Danielle Kelly & Josie Farrow

Background Mind Of My Own (MOMO) make digital communication tools for children Directors Yvonne Anderson and Jill Thorburn App Launched January 2013 Expansion out with Social Work Directors Yvonne Anderson and Jill Thorburn Date launched: Feb 2013 Website: www.mindofmyown.org.uk Twitter: @MindOfMyOwnApp Mind  of  my  Own  (MOMO)  is  a  digital  communication  tool  for   children- MOMO believes that better care happens when children are listened to. Mind Of My Own creates digital tools that make this happen. Each one makes it easier for children and young people to communicate their thoughts. MOMO was born out of the founders’ deep conviction in the value and necessity of children’s participation.  MOMO we believe that young people should be able to participate fully in their care and it should be easy for them to speak up anytime they want. The first App MOMO One was developed with a group of young people in care.  Today around 70 children’s services use its tools, with now more than 25,000 children having used the app (either on a computer or on an iPhone or Android device) to share their views. As a result, children have been able to get problems addressed more quickly, which has the benefit of increasing their stability, and preventing breakdowns in placements.  Out with social work - MOMO is now working with independent providers, schools, Police forces in England and a Youth Justice Facility in New Zealand.  Working with approximately 70 organisations in Great Britain and New Zealand. 

Used solo on a young person’s account Co-used with a worker or carer on a worker’s account or a young person’s own account Used for meetings, reviews, to share good news and to sort out problems MOMO One helps young people communicate their views in a way that suits them. Young people create their own account on MOMO One, which can be used on any device. This means that young people can use MOMO One to say how they are feeling and what they need, in a way that suits them. MOMO One enables young people to be more actively involved in their lives and is an accessible and empowering way to tell their workers about things that are important to them. This helps workers understand young people better, saves them time and can be used to better evidence young people’s views in their records.

Uses expressive pictures, minimal text and affirming sounds Has accessibility features that can be tailored to the needs of the child Can be used for any education, health or social care planning or review process Is designed to be used with a worker Express is only available to workers in subscribing organisations. All children should have their voices heard. This is especially the case for those with a learning disability. Often labelled ‘hard to reach’ they are actually easiest to overlook. MOMO Express is an app that improves direct work practice and makes it easier for younger children and those with a learning disability to express their views, wishes and feelings. Express is innovative, accessible and user-friendly. Designed to be used with a worker, it uses minimal text, expressive pictures and affirming sounds to help children communicate their views and preferences in a fun way.

The Pilot - Quarriers Family Support Service – Barlanark Nov 21st 2017– April 21st 2018 123 children’s views received Young person’s account usage 17 young people have their own account – MOMO One 12 statements have been received via a young person’s account Worker account usage Workers engaged have engaged in both MOMO One and MOMO Express MOMO Express has been completed 70 times MOMO One has been completed 41 times

“I used MOMO with a 15-year-old girl, who has ADHD and Asperger’s who is often very closed and doesn’t like to engage. However, through using MOMO One, she opened up and I found out a wealth of information . The young person admitted that people “annoy her easily” and suggested that she may have anger issues. When asked further about this, I uncovered that she had stopped taking her prescribed medication. I was able to discuss with her the effects of not taking her medication and will continue to encourage her to do so through the support of her GP. When going through the scenario ‘planning for adulthood’, we found out that in the future, she wants to be a nurse. Currently, she is finding school life difficult, however, we will be focusing on we can support her to make changes in her life and help her develop the skills she needs to achieve her desired career goal”

“I used MOMO Express with a young person aged 11 who I haven’t worked with before. Through the use of the app, I gained an understanding of her frustrations regarding her health and how its affecting her education. Using MOMO really encouraged the her to open up about her disorder and how it affects her emotions and her resistance to go to school. This is something we may not have found out so early without the use of MOMO. As her support worker, I will be putting a plan together to support her with her anxiety and anger, as well as accepting her illness and feeling a valued member of her school despite her disability.”

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