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Our mission is to create brighter futures for children and young people. We do this by providing fostering, residential and support services where children and young people can feel safe and cared for. We support them to make positive relationships which give them the confidence to succeed.
A 12-month project is about to start between the Isle of Man Government Safeguarding Board, the Centre for Abuse and Trauma Studies (CATS) at Middlesex University and St Christopher’s to identify and assess neglect. The aim of the project is to enable neglect to be identified earlier so that the appropriate services can be implemented quicker.
The study will focus on the work undertaken by the Wraparound therapeutic team, who work with children, young people and families on the Isle of Man, including those who are not in St Christopher’s care. The project will consist of a multi-disciplinary team including police, teachers, community health workers, social workers and four members of St Christopher’s.
Members of the CATS team will train the team in using and rating two assessment tools that look at neglect, care and parenting. Evaluation will take place through questionnaires and focus groups looking at the training, impact on assessment and care planning, and implementation.
The first tool is called Childhood Experience of Care and Abuse for Practice (CECA.P), which provides a way of collating and analysing information on antipathy (cold / critical parenting), neglect and psychological abuse.
The second tool, Parenting Role Interview (PRI), provides a way of collecting new parenting information including how parents cope with their child’s difficulties, how they interact with them and how completely they provide care, affection and control.
St Christopher’s has worked with CATS since 2007 to collate data from Attachment Style Interviews and Q Packs. This new project was set up in response to a policy initiative by the Isle of Man Safeguarding Board highlighting the impact of child neglect. By accurately identifying and assessing neglect and related behaviours, the aim is for a more coordinated and effective response to be put in place for children and their families.
Chief Executive Ron Giddens said: “I am delighted to be expanding our work with CATS by taking part in this project. It is an excellent way for academics and practitioners to work together and achieve a real difference to the lives of children and young people.”