Services Provided at Gawber Road

Parenting Assessments

• Assessments are co-ordinated by the Managers as qualified Social Workers, and are undertaken in line with ‘The Framework for Assessment of Children in Need and their Families’. The main focus is upon the Parenting Capacity domain, and other dimensions are considered as relevant to individual circumstances.
• Twenty Four-Seven works on a model of supporting parents in developing their strengths whilst also addressing their areas of development. We aim to assess the potential, willingness and motivation of parents to address the areas of development, thereby allowing a process of change to occur in the assessment process. The assessment also identifies how the parent will transfer and sustain any new skills developed in the process and what future support may be required to promote this. We work extensively with parents with learning difficulties and base these assessments on Dr. McGaw’s Parenting Assessment Manual.
• Assessments are undertaken using the following methods:

• Observations – interactions with their child, staff, other Parents, other babies, visitors etc, of their day to day routines and lifestyle etc;
• Discussions – informally and in Sessions;
• At least weekly sessions in the following:

• Assessment
• Parenting
• Parent Keyworking
• Baby Keyworking
• Play and Development
• Music
• Life Story Work
• Achieving ‘Every Child Matters’ Outcomes

• Domestic Violence Programme (a specific programme developed by the unit – details available upon request).

• Questionnaires, scales or other resources are used to assist in the assessment. The unit has developed interactive resources to assist in the assessment process.

• Liaison with other relevant professionals, such as the Health Visitor. ‘

• Progress Reports are completed every 2 weeks which update the assessment work undertaken and highlight areas to be focused upon. These reports are sent to the Social Worker, Children’s Guardian and lead solicitor.

• These reports form the basis of a monthly review meeting (or more frequently) between the Social Worker, Parent/s, Children’s Guardian, Health Visitor and Twenty Four-Seven (and others, including solicitors if appropriate/required) in order to review and change the placement plan and assessment. The report and minutes are circulated to all involved.

• Over a 12 week period, placement reviews are held at least monthly and reports are available for these reviews.

• Usually assessments are split into different stages. Usually the 12 week period is split into 3 stages as detailed below, but this is only given as a guide. Progress onto each stage is dependant upon the ongoing assessment and management of the risks and is only implemented with the agreement of Social Services.

 
Stage I: Parents do not leave the Unit with their baby unless a member of Staff accompanies them. This enables the assessment to include parents abilities to care for their baby in the community with road safety, supervision etc.

 Stage II: Dependant on the factors identified above, parents are able to go out with their baby on their own for limited times. This enables the assessment to include parents’ abilities to keep to agreements, to organise their time effectively around the needs of their baby etc.

Stage III: Again dependant upon the factors identified above, there are few restrictions upon when parents go out with their baby. This enables the assessment to include parents’ abilities to lead suitable routines whilst they are looking after their baby and it is a clearer indication of how they would look after their baby in the community without the full structures of the Unit in place.

• Reports for Conferences and/or Court are provided as required. Final Assessment Reports are usually completed within 2 weeks of the placement ending.
• Twenty Four-Seven has an open access to records policy and any information provided by other parties needs to clearly identify any issues of confidentiality. Parents are actively encouraged to read their record book and comment on any areas of disagreement. It is a practice of Twenty Four-Seven for Parents to comment and contribute to any reports, including Court statements.
• Any issues of concern in relation to parenting are discussed with the Parents and Social Services. Any significant issues of concern in relation to the safety and well being of the baby are dealt with through the child protection procedures.
• Assessments may be undertaken on a day basis, for example, with a view to a Residential Assessment or an Assessment of a Parents partner. In undertaking such assessments, we ensure that we are not disrupting other residents, the running of the Unit or putting anyone at risk through such work.

Additional Assessment Work

Additional Assessment work is carried out as required, for example, we undertake a detailed programme of work on Domestic Violence, and parents’ ability to protect where required. This work is not considered as therapeutic in nature; it is more educational, but in the process of the work and assessment, there may be changes in attitudes and behaviours. This is usually agreed at the Placement Planning Stage prior to admission, and it is at no extra cost.

Support

Staff are experienced in supporting Parents in managing the changes in their own lives that moving to a Residential Family Centre may occur for them.

In supporting Younger Parents to develop the skills to look after themselves and their baby, some Young People will require higher levels of support in achieving this than others. This will vary according to their ages, experiences, and abilities, and we will assess the Young Person’s individual needs, alongside their Social Worker/Personal Advisor, to determine an individually tailored service. The level of support will be reviewed at the monthly review meeting, with the aim of it decreasing as the assessment progresses to enable a more realistic assessment.

The Parents are expected to provide care to their child themselves, but staff will assist and support them in undertaking tasks safely, and promote good routines and care etc.

Parents will be assisted in developing routines and structures through a weekly planner, detailing appointments, sessions, visits, independence activities etc.
Parents are also supported in completing “Life Story Work” for their baby with staff. This is then available for the child, should they not remain in their parents care. It also provides the parent with a memory book that they have completed for their future.

Separate from the work regarding parenting, support to Parents may include addressing the following areas:

• Independent living skills in practical areas: cooking, hygiene, cleaning, shopping, laundry, etc.;
• Looking after themselves - diet, exercise, personal hygiene, safety and first aid etc.;
• Budgeting
• Leisure activities
• Behavioural issues
• Social Skills, including communication, problem solving etc.
• Managing Relationships
• Accessing services
• Emotional Support, and building Self-Confidence
• Planning for the future

Parents can prearrange a weekly babysitting slot with staff to enable them to have some time out.

Independence Training/Life Skills Programme

Whilst this is not the main focus of the work at Gawber Road, all parents are offered a range of workshops to undertake with staff in order to develop their life skills. For many Parents, they will work with their Keyworker in looking at their needs and will devise a Support Plan to meet these needs through targets, weekly meetings and monthly reviews.

Services For Parents To Be

Twenty Four-Seven work with Young People in preparing for their baby, and liase closely with other professionals involved to avoid duplication of work etc. We support Young People in a programme of work, enabling them to learn the skills, routines and lifestyle that will be expected of them as a Parent. We assist them in claiming grants, benefits etc, accessing support systems and in budgeting and purchasing equipment etc for the baby, and in ensuring that their health needs are met throughout their pregnancy.

A pre birth assessment for Conference will be undertaken if required.

Move On: The Next Stage

Post Assessment Support:  Regardless of the outcome of the assessment, Twenty four-Seven will offer parents post assessment support for the initial month after the placement has ended. This will be through telephone advice and support, and where possible, outreach visits. The detail of this will be decided at the end of the assessment period. Further outreach support can be provided upon request, subject to funding.

Accommodation:
If required Twenty Four-Seven can support Parents in looking at alternative accommodation. There may be a range of options to consider, and part of the consideration may be other provision by Twenty Four-Seven as detailed below:

• Independent flats in Barnsley, within walking distance of Gawber Road where support and/or assessment work can continue in the community – any age
• Half-Way House at Shrewsbury House, Penistone – up to age of 19 years

These provisions may be suitable for Parents and their child to move onto, where the emphasis is upon medium to high supportive living at the communal Unit in Penistone and medium support at the independent flats in Barnsley.

Alternatively, plans may be made for the Parent to move to their own property. Subject to funding, Twenty Four-Seven will also provide an outreach service. This will involve continued advice and assistance in making the progression from a supportive environment to a less, or non-supported environment, and could include further assessment work if required.