Giving Scotland’s vulnerable and disadvantaged children a brighter future “Unpacking the Needs of the Individual” Sandy Corlett Services Manager Family Support Team - Edinburgh Cuiken House - Midlothian

Aims and Objectives of Family Support Team To provide intensive therapeutic and educational support to children under twelve and their families, who are experiencing significant social, emotional and behavioural difficulties, to improve the quality of life for the children and to maintain them in their own school, family and community. l To provide individual work for children l To provide support in the classroom and school setting l To support parents and carers to promote positive family relationships l To provide group work programmes for children which will promote the development of social skills

Unpacking the Needs of the Individual l Early Identification l Assessing the needs l Working together with family and school l Multi-disciplinary working l Choice of interventions

Early Identification l Prevention l Establishing relationships with families l Using transition times l Reduce stress on teachers l Don’t overlook girls

Assessing the Needs l Holistic, ecological framework l Concurrently with family and school l Multidisciplinary work l Focus on developmental needs of child and family l Flexible, creative, generating solutions l Establishing relationships, assessing relationships l Complexities

Working Together l Relationships l Partnerships/reluctant partners l Partnership - power sharing, empowering l Face to face meetings l Time l Work with tensions l Multiple perspectives

Multi-disciplinary working l Collaboration l Valuing differences l Working at boundaries l Constant change !

Choice of interventions l To effect change and promote resilience l Repertoire of methods :- Family work - counselling, parenting skills Video Interaction Guidance (V.I.G.) Small class groups Whole class work Social skills groups Parenting groups e.g. “Incredible Years” Transition groups l Joint work with other agencies