Working together to support children and young people to reach their full potential Issue 2 April 2010

In this issue - Youth Forum News › Incredible Years Programmes › 14-19 › Training › Meet a Learning Coach › Safeguarding

The new school will be ‘community focused’ with facilities such as the school hall being open to the community outside the normal school day. The school will include both Welsh and English medium early years education and childcare facilities along with a multi purpose room for hosting activities such as parent and toddler groups, baby massage and breast feeding groups, health visitor clinics and supervised family contact sessions.

The Family Centre will also have multi agency office space available to accommodate a range of professionals delivering services to local families. Some of the services to be located on this site include speech and language therapists, health visitors, mental health workers and Action for Children family support workers.

The benefit of these co-located services is that families are able to access a range of services locally in an environment that is familiar and comfortable to them. It also means that agencies are able to work together to meet the needs of the family at as early a stage as possible and before they escalate.

The new school and Family Centre at Trefonnen will be the first of its kind in Powys and is a flagship model. As the school modernisation process moves across the county, every opportunity will be taken to look at the wider family and community needs when new schools are being developed. Ystradgynlais is the next area to be subject to school modernisation and discussions are already underway to develop a similar school and family centre model for that area.

Green Light for New Family Centre DevelopmentA proposal to build a Family Centre on the new Trefonnen School Site in Llandrindod was approved by Powys County Council’s Board in February 2010.

Pupils of Llandrindod Church in Wales school, Trefonnen look at plans for the new Family Centre with Architect Jim Swabey, CYPP’s Shelley Davies, Building Manager Martin Bennett, Cllr Mike Hodges and school staff Janice Baynham and Lynda Stephens.

Children & Young People’s PartnershipPartneriaeth Plant A Phobl Ifanc

Powys Children and Young People’s Partnership Newsletter

2 Working together to support children and young people to reach their full potential 3Working together to support children and young people to reach their full potential

Incredible Years Programmes Causing a Stir

The Incredible Years Programmes in Powys have been drawing interest from across the country and the world, from international researchers, to Excellence Wales Awards assessors.

The programmes are a set of complementary courses for parents, children and teachers which are research based and proven to be effective in reducing aggression and behaviour problems in young children and increasing social competence at home and at school.

Coordinated by Barnardo’s, Incredible Years parent groups are offered across the county to support parents and help build their own capacity to deal with the challenges of parenthood and managing their child’s behaviour. There is a multi- agency approach to delivery of the programmes as group leaders come from a range of agencies including Health, Social Services, Education, Barnardo’s and Action for Children.

The Incredible Years Classroom Dina programme for children is taught using child size puppets, children in the foundation phase clearly engage and enjoy the experience. The Dina Dinosaur small group programme offers additional support in developing social skills and managing emotions. A third of Powys schools have undertaken the teacher classroom training and a quarter of schools have staff trained to deliver the small group Dina Dinasour programme.

Shelley Davies, Strategic Manager Children and Young People’s Partnership (CYPP) says: “Although the Incredible Years Programme is not unique to Powys the

Bwrdd IechyddAddysgu Powys

Powys TeachingHealth Board

joined-up approach to delivery is creating much interest. Child Psychologist, Dr Sue Evans is able to take the clinical lead in development, with an expert central co-ordination service provided by Barnardo’s and a multi agency Incredible Years Workforce.

“Intervention is offered at as early a stage as possible in order to prevent the escalation of difficulties and the need for more costly, intensive interventions. We have just piloted parenting training for childcare staff and also the Incredible Years Toddler and School Readiness programmes in the Flying Start Areas, and hope to roll these out further in the coming year.”

Pictured Children of Ladywell Green Nursery and Infant School in Newtown enjoying a Classroom Dina session with Early Years teacher Anne Breese.

Maesyrhandir School inspection report states:During PSE sessions, with puppets Dina and Wally, children showed exceptional sensitivity to the problems of others and how difficulties might be resolved.

Gill Williams, mother of two young children says: “The parent programme has given me ideas on problem solving and I feel more confident in my ability as a mother. It’s a great support network and I’m now enjoying my children more.”

1001 referrals for the Incredible years parenting programmes received between January 2006 and December 2009

For further information contact:Parent Works programme - Barnardo’s 01686 617444 or parent.works@barnardos.org.ukClassroom and Child programme – Dr Sue Evanssue.evans@powyslhb.wales.nhs.uk

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A new booklet giving advice on Welsh-medium education is now available for parents and carers in PowysThe booklet answers questions such as: Will learning Welsh affect my child’s English? How can I support my child if I don’t speak Welsh? What are the advantages of being bilingual for educational success and careers?You can request a copy of the booklet Have you considered Welsh-medium education for your child? on 01597 826265 or email sarah.astley@powys.gov.uk

Local Resource Solution Panels (LRSP) UpdateLRSPs are to be established in Llandrindod and Newtown as the next phase of this multi agency approach. Professionals from Health, Education, Police, Housing, Leisure, Youth Services and from across the Voluntary Sector met to discuss the way forward for the new panels and dates are set for inaugural meetings.

26 April for Llandrindod Area, Chair Paul Rowe, Powys County Council Youth Service19 April for Newtown, Chair Lesley Jones, Powys Youth Offending Service

Panels, already established in Ystradgynlais and Machynlleth, discuss referrals of individual children with additional needs, not readily met by universal services.

Training of the Common Assessment Framework (CAF), which is to work in tandem with the LRSPs to provide a cross-sector understanding of the needs of a child or young person, is taking place across the county.

For further information call 01597 826058 or email children.youngpeople@powys.gov.uk

Powys School MealsParents and pupils can now log on to find out what’s on the school menu, pick up a recipe, get tips on nutrition and link to games about food and healthy eating.

Peter Marrs, Powys County Council’s Catering and Facilities Manager, said: “The website will really help parents and pupils find out more about what we offer in school including healthy eating options. Funded by the Appetite for Life Scheme, we’re really pleased to launch this new site which enables parents and pupils to check what’s on the menu and much more at anytime of day.”

There are sections for primary pupils, secondary students and parents. Log on to www.schoolmeals.powys.gov.uk to find out more.

LRSP Workers Vicky Lennard and Donna Jenkins Della Bufton, Dyfodl Powys Futures and Yvonne Owen Newns, PAVO

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The recording studio with live room, plus a suite of Apple Macs for editing, funded by the Powys 14-19 Learning Network, provides industry standard facilities to enable students to follow a vocational Level 3 qualification in music.

The course is open to students from partnering schools and colleges across the north of the county. Interest in the new course is growing and as of 15 March, ten students from three schools have applied with more anticipated, particularly from students at Coleg Powys.

Voiceover artists, sound engineers and other music industry professionals have already been approached to contribute to the course as visiting lecturers.

The £60,000 bid to fund the resource was made collaboratively by Coleg Powys, Cedewain Special School, Newtown, John Beddoes and Caereinion High Schools, Powys County Council’s Youth Service and Complimentary Education service.

Robin Midgley, Head of Music at Newtown High school comments: “Investment in this new facility is very positive, I know many pupils who previously had to travel to Shrewsbury to access this course, providing pupils in North Powys with this opportunity is a valuable resource.”

Use of the studio will stretch beyond the BTEC L3 to assist various cross curriculum projects, such as editing of Performing Arts videos, whilst wider community projects are already being supported, as nine local Primary schools have this month started work to record a CD.

Jennifer Owen Adams 14-19 Network Manager for Powys comments: “The Powys 14-19 Network were delighted to fund this exciting capital investment in North Powys. Offering a wider set of choices for pupils across the county is at the heart of the 14-19 agenda. The next step is to create a similar facility at Brecon High School to serve students in the South of the county.”

To find out more about the BTEC in Music Technology contact Dewi Owen, Assistant Head Newtown High School on 01686 626304 or the14-19 Network Manager, jennifer.owenadams@powys.gov.uk or call 01597 826448.

New North Powys Music Technology Facility Up and RunningBased at Newtown High school the resource is now ready and waiting for the first cohort of students from North Powys to study on the BTEC Level 3 Qualification in Music Technology from September 2010.

Ash Cooper White, Nick Davies and Tom Flynn using the recording studio

yn rhoi dysgwyr yn gyntaf putting learners first

6 Working together to support children and young people to reach their full potential 7Working together to support children and young people to reach their full potential

Books prescribed to help children and familiesThe enhanced Bibliotherapy scheme in Powys was launched on 8 March with local author Rob Lewis, Powys Librarian Kay Thomas and Clinical Psychologist Margaret Oke.

The scheme enables front line staff to recommend a self-help resource to parents of children with emotional and behavioural problems, knowing that it has been reviewed by both professionals and parents.

There are 30 books in the scheme covering the following issues: Anger, Behaviours, Bereavement, Bullying, Confidence and Self-Esteem, Development, Divorce, New Parents, Potty Training, sadness, Sibling Rivalry, Sleep, Stepfamilies, Teenager, Worries and Fears.

Local professionals from Health, Social Services, Education and the voluntary sector have been provided with packs that will allow them to recommend the books to families. Sets of books are now available in all Powys libraries for parents and young people to access. If a member of staff makes a recommendation, the slip can be taken to any library where the book can be collected, even if they are not a library member.

Rob Lewis author of over 40 children’s books spoke of his personal experience as a father of a son with a disability and described how this scheme to recommend credible books was much needed: “You can’t always guarantee the quality of information on the internet and so it’s great to have this scheme that ensures materials are bonefide and well-vetted. Books that help stay with you.”

The scheme in Powys has been jointly funded by Powys Children and Young People’s Partnership (CYPP) and the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS).

For further information on the scheme contact Sian Lee on 01686617450 or email sian.lee@wales.nhs.uk

Bibliotherapy Coordinator - Sian Lee, Children’s Author - Rob Lewis and CYPP Strategic Manager – Shelley Davies

Community Focused Services (CFS) Development OfficersFor information on children and young people’s services in your area contact:

Brecon Area - Jacquie Brown 07766 991348 jacquie.brown@powys.gov.uk

Bro Dyfi/ Llanfair Caereinion - Sioned Jones Pritchard07817 683366 sioned.pritchard@powys.gov.uk

Radnor - Trace Bissell 07776 472720 trace.bissell@powys.gov.uk

Newtown/Llanidloes - Karen Finucane 07775 792873 karen.finucane@powys.gov.uk

Welshpool - Sheela Hughes 07969 204198 sheela.hughes@powys.gov.uk

Ystradgynlais - Allison Jones 07769 838884 allison.jones@powys.gov.uk

Fitter, Healthier and HappierNine families wanting help to get on the fitness trail have just completed the second MEND - Mind Exercise Nutrition Do it! - Programme at Ystradgynlais.

MEND aims to help overweight children between 7 and13 learn how to stay trim and healthy the natural way. Places are free and parents are expected to get as involved as their children in the classes.

The first Powys youngsters completed the MEND programme in December 2009 with very positive results, all showing a controlled weight loss and a reduction in their waist circumference.

The next 10 week course starts in Ystradgynlais on 27 April 2010. For more information call 01639844854 or visit www.mendprogramme.org.

As a result of the positive outcomes of the programme MEND is to be rolled out in the North of the county in the Autumn Term 2010. MEND tutors for the Newtown area will be identified and trained in the summer term.

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Participation Standards Training for Save the Children WalesA number of Youth Forum members have trained to become National Participation Standards youth inspectors. Organisations within the county can sign up to work towards these Children and Young Peoples National Participation Standards. They will assess their services against the standards using a self assessment form and can then request a visit from the Youth Inspectors. Trained members of Powys Youth Forum will then visit the organisation to look at the evidence provided against the self assessment, interview staff and service users to confirm that they are meeting the standards.

Services and organisations that are inspected by the youth inspectors and meet the standards will be awarded the National Participation Standards kitemark. The first inspections against the self assessment forms are due to take place in April with Powys Advocacy Tros Gynnal and Powys Young Carers.

For further information or if your company is interested to adopt the standards contact the CYPP team on 01597 826058.

Having safe places to hang out in rural areasPowys Youth Forum members will hold its Spotlight Debate on 8th April. The spotlight debate enables Powys Youth forum members to debate issues that affect young people with service managers.

Forum members were asked to gather the views and opinions of young people in their area, in order to establish what issues they found had the greatest affect on the lives of young people within the county. In all over 20 issues were put forward from across the county - these issues were then debated and discussed until one priority issue was chosen. This year’s issue to be discussed at the spotlight debate is ‘Having safe places to hang out in rural areas’.

Youth forum members have researched the issue and will make a presentation of their findings to service managers. This will be followed by a number of discussion groups in which young people and services can try to find ways to improve the situation.

Powys Youth Forum members win High Sheriff’s Award for Merit in Public Service 2010 for commendable work carried out over a number of years for the benefit of young people from Powys. The Award was presented on 16 March at The Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells

Youth Forum News

I’m a Councillor get me out of herePowys Youth Forum Members put County Councillors through their paces at I’m a Councillor get me out of here. This event was part of a wider campaign to encourage young people to become more involved with local democracy, be that voting at the local council elections, attending a council meeting or becoming a councillor.

Councillors and youth forum members worked together at the event in the Elan Valley to earn points by completing tasks - mental, physical and definitely gruelling. Tasks included the Leap of Faith high-wire drop, a mountain bike slalem course and the orienteering challenge.

Powys Youth Forum member, Tom Turner aged 15 from Builth High School commented: “I’ve seen that Councillors are real people, human like us all and up for a challenge. After today I’m encouraged to go and vote, now that I know what my local councillor is really like.”

© Photographed by Marina Gallery

8 Working together to support children and young people to reach their full potential 9Working together to support children and young people to reach their full potential

Courses delivered by the Social Care Training Unit include: Adult Protection Awareness, Child Protection Foundation, Cyberbullying, Domestic Abuse, Multiple Sclerosis and Suicide Awareness.

The Training Brochure 2010/11 is available both electronically and printed. For further information please contact the Training Unit Email: pwbotu@powys.gov.ukTelephone: 01597 827330/1

TRAINING

Community Food and Nutrition Skills Course for those working with children, young people and families.The course costs approximately £15 and will be run across Powys.

For more information contact : Shelley.Powell@powyslhb.wales.nhs.uk or Gwawr.James@powyslhb.wales.nhs.uk or telephone 01874 712738

CYPP regularly run the following training throughout Powys• Paediatric First Aid• Food Safety in Catering• Health and Safety including Manual Handling• Fire Safety

Forthcoming training opportunities include: Storytelling, Makaton Training, Speech and Language, Equal Opportunity, Positive Behaviour, Play

Working with Fathers Two day training for professionals looking to engage meaningfully with fathers.

24th and 25th May at Rhayader Leisure Centre.

Inclusive Play Children and young people who are disabled need the same freedom to play as other children in surroundings which stimulate imagination and challenge them to face and overcome risks in order to build self-confidence and independence. Training includes group work, discussion and play.

Saturday, 19th June at Welshpool.

Autism Awareness Training If you work with children and young people and are interested in attending bilingual Autism Awareness training contact us as below.

For further information on any of the training opportunities email: cypptraining@powys.gov.uk or call 01597 826058.

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4 Fathers Free EventGregynog Woods, Tregynon, near Newtown

Saturday 29th May and Saturday 26th June 10am -1pm.

Fathers can re-live childhood years with den building, outdoor cooking, survival skills and wood carving. All fathers must be accompanied by a responsible child or children between the ages of 8 to 16.

Call 01597 826058 to book.

WHAT’S ON

Super Dads

Play and swim sessions for children and the men who parent to have fun together.

Maldwyn Leisure Centre, Newtown 2pm. £3 per dad – children FREE.

Sessions April 24, May 22, June 19, July 24, August 21.For further details call Barnardo’s on 01686 617444 or email: parent.works@barnardos.org.uk

Rhayader Museum and Gallery01597 810 192 www.carad.org.uk

“The Inner Picture” exhibition From 1st May - 21st June 2010

Featuring film, photography, painting, poetry and print work by 15 young people from Mid Powys supported by artist and film-maker Blue MacAskill.

Schools, Colleges, Art and Youth groups are invited to the exhibition for educational workshops run by Blue.

Pictured: Cath and Ystyn Harwood work on artwork inspired by life in Powys .

Cynnal Plant Powys - Bumps & Babies GroupsRun in partnership with local Health Visitors these groups offer a programme of activities for parents to be and parents with new babies, plus individual support & information.

Ystradgynlais - Healthy Living Centre Monday 1-3pm Contact: Catherine 07590417752

Brecon - Brecon Youth Centre Monday 10-11.30am Contact: Catherine 07590417752

Glasbury - Glasbury Village Hall Wednesday 1-3pm Contact: Catherine 07590417752

Builth Wells - Wesley Methodist ChurchMonday 10-11.30amContact: Tracy 07720461955

Llandrindod Wells - St John’s HQMonday 1.30-3pmContact: Tracy 07720461955

Newtown - Newtown Methodist ChurchFriday 1-2.30pmContact: Tracy 07720461955

Machynlleth - Ty MelfedMonday 10.30 -12pmContact: Angeline 07850972414

Llanidloes - Youth CentreMonday 1.30-3pmContact: Angeline 07850972414

Welshpool - Gungrog SchoolThursday 1-2.30pmContact: Angeline 07850972414

Young ParentsFor parents who are under 25 and are expecting or have just had a baby. Run in partnership with the Youth Service these groups provide a relaxed environment where support and guidance is available.

Brecon - Youth Centre Tuesday 1-3pm Contact: Mark 07799513208

Llandrindod - Youth Centre Thursday 1-3pm Contact: Wendy 07876440909

Llanfyllin - Community CentreFriday 1-3pm Contact: Barbara 07730672339

Parent LinkFor parents with children under 11yrs old, these groups offer a variety of courses with free crèche and Stay & Play.

Llanidloes - Youth CentreWednesday 1pm-3pmContact: Angeline 07850972414

Brecon - Brecon Youth Centre Thursday 10.30am-12pmContact: Catherine 07590417752

Welshpool - Gungrog SchoolThursday 1-2.30pmContact: Angeline 07850972414

Ystradgynlais - Healthy Living Centre Monday 10am-12pm Contact: Catherine 07590417752

Newtown - Newtown Methodist ChurchFriday 10am-12pmContact: Julie 07841254959

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Local Safeguarding Children’s Board (LSCB)Powys has the largest number of children placed by other Local Authorities, in the whole of England and Wales. The LSCB hosts a forum for vulnerable children living away from home. This addresses the issues for children placed in Powys from other Local Authorities, some as far away as Scotland. An agreement has been reached with independent providers of care for these children and young people around issues of restraint, children who go missing and the availability of local independent advocacy.

Powys LSCB piloted Self Assessment and Improvement Toolkit (SAIT) and as a result restructured to ensure accountability of the board for all the work of the LSCB. The effectiveness of this restructuring was apparent in January 2010 when the LSCB repeated the SAIT and found that the work of the LSCB had improved outcomes for children.

For further information www.lscb.powys.gov.uk

Members of the Junior Local Safeguarding Children’s Board, Eat carrots, be safe from Elephants have been busy. 18 members of the group met with Children’s Commissioner, Keith Towler on 19 February at Carad in Rhayader. Mr Towler spent the morning with the young people discussing three main issues; school transport, emotional health and well being and substance mis-use. Group members enjoyed meeting Mr Towler face-to-face and asking questions about his role.

The group, coordinated by Powys Advocacy Tros Gynnal, went on to present to social work professionals at a workshop at Aberystwyth

University in March as part of a SSIA conference on “Demonstrating Excellence”. And to top it off, the Eat Carrots group have been nominated for an Excellence Wales award for Local Collaboration, group members spoke with assessors in March and await the announcement of award winners in June.

Contact the CYPPCYPP, County Hall, Llandrindod Wells, LD1 5LGTel: 01597 826085children.youngpeople@powys.gov.uk

This magazine can be downloaded from www.cypp.powys.gov.uk

If you need this magazine in large print or in an alternative version, email:

children.youngpeople@powys.gov.uk or call 01597 826085

FEEDBACKLet us know what you think of this newsletter and help shape future editions.

Email michelle.wozencraft@powys.gov.uk with ideas, contributions and feedback for Issue 3.

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