In their words

In any given year we work with lots of people. The following case studies tell of some families' experiences and show how by working in partnership with other agencies we have helped them. All names have nevertheless been changed to protect anonymity and confidentiality.

Case Study 1 - Family Support (Parent aged 19 years and under)

Melanie was a teenage mum referred to the service with a range of issues. She lived with her partner in a housing association property with her 1 year-old, Jacob and her new baby Luke.

Issues: Melanie was suffering from long-term depression and had been on anti-depressants for several years. She was finding it difficult to cope with both children and was self-harming. The children did not sleep during the night and Melanie was permanently exhausted. She felt isolated and lacking in support. Melanie wanted to access further education to gain basic qualifications and improve life chances for her and her family. Melanie was not receiving her full benefit entitlement. Although her partner was supportive he worked and Melanie was left alone for long periods of time to cope with her situation. She did not have any reliable form of contraception.

Intervention:  Melanie was referred to counselling for her depression. She was given regular intense 1 to 1 emotional support. Melanie was supported in attending a Connect clinic and having an Implant put in her arm. Melanie was referred to the health visitor and given support to put sleeping routines in place for the children. Melanie was referred to Sure Start nursery to gain some sessions for Jacob so that she could enjoy some respite.

Melanie was supported in applying for, attending interview and gaining a place at college. Melanie was encouraged to attend groups and build up a social network.  Melanie was supported in sorting out her benefit entitlements.

Case Study 2 - Play Day 2009

What is Playday?

Playday is an initiative to promote why it’s so important for children, young people and families to interact with each other, so they can develop social and emotional well being. As well as helping children, young people and families to raise self esteem, build on relationships and help parents to realise their child’s potential.    

This Years Theme

This years’ theme was ‘Make Time’. All children have the right to play and need time and space to play.  The campaign is asking everyone to make time for play.

Venue:

We chose to hold the event at one venue this year. Instead of having four or five small events we wanted one large event where all families would be able to access it easily. We chose St Chad’s Headlands on the promenade. We felt that not many people living within Blackpool knew where this was and it needed publicising as the Council have spent millions on having it improved and developed. It is also extremely easy to get to via tram or bus from anywhere in Blackpool.  

Aims

Our aims for the events were as follows:

• Increase awareness about Barnardo’s and what they are doing
• Raise our own profile
• Increase awareness around what is available for children, young people and families to access in Blackpool
• Recruit new volunteers
• Make sure our projects can grow so more children, young people and families can access our provision
• Raise self esteem, improve social skills and interaction skills, build relationships
• To have fun!

Review

General feedback from the event has been that it was excellent. The public and the agencies involved seemed to really enjoy the event.  

Families, children and young people from all of the Playful Ideas target areas attended the event. In speaking to the families, their feedback was that the event was great. Many of them could not believe that the event was completely free. The children and young people really enjoyed themselves and many asked if we could do an event like this more often. They have suggested somewhere to purchase food for next year. This was not possible at the Headlands as we were not allowed to charge for anything on the promenade.

Case Study 3 - Parents with Prospects course offered to Teenage parents.

All participants who took part in the course at Blackpool gained an NCFE qualification. For all participants, this was the first time they had left their children in a crèche, something they had been worried about previously. This positive experience has given them the confidence to consider study options/childcare for the future.

100% of the participants rated the course as excellent

100% of the participants thought the way the course had been delivered by trainers as excellent

100% would recommend to a friend

62.5 % are thinking about making changes or plans for the future - 12.5% have already made changes

Comments from participants:

“I would like to go in to work or college”

“I have learned how to control my temper how to bond and activities to do”

“Thank you for helping”

Comments from External Verifyer:

The management of course is excellent and is supported by experienced staff.

The centre is a pleasure to visit and the good work being carried out should be applauded.

The assessor has given some excellent guidance and made supportive and motivational comments for the group of young ladies.

The learners’ consistent efforts have been acknowledged as well as appreciating some difficulties with their young babies

Case Study 4 -  Children and young people team

Images of life for young people in Blackpool were displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall, House of Commons, from the 10th to 14th December, 2007.

The exhibition had been put together by young people who use the Barnardo’s Blackpool Project and also live in Blackpool. They hoped that it would show some of the realities of life as they see it, demonstrate the difficulties they face, show their optimism for the future and what they think is needed to help them achieve their aims and ambitions. The exhibition was sponsored by Joan Humble, a Blackpool MP.

‘Life in Blackpool is boring. You need lots of money to do anything. We’re not allowed on the park and they lock the gates. We’re not allowed on the pier, it’s for tourists’

‘The people in Blackpool are nice’

‘There’s lots of jobs for young people (15 to 16) in cafes and hotels’

The young people discussed these issues at the House of Commons in front of many professionals; the young people’s feedback stated that it helped them to improve their self esteem and confidence.

Case Study 5 - Family Support

A CAF was instigated for a very hard to reach family with four school age children. This family had repeatedly been offered parenting support on a voluntary basis by both the Youth Offending Team (YOT)  and Group Intervention Panel (GRIP), as all four children were either offending or at risk of offending. The parents had finally both been issued with Parenting Orders. At the assessment it was identified that the house was both very cluttered, had no smoke alarms (due to the eldest taking them to pieces) and the parents reported that the eldest young person was prone to setting fires (diagnosed with ADHD). The father also reported that he had nailed the windows shut also to stop the eldest child getting out and reoffending. The Fire Service and YOT were notified by the Parenting Worker and appropriate intervention/support put in place. One-to-one parenting sessions were completed using the Strengthening Families Programme as the parents refused to attend a group. Following a referral to Social Services regarding the safety issues and the condition of the younger children’s bedrooms (parents reported that the eldest child was causing damage to the walls and doors and that the younger children were copying him) the parents then agreed to a CAF and Blackpool Early Action for Change (BEACH) funding was secured to clean the house, remove rubbish and decorate the children’s bedrooms. The condition of the house had also led to the threat of eviction being a possibility by this point following a spot check on local properties.

The house is now fitted with smoke alarms (still intact after 6 months) and the windows able to be opened and used as an escape route. The young person recently completed his fire awareness course where he had to rescue an adult from the smoke room. The parents and the young people report that having the bedrooms decorated and repairs completed have encouraged the family to look after their housing more. Parents report fewer incidents of the young person causing damage.