Communication is at the heart of partnership working; the Lamb Inquiry highlighted this: Good, honest and open communication is the key to the development of positive working relationships and requires practitioners who listen to parents and are trusted by them... The quality of communication both reflects and is a reflection of the working relationships between professionals and parents. The worst communication generates significant levels of hostility... The best communication engenders impressive levels of confidence and a sense of partnership. (Lamb Inquiry, 2009)
The SEND Code of Practice (2014) works from the premise that parents/carers know their children best and makes it clear that children, young people and their families should be involved in decision-making at every stage of the process.
Schools and settings should engage with parents by:
- Focusing on the outcomes that children, young people and their families want to achieve; all decisions are led by these aspirations.
- Supporting the participation of children, young people and their families through adopting ‘person-centred’ or ‘child-centred’ approaches.
Person-centred/Child-centred approaches
A person-centred or child-centred approach is an approach that focuses on the individual’s strengths rather than their difficulties.
It values attitudes such as not judging others, trying to understand the experiences of others from their point of view, and fully honouring the uniqueness of the individuals we meet in a genuine and heartfelt way.
Person-centred approaches move away from professionals deciding what is best for a child, young person or family, and places the person at the centre, as an expert of their own experience.
Being person-centred is about focusing support on the needs of the individual, ensuring that people's preferences, needs and values are at the heart of decisions, and ensuring support that is respectful of and responsive to them.
Restorative approaches
Restorative Practice is a way of working with people that uses the principles and values of Restorative Justice in everyday practice. It is built upon a set of values and beliefs that promote building effective relationships with children, young people, families, carers and colleagues. Restorative Practice is a high support/high challenge methodology that has an emphasis of working with people, rather than doing things for them or to them. It enables practitioners to communicate their concerns and worries clearly from the foundation of a respectful and supportive relationship. A range of processes and tools are used including informal and formal interventions. These processes are designed to support effective communication between workers, managers, children, young people and their families.
Ladder of participation
The ladder of participation describes a series of steps towards co-production between children and young people, parents/carers/family members and the professionals working to support them.
- Co-production, Co-design = Doing with in an equal and reciprocial partnership
- Engagement, Consultation, Informing = Doing for engaging and involving people
- Educating, Coercion = Doing to trying to fix people who are passive recipients of service
Co-production means working together at all stages and sharing the decision-making. This is what we should be aiming for when working with children/young people and their families.
Team Around the Child (TAC)
Team Around the Child (TAC) describes the group of people working together to create a plan of support for a child or young person. This plan should be solution-focused and based on the child or young person’s identified needs.
The members of a TAC might include the child or young person’s parents or carers, their teacher, the school SENCo, and other professionals supporting them such as an educational psychologist, Special Needs Early Years Service (SNEYS), speech and language therapist, Sensory Inclusion Service (SIS), school nurse, occupational therapist, social worker, etc.
TAC is a way of coordinating support so that families have a clear understanding of who will be doing what to support their child.
The plan created by the TAC should be regularly reviewed and adapted as the child or young person makes progress.
Team Around the Worker
The Team Around the Worker describes the team of people who are available to support the lead professional (the ‘Worker’) to deliver the work confidently and effectively to the family. The team should provide support and also challenge, where appropriate.
In all of our work, it is important that we try and gain the views of the child or young person that we are supporting.
The Lundy Model of Child Participation (2014), by Professor Laura Lundy, Queen’s University Belfast, provides a way of understanding a child’s right to participation and it includes four key elements – space, voice, audience and influence – that have a rational, chronological order:
Space:
Children and Young People must be given safe, inclusive opportunities to form and express their views.
- How can children and young people feel safe to express their views?
- Have you allowed enough time to listen to and hear their views?
- How do you make sure that all children and young people are heard?
Voice:
Children and Young People must be supported to express their views.
- How are children and young people provided with the support they need to give their views and be heard?
- How can they raise the things that matter to them?
- How are they offered different ways of giving their views?
Audience:
The views must be listened to.
- How do you show that you are ready and willing to listen to children and young people's views?
- How do you make sure they understand what you can do with their views?
Influence:
The views must be acted upon, as appropriate.
- How will children and young people know how much influence they can have on decisions?
- How will you give them feedback?
- How will you share with them the impact of their views on decisions?
- How will you explain the reasons for the decisions taken?
Section 19 of the Children and Families Act 2014 states:
Local authority functions: supporting and involving children and young people
In exercising a function under this Part in the case of a child or young person, a local authority in England must have regard to the following matters in particular:
(a) the views, wishes and feelings of the child and his or her parent, or the young person;
(b) the importance of the child and his or her parent, or the young person, participating as fully as possible in decisions relating to the exercise of the function concerned;
(c) the importance of the child and his or her parent, or the young person, being provided with the information and support necessary to enable participation in those decisions;
(d) the need to support the child and his or her parent, or the young person, in order to facilitate the development of the child or young person and to help him or her achieve the best possible educational and other outcomes.
The SEND Code of Practice (2015) states:
‘They [everyone supporting the child] should seek to understand the interests, strengths and motivations of children and young people and use this as a basis for planning support around them.’
‘Local authorities must ensure that children, their parents and young people are involved in discussions and decisions about their individual support and about local provision. Early years providers, schools and colleges should also take steps to ensure that young people and parents are actively supported in contributing to needs assessments, developing and reviewing Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans.’
Articles 12 and 13 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child state:
‘Children have a right to receive and impart information, to express an opinion and to have that opinion taken into account in any matters affecting them from the early years. Their views should be given due weight according to their age, maturity, and capability.’
When considering what tools/methods to use to gather a child or young person’s views, it is helpful to consider their communication skills.
Nurturing and communicating aspirations
Aspirations are the foundations of any good SEND/EHCP plan: they are the child or young person’s hopes or ambitions for the future.
Aspirations should be kept at the centre of all discussions between children and young people, parents/carers and professionals to create strong and effective support which makes a real difference.
Plans should start with what the child or young person (and their parents/carers) want for their future. Once this has been ascertained, you can work out what the child’s needs are, how they are going to achieve their goals and what support they need.
Aspirations do not have to be ‘realistic’ or definitely achievable.
What is the ‘Golden Thread’?
Aspirations > Needs > Outcomes > Provision
A child or young person’s aspirations should be the starting point for discussions about support. Once you know what their aspirations are, you can link these to the things they need in school or college and the support that will help them. These are all linked to outcomes too, which are like stepping-stones or targets towards the child or young person’s long-term goals. You can then work to identify the provision the child or young person needs to work towards their aspirations.
All of these things together form something called ‘The Golden Thread’.
Aspirations
- Sarah wants to have friends
Needs
- Sarah has a language delay and it affects her learning and social interaction with other children her age. It is also affecting her confidence and self-esteem. Which means that she can be socially vulnerable.
Outcomes
- By the age of 16, Sarah will have a small group of friends and will be able to travel independently so she can meet with them. She will meet friends outside her home and school and have and use a social network.
Provision
- Sarah will have travel training which will include buddy support. Sarah will have a mentor who meets her weekly for three hours to explore her interests. Her mentor will help her develop friendship opportunities and support her to take part in social and leisure activities. Sarah will take part in twice weekly social skills group at school with a Teaching Assistant.
Generally, parents and carers know their child/young person better than anyone. They spend more time with them than anyone else and so have a real understanding of what they are good at, what they find hard, what they enjoy and what motivates them. This means that their views are invaluable when trying to understand the child or young person’s needs and get the support right.
Effective communication is key to establishing and maintaining positive partnerships with parents and carers. When working with parents or carers, it is important to consider their:
- Religious and cultural background, values, beliefs and languages
- Parenting arrangements
- Gender diversity
- Choices
- Family circumstances
Listening is key to effective communication. Here are some ideas for demonstrating good listening skills:
- Let parents know you’re listening and interested by nodding occasionally and making eye contact.
- During the conversation, summarise what the parents/carers have said, and check that you have understood correctly.
- Check on the feeling as well as the content of what parents/carers have said. For example, ‘It sounds like you felt upset when the other parent told Taj to stop shouting. Is that right?’
- Use open-ended questions to get more information if you need it. For example, ‘What sort of things did Taj do when he was being naughty?’
- Try to understand parents’ perspectives, even if you disagree with what they are saying.
- Tools to gather parent/carer views
- POW 3 Power of Words video
Managing tricky conversations
Sometimes, conversations with parents or carers can be tricky, especially if the things you need to discuss may be perceived as negative or challenging. Here are some tips for managing such conversations:
- Start with the positives! Talk about the child or young person’s strengths within their learning, behaviour and experiences.
- Be open and honest. Focus on the facts of the situation.
- Think before you speak, especially when you are talking with parents about difficult or sensitive issues. It might be helpful to write down a few notes to guide the conversation.
- Ask the parents/carers for their views regarding the situation. For example, ‘How do you think we can help?’
- Listen to the parents/carers – sometimes they just need to feel that their concerns have been heard. You do not always have to find an immediate solution.
- If you are not sure about what to say next or how to say it, you do not have to respond straight away. For example, ‘I’d like to think about that more. Can I get back to you tomorrow?’
- Use a problem-solving approach – what can we do to help this situation? Identify clear actions and who will take responsibility for these actions.
- Schedule a follow-up meeting, to review whether the agreed actions have been helpful.
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School Attendance
The City of Wolverhampton Council has local and national information and guidance around school attendance.
Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance (EBSNA) Guidance Pathway
The Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance Pathway supports schools to identify, monitor and respond to pupils whose school attendance is a concern due to emotion-based factors. The pathway guidance can be located on the Wolverhampton Include Schools for Everyone (WISE) website as part of the ‘Attendance Pathway’.
Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance (EBSNA) Reflective Group Supervision Sessions
Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance (EBSNA) Reflective Group Supervision Sessions is a reflective group supervision session to support settings in Wolverhampton to implement the Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance (EBSNA) pathway, problem-solve and explore new ways forward to support children and young people experiencing difficulties with EBSNA. These are available for booking on the WVES website.
Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance (EBSNA) Coordinator
The Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance (EBSNA) Coordinator is available to work with schools support those children and young people with emotionally based school non-attendance. The role of the coordinator is to embed the Wolverhampton EBSNA Pathway as best practice across all schools within the city. For further information contact Michelle.Dudley2@wolverhampton.gov.uk
Local Authority Attendance Advisor
Part of the Local Authority Attendance Team’s core offer to all schools in Wolverhampton. An attendance advisor will
Support and work with Wolverhampton schools on the early identification of emerging patterns of irregular pupil attendance, whilst paying particular attention to supporting our most vulnerable pupils
Work together to agree a joint approach for severely absent pupils (50% and below), this may include specific support with attendance or a whole family plan which may include Family Help/Child Protection.
Provide ad hoc advice, support and guidance via email or telephone.
Offer termly targeted support meetings for all secondary, large primary, special schools and Pupil Referral Units.
Offer termly virtual targeted support meetings with smaller primary schools.
Arrange local network meetings to share national and local data updates, provide advice and share best practice between schools and trusts within their area.
For further information contact: AttendanceandInclusion@wolverhampton.gov.uk
Targeted
Education Welfare Service (T)
Education Welfare Officers (EWOs) help schools to ensure that:
- Attendance monitoring is robust
- Responses to patterns of absence are effective
- Work with parents and carers has a positive impact on improving attendance
For information about purchasing a Service Level Agreement with the Education Welfare Service please visit Welcome to Attendance Support | Wolverhampton Education Services
Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance (EBSNA) Targeted Intervention Programme from Wolverhampton Educational Psychology (EP) Service (T)
Schools are able to purchase a 6-week intervention delivered by an Assistant Psychologist to support children and young people experiencing EBSNA.
For schools that have an SLA with the EP Service, liaise directly with your school’s EP. Otherwise, contact the EP Service for further information.
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Local Authority Legal Attendance Team
The Attendance Team is responsible on behalf of the City of Wolverhampton Council for undertaking proceedings in line with national and local guidance and legislation including penalty notices, school attendance orders, education supervision orders, identifying Children Missing from Education (CME), Elective Home Education procedures and more.
Referral form and supporting evidence to be emailed from schools to attendanceandinclusion@wolverhampton.gov.uk
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Wolverhampton Local Offer
The Wolverhampton Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) local offer provides information in a single place for children, young people, their parents and carers.
Solution Circles
Collaborative problem-solving sessions using a solution circle approach led by a Local Authority Educational Psychologist. Sessions are attended by specialist services such as the Educational Psychology Service, Outreach Service, Speech and Language Therapy Service and School Improvement and offer an opportunity for school staff from across all phases (mainstream and special) to raise any concerns, issues or challenges that they may have experienced when creating inclusive environments. For dates of upcoming Solution Circles and to book please visit Wolverhampton Education Services.
Wolverhampton Inclusive Schools for Everyone (WISE) website
An information website for Wolverhampton schools and educational settings to:
- Promote universal inclusive provision for all school children by providing clear and consistent support and guidance to all Wolverhampton education settings on the expectations for ordinarily available provision.
- Provide clear and accessible information about the targeted and specialist support pathways so that the children and young people who need it can access the right support at the right time.
For more information please visit Wolverhampton Inclusive Schools for Everyone.
SEND and Inclusion Officers
SEND and Inclusion Officers support Wolverhampton schools to implement a graduated response to ensure schools can meet the needs of children and young people with SEND. Their role also involves supporting with the strategic leadership of SEND within settings.
Inclusion Support Team (R)
The Inclusion Team has been developed to support children and young people who are at risk of exclusion and work with schools to promote inclusive practices. Further details about the team and their offer, including a copy of their referral form can be found on their website.
Citizenship, Language Learning Team (T)
The Local Authority’s Citizenship, Language and Learning (CLL) Team make up part of the Education Excellence team whose work is aimed at facilitating and supporting school improvement with school leaders. The CLL team offers high quality capacity building support in the following areas:
- Literacy and Language Development (with proven impact on whole school KS2 literacy results)
- Supporting new arrivals and children speaking English as an Additional Language
- Engagement with parents in particular those who have been traditionally regarded as ‘hard to reach’.
A Service Level Agreement (SLA) must be purchased.
Wolverhampton Alternative Provision Directory
The Wolverhampton Alternative Provision Directory aims to provide information regarding Alternative Provision in Wolverhampton and it’s bordering area. School’s may consider commissioning registered or unregistered alternative provision to support children and young people who are at risk of disengagement and non-attendance. Schools are advised to quality assure any provision they intend using.
Wolves Foundation – Sporting Chances
Sporting Chances are school-based sessions for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), to increase physical activity and mental wellbeing within SEND schools. The sessions aim to increase self-confidence and wellbeing for primary school pupils (ages 5-11).
Specialist
Inclusion Support Alternative Provision Panel (ISAPP)
A referral to the Inclusion Support and Alternative Provision Panel offers a collaborative opportunity to find solutions to support pupils who are either at risk of permanent exclusion or are at risk of not receiving a suitable education for other reasons. Further details about ISAPP, including a copy of their referral form can be found on their website.
Specialised Personalised Learning Plan (SPLP)
A Specialised Personalised Learning Plan (SPLP) may be used for a time limited period where a child or young person is being supported to reengage with learning.
For further information and guidance on SPLPs please view the Inclusion Team webpage.
To notify the LA of a child or young person on an SPLP complete the online form.
Educational Psychology Service (T)(R)
The Educational Psychology (EP) Service provide support in understanding how a child or young person might think, feel, behave, learn and /or interact with others. Wolverhampton schools can purchase a Service Level Agreement with the EP Service.
Contact the service on 01902 550609 or inclusionsupportadmin@wolverhampton.gov.uk
SEND Early Identification and Support Services (R)
A team of highly qualified Specialist Teachers, SEND and Inclusion Support Officers, Teachers of the Deaf, Teachers of the Visually Impaired, Higher Level Teaching Assistants, Deaf Tutors and Habilitation Specialists all working to support children and young people, their schools, and their families in Wolverhampton with special educational needs.
- Specialist Learning Support (T) – This is a traded service and schools will need to purchase a Service Level Agreement (SLA) in order to access the service
- Wolverhampton Outreach Service
- Sensory Inclusion Service
- Special Needs Early Years Service
- Training – all teams offer a range of training and CPD for Wolverhampton schools and educational providers which can be accessed and booked through their Wolverhampton Education Services webpage
SEND Early Identification and Support Services’ parent support offer – The service offers a range of parent workshops and can signpost to support available for parents of children with SEND.
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Wolverhampton Information, Advice and Support Service (IASS)
The Wolverhampton Information, Advice and Support Service (IASS) has a wealth of information around special educational needs or disability (SEND) for children and young people with (SEND) and their family on their website. Anyone can sign up to the IASS e-bulletin or access their social media for updates on their training and events. The Wolverhampton IASS website also includes a range of information booklets/factsheets around areas such as EHCPs, Annual Review and Personal Budgets.
Educational Psychology Service Parent/Carer Consultation Service
Parents/carers will be contacted remotely by their preferred method of communication and offered an initial consultation of up to 30 minutes with a member of the Wolverhampton Educational Psychology Service. This could include Educational Psychologists, Trainee Educational Psychologists or Assistant Psychologists. A review consultation at a later date, mutually agreed by you and the Psychologist, as a way of monitoring progress may also be recommended.
For more information please visit Parent/Carer Consultation Service.
Voice4Parents
Voice4Parents are a Parent/Carer Forum that represents the views and voices of Parents and Carers of Children and Young People in Wolverhampton with SEND.
Targeted
Wolverhampton Information, Advice and Support Service (IASS)
Wolverhampton IASS can offer impartial information, advice and support on matters relating to a child or young person’s special educational needs or disability (SEND) from birth to 25 years. A referral is required, and this can be a self-referral or made by a professional on the family or child or young person’s behalf (with consent).
Outreach Parent Offer
The Outreach Service offer opportunities to meet other parents/carers and get advice from professionals. The offer is open to parents of children with any SEND need and those currently undergoing assessment.
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Embrace Autism Coffee mornings
Coffee mornings held every 4 to 6 weeks to support autistic children and their families.
For more information, please email embraceautismwv@outlook.com or search for ‘Embrace Autism WV’ on Facebook.
Early Bird
The Early Bird Plus programme is a fantastic 10 week programme from the National Autistic Society that aims to support the parents of Primary School aged (4-9 years) children with Autism.
Teen Life
Teen Life is a programme for the parents of teenagers with Autism. Written by the National Autism Society and run by expert Autism practitioners from the Wolverhampton Outreach Service and Tettenhall Wood School, the programme aims to support parents in really understanding more about how autism is experienced by a teen with Autism. The 6-week course will help any parent or professional that attends to develop and understand useful strategies to support an individual with autism through their teenage years.
For general information about Wolverhampton Social Care please visit Health and Social Care and for further details around Children’s Social Care please visit Children’s Social Care.
For general advice, contact:
- Children's Social Care Services: 01902 555392
- Adult Social Care Services : 01902 551199
- Homeless Services : 01902 554747
Wolverhampton Safeguarding Together
The Wolverhampton Safeguarding Together website has been developed to help you easily access information about safeguarding children and adults across Wolverhampton.
This website provides information and guidance for all residents and professionals living and working within Wolverhampton to help keep people safe including a range of useful screening tools to help you access the appropriate support.
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National Youth Advocacy Service
The National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS) provide advice and advocacy for care experienced children and young people. Advisers support with any concern and signpost to appropriate services. They can be contacted by CYP for support on 0808 8081001 or on WhatsApp at 07494788875.
Wolverhampton Children in Care
Children in Care Council & Care Leaver Collective website with information on being in care and leaving care, alongside support that can be accessed with contact information.
Virtual School
The Virtual School is a statutory service which exists to support and challenge all those involved in the education of children in care. Our main area of work is with compulsory school age children. We also support Post 16 students and Early Years children, with specialised staff allocated to these different areas.
Targeted
Barnardo’s Star Project (R)
Barnardo’s Star Project is a therapeutic support service that aims to improve outcomes for families and children on the edge of care or in care. Contact Laura Colley on 01902 937310
For general information including on where and how to find cost of living support across the city visit Cost of Living Support.
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Family Hubs
A Family Hub is a place where children, young people and their families can go when they need support.
Women and Families Resource Centre
The WFRC is a registered charity based in Wolverhampton which supports, provides services, develops programs, empowers, and advocates for women and children. Their services are free to any woman or child, regardless of race, culture or religion facing difficulties.
Changing Lives
Changing Lives is a support service for thousands of vulnerable people and their families. Through their pioneering and innovative work, they help people to make positive, lasting changes in their lives.
Food banks (R)
Across Wolverhampton City there are a number of food banks offering support for local families. There are differing criteria to access the support and in some instances referrals from professionals may be required.
The Good Night Project (R)
The Good Night Project is a community led partnership aiming to reduce bed poverty and ensure everyone in Wolverhampton has a good night’s sleep in a suitable bed. This service is for Wolverhampton residents only and is a one-time use service. Self-referrals and referrals on behalf of someone who requires assistance from the project can be made using the online form on the webpage.
Wolverhampton Young Opportunities - Yo!
Yo! Young Opportunities - is about creating more opportunities for young people. Yo! provides access to events and services within Wolverhampton that offer opportunities to children, young people and their parents. Events and activities take place throughout the year. Many are free and include food which is funded by the Council and the Department for Education (DfE).
The Yo! Wolves webpage offers signposting to a range of services across Wolverhampton and beyond.
Targeted
Wolverhampton Baby Bank (R)
The Women and Families Resource Centre (WFRC) offer free baby clothes, nappies, food and essentials for families in need of help. To access the support a referral form should be completed by a key worker or professional working with and/or supporting the family.
Families can contact their GP, midwife, health visitor, healthcare professional, Job Centre Adviser, local authority, social care professional, schools, statutory & non statutory organisations to request a referral be made on their behalf if support is required.
Spurgeons (R)
Spurgeons provide support for young carers through Wolverhampton Young Carers who provide monthly group sessions for young people aged 8 to 18 who have a significant caring role at home. Referrals can be made via their webpage.
Refugee and Migrant Centre (RMC)
The Refugee and Migrant Centre offers a wide range of support to clients who include asylum seekers, refugees, EU migrants, undocumented people and those with uncertain immigration status.
The service provides casework, advice and guidance on immigration, housing/homelessness/destitution, welfare, education and health.
The RMC has three centres which offer an open drop-in service on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings between 9am-1pm.
Household Support Fund
As more households have been affected by the rising cost of living and energy prices, financial support/assistance with food, gas, electricity, transport to school etc. is available for those most in need. For more information please visit Household Support Fund.
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Haven Counselling Helpline
The Haven Counselling Helpline provides practical and emotional support services to women and children who are affected by domestic abuse and homelessness. The helpline facility takes referrals directly from women and children, as well as agencies.
The helpline team can be contacted;
- Phone: 08000 194 400;
- WhatsApp 9-5, Monday to Friday on 07719 558183;
- Live chat 9-5, Monday to Friday;
- Email: referralpoint@havenrefuge.org.uk
Targeted
The Haven Wolverhampton
The Haven accepts referrals from many agencies seeking support for their clients who have been subjected to domestic abuse or violence, or are vulnerable to homelessness. They have developed programmes aimed at preventing young people from becoming perpetrators and victims of abusive relationships. They aim to introduce young people to what is acceptable within a relationship and what is not acceptable to help them understand what a healthy relationship is and what consent means within a relationship.
For information and booking enquiries, or to request a callback email training@havenrefuge.org.uk
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Base25’s SAFE and SAFE ‘n’ SOUND
The SAFE and SAFE ‘n’ SOUND project is a dedicated initiative offering targeted support for children (9-11 years) and young people (12-17 years) who have experienced or witnessed domestic abuse. For more information email info@base25.org
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X2Y
X2y LGBT Youth Group supports young people in Wolverhampton and surrounding areas who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans or Questioning their sexuality or gender identity (LGBTQ+).
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Violence Reduction Partners
The VRP can be commissioned to deliver staff and student workshops in school on Childhood Adversity, Trauma Informed Practice, County Lines and a range of other factors which may contribute to school non-attendance.
Contact - vrp@westmidlands.police.uk
West Midlands Forced Marriage and Honour Based Abuse Helpline
Call helpline: 0800 953 9777
Targeted
Youth Justice Service
Wolverhampton Youth Justice Service (formerly knows as the Youth Offending Team/YOT) are a multi-agency team who can offer early intervention to young people aged 10 – 18yrs who are involved in the criminal justice system.
Catch 22
The Wolverhampton Violence Reduction Service has four distinct elements supporting people to change their behaviour. These include interventions, complex case management, resettlement and establishing connectivity.
Back on Track (G-F)
Promoting school inclusion. The key aim of the project is to promote the positive engagement of young people with their existing education provision, and thereby avoiding the negative outcomes of permanent exclusion and criminalisation.
For further information contact Amanda.haddon@wolverhampton.gov.uk
Specialist
Community Initiative to Reduce Violence (CIRV) (G-F)
The aim of the Community Initiative to Reduce Violence (CIRV) is to target violent crime. It is the first intervention to be rigorously assessed and evaluated. The programme offers the opportunity to engage with a variety of professionals who can assist the young person in making positive lifestyle choices, such as, access to employment, life skills, education and training
The criteria for CIRV is:
- 14 or over
- Gang / Urban Street Gang (USG) linked and/or linked to organised crime.
- Suspected involvement in violence, weapon possession.
- Missing episode(s) due to exploitation.
- Must live in Wolverhampton or within 1 hours travelling distance (if moved out of city).
Links to a gang/USG amounts to a reasonable suspicion that the individual is part of a group/gang, involved in violence. View the referral link.
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Chat Health
Chat Health is an NHS text messaging service for young people across Wolverhampton for 11-19 year olds who can text a school nurse to get confidential advice and support for a range of health and wellbeing issues.
Text on 07507 332 631
Kooth
XenZone is a provider of online mental health services for children, young people and adults. Kooth, from XenZone, is an online counselling and emotional well-being platform for children and young people, accessible through mobile, tablet and desktop and free at the point of use.
Targeted
Social Prescribing Service (R)
The Social Prescribing Service provides a non-medical approach to supporting young people in Wolverhampton to improve their wellbeing and feel more connected to their community.
School Nursing Service (R)
The School Nursing Service exists to provide care and support to all children and young people between 4.5 years and 19 years of age and their families who attend schools in Wolverhampton. A referral is required to access this service.
Believe 2 Achieve (R)
Believe to Achieve (B2A) is an engaging and creative charity working with children and young people aged 5yrs - 25yrs that work holistically to enhance self-esteem, personal development, educational experience and future aspirations. This is done through the high quality provision of a wide range of services, delivered by experienced and qualified staff.
The provision includes:
- counselling and therapy services
- peer support programmes
- internet/social media awareness workshops
- parental support programmes
- holiday, lunchtime & after-school activities
B2A take counselling referrals from Strengthening Families Hubs, the CCG, Primary Schools and Secondary Schools. This is a costed service.
Wolves Foundation – Advantage Mentoring
The Advantage Mentoring programme has been designed to increase access to NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, help tackle waiting times and reduce health inequalities by providing weekly 1-2-1 mentoring support for young people aged 11-21 with mild-moderate mental health and emotional wellbeing support needs, that are unable / unwilling to access direct CAMHS support.
Reflexions (R) (G-F)
Reflexions is a Mental Health Support Team (MHST) service that helps increase access to mental health support for children and young people in schools across the Black Country. They offer 1:1 low/high intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Whole School Approach (WSA) including staff training, workshops and school assemblies.
In order to access a Reflexions MHST the child or young person must attend a Reflexions school. For further information email bchft.reflexions@nhs.net or call 01902 444021
Specialist
CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service) (R)
Wolverhampton Specialist CAMHS covers a range of services for children, young people and families who are experiencing mental health problems. Each of the specialist services contain a multidisciplinary team that are able to provide a range of therapies and interventions to help plan a way forward that is individual to them.
The child or young person must be registered with a Wolverhampton GP or looked after by the City of Wolverhampton Council to access this service.
Professionals can refer a child by contacting the Single Point of Access (SPA) on 01902 44402 or bchft.wolvescamhsspa@nhs.net
Inspire (CAMHS)
Inspire supports children with a learning disability. This part of CAMHS employs specialist staff who have expertise in working with young people with a learning disability. Inspire can offer support with mental health related difficulties.
Base 25 (R)
Base 25 offer a range of young people services which include:
- Mi Choice - Mi Choice, by Base 25, serves as the Emotional Wellbeing Service in Wolverhampton dedicated to children and young people under 18. This service works in partnership with Wolverhampton’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health service (CAMHS) and all referrals should be sent to the CAMHS Single Point of Access (SPA) and are jointly triaged to determine the most appropriate service for that young person based on the information provided by the referral.
- Empower - The Empower project provides specialist support to children and young people aged 10-17 impacted by all forms of exploitation.
- SAFE and SAFE ‘n’ SOUND - The SAFE and SAFE ‘n’ SOUND project is a dedicated initiative offering targeted support for children (9-11 years) and young people (12-17 years) who have experienced or witnessed domestic abuse.
- Behaviour management - Base 25’s Behaviour Management Programmes, including Anger Management, are targeted interventions designed to facilitate positive behavioural change.
- Reducing Harmful Sexualised Behaviour Project - The Reducing Harmful Sexualised Behaviours (RHSB) Project provides an assessment of age-inappropriate sexual behaviours in children that may pose harm to themselves or others, including those facilitated by technology to inform affective intervention.
Universal
School Health Chatline
Chat Health is an NHS text messaging service for young people (11-19 year olds) across Wolverhampton. The young person can text a school nurse to get confidential advice and support for a range of health and wellbeing issues. Text on 07507 332 631
School Health Drop-In Clinics
The School Nursing Service exists to provide care and support to all children and young people (aged between 4.5 to 19 years) who attend schools in Wolverhampton.
Health Visiting Service
Health Visitors offer a universal service to all families with pre-school children, providing advice and support in relation to family health needs and child health promotion.
BEAT
BEAT is the UK’s eating disorder charity. Their National Helpline exists to encourage and empower people to get help quickly. Support on the Helpline is available by phone, email, webchat through our social media accounts and by letter. Calls to the helpline are free from landlines and mobile phones within the UK and do not appear on itemised bills.
Targeted
Social Prescribing Service
The Social Prescribing Service provides a non-medical approach to supporting young people in Wolverhampton to improve their wellbeing and feel more connected to their community. The service is based at the Wolverhampton Voluntary & Community Action and they can arrange to meet you at their city centre office, in your own home or somewhere else that you feel comfortable.
School Nursing Service (R)
The School Nursing Service exists to provide skilled evidence based care and support to all children and young people between 4.5 years and 19 years of age and their families, who attend schools in Wolverhampton.
Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) School Nursing Team – Targeted Parent Workshops
The SEND School nursing team will hold 5 targeted sessions across the year for families of children with SEND that will cover sensory needs, toileting & constipation, sleep, restricted eating & overeating and dental care. All primary schools that have 17% or higher numbers of children with SEND will be able to invite their families of children with SEND at both SEN Support and those with an EHCP. For further information, schools should speak to their school nurse.
Wolverhampton 360
Wolverhampton 360 is a substance misuse service for young people. They provide practical, down to earth advice on issues with drugs, drink, health and any issue affecting general life.
Specialist
Eating Disorder Service (R)
The Eating Disorder Service supports people over the age of eight years old with the following eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder. A multidisciplinary team who can support in one-to-one sessions, group sessions, or both, depending on someone’s need. Support includes psychological approaches like psychoeducation and cognitive behavioural therapy.
SEND School Nursing Team
For support regarding health needs for children and young people attending a Wolverhampton school who have special educational needs, then a referral to the school nursing service may be triaged to the SEND School Nursing Team for further specialist support.
For all new cases, referrals and queries please email rwh-tr.0-19service@nhs.net or call 01902 441057.