Behaviour Support Plan: Good Practice

SPRINGBOARD

The worker visits them in the home, which is informal and non-threatening, and an appropriate package is set-up.  The family are offered access to play, leisure, community and cultural services for three months. 

ALL SPRINGBOARD ACTIVITIES ARE FREE OF CHARGE.

The families are responsible for setting up and using the provision, Springboard acts as a preventative, self-help scheme and encourages families to take ownership of how and when they access the provision.

The projects has been running for 10 months and has had approx. 100 referrals representing 300 children.  There have been a significant number of families who have felt that Springboard offered them an exciting opportunity.  Placements for the under-fives have included playgroup and private nurseries and older children have benefited from access to Sport through placements with Sports Development and holiday schemes at the Leisure Centres.  These placements act as a combination of respite for the parents and an opportunity for the children to learn new skills in stimulating environment.

In some cases the families have continued to use the facilities at the end of the three-month period.  Springboard offers families an opportunity to step into the mainstream, evaluation of the project has shown that this could be a return to learning, recognising the benefits of going out as a family, socialisation of the under-fives and more.

Springboard has funding until April 2000 and is hoping to make a successful bid for National Lottery funding.

Contact Jane Clarke on 01952 202533