Putting children first Aiming High Project Overview August 2015 Aiming High is a government programme which provides services and short breaks for disabled children aged up to 20 years of age. It has been developed with a particular focus on groups of children and young people who: • have challenging behaviour linked to a disability • have complex health needs associated with a disability • have a life limiting condition • have a palliative condition • are technology dependent children requiring specialist care • have a severe physical impairment who require moving and handling • are on the Autistic Spectrum (who have severe learning difficulties or behaviour which is challenging) • have a sensory impairment (for example hearing or visual impairment) • live in Stoke‐on‐Trent and attend a special school in or out of the city. Action for Children is the lead provider for the Stoke‐on‐Trent programme and they have commissioned Children & Families Staffordshire as the main provider of activities.
Transcript
Putting children first
Aiming High Project Overview
August
2015
Aiming High is a government programme which provides services and short breaks for disabled
children aged up to 20 years of age. It has been developed with a particular focus on groups of
children and young people who:
• have challenging behaviour linked to a disability
• have complex health needs associated with a disability
• have a life limiting condition
• have a palliative condition
• are technology dependent children requiring specialist care
• have a severe physical impairment who require moving and handling
• are on the Autistic Spectrum (who have severe learning difficulties or behaviour which is
challenging)
• have a sensory impairment (for example hearing or visual impairment)
• live in Stoke‐on‐Trent and attend a special school in or out of the city.
Action for Children is the lead provider for the Stoke‐on‐Trent programme and they have
commissioned Children & Families Staffordshire as the main provider of activities.
ince Children and Families Staffordshire opened its doors in
April 2015 we have actually provided and supported children up to
the age of 10 years to participate in 100 activities. This has enabled
parents and carers to have a well‐deserved two to three hour break
from their caring responsibilities.
Parents say that they did not think it possible that for some of the
activities their child would ever enjoy or participate in. For example
learning to splash or swim at Dimensions, learn to ride a bike at
Pandas Hanford, ski or slide at Festival Park, sit or trot on a pony at
Endon, Dance at KDK, Tumble and swing at Gymnastics, Flying kites at
Westport Lake, the list goes on ... These activities all help towards
children building confidence and growing in self‐esteem, encouraging
and enabling children to reach further with their goals.
All this is made possible by our special team of dedicated staff and
amazing volunteers, who say that at the end of their day they know
they have made a huge difference to many children’s lives.
Not forgetting our visits to family’s homes where children who are
too poorly to attend an activity can actually have fun at home with
the support of a family support worker from our team. This is a life
saver for some families where they do not have any other support
mechanisms around them.
What the children say they like about Aiming High Activities: “We have fun” “I have made new friends”
“We have a laugh” “Getting good at skiing”
“Playing hide and seek” “You are all nice”
“Swimming” “Finding bugs”
“Playing board games” “I like helping Eileen”
“I like going really high” “Dressing up”
“Making dragon masks” “Climbing”
A Mother’s Comments: I know my daughter is happy with Children & Families Staffordshire and their staff as its the only place I can actually leave her without tears and tantrums. Because of her medical condition she doesn’t speak so this means everything to me.
Changes coming to our service The age range of our activities is currently 0—8 years. Due to demand this will be extended from October this year to 0—10 years.
Developing the skills and increasing the knowledge of our Aiming High Staff
During this quarter period, staff training has included the following:
1. Supporting children who are showing signs of Selective Mutism (provider ‐ Stoke Speaks Out) 2. Safeguarding the Unborn Child (provider ‐ Stoke‐on‐Trent Safeguarding Board) 3. Female Genital Mutilation (provider— Stoke‐on‐Trent Safeguarding Board) 4. Peg and Pump Feeding 5. Effective Communication with Children (provider ‐ Stoke‐on‐Trent Safeguarding Board)
Aiming High Monthly Summary
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Transport provided by CAFS
Family Activities
Home Visits
Short Breaks
June
May
April
Keele University Students Every year we attend the Volunteer Fayre at Keele University to recruit new
volunteers. We now have students that volunteer in their spare time and are
extremely valuable to our sessions as they come with enthusiasm and energy which
adds to the fun at our activities. This is also beneficial to the students themselves as
they can add their experience on to their CV which in turn helps towards employment
in the future.
Our organisation has a fantastic working relationship with Keele University, whereby
medical students regularly come on placement with us, giving them opportunities to
see what difficulties some of our families face every day. One student described their
placement as “Very enjoyable and beneficial. I helped at a variety of activities which
meant I learnt a lot about the different health and social problems for the people of
Stoke‐on‐Trent.”
All provider average Children & Families Staffordshire average
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