Fight for Respite

(c) Tommiele.wordpress.com

In the light of the Government taking more and more funding away from Respite Centres, our practitioners in training have something to say:

"Respite Care" is when the child is looked after by someone else so the parent/carer can go and do something they need/want to do, like go shopping or go to the cinema.

This is important so that the child can go and socialise with children of their own age as they might be an only child.  This will also get them out of the house - and it may be one of the only times they can get out if they have a severe disability, or if the parent is unable to take them out a lot.

It is also good for the parent as they will be able to do things that they need to get done such as shopping or decorating or just socialising with other adults.  When the child goes home the adult and child will be more relaxed and settled with each other.

It is very important to have Respite Care so that the parent/carer is not just known as the one who is always there to do everything for the child, and they may be able to do ore because they may have been over-tired before the Respite.

AS
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Respite care is the most important thing for a child who is disabled because other professionals can look after the child and the child can socialise and interact with with other people apart from their parents.  The professionals can feed back to the parents if they see any problems or improvements with the child.

With the parents, it is important so they can have a break because they may care for their child 24 hours a day, and Respite gives the parents a little freedom to have fun. They can become energised by this freedom! Further, the parents can ask for training on how to support their child more efficiently by liaising with professionals.

QS
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Respite Care is important for a disabled child because they will be able to socialise and meet other children and adults and be comfortable around different people.  Parents will be able to engage in activities that they want to do such as go shopping, relax or go to the cinema.  This will help them to unwind so that when they look after their child they are in a positive mindset which will be beneficial for the child.

If the parent does not get this time to unwind they may be "stressed out", and this can reflect on the child's behaviour, in turn making the child stressed.  With the parent getting this time, they will be more ready to look after the child.  Emotionally the parents may feel stronger and more capable.

AD

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Respite Care, where the child is looked after by trained professionals for a certain amount of time, is highly effective. By having this in place it takes the pressure off the parents for a short period of time as well as allowing them to carry out tasks they may need to do.

When a child and parent use Respite Care, they are provided with care and support as a family as well as individuals.

Through the child's time in Respite - which may be a Day Nursery- it allows them to progress and achieve in certain areas of their learning and development.  Most importantly, they are in a place to allow the parents to socialise with other parents who may be in the same position as them.  As a result of this, they are able to share one another's knowledge and help support each other through what may be a difficult time.  It is commonly shown through Respite Care that stronger bonds and relationships are formed and maintained. (Contact a Family, 2011).

CW

Shhh...is for Safeguarding...

Confidentiality is a strategy that is in place to support both children and families.  This is because when some information is shared about an individual child it would be very unprofessional to share that with others.  Also the children and families may not trust you and avoid talking to you in the future.  Being "confidential" about disclosures is for the child's protection, be it either from an embarrassing situation or a dangerous situation that could have major implications for that child's protection and safety.

Keeping factual records is a good strategy to ensure that the setting is protected in the case of someone trying to press charges on you.  It is also good as these records may be called upon in court as evidence.  If they are not factual, they may not be valid.

JW

(c) BBC Will and Testament

Communicating Care

(c) therapybox.co.uk

Being able to communicate is essential, no matter what line of work you are in.  It is especially important when working in childcare as not only do you need to communicate with children by supporting them in what they are doing, but help them to make their own choices too.  You will also be communicating with staff. This will be on a range of things from the individual development of a child, to raising any issues, again about development, or safeguarding.  An example of this may be while changing a nappy, you notice some bruises behind their legs and on the ribs.  A member of staff needs to be able to communicate to the correct person their concerns.

As practitioners we will be speaking directly to parents as well, and it is important that a member of staff can be professional and able to communicate any concerns, praise accidents or incidents to parents.

It is for these reasons, we must exercise caution when hiring new members of staff.
KP

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Practitioners need to communicate because they need to help the children develop their own communication and language skills.  Although someone may have qualifications, it does not mean they will be able to do the role.  Children will not be able to  - or get the chance to - develop socially if communication skills are lacking in the staff, and this may lead to a child lacking in confidence or having low self esteem.

Children will see members of staff as a role model and someone whom they can look up to.  Therefore, if a staff member has poor communication skills, a child may also develop poor communication skills towards others.  They may not know the best way to communicate with people or what to say in certain situations if they see an adult act in that way.

If someone has poor communication skills, they may also teach children who have English as an Additional Language the incorrect language!
KG

Names can hurt

(c) Sugarscape.com

Childcare practitioners should be careful in labeling a child a "bully".  This is paramount for two reasons; one reason is that "bully" sounds demeaning, labels the child and decreases their self-esteem and the second reason is that there are better ways of addressing the issue.  Children may 'open up' to adults and say what is bothering them, perhaps through role play or a mediation forum.  If a childcare practitioner  talks to each child individually at a pre-arranged time and place, then the child may be less pressured into lying.

However, the practitioner must also be aware not to make any promises of confidentiality to the child, as they must disclose a full account, using their words.  This applies out of class as well.  The practitioner must not influence the disclosure.

We may cause more damage in trying to deal with a dispute, than the dispute itself. While we may be called upon to be the Judge - it is a fine judgment call.

CM

One for all...

CARE RATIOS IN NURSERIES

Image from TV Guide.com

I think the proposed ratios of having four 1 year olds to one adult, and six 2 year olds to one adult will have a negative effect on the children's safety as there will be fewer staff to supervise the children.  This is especially important for children aged between 0-2 who may not know right from wrong, nor if they are in danger.  For under 1's, staff members may need to give the babies one to one care when feeding them their bottle, or when rocking very young babies to sleep.  This will be very difficult to do if there are 3 other children to supervise.  Having six 2 year olds to one adult will also provide the child with less one to one support and care and this may have a negative effect on the children's learning.   KM