This is a service primarily for looked after children and young people. It is a partnership service between Barnardo's and Services to Children and Young People. The service is based in Shipley but provides support to children and young people all over the Bradford District and sometimes further a field.
The service is made up of 5 areas of work:
Children and Young People’s Advocacy Service: This service aims to provide advocacy support to children and young people who have involvement from social services. An advocate can help them get their point of view across, have their wishes heard, attend meetings with them, write letters on their behalf and make sure they are listened to. Children and young people can request an advocate at their review or by calling free on 0800 328 4994, or by writing to Seen and Heard (contact address below).
Independent Visitor Scheme: A Looked After child is eligible for an Independent Visitor if they have little or no contact with their birth family. This is set down in the Children Act 1989. Independent Visitors are recruited and trained to support an individual looked after child or young person. The scheme recruits volunteers from all backgrounds. Volunteers are trained and police checked. They are assessed by one of the scheme managers before their application goes to a panel for approval. Once matched with a child or young person an Independent Visitor will meet them regularly to engage in social and recreational activities. Referrals for the Independent Visitor Scheme can be made by a social worker, foster carer, residential practitioner or by the child or young person.
Hearing the Child: This service has been set up to meet the needs of children and young people with disabilities and complex health needs, many of whom use non verbal communication. A pictorial system has been developed so children and young people can make their views known. The Hearing the Child Practitioner provides training to other staff and also undertakes direct work with individuals. Referrals can come via social worker or staff in respite units.
Participation Work: This service provides Looked After children and young people with opportunities to get their views heard and to influence service planning and delivery. This is done through art, video, photography and more. Service delivery is via groups but some individual work is also undertaken. The service also aims to provide young people with opportunities to organise their own activities and events. Referrals can be made by social worker, residential practitioner, fostering support workers, foster carers or by the child or young person.
Healthy Minds Participation Work: The aim of this service is to assess the level of service user involvement within Comprehensive CAMHS Services and then to increase these levels. The service works with children and young people from all client groups and up to the age of 18. The Healthy Minds practitioner can help children and young people to influence future development of services. Referrals can be made by social workers, school staff, children and young people, parents and carers or any other practitioner.
How to contact Seen & Heard:
Unit 14, Parkview Court
St Paul’s Road
Shipley
BD18 3DZ
Tel: 01274 531466
Email on: seenandheard@barnardos.org.uk
