Celebrating the Launch of Face 2 Face, North East Lindsey Caplan National Face 2 Face Development Manager

Face 2 Face

Our vision is a world where disabled people have the same opportunities to fulfil their life ambitions as everyone else. Our purpose is to drive change across society so that disabled people have the same opportunities as everyone else.

Our Vision and Purpose Our vision and purpose

We see the person and we set no limit on potential. We believe in independence, inclusion and freedom to choose. Everyday life equality. No more. No less. Together we can create a better society.

Our Beliefs Our beliefs

.

What is Face 2 Face?

Face 2 Face is a national network of support groups and befrienders. Through their lived experience parents aim to give other parents of disabled children the emotional strength and practical skills they need to manage their family situation, and ultimately help them live their life to its fullest potential.

What is Face 2 Face

Face 2 Face Brief History

•  First service was established in Surrey in 1989.

•  In 2001 the training was formalised and

the Face 2 Face Network formed. •  Today there are 24 schemes across the

UK.

The history of Face 2 Face

.

Current Face 2 Face Services North   Central   South   Wales  Preston  

Wigan  

Liverpool (Alder Hey Children’s hospital)  

North East  

Runcorn / Widnes (Halton)  

Grimsby  

Northampton

Peterborough  

Thurrock  

Coventry  

Solihull  

Leicester  

Stoke on Trent  

Dudley  

Sandwell  

Brighton and Hove  

Oxford  

Lewisham  

North Devon  

Cornwall  

Newham/ Tower Hamlets  

Waltham Forest and Redbridge  

Islington  

Merthyr Tydfil  

Face 2 Face services

The news that a child has, or is at risk from a developmental disability, is often among the most frightening and confusing pieces of information that parents will ever receive.

Beckman and Beckman Boyes (1993, p.1) Deciphering the System: A Guide for Families of Young Children With Disabilities, Brookline Books

Why is the Service needed?

Why is the service needed?

Emotional Rollercoaster The emotional rollercoaster

Love

Pain

Jealous

Hopelessness Joy

relief

Guilt

Affection Anger

Disbelief Pain

loss

Shock Longing

bitterness

Pride

The Transitional Rollercoaster

How do we work? How to we work?

•  Get funding! •  Recruit co-ordinators •  Recruit parent volunteers •  Run the training course •  Promote the service •  Match referrals with

befrienders •  Ongoing supervision

F2F services are currently funded in a variety of ways: •  PHT •  Big Lottery •  Private Donor •  CQUIN •  Legacy / Trust fund •  Local Authority

Face 2 Face Funding situation

Funding for Face 2 Face

All Face 2 Face parent befrienders receive over 40 hours of training – normally run over 8 days. It has recently been accredited through the CPD Standards Office The course is carefully designed to help befrienders handle different situations and ensure they have the skills and knowledge to support new parents.

Face 2 Face training

By the end of the Training…

•  Understand the range and variety of emotions around parents’ discovery of a child’s disability.

•  Have developed skills in self awareness and be aware of their own capacity for empathy.

•  Have developed their communication skills.

By the end of the training…

.

•  Throughout the training on going assessments are made by both the trainer and the trainee [self assessment]. Opportunities are given for reflection and growth.

•  Emotional Rollercoaster….painful memories and past reminders can be brought to the surface and affect well being. Befrienders are all supervised and supported in groups to deal with issues such as this.

•  It is essential that befrienders are able to receive help and support as well as to give it.

Checks and support

Checks and Support

•  All befrienders have to provide two referees, one professional and one personal.

•  All befrienders are police checked as a matter of routine

prior to the training. •  Good practice guidelines have been developed to support

the processes.

•  After training regular supervision and support sessions are offered by the Coordinator and Trainer.

Checks and support

Outcomes

•  Parents & their child are respected & valued •  Parents recognise that what they are feeling is normal •  Parents become less isolated •  Parents become empowered to move on with their lives

(many parents go on to do counselling training) •  Parents are more optimistic about their child & their family’s

future •  Parents are better able to communicate with professionals •  Parents recognise their skills •  Contribute to local and national government policy – have a

voice!

Thank you

Now over to: Helen King, Community Organiser, Face 2 Face North East