Summary
Play-Sense is for parent/carers and pre-school children with disabilities. Group meets weekly in a safe, stimulating environment. Parents & children benefit from increased communication through play. Parents get a break from their caring role in the company of peers who share their experiences.
What Play-Sense Pre-school Play Group did
Play-Sense play group supports families across the North East Sector of Glasgow. The group actively promotes inclusion and equality and is represented by 12+ ethnic backgrounds. Our weekly (twice-weekly over holiday periods) sessions provide stimulation via our play room & sensory room. We ran four full-scale weekend family events and further outreach visits to a local sensory/soft play area who delivered private sessions for Play-Sense families. This allowed families to familiarise themselves with other services in the community. Our service provides an ideal route for families to be referred into a support system early in their child’s life,
allowing them to get a break from their full caring role and to access a range of additional support they would otherwise not be aware of. At the point of engaging, parents are often particularly vulnerable. They may be awaiting a formal diagnosis for their child or have just received one. Most are referred via the Child Development Centre, local family-focused third sector organisations and via word-of-mouth. Many feel isolated, distressed & overwhelmed and report that they benefit from an opportunity to express their emotions & concerns to staff and peers who
understand. We developed close working relationships with referral agencies and
provided support materials and a quick referral process to assist them promote the service. We also tapped into their support and expertise to develop promotional materials and to ensure we provided a service that fulfils a genuine need.
We involved parents in the development of the service in a number of ways including advising on the activities and environment that works for them and their children. It has been gratifying to witness the impact the service is having on child development and improved quality of life for individuals & families, including siblings and grand-parents. Our investment in dedicated, trained staff has allowed children and families to develop trusting relationships and access opportunities not otherwise available to them.
What Glasgow East End Community Carers has learned
Our learning impacts and crosses over into the following 4 areas for development;
• Project Planning & Budgeting
• Targeting families Most in Need
• Reaching Out and Engaging
• Developing New Short Break activities
Our findings:
• Variable length of engagement - Play-Sense children will inevitably be offered nursery and school places. Depending on when they are referred to us, some children will attend for 5 years while others may attend for a matter of months.
• Unpredictable attendance - carers lives are unpredictable in nature. affecting our ability to plan our play room with certain children in mind. On a week-to-week basis we never ‘who’ or ‘how many’ to prepare for. Children often don’t sleep well or parents may be dealing with toileting accidents or meltdowns as they are leaving the house.
• Changing profiles – Play-sense is multi-cultural, attracting a wide range of ethnic backgrounds, experiences and languages. This year we have seen a spike in attendance by male carers/dads.
• Transitioning – we now have a cohort of children who have outgrown Play-Sense but would benefit from a follow-on service with us.
• Siblings – as we get to know our families, we have recognised the affects a disability within the family can have on neurotypical siblings.
Targeting Families Most in Need
Parenting a child with a disability is more challenging in an area of multiple deprivation, than for those in more affluent areas. Many of our families are single parent households with 2+ children, asylum seekers and multiple disabilities. We maintain productive and effective relationships with referring practitioners and schools to encourage engagement with harder-to-reach families. Our approach has included joint home-visits with partner organisations, sharing important information relating to family circumstances (where consent has been given) and two-way sharing of information and resources that helps promote and develop the service. We have learned from evaluation and engagement how under-confident, undervalued and intimidated by services, these parents are. We have formed partnerships with, and have had direct participation from, an increasing number of organisations who can help us continue to reach hidden carers. Many of these have spent time at Play-Sense and have accompanied parents to make an initial introduction to us.
Reaching Out and Engaging
We work across a geographic area of high social deprivation and reach those most in need of support. In addition to this Play-Sense is a service that attracts a high percentage and range of BME cultures. We have had to re-double our efforts to ensure our services are accessible to these groups - our new website is instantly translatable to 80 languages. We have learned to use our resources creatively to facilitate links between families; for example, we have made introductions between Amharic-speaking families, El Salvadorian and Colombian families and between Mandarin-speaking families. In some cases, BME parents have translated for our new families. In this way, isolated parents make connections and friendships beyond Play-Sense. In addition, we are looking at bringing together Mandarin & Cantonese-speaking parents to provide peer support facilitated by our Parent Carer Worker and a social care-experienced translator. Our Welfare Rights worker is planning to increase her CPD around neds of asylum seekers and refugees, due to the high number to attend Play-Sense.
Developing New Short Break Activities
The increased uptake and evolving demographic mean that we are continually reviewing our support services. Three developments out of this are (1) the need for a follow-on transition service for parents & children (2) as Play-Sense has become more established, and confidence has grown in the local community, we have seen a spike in the number of dads who attend with/without their partners. This has impacted the types of additional support we offer including male carer tai chi.
We recognise the need for further consultation with dads. (3) recognition of the needs of neurotypical siblings/young carers who are affected by disability within the family.
Project Planning & Budgeting
All of the above have impact on capacity. We recognise that Play-Sense is a ‘living’ organically evolving project, requiring ongoing monitoring and consultation. Additional funding has been required for training (staff & parents), additional identified services, publicity materials and development of website. We have learned to factor in more time to keep in touch with parents between sessions to reduce any barriers to attendance by offering emotional and/or practical support. We make sure the training we offer, reflects the needs of this group.
The nature of Play-Sense means that it is often the start-point for families – where parents access carers support for the first time. Families will continue to receive ongoing support from the Carers Hub over the years as their children transition into adulthood. This means we need to be adaptive to the needs of many families and support multiple disabilities.
Importantly, and where this service is unique, an essential connection has been made at the earliest possible stage.
How Glasgow East End Community Carers has benefitted from the funding
Better Breaks funding has allowed us to introduce and embed a new service, into an area of multiple deprivation and increased our reach and impact across the North East Sector. This has benefitted Glasgow East End Community Carers in a number of ways;
• Strengthening of professional partnerships – Play-Sense service is now seen as a staple in the area and has contributed to our closer working relationships. We have been invited to attend multi-disciplinary child protection meetings, joint home visits and recruitment to local mental health forum. We have received more requests from local statutory and voluntary partners services to visit the project. These include Child Development Centre, early years practitioners, health visitors and pre-school assessment professionals.
• Further enhanced organisational reputation as a forward-facing, solutions-focused, quality provider. Statutory and third sector partners report seeing us as a ‘go to’ service for parents and, in addition, we have benefitted from a large number of word-of-mouth referrals. This is further supported by the opportunity to develop the service and pilot new ideas as the project is running.
• This service has supported us to achieve our organisational goals - by giving local families a voice and empowering them to create services that work for them and to improve health & wellbeing outcomes in an area of disadvantage. Funding has allowed parents to be referred for support much earlier in their child’s life. They report feeling empowered to achieve something positive towards their child’s development.
• Funding, and subsequent success. of the project will ensure the long-term presence of the Carers Hub at the heart of the Community, furthering the choice and range of appropriate ongoing support to parents and families.
• Better Breaks funding has allowed Carers Hub staff to develop and increase their knowledge - stronger relationships with families earlier and increase our understanding of disabilities and conditions. In turn we have up-skilled staff, widened training opportunities and broadened the expertise of the Hub team.
We view Play-Sense is one of the best possible type of resources for parents and children with disabilities and an essential addition to our service provision.
Project Outcomes
Outcome
We will have successfully supported 22 children with disabilities living in the East End of Glasgow by their attendance at our weekly Play-Sense play group and attendance at 6 additional weekend outings.
Results
We supported 48 parents/family carers and 30 children with disabilities. Children who attended presented with a range of complex disabilities including Downs Syndrome, global development delay, sensory impairments, cerebral palsy, ASD and a range of genetic conditions. Many children are non-verbal and have significant sensory impairment and communication issues. We developed a programme to best support all children who attend, making sure that the activities, environment and materials were conducive to development. Our sensory room is dedicated to Play-Sense every Friday morning and Parents report the availability of our sensory room to be an invaluable asset, both in stimulating their child’s senses and to provide an ideal space to avert & calm meltdowns. Our activities include sensory/messy art, water play, bubbleology, music, technology and ‘zoned’ play areas, for example for shopping, cooking and washing up role-play, dressing up, book corner and building blocks.
Case study
Zsofia was referred to Play-Sense by a local pre-school assessment centre, who accompanied her on her first visit as her confidence was low. Since arriving in Scotland, the family has relocated several times, while her husband gains work experience. While the family strive to establish a new life in Scotland, Zsofia felt isolated and stressed as she struggling to cope alone at home with two small sons with autism.
At Play-Sense, Zsofia appreciated the opportunity to be around other parents who share her anxieties, fears and emotions. She reports feeling more confident in her ability to provide the right environment for her sons to integrate in a new social culture. Her husband, Balint, attends Play-Sense on his days off work and is comfortable attending without Zsofia, allowing her some time at home to catch up on sleep. As Balint and Zsofia’s confidence grew, they formed new, supportive relationships and were encouraged to attend autism training. Zsofia says ‘This playgroup is the best thing that could have happened to our family. Not only they help my child to develop better with all the amazing activities (especially with his motoring skills and social interactions), but they help us parents on every possible way they can. We feel normal. We are heard, loved and not judged. This playgroup has been introduced to us as Special Needs Playgroup. And it is, in every way, very SPECIAL to our family. We can't be thankful enough to all the staff there.’
Since attending, both parents report an improvement in their ability to manage their sons’ behaviour and felt they were able to attend our weekend family outings to the Science Centre, something they would not have done before. ‘We felt we were poor parents. Now we know how to support our children better and feel more confident to go out. It’s also great having our new Hidden Disabilities lanyard.’
They report ‘We appreciate this opportunity so much. It is the first time we have been anywhere like this. It was wonderful to see our children so happy. Since leaving Hungary, we have not been out as a family together and would not be able to do this on our own.’
Outcome
We will have successfully supported 32 carers of pre-school children with complex disabilities living in the East End of Glasgow. They will have enjoyed various activities, family events, new friendships, hospitality and pamper/beauty sessions as a direct result of attendance at Play-Sense.
Results
48 parents and family carers attended Play-Sense sessions. 100% of those parents reported an improvement
in their family’s quality of life and wellbeing. Parents who are referred to Play-Sense are often struggling with
a number of social issues including inappropriate housing, financial hardship, isolation and low confidence. Parents appreciate that our service evolves through listening to their issues then co-creating & developing our service accordingly. Parents were able to improve their wellbeing by taking time out to socialise with peers and have a cuppa made for them. We coordinated other services including beauty therapy and our monthly Social Kitchen with the end of
Play-Sense sessions, allowing parents to benefit from these in addition to a range of health and wellbeing activities. Play-Sense parent carers also benefited from 1:1 counselling, income maximisation, massage and mindfulness practice.
Case study
Nzinga, an asylum seeker and single parent of four children, was referred to Play-Sense by the local Child Development Centre. Her son, Bayo, has developmental delay, sensory issues and respiratory problems.
Nzinga was struggling to cope with uncertainty and grief around her son’s diagnosis. As a new arrival in Glasgow, she had yet to form any friendships and felt isolated and unsupported.
Nzinga immediately felt at ease in Play Sense where she found parents who welcomed her and her children. She was able to take a break, chat with other mums over a cuppa and let the playgroup workers care for Bayo. She reports that she has now learned more about the sensory needs of her son.
Through our Play-Sense project, we have built a trusting relationship with Nzinga. She and her family are now connected to additional social activities at the Carers Hub, including activities for Nzinga’s older sons who we support as young carers.
Nzinga now has a group of friends who are a constant support to her, between Play-Sense sessions, via our Play-Sense WhatsApp group.
Nzinga tells us ‘Play- Sense has given me a great sense of belonging. We felt very lonely before we got referred to Play-Sense and there I met mothers that are on this same journey with me! It has not only helped me cope but it has given me friends and family from a different race and background.’
Outcome
32 parents of pre-school children with disabilities will report being better connected to support within their community & will have benefited from knowledge and experience of peers and staff members resulting in increased capacity to understand their child’s condition and develop coping strategies.
Results
48 parents/carers benefitted from our on-site health and wellbeing activities and our family outings. Interest in
workshops and family outings was high. Sessions were carefully coordinated to address any barriers to attendance and to alleviate the usual stresses that prohibit families getting out together, including financial hardship. Glasgow Science Centre provided autism-trained staff and ear-defenders. Parents valued the chance to create family memories without having to explain their child's behaviour or condition. All families involved would not otherwise be able to fund such an outing and this was generally their first such experience. Families who are unable to attend Friday sessions due to work, student or pre-school commitments were invited to special events. Those who accepted went on to attend other activities at the Carers Hub or Play-Sense sessions during holiday periods when they are free to attend. In this way we learned to view these activities as a means to overcome
Case study
Janine was introduced to Play-Sense by a Specialist Nurse following autism diagnosis for both her children. She was struggling to come to terms with her children’s diagnosis, and worried about how her children would be appropriately supported in their education. Play-Sense helped her set aside time to voice her concerns and explore her support needs as a parent carer. We worked together to compose letters requesting an assessment of their Additional Support Needs. We supported her during education meetings and agree on the necessary transitions to ensure a smooth start from nursery to primary school. This was a huge relief to both Janine and her husband. Through gaining trust in us through Play-Sense, Janine agreed to a referral to our on-site counselling service and to our Buddy Project where she was partnered with an experienced, trained parent with ‘lived experience’. Through Play-Sense, Janine accessed benefits advice, increasing the family’s financial wellbeing, and accessed autism training and support from our autism helpline Janine acknowledged her need for autism support and training,
Janine has continued to attend Play-Sense where she has built up close relationships with staff and peers and sees steady progress in her children’s development. Her children love the sensory play and Janine is delighted with the improvement she has witnessed in their independence and socialisation. Due to Play-Sense Janine reports that ‘I feel less alone, now that I am around workers and other parents who understand.’ She shared that ‘I have learned more about my children’s conditions in a safe and controlled environment where I can step back and watch them take part in new experiences and interact with friends.’ Both children love Play-Sense and talk about the friends they’ve made at home. As a result of attending Play-Sense, Janine has formed close, supportive friendships with a group of mums and now has ongoing support through our Play-Sense WhatsApp group.
Outcome
32 parent carers and 22 children with disabilities will feel more fulfilled and have experienced a reduction in stress symptoms and increase in emotional and mental wellbeing.
Results
48 parents and family carers have agreed that they feel more confident, better connected and less isolated since
attending The Carers Hub and Play-Sense. The support we offer carers early in their journey positively impacted on parents and children's quality of life. We hope that good quality services not only improve lives now but have substantial benefits in the lifeline of the family. The knowledge and skills embedded via peer support, training and workshops has increased parents’ capacity to cope on a day-to-day basis. Relationships formed during these activities often extend beyond Play-Sense itself. and knowledge gained provides tools for parents to help them mitigate against future crisis. We have successfully facilitated friendships between carers of the same ethnic backgrounds and helped all parents access the right training and workshops for their needs. Play-Sense staff and more than 50% parents have attended several information and training sessions.
Case study
Melanie was referred to Play-Sense by the local Child Development Centre. Her 3-year-old son has profound developmental delay, significant sensory needs, no verbal language and highly impulsive behaviour. Melanie had attended mainstream play groups but felt discouraged and hurt by the lack of understanding of her son’s condition. Her experiences left her feeling isolated and emotionally vulnerable and created a barrier to her son’s learning and development. At Play-Sense she reported feeling relaxed, welcomed and confident in the service. She could see that neither her nor her son would be judged and that she was not alone in her situation.
Melanie says ‘Before I started Play-Sense I felt isolated. Anywhere I took Jake, I felt I was being watched and he was getting looks because of his behaviours. This would then upset me and lead to depression at times. Since attending Play-Sense, Jake has achieved so much because it’s the right environment for him! I have met some amazing people and keep in touch with them regularly. Play-Sense staff are so good with the kids and they make you feel relaxed and adequate. I am so glad there is a group available like this as I don’t know where I would be at the moment. The group is mine and Jake’s release.’
Through Play-Sense we were able to see, first-hand, the challenges Melanie had on a daily basis and took the time to discuss with her how she could best be supported in her caring role. She shared that she was exhausted and suffering from stress and that she rarely slept because she was frequently up throughout the night with Jake who has significant sleep problems associated with his condition.
On discovering the benefits of our Sensory Room to Jake’s focus and wellbeing, Melanie was inspired to adapt her home environment, creating a sensory space using low-cost household items. She learned though Play-Sense, how much benefit Jake gained from light and music and we supported a grant application, enabling her to purchase an i-pad for Jake. He now has access to music and video whenever he needs it.