Referral Programmes – Core Residential Unit (NCH Foundations, Manchester)

How we work with families

•We are “24/7” and “365”

•We have round the clock staffing plus volunteers. We have twelve project workers working on a rota system, early (8am – 4pm) and late (2pm – 10pm). We have waking night staff on duty, who are supported by an on-call system by the project’s management team. We also have security staff working for the safety of the building and the local community

•The project takes a ‘whole family’ approach, working with the parents/carers to resolve the issues within the household. Work is undertaken with individuals in the family on specific issues if necessary

•Twin approach of high challenge and high support

•Once it is agreed that we are going to work with the family, we design a support plan together with them which is reviewed regularly until all of the family’s needs are being met

•Engage families in project activities

•Measurement of progress and outcomes: we constantly plan for, monitor and evaluate families’ progress via weekly and monthly reviews

•Core unit: restrictions (e.g. curfews and restrictions on visitors), observations and intrusions

•Close work with other agencies, including our seconded social worker

•Empower families to reach their full potential and take control of their life

•We build and maintain a strong link with the local community in Collyhurst

High Challenge and High Support

High Support / Low Support
High Challenge / Leads to learning and change, being aware of their own attitudes and beliefs, try out different ways of behaving, builds on what is already there, their knowledge and experience which they have already brought with them. Will start new activities relating to managing their problems and developing opportunities, contribution to problem management. / People become hostile, anxious and defensive. Lots of barriers will come in; they will not let you see their weaknesses. They will become fearful of changing and will attempt to lay down a smokescreen.
Low Challenge / People become warm and cosy and not much work will get done. Comfortable and friendly, learning may be minimal. / Become bored, depressed, lack motivation. Behaviour will not change and they go back to chaos. They will be comfortable with their delusions and will stay with them.

The goal of challenging is ACTION.

  1. Start new activities relating to their problems, and developing opportunities.
  2. Continue and increase activities that contribute to problem management.
  3. Stop activities that either cause problems and limit opportunities or stand in the way of opportunity developments and problem management.

What we don’t do

•We are not a ‘soft option’ for families or agencies - people have to face up to their problems, take responsibility for their situation and make the necessary changes

•We do not advocate on behalf of families against other agencies

•We do not do things ‘for’ families, we empower them to do those things themselves

•We are not a homeless unit, we can’t be used just to resolve homelessness issues

Types of Parenting Intervention

We currently offer:

  • Webster Stratton Parenting Programme which is aimed at parents of children aged two years – eight years.
  • Riding the Storm Parenting Programme which is aimed at parents of children aged eight years – 16 years.
  • We also offer Play Therapy which is aimed at Parents who struggle to interact with their Children.
  • We also offer a 1:1 Parenting Programme.

The Senior Parenting Practitioner for Manchester is partly based at NCH Foundations and co-ordinates courses, crèche, materials, recruitment etc.

The Senior Project Worker at Foundations is responsible for pre course assessments, delivery of courses and gaining new referrals.

We currently have nine members of staff trained in Webster Stratton Parenting and deliver a rolling programme.

All the above parenting programmes are reinforced during observations and any staff will check on homework given and key messages for that week.

We have also started to offer the parenting programmes to the local community, after close liaison with local schools.

Team Structure

  • Project Manager
  • Three Deputy Project Managers
  • Senior Project Administrator
  • Part-time Project Administrator
  • One Senior Parenting Practitioner
  • 12 Project Workers – Key additional roles include, Health and Safety, Pro social, Education, Equality and Diversity, Service user involvement, activities, environmental issues, community liaison, etc.
  • Three Waking Night Staff
  • Two Security Staff
  • Four Sessional Workers
  • Three Volunteers

Sample Resources from NCH Foundations, Manchester

Observation Sheet

Date………………………..

Family Name: Flat No:

8:00 – 9:00
Breakfast Time / Comments / Initials
(staff and resident)
All Children up, dressed, having breakfast? / Time:
12:00 – 1:00 Lunchtime / Comments / Initials
(staff and resident)
General flat check, is it clean and tidy? Has the shopping been done? / Time:
5:00 - 6:00 Tea Time / Comments / Initials
(staff and resident)
Has everyone had tea? Any problems? / Time:
7:00 – 9:30 Bed Time / Comments / Initials
(staff and resident)
Is everyone settled and ready for bed/in bed? Flat tidy? / Time:

Activity Timetable

Day Activity Time

•Monday Ladies morning 10:00-13:00

Quiz night18:00-20:00

•TuesdayHealth eating 10:00-13:00

Computer lessons 14:00-15:00

•WednesdayParenting (WS)0:00-12:00

Sewing 13:00-14:00

Gardening 16:30-17:00

•ThursdaySelf esteem 10:00-12:00

Relaxation/yoga 14:00-15:00

Relate counselling16:30-19:00

•FridayD.I.Y.11:00-13:00

•SaturdayVideo night17:00-19:00

•SundayFootball 14:00-16:00

Bingo 18:00-19:00

Record of Flat Check

Accommodation checked: / Date:
Check undertaken by:

AREA

/
tick for ok
/
DATE FOR follow-up
/

COMPLETED

lounge
CHECKING FOR GENERAL UPKEEP OF:
SOFAS - ARE THEY CLEAN?
CARPETS - ANY ARTICLES LYING ON THE FLOOR?
ANY STICKY SURFACES?
doors, paintwork and the walls.
WINDOWS/SILLS CLEAN?
curtains/ clean hung correctly.
FURNITURE DUSTED?
VERANDA CLEAN AND FREE OF CLUTTER/RUBBISH BAGS?
storage cuPboard checked for clutter.
any other COMMENTS
KITCHEN
are the
work surfaces clean and free of dirty pots?
paintwork, walls and cupboards free from marks.
Fridge clean inside and out? also, is there enough food?
IS THERE ANY ALCOHOL?
FLOOR CLEAN?
cupboards clean and no out of date food?
check for enough plates/pans.
kitchen drawers clean and enough crockery?
OVENS CLEAN inside and out? grill pan clean.
CHECK APPLIANCES ARE WORKING e.g. KETTLE, WASHER, COOKER.
CHECK FOR CLEANing MATERIALS/SOAP POWDER
ANY OTHER COMMENTS
bathroom
check for Dirty washing on the floor.
is the floor CLEAN?
bath/shower been cleaned?
check for clean towels/cleaning materials.
check for enough soap/toothpaste etc.
window AND sills clean?
TOILET BEEN CLEANED?
ANY OTHER COMMENTS
bedrooms
check for beds made and clean bedding.
paintwork clean and free from hand marks?
carpets clean and free from toys clothes etC.?
enough cupboard/wardrobe space?
windows clean and sills?
cupboards
and drawers CLEAN AND TIDY?
CHECK UNDER THE BEDS.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS
Hallway
hallway free from cluTter?
check for enough gas/electRic on meter.
check smoke detectors ARE working.
PAINTWORK CLEAN and free from hand marks?
COATS HUNG UP?

Signed ………………………………………………………………………………………

(Please note that these resources will be available for download from the action seminar website)