plan, this is also reflected in the
outcomes detailed below.
Partnerships
Solid partnerships have been made with a cluster of nursery schools, primary schools
and a community college. This working group has enabled us to lay good
foundations and share information and concerns about families in the local area.
From this we have been able to work on multiple levels to embed the project in the
first instance. We have carried out 3 consultation events in Stoneyholme, 2 with
parents and 1 with children, looking at their perception of the local area, what’s
good and what’s hard about living here. We also looked at services available in the
area and whether families accessed these, were there any barriers i.e. language
barriers, distance, social isolation etc. The consultation undertaken with the
Children gave us some rich information about their thoughts and feelings when
moving from Nursery School to Primary School. Personal Social and Emotional
development along with Communication speech and Language acquisition is a
priority area for these children who on average achieve very low FSP scores in those
outcomes. Within areas of social deprivation, upwards of 50% children start school
without the speech, language and communication skills they need to achieve. Hence
the increasing need for Early Intervention.
Following the consultations we have compiled an evaluation report detailing all
findings and recommendations for future services to include accredited parenting
courses, speech and language groups and intensive family support/outreach work
for individual families.
The project has also made contact with all 6 local nursery and daycare providers to
explain the projects remit and leave an information pack with contact details and
request for service forms.
Accredited Courses
The project has delivered 2 speech and language courses and 1 Solihull parenting
course. Both have shown positive outcomes for families. 7 families completed the
Solihull course with 4 acknowledging that they need extra 1:1 support, this will be
provided through the programme. Parents stated “I think my parenting will be a lot
better as you have helped me understand certain things that went wrong” and “I
need more support with connecting with my child” Issues also arising from the
sessions were around housing, domestic abuse, benefits/finance and child
protection. Each family also completed a family star outcomes tracker. This enables
us to chart progress made by the family via a series of questions being asked pre
work undertake, at the end of the course and then again in 6 months time to capture
the longer term impact.
The Talking Together speech and Language group had 42 contacts with parents and
48 contacts with children. Almost all the children attending made steady progress
and have seen positive outcomes (documented in centre files). One family
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disengaged due to external issues, there is an action plan in place and hopefully the
child will return to the group.
Families
We currently have 6 families accessing ongoing support 2 of which have a CAF in
place and are engaging well with staff. Upon closure of an outreach support
package evaluations are undertaken using a case study method designed by
Professors C Pascal and T Bertram of the Centre for Research in Early Childhood
these were piloted throughout the FLOW project and showcased positive outcomes
for families. It will be possible to collate anonymised case study information to
review issues and outcomes for families taking part. With families’ consent it will
also be possible to share some of the families’ stories.
Contacts
The project has carried out 111 initial visits to families with children aged 18 & 30
months (see appendix 1)
The visits have initiated several pieces of intense support for individual families,
families have been supported through CAF, TAC and CP processes also.
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Appendix 1
Foundations 4 Life 30 month visits:
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Complete registration form and/or update details.
Give Chai Centre information plus information on nursery placements for
three year olds.
Introduce Foundations 4 Life with its aims.
Promote Chai Centre resource library.
Development and advice
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Speech & language – inform of St Peters Centre drop-in service and/or
Talking Together groups if appropriate
Routines and boundaries – bedtime, toilet/potty training and the
importance of play stimulation. Advise on behaviours and the importance
of good routines with consistency.
Social skills – eating habits (can they use cutlery and cups, will they feed
them selves), self care (can they put their coat on/off & basic dressing)
Oral health – Bottles & dummies, they should be using a cup/beaker.
Inform the effects on their teeth and their speech. Have they a registered
dentist and do they attend? Give toothpaste and brush pack if not already
received.
Other
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Safety – Indoors & Outdoors. Discussing road dangers, ask what age do they
see is appropriate for there child to play out alone, aware of strangers and
car seat checks. (Inform of fire services available and car seat checking
places).
Nursery – Ensure parents are aware of when to register there child for a
place and what to expect. Encourage parents to visit local nurseries. Inform
them of the grants for 3 year olds.
Social support – housing, benefits, financial advise etc.
Groups – At The Chai Centre which will help with social skills and help
prepare them for nursery. Give them an up to date timetable advising of
appropriate groups.
Complete the red book and offer a return visit with additional information if
necessary.
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