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Towards a proactive approach to family support

Towards a proactive approach to family support. Jamie Reed MP, Member of UCLan APSU Dr Rick Wylie, Executive Director of UCLan APSU Helen Mitchell and Tracey Kendall of the Howgill Family Centre. Applied Policy Sciences Unit. In this session. t he problem in context c ase 1

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Towards a proactive approach to family support

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  1. Towards a proactive approach to family support Jamie Reed MP, Member of UCLan APSU Dr Rick Wylie, Executive Director of UCLan APSU Helen Mitchell and Tracey Kendall of the Howgill Family Centre Applied Policy Sciences Unit

  2. In this session • the problem in context • case 1 • the approach and method • case 2 • Applied Policy Science…

  3. Applied Policy Science • an approach to understanding and solving problems • emphasis on comprehending problems in context in order • to develop recommendations that are both realistic and desirable • for almost two decades at Westlakes • risk, communities, opinion, values, beliefs • resilience…

  4. The problem… wider than child poverty • There are currently 3.6 million children living in poverty in the UK • That’s almost a third of all children. 1.6 million of these children live in severe poverty • In the UK 58% of children living in poverty are in a family where someone works • Only half as many poor children who are eligible for Free School Meals achieved 5 or more A*-C grades at GCSE or equivalent compared to pupils not eligible • Approximately 15,000 children under 16 live in income deprived households in Cumbria • A child born and growing up in Moss Bay (Allerdale) can expect to live nearly 20 years less than someone in Greystoke (Eden) • a community which is just 30 miles away but where average incomes are much higher http://www.barnardos.org.uk/what_we_do/our_projects/child_poverty/child_poverty_what_is_poverty/child_poverty_statistics_facts.htm Cumbria Anti-Poverty Strategy 2011

  5. The new project • a partnership between Howgill Family Centre and UCLan at Westlakes • under the auspices of UCLan’s APSU • a proactive approach • resilience • adversities • positive adaptation

  6. Resilience • Not a personality trait, nor an attribute of the individual • A dynamic process, individuals display • positive adaptation despite experience of significant adversities or risk • competence despite severe adversity • A two-dimensional construct that implies • exposure to risks and adversities; and • manifestation of positive adaptation

  7. Adversities • adversity [ədˈvɜːsɪtɪ] npl-ties • 1. distress; affliction; hardship • 2. an unfortunate event or incident • also referred to as risks • negative life circumstances that are known to be statistically associated with adjustment difficulties • chronic exposure to community violence

  8. Positive adaptation • Behaviourally manifested social competence • Success in meeting stage-salient development tasks • e.g. among older children… • good academic performance • positive relationship with classmates and teachers

  9. Adversity/Risk High Negative adaptation Positive adaptation Adversity/Risk Low

  10. Adversity/Risk High Resilience - a positive adjustment to adversity or risk Negative adaptation Positive adaptation Adversity/Risk Low

  11. Adversity/Risk High Resilience - a positive adjustment to adversity or risk Interventions Negative adaptation Positive adaptation Adversity/Risk Low

  12. Vulnerabilities and protective factors • Vulnerability factors - exacerbate the negative effects of the risk or adversity • e.g. mental health • Protective factors modify the effects of risk or adversity in a positive direction • e.g. stable relationships

  13. Adversity/Risk High Protective factors Resilience a positive adjustment to adversity Interventions Vulnerabilities Negative adaptation Positive adaptation Adversity/Risk Low

  14. Case Study • Background of family • Needs identified • Work/Groups/Family Support/Volunteer put in place • Dealing with current issues - adversities • What the future holds – Applied Policy Science

  15. Howgill Family Passport Project Referred by: Children’s Services-Family Support Worker Other agencies involved at referral; Children’s Services Addaction School Family make-up; Mum 32 Dad 30, Child 1 – 11yrs Child 2 – 8yrs Child 3 – 5yrs Background; Family home (social housing) was raided by Police in March 2012 for drug offences whilst all family present. History of other drug offences on Dad with 2 custodial sentences spent. Both parents have a history of drug & alcohol abuse. Mum has mental health diagnosis. History of Domestic Violence between parents.

  16. Background continued… Child 3 displaying very angry/violent behaviour at school & home towards others. School having to put own resources in for 1:1 support. Child 2 presenting with some odd behaviour so Play Therapy was first requested. Mum made an attempt on own life. Scenario; Family Support was then requested in September 2012. Family qualifies for Family Passport area. Howgill Intensive Family Support Worker initially visits Mum who is very guarded & anxious. Dad received a 3rd custodial sentence & subsequently removed from the home to HMP. Mum left isolated to cope with 3 children all with differing needs. Mum also battling own mental health demons. No real family or friendship support for Mum due to own family issues.

  17. What is working against the family; • History of drug & alcohol abuse • Mental health issue • Mum’s attempt on own life • Dad in prison • Police action on Mum • Tenancy breached • History of Domestic Violence • Debt • Children presenting with behavioural issues in School & home

  18. Interventions put in place through partnership working; • Howgill Intensive Family Support Worker • Howgill Play Therapist – to work with whole family in home setting • Howgill Family Finance Advisor • HowgillPlayscheme • Howgill Family Trips • Howgill Triple P - To be completed now Dad is out of HMP – remains on license – Not fully integrated back into the home yet • Children’s Services - Family Support Social Worker • School meetings with all agencies involved with the family • Educational Psychologist • CAMHS – Assessment for Child 3/ Play therapy now offered as no underlying health issue found • Home Group Stonham – Tenancy support • Cumbria County Council – General Advisor • A 2nd School in another locality for Child 3 to receive most appropriate resources for their needs • Statutory Assessment underway Case now moved to a CAF

  19. Resilience factors;Positive Adaptations • Children – A need to be a better parent for them • Support from a trusted person – Howgill Intensive Family Support Worker • Motivation, Reassurance & confidence building • Sounding board – person to talk to, cry at, scream at • Encouraged self reflection & thinking about what Mum wants for the family or from life • Clarity of whole picture • Recognised the need for changes • Wanting to change for the better & to have a stable/settled family

  20. It occurred to us… • Can we learn from past interventions? • Can we be proactive? • Are risks categorically different to adversities?

  21. A Risk Society? • a fear of the future • uninsurable • beyond boundaries - scale • beyond capacity - scope • in families – some risk increasing… • contractorisation of employment: low pay/no-pay • disembedding– family, traditions • anxiety, stress • individualisation – decline of welfare state • a certain category of risk, not danger, not self-imposed…

  22. November 2009 Floods • 1,300 homes flooded • £276.5m of damage done • 110 farms suffered severe damage • Water levels reached 2.5m (over 8ft) in Cockermouth • November 17-20 rainfall

  23. Crossings House, Workington on 28 Feb 2010

  24. Shanghai's Jin Mao Tower 88 stories 1,174 feet (358 m)

  25. New risks • fear of the future • imposed • inform action in the here and now • insidious - subtle, with harmful effects • individualised • invisible (to much of society)

  26. Towards a new approach • positives • new interventions • proactive • identify what’s good and build on it rather than identify what’s bad and attempt to deal with it

  27. High Adversity Protective factors Resilience a positive adjustment to adversity Interventions Vulnerabilities Low Adversity Low Risk Negative adaptation Positive adaptation High Risk

  28. High Adversity Protective factors Resilience a positive adjustment to adversity Interventions Vulnerabilities Low Adversity Low Risk Negative adaptation The Project Positive adaptation High Risk

  29. High Adversity Learning Resilience Low Adversity Low Risk Negative adaptation Applying Positive adaptation High Risk

  30. Family Finance • The role of Diane Kenmare – Howgill Family Finance Officer • Helping families create manageable household budgets • How to pay off debt • Educating families about available benefits and grants

  31. Universal Credit A new single payment for people who are looking for work or on a low income • Launched in 2013 to replace: Jobseekers allowance, income support, child tax credits, working tax credits, housing benefits….

  32. Supporters and Critics Supporters hope it will reduce in-work poverty by making it easier for people to move in and out of work and put an end to people being trapped on benefits. The government hopes Universal Credit will cut welfare costs and prevent fraud, errors and discrepancies by creating a streamlined system

  33. Supporters and Critics Critics of Universal Credit worry that it may leave single people and families worse off. Howgill’s particular area of concern is the single monthly payment. For those receiving a low income, there may be a lot more month left at the end of their money. This could trigger a proliferation of pay day loans and would leave vulnerable people worse off.

  34. How can Howgill help? • Identifying vulnerable families to stop them going into the ‘risk area’ • Helping claimants with applications • Using proactive interventions • Building good relationships to avoid families spiralling into debt

  35. Towards a proactive approach to family support Jamie Reed MP, Member of UCLan APSU Dr Rick Wylie, Executive Director of UCLan APSU Helen Mitchell and Tracey Kendall of the Howgill Family Centre Applied Policy Sciences Unit

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