What do we provide to Northumberland
Children and Families
We offer a holistic approach to meeting
the needs of families, by providing a varied range of flexible day
and overnight services to children and young people under the age
of 18 years. Our services narrow the gap between
disadvantaged children and their peers, and bring a number of
advantages in providing the right help, at the right level, at the
right time for children and families. Furthermore, our
services are designed to offer disabled children and their families
a valuable break from their caring responsibilities. We also
provide support to children who are returning home after being
in the care system.
Services are short breaks which can last from
a few hours during the day, to an overnight stay. These can
take place in the child's own home with one of our approved Home
Support Carers, or in the home of one of our approved Registered
Childminder’s, or out in the community with one of our approved
Task Centred Carers.
All the services provided to children and
their families are backed by our dedicated team of quality assured
and approved carers. The basic requirement for all Support
Care workers is an NVQ Level 3 in Child Care.
PLEASE NOTE THE FAMILY SUPPORT TEAM IS NOT RECRUITING
ANY CARERS AT THIS TIME.
Please check back for details at a later time. Thank
you.
Day Care Provision:
Mainstream Day Care (For all children
and young people aged 0 to 18 years old)
Our Registered Childminders work
within their own home providing care for a couple of hours
through to a
full day, depending on the individual needs of the
child and their family. (In order to care for children under
8 years of age, applicants must be Registered Childminders with
Ofsted).
Requirements:
Family Aid Work (For all children and
young people aged 0 to 18 years)
Our Family Aid Workers visit families in
their own homes, providing opportunities for the families to affect
change and develop confidence and skills in managing challenging
behaviour. The work may also include the
development of routines, safe caring strategies, financial guidance
& the raising of home hygiene standards.
Requirements:
- available early mornings and evenings
Home Support Care for Disabled
Children and Young People (Aged 0 to 18
years)
Our Home Support Carers can take a child/young
person out into a community setting, or can care for 
the
child/young person in their own home, while the rest of the family
go out. This offers the family a
regular and valued break from their caring responsibilities.
The aim is to reduce social isolation and stress for the whole
family; allowing each family member to take part in things
that they may not normally be able to access.
Requirements:
- a regular commitment to a minimum of 2- 3 evenings per
week from 4pm – 8pm, and 4 hours on a Saturday or
Sunday
- may entail early morning support
Task Centred Care (For all children
and young people aged 5 to 18 years)
Our Task Centred Carers work with
children/young people outside the family home, accompanying them to
access everyday activities under safe supervision and
guidance. The worker provides practical and emotional
support to the child/young person, empowering them to develop their
social skills, their independence and their ability to interact
with adults and other children/young people in the community.
(i.e. taking the child/young person to sports and leisure
clubs, allowing them to participate in activities that they
are interested in and wish to join in with their peers).
Requirements:
- a regular commitment to a minimum of 2- 3 evenings per week
from 4pm – 8pm, and 4 hours on a Saturday or Sunday
- may be required during the day for children who are excluded
from school
Supervised Contact (For all children
and young people aged 0 to 18 years)
Our Contact Supervisors help to facilitate the
contact between children and their families. The Local Authority
has a duty (Children Act 1989 s.34) to promote contact between
looked-after children and their parents, relatives, friends and
other people connected with the child.
Requirements:
- a high level of committment and flexiblity
- willingness to work weekdays, early mornings, late evenings and
weekends
Specialist Activities (For children
with additional needs and young carers)
Our specialist activity schemes provide an
opportunity for children and young people with additional needs to
participate in term time and holiday play schemes. Schemes
are also provided for young carers. Further information is
available from your child’s Social Worker.
Overnight Provision:
Overnight Support Care (For all
children and young people aged 0 to 18 years)
This service offers a breathing space to
families experiencing difficulties. It provides an effective
intervention to support families to remain together, and to reduce
the risk of children and young people entering the looked after
system and/or being excluded from school and other services. It
also provides a respite service to children in foster care and to
families of disabled children and young people.
Requirements:
- the child must have their own bedroom
- you must be a Registered Childminder with
Ofsted registration to provide overnight care
- willingness to offer planned and regular overnight stays,
during the week and at weekends
For further information on any of the
services above please do not hesitate to contact the Family Support
Team Duty Officer, or your child’s Social Worker.
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