VULNERABLE FAMILY SERVICES
DEPAUL IRELAND CLOVERHILL Celebrating 5 Years 2008 - 2013
ABOUT DEPAUL IRELAND Depaul Ireland is a charity supporting people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. We are a cross border organisation working in the local community; established in the Republic of Ireland in 2002 and Northern Ireland in 2005. For over a decade we have helped people who would otherwise have no support. Our services span community and outreach, vulnerable families, harm reduction accommodation and criminal justice and mental health services.
02 - 03
Cloverhill 5 Year Retrospective
FOREWORD In Depaul Ireland’s Cloverhill Family Service, we provide a place to call home for vulnerable men, women and their children who experience homelessness. This booklet was written by the team in the Cloverhill to mark the 5th anniversary of the service providing vital accommodation for families in need in Belfast. It has become evident that Cloverhill plays a pivotal role in addressing the prominent issue of homelessness for families in Belfast. It has rarely operated below 100% occupancy since opening its doors. It is a safe, secure and comfortable place to start anew. While living in Cloverhill families have the opportunity to build confidence, strengthen relationships and break the cycle of homelessness. Parents learn the skills they need to support their children, live independently and reintegrate into the community. Since day one in Cloverhill, the team have created a welcoming and accessible environment to each and every family who has come to them for help. The Cloverhill staff, volunteers and residents have also played an active role in the wider community and have helped Cloverhill to become an integral part of the local area. At Depaul Ireland we rely on the support of others to be able to do the work that we do in our services on a daily basis. I would like to thank Helm Housing Association for the Cloverhill premises as this provides us with high standards in the physical environment to match the professional, quality standards we have in our staff team. I would also like to thank the Northern Ireland Housing Executive for all their support not only at a local area office level but also through the Supporting People Team. We are truly delighted that this service came into being and has continued to contribute significantly to our collective goal to address homelessness in Northern Ireland. My sincere thanks also to the individuals, companies, and grant makers who have generously donated to support the work of Cloverhill. And to all of the local groups, statutory and voluntary, in the area who have given the services such a warm welcome and have worked with us to make it such a success. Finally, congratulations to everyone involved in the past 5 years in Cloverhill. I look forward to continued success in the coming years as you meet the needs of the vulnerable families in Northern Ireland.
Kerry Anthony MBE Chief Executive Officer Depaul Ireland
DEPAUL IRELAND’S VISION, MISSION AND VALUES
Our vision is that everyone should have a place to call home and a stake in their community Our mission is to offer homeless and disadvantaged people the opportunity to fulfil their potential and make positive informed choices about their future. Our values are: We celebrate the potential of people We put our words into action We aim to take a wider role in civil society We believe in rights and responsibilities
04 - 05
Cloverhill 5 Year Retrospective
CLOVERHILL Depaul Ireland’s Cloverhill Family Service opened its doors to its first homeless family on the 8th January 2008, becoming Depaul Ireland’s third accommodation based homeless service in Northern Ireland. Cloverhill was commissioned in response to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive identifying the Colin/West Belfast and Lisburn areas as requiring an accommodation based service specifically focused on the needs of homeless families. In partnership with Helm Housing Association, Depaul Ireland developed Cloverhill as a purpose built service with the intention of providing high quality accommodation and support to families experiencing homelessness within the area.
Cloverhill offers: • Temporary accommodation with 18 self contained 2 bed apartments for vulnerable famlies with complex needs • There are professionally trained staff available to give one-to-one support 24 hours per day, all year round. Needs and Background Cloverhill is a service based on Low Threshold principles which means it is accessible to those most in need. The service is guided by the principles of a robust Child Protection policy, with head of household aged from 16 years upwards. Cloverhill is a supported temporary accommodation facility where families can live for up to a maximum of 2 years. The project provides those accommodated with the opportunity to develop their independent living skills with professional support from Depaul Ireland’s staff, with the objective of moving onto independent permanent accommodation. In all of its services, Depaul Ireland aims to provide disadvantaged people the opportunity to fulfill their potential and move forward towards an independent and positive future.
CLOVERHILL AIMS &OBJECTIVES To provide high quality accommodation, with 24/7 professional support for families experiencing homelessness who are working or in receipt of benefits.
To address physical, emotional & mental health needs of families through working within a personalised programme of support planning and key working.
To deliver a service based on a low threshold approach which is guided by a robust child protection policy and ethos. Depaul Ireland’s low threshold approach means that as few people as possible are denied access to our support services.
To provide advice and support on areas such as budgeting, educational, career and volunteer activities to promote positive futures.
To provide access to welfare rights/ housing rights advice, health care and other specialist services i.e. Sure Start family centers; through strong links with other specialist agencies.
To identify move-on opportunities for the families using key-working and support planning. To provide a homely environment for families where respect and dignity are paramount in all interactions.
06 - 07
Cloverhill 5 Year Retrospective
Reflection on the Opening of Cloverhill In September 2008 Depaul Ireland’s Cloverhill service was officially opened by Ms Margaret Ritchie, Northern Ireland’s Social Development Minister at the time. In the past 5 years the service has provided accommodation and support to 149 families. The profile of Cloverhill has increased within the community and positive relationships have been established with local agencies and stakeholders. These relationships continue to prove mutually beneficial to staff and service users alike. Resettlement has been a key focus for the project and 130 families have been resettled into sustainable long term accommodation. The majority of these tenancies have been with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive or Housing Association properties. Cloverhill has maintained maximum capacity throughout the last 5 years.
Since 2008, Cloverhill has supported:
149 Families 169 Adults 206 Children
There were 21 babies born in the service. There are 130 positive move ons into the community.
08 - 09
Cloverhill 5 Year Retrospective
FAMILY SUPPORT
OVERVIEW
3
46% of service users aged 16 to 20 yrs 7 38% of service users aged 21 to 25yrs 416%
of service users aged 26 to 42 yrs 29
35% of families referred have social services involvement 10 Average Length of Stay - 10 months
The families that live in Cloverhill present with a range of needs. They are supported to make positive choices and move towards independence by Depaul Ireland staff.
FAMILIES SUPPORT
NEEDS
• • • • • • • • • •
Motivation and Taking Responsibility for Life Choices Managing Money Drug & Alcohol Misuse Emotional and Mental Health Issues Managing Accommodation and Tenancy Meaningful Use of Time Physical Health Difficulty with Social Networks and Relationships Self Care and Living Skills Offending Behaviour
Cloverhill offers invaluable support to help families resettle into the community. Of the 130 families who have been resettled to permanent accommodation, many remain in contact with the service and join in project activities, educational workshops and fun events. The service has hosted 4 christening parties for families wishing to celebrate the birth of their babies in the project. Birthday parties are a regular occurrence with all the children joining in the celebration. The Christmas party, with a visit from Father Christmas is the most significant event of the year, with lots of preparation shared by the parents, staff and kindly volunteers ensuring the children’s experience is a special time for all.
10 - 11
Cloverhill 5 Year Retrospective
Keyworking Offering one-to-one practical and holistic support to the families in Cloverhill is essential to progression. 100% of Service Users are allocated a key worker within 24 hours of moving into the service and have regular planned key work sessions with their named key worker. During the sessions the families’ needs, risks and personal goals are evaluated and addressed. Utilising the Outcome Star Model ensures that risk assessment and support planning activities are led by the families and where appropriate in partnership with external support agencies. Support plans are reviewed every 3 months and more regularly if the family wishes. To date 2,160 key work sessions have taken place in Cloverhill.
DEVELOPMENTS
Family Services Child Support Worker In 2009 Depaul Ireland were delighted to receive funding from BBC Children In Need to employ a full time Child Support Worker across Depaul Ireland’s two family accommodation based services based in North and West Belfast. The role of this staff member was clearly designed to meet the needs of children affected by homelessness. Children in Need funding also allowed us to fully equip a children’s play room and outside play area which has been available to over 206 children living in Cloverhill. The Child Support Worker offers one-to-one support to families in the areas of child development, healthy eating, and establishing routines whilst providing weekly age-appropriate play sessions for the children.
12 - 13
Cloverhill 5 Year Retrospective
Family Services Floating Support Team Depaul Ireland recognised that moving into a new home is a very stressful time for families. Not only is there so much to organise, some families feel isolated and lonely after having the companionship of others in Cloverhill and constant support from staff. In April 2013 Supporting People agreed funding for a Family Services Floating Support Worker. The staff member provides support to families moving on from Depaul Ireland Family Services. Children too can find it difficult to adjust to their new homes.
The Floating Support Worker can help support the family with all the practical needs of moving home, arranging community care grants, liaising with a new landlord, checking maintenance issues, introductions to other support agencies in the area including schools and leisure facilities. From April to October 2013 alone, 26 families have received support from the Family Services Floating Support worker. The service is available to any family at risk of homelessness that is living in their own accommodation in need of support living in the Colin/Lisburn area. Referrals can be made through NIHE or social services.
Intergenerational Events Many of the parents residing in Cloverhill have attended regular “Cook It” courses provided by the South Eastern Trust and qualified Cloverhill staff. During the courses, parents cook healthy breakfasts and lunches weekly to share with one another. It was at one of these lunches that the parents suggested showing off their cooking skills by inviting a group of local pensioners to Christmas dinner which they would cook. Twelve pensioners were invited and were treated to a four course dinner cooked and served young parents from Cloverhill. A sing song followed the meal and the parents made new friends with the group of local pensioners. Many other events have taken place involving this ever growing pensioner group: breakfasts, barbeques, and afternoon teas. These events have given the parents a pride at their achievements along with an appreciation of the elderly in their community.
Cloverhill Football Team In 2010 Cloverhill held an event in Dairy Farm car park to recognise the importance of Dad’s, Granddads and other men in children’s lives. This “Main Man” event was the catalyst for the start of the Cloverhill 5 aside football team. The team consists of current residents, ex-residents and relatives of residents. Since then, the Cloverhill team has gone from strength to strength. The team competes in the annual homeless league, the refugee league and other competitions. The team has won 7 winning trophies to date and two members have been successfully trained as football coaches.
14 - 15
Cloverhill 5 Year Retrospective
PARTNERS Depaul Ireland services work in partnership with others in order to the best meet the needs of the families living in Cloverhill. Staff at Cloverhill have been pro-active in building relationships with stakeholders in the area. The support, advice and guidance received for our partners is invaluable to the families living in CLoverhill. We would particularly like to extend our thanks and appreciation to the following agencies and their supportive staff teams. Thank you to these and all the agencies not mentioned below who have lent us their support throughout the years.
• Helm Housing Association
• Local political representatives
• Supporting People
• Stewartstown Social Services,
• NIHE Dairy Farm
Gateway and FIT teams
• Colin Sure Start
• Colin Neighbourhood partnership
• Colin Counselling
• St Vincent de Paul
• PSNI/ Community Policing
• Footprints Women’s Centre
• Women’s Aid
• Local Community
• Lisburn City Council • Falls Women’s Centre • West Belfast Community Restorative Justice
A STORY TO SHARE Rebecca has just returned from the “Mum’s on the move” programme with her two children, Keiva and Leon. She can’t wait to show her key worker the two new teeth that Keiva got last night. Keiva is 9 months old and Leon will be 2 years old in two weeks time. Rebecca is so busy, the staff are amazed that she has time to do all the courses she has done since she came to Cloverhill for example the 10 week Personal Development Course which includes Job Skills, CV Preparation and Interview Techniques, Positive Parenting Course and many more. Rebecca attends all the activities in the project and actively encourages other residents to get involved, she bakes, cooks lunch and dinners to share with other residents and most of all, she smiles! Her children are her pride and joy. Life was not always good for Rebecca: When she was 10 years old, Rebecca was taken into care by social services because of the obvious neglect she suffered and more seriously, the violence and abuse she suffered. Rebecca was placed with a foster family on a farm until the age of 15, it was during this placement, Rebecca discovered her passion for animals. However, Rebecca found it difficult to trust anyone, she felt she was not permitted to be a normal young person, she felt her social worker was always writing “stuff” about her in a big file and her foster parents, though kind and caring had to pass on every detail of her life to the social worker.
Rebecca rebelled and was removed to the care of her Grandmother for a few weeks until a place could be found for her in a children’s home. Rebecca was in two different children’s homes, she didn’t trust staff there either. It was at one of the children’s homes that she met Leon’s father, Marty. Rebecca’s need to be loved and belong meant that she failed to see that Marty’s drug use, anti-social behavior, arrests and troubled background would lead to difficulties in their relationship. Rebecca became pregnant with Leon at the age of 17 she moved into Marty’s family home. Marty was regularly violent to Rebecca, took her money for drugs and did not allow her to go out, have friends or have a life. Rebecca did not know how to turn her life around; she was lost with a baby on the way. In December 2011 Rebecca moved into Cloverhill Family Hostel with baby Leon who was 2 months old. Marty visited her regularly, his attitude to Rebecca hardened even further, he took most of her money, was abusive, and again, Rebecca was expected to trust “staff”, somehow she just couldn’t do that. She was withdrawn, aggressive, disinterested in engaging with supports and activities and never made eye contact with staff, she never smiled and she was crawling further into a lonely shell.
16 - 17
Cloverhill 5 Year Retrospective
In March 2012, things became more difficult and Rebecca had to choose between Marty and Leon, Rebecca could not make this choice and Leon was removed from her care. This was the turning point for Rebecca, she loved her little boy so much and did not want him to have the kind of life she had. Rebecca had no choice but to trust that there was someone who could help her get her baby back SO she took a giant leap of faith and trusted in her key worker for support and it worked. Today, life is good; Rebecca is looking forward to Christmas, a new home and a happy future for her little family. Rebecca is currently studying for her GCSE Maths and English in preparation for her future career with animals, her passion.
SOME COMMENTS FROM THE CLOVERHILL FAMILIES “It has changed and helped me by living here.” “Good programmes, Good Support.” “Highly recommended for girls leaving care pregnant, I know I was one of them.” “Great for my kids to be able to socialize with other children.” “Felt safe, loads of support.” “Loads of activities for me and the kids.” “Staff didn’t judge me they supported me and gave me confidence in ME.” “It’s so homely here.”
01.
02.
03.
04.
05.
06.
07.
08.
CONCLUSION Five years on there is no doubt that Cloverhill is a success! The service is essential in the local area and is utilised by vulnerable families who often struggle to find help elsewhere. The feedback from the residents has been exceptional particularly in their praise of the staff and volunteer team. The statistics of both occupancy and through-put are a testament to the work of the team in ensuring that there is easy access to the service and the network of support is there for families to move on when they are ready. I would like to commend the team for all their hard work in ensuring that the highest quality service is provided to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Northern Ireland. The place that Cloverhill has found in the wider community is also important because at Depaul Ireland the belief is that, not only should everyone have a place to call home but they should also have stake in their community. It is only by taking this wider, community-integrated approach, and not seeing projects as simply a building, that we can really ensure we are providing an excellent service underpinned by our quality assessment framework. There continues to be challenges across Northern Ireland in terms of access to social housing and we will continue to support people to access move on accommodation. This includes prioritising the work of our Family Services Floating Support team which provides community-based outreach to people moving out of homelessness. Finally, a word of appreciation to all of the parents who have lived in Cloverhill over the past 5 years. Thank you for trusting Depaul Ireland to support you and your children in your transition out of homelssness and into independent living. David Carroll Director of Services Depaul Ireland
GALLERY 01. Intergenerational Barbeque Day Welcomes Local Pensioners to Cloverhill 02. Cloverhill Football Team of Fathers Living in Depaul Ireland Family Services 03. Service Users meet Irish President Mary McAleese at Launch of Strategic Plan 04. Kerry Anthony MBE, CEO of Depaul Ireland with New Baby Born in Cloverhill 05. Families Spend Time Learning Together Learning from Child Support Worker 06. Young Artists Participate in Art Sessions for Electric Picnic 07. Children Playing and Growing Together in Communal Room 08. Cloverhill Families Join Christmas Launch of Depaul Ireland Blanket Appeal
Belfast Office / Dublin Office / Avenue, Belfast, BT7 Belfast 1 Fitzwilliam 2HJ Office / 18 Nicholas Street, Ravara House, 0044 28 90 647755 / T Dublin 8 depaulni@depaulireland.org / E1 Fitzwilliam Avenue 00353www.depaulireland.org 1 453 7111 / T Belfast, BT7 2HJ /W depaul@depaulireland.org / E 028 9064 7755 / T depaulni@depaulireland.org
Dublin Office / 18 Nicholas Street, Dublin 8 Registered Charity Registered Charity 00353 1 453 7111 / T No. CHY14753 No. XR87991 depaul@depaulireland.org / E www.depaulireland.org / W
www.depaulireland.org www.facebook.com/depaulireland www.twitter.com/depaulireland