Pause West Sussex

We are pleased to announce that this month we launch Pause West Sussex. The team is led by Kelly Wilkes and practitioners Sam Thom and Nicki George. Trudy Pretty is the Team Coordinator.

Pause was originally piloted in Hackney and has since rolled out to a number of authorities throughout the UK. Pause works with women who have experienced, or are at risk of experiencing, repeat removals of children from their care. The model involves working with a small cohort of women for 18 months to enable them to make changes in their lives, take a ‘pause’ from having children, and have the support they need to achieve their own goals.

A key to the success of the project is effective, intentional support and engagement from partner agencies to help overcome some of the barriers, which have contributed to this group of women getting ‘stuck’ in these cycles of behaviours. Pause gives a window of opportunity for women to make a change. If partner agencies can work together during this time of Pause, then real change can happen for individuals.

The Pause team have researched which women in West Sussex may fit the programme criteria; they will have already had more than one child removed from their care, do not currently have children living with them and are under 40. Whilst the number of places on Pause are very limited and this is not a referral service, if you know of service users who would benefit from the project, please do get in touch. 

You can contact the team by phoning 0330 2225955 or emailing pause@westsussex.gov.uk. To find out more about the model please visit the website.

The team looks forward to working with many partners and colleagues to achieve the best for this very vulnerable group. If you think it would be beneficial for the Pause Team to visit your Team, please do get in touch.

Pause West Sussex forms part of the Better Change Programme within IPEH, improving how we support parents whose children are at greater risk of being removed.

EPIC Awards Nominations close in 3 weeks!

BIG COUNTDOWN

Target: 200 Children & Young People nominated

Scores on the doors so far: 15

We've had a few nominations from Social Workers, so come on other teams, you can do it too!

We need your nominations for the Exceptional People in Care (EPIC) Awards, which close on 5 October 2017. There’s a population of approximately 1000 young people in care and care leavers to be recognised for their achievements in our new categories: Big Hearts, Big Talents, Big Thinkers and Big Strength.

Hosted by the Children in Care Council (CICC), Care Leavers Forum, the County Council and partners the awards recognise the achievements of young people in care aged between 5 and 25 years.

Nominations are open until 5 October 2017. All those nominated will receive free tickets for themselves and two guests to attend the Disney themed ceremony at Butlins, and then enjoy all the fun of the resort after the event. Nomination forms are available here. Return to epic.awards@westsussex.gov.uk.

For more information, or if you are unable to access SharePoint, please contact Toby Wilson, epic.awards@westsussex.gov.uk.

Let’s celebrate our fantastic young people and give them a day to remember!

National Adoption Week

It’s National Adoption Week from 16 to 22 October and West Sussex County Council is joining adoption organisation First4Adoption in urging more people to consider adoption. 

In West Sussex there are many children waiting for an adoptive family. The County Council is keen for people to come and find out more at an information event, held at Billingshurst Conference and Community Centre, Roman Way, on Thursday 19 October. Members of the public can pop in between 5pm-9pm for a chat.

Find out more on the adoption web page or call the Adoption team 0330 222 7777.

Residents helped to remove the barriers to work

Face to face advice will be on offer for residents in Arun at the sixth Skills and Jobs Fair.

The event, hosted by the County Council’s Children and Family Centres and Find It Out Centres along with Bognor and Littlehampton Job Centre Plus, will give residents a chance to speak to employers face-to-face.

It will also enable people to get support on issues which they feel could be a barrier to work such as interview skills, training and childcare options.

Stephen Hillier, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “There have been many success stories to come out of previous events and I would encourage anyone who is worried about work to not be afraid and to come along. 

“Whether it is personal development or day-to-day living issues, there will be a range of understanding experts on hand to help.”

The Skills and Jobs Fair is taking place at The Regis Centre, in Belmont Street, Bognor Regis, from 11am to 2.30pm on Wednesday 27 September.

To find out more, contact 01903 276840 or visit the Facebook page @arunwestnorthcfc.

Sussex Prisoners' Families 

Sussex Prisoners’ Families is a local project that provides a range of support for people affected by the imprisonment of a family member in the courts and communities across Sussex. Details of their services can be found on their website.

Sussex Prisoners Families are working with North RTD, West Sussex County Council and the Safer West Sussex Partnership to conduct a scoping study on the needs of prisoners’ families living in West Sussex. 

Please promote this where possible, and if you have time:  

• Complete the online survey for professionals available here.
• Share the family online survey with your service users, available here.

For more information, please contact Tanya Mackay on 0330 222 3887 or via email.