What we do

Barnardo’s Inverclyde Family Support Team provides services for children and young people with a disability and their families.

Anyone can make a referral to our project. This could be a parent or through a social worker, education, health or any other agency.

As well as the services mentioned we also offer individual support to children and young people and their families. We can also put families in touch with other agencies and support groups.

Growing up groups for young men and women

The project currently has in place two groups - one for young men, and the other for young women.

These groups assist young people in exploring the issues associated with growing up. There are various topics covered, including image, identity, self-confidence and relationships.

Parents or young people can make a referral to these groups by contacting us.

Sibling support groups

We run two sibling support groups. One for children aged eight to 12 years and the other for young people aged 13-17 years. The younger sibling support group’s main focus is on games and socialisation, but they are also given opportunity to explore their feelings and understanding of disability. The sibling support group for young people has recently been exploring some of the issues experienced by brothers and sisters of young people with disabilities. However, as well as looking at their experiences they also enjoy games and the support they offer to each other. This group meets on a weekly basis.

Youth club

The youth club takes place within Highholm Community Centre and offers young people the opportunity to meet, socialise, listen to music or participate in other activities being offered. The older youth club meets on Thursday evenings from 6.45pm – 8.45pm. There is also a youth club for children aged 10-12 years which meets on Wednesday evenings from 5.30pm – 7.00pm. Transport is provided for the younger youth club.

Drama group

The drama group is for young people with special needs. The evening is split in half with the young people spending around 55 minutes in each activity. The group has both drama and music input. The group also encourages social interaction, confidence building and helps build their self-esteem. There are 18 children attending at present with ages ranging from 10 to 19 years. The drama group meets on a Thursday evening during the school term, from 6.30pm – 8.30pm, within Glenburn School. The young people attending are transported to and from the group by their parents or carers.

Playscheme

The playscheme allows young people enjoy various indoor and outdoor activities, including a music input. The young people enjoy outings to Linn Park and the People’s Palace. Referrals for the playscheme can be made directly to the project or via other agencies. The playscheme is held within Lilybank school during the Easter and summer holidays when we also run age appropriate groups for adolescents.

Befriending

The project offers a one-to-one befriending service to young people aged 5–19 years. This enables the young person to socialise outside of the family home. All befrienders undergo a series of police and reference checks, as well as a period of assessment. If you are interested in becoming a befriender please contact us.

Activity groups

These groups aim to develop confidence and socialisation skills through a range of activities. The group is for primary school aged children and meets after school. Transport is provided.

Family-based respite

Our family-based respite service enables young people with disabilities a period of respite within a carer’s home. This usually takes the form of one weekend a month. All carers who offer family based respite care are assessed and approved by Inverclyde Council. If you are interested in becoming involved with providing respite care please contact us.

Sitter service

The sitter service has been developed as a result of parent consultation within Inverclyde Council. A sitter will look after a child with a disability and their siblings within the family home. This service will be reviewed after a three-month period, and thereafter every six months to ensure that the service is meeting the needs of the family. This review will consider changes in the family and the sitter’s circumstances.

If you are interested in becoming a sitter who are interested in a sitter coming to your home please contact us.

Parent and carers support group

The parent and carers support group meets once a month to offer support and to identify specific topics they would like more information on - eg welfare rights, stress management, relaxation methods. Crèche facilities are available with prior arrangement.

We have recently been in discussion with Hillend nursery and a second parent and carers support group is being developed.