A structured and therapeutic support intervention for children.
One-to-One therapeutic support promoting children’s rights through the voice of the child using our toolkit. Practitioners work with children to capture their voice and understand their needs to ensure that their views and rights are communicated. This can help families and where needed Sheriffs to make the right decisions for the child by taking into account and respecting the child’s views and wishes.
What is all about me?
Family Journeys have developed a toolkit that is being used as therapeutic guidance for staff to support children through their family connections journey following separation or divorce.
Research suggests that children who have experienced emotional abuse, stressful or traumatic life events, bereavement, separation or experience in care are more likely to develop anxiety, depression and related poor mental health conditions. Abuse and neglect can also make children more vulnerable to developing composite mental health conditions.
The aim is to enable the practitioner to successfully gather and capture the voice of the child and where appropriate report back to sheriffs to ensure informed decision making and child’s rights are communicated on behalf of the child.
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)
As a children’s charity, Family Journeys passionately uphold and are driven by the guiding principles of UNCRC. Giving particular importance to Article 12 referring to respecting the views of a child and ensuring every child being supported by Family Journeys has their views, feelings and wishes considered and taken seriously.
Family Journeys also ensure that with all services involving children, Article 13 is considered and the child’s right to freedom of expression, giving every child the right to share their thoughts and opinions throughout this journey is considered to ensure a child’s emotional safety throughout their family connections journey.
Who is this suitable for?
For children and young people who are struggling following a separation or divorce of their parents, or other traumatic life event. Especially, where there are language or limited communication abilities to express their feelings.
We will work with them to ensure they receive the support they need and have their voice heard.
What to expect
Evidence Based Recognising
- Family Journeys professionals and those working to support a child through a traumatic life experience are trained to recognize the signs of a child who may be struggling.
- In our therapeutic sessions we give children and young people the opportunity to receive support and have their voice heard, especially when there are language or limited communication abilities to express their feelings using words.
Evidence Based Responding
The All About Me – Voice of the Child is a toolbox created by Family Journeys collaborating with Psychologists, Play Therapists and Early Years Specialists. This toolbox provides therapeutic play interventions that allow our team and the child to explore and make sense of:
- Their views, feelings, wishes and thoughts
- Their life story
- Their family dynamics
- Their family connections timeline
- Any concerns they may have throughout their journey with reconnecting and establishing a relationship with a parent or family member.
Evaluation
- Family Journeys document (verbatim where possible) the child’s voice and where permission has been given to do so, will include this information into any court reports prepared for the sheriff.
- Pictures, drawings and diagrams may also be included if appropriate and requested.
How much does it cost?
As a small organisation, our capacity to provide prompt and comprehensive support is only possible by charging for the important service we offer.
We aim to charge a fair and reasonable hourly professional rate which is inclusive of direct staff costs and overheads.
To explore whether you may be entitled to Legal Aid, please contact Citizens Advice for additional assistance.
Affordability and accessibility are important to us and therefore we welcome confidential payment discussions for those families who are not entitled to Legal Aid Funding.
Please note that no family will be excluded from service for financial reasons.
Fees
All About Me: £40 per child, per session
Please note: The All About Me service requires a minimum of 4 sessions.
Refer yourself or someone else
Complete the referral form if you or someone you know would like to access our services
We offer this service at 3 locations
Family Journeys
The Playrooms,
519 Gorgie Road,
Edinburgh,
EH11 3AJ
Family Journeys at The Fisherrow Centre
Fisherrow Centre,
South Street, Musselburgh,
East Lothian,
EH21 6AT
Family Journeys at Linbar House
48 North Bridge Street,
Bathgate
West Lothian,
EH48 4PP
Lindsay’s story
All About Me sessions were needed with Lindsay (not their real name) to understand how she was feeling about spending time with her dad when there was no staff present.
Also, they were used to gather further information on her views around the relationship with her Dad as she moved away from supervised sessions.
This was particularly important due to the historic need for intense staff involvement and the previous fears of potential unsupervised time. It was paramount to ensure that Lindsay’s voice was captured and shared with the decision makers in her care.
During early discussions, Lindsay highlighted that she “didn’t want to talk” and “won’t say anything”. However, following the therapeutic and trauma informed language used, and the ongoing relationship building with staff and child, the child began to talk more freely.
During the All About Me sessions, Lindsay was able to communicate fluently and shared she “likes talking to staff” about her upcoming sessions. Explaining that she “now feels better you listened”.
She was able to complete a full timeline that included going to out in nature, for picnics, to the movies and maybe one day to her Dad’s house. All of Lindsay’s voice work was shared with the courts ahead of her child welfare hearing
“I feel like I’m doing normal things with my Dad now.”
Child
FAQs
Will I have to see my ex-partner?
- No. If you do not feel comfortable seeing another parent/carer Family Journeys will stagger Family Connections arrival and departure times to ensure everyone feels safe, and their needs are respected. Within our mediation services we can offer shuttle mediation, either in person or online. This involves parents/carers being in different rooms and the mediator moving between. If you are attending our Parenting Apart programme, you will not be put in the same group as another family member (unless expressly requested).
Am I allowed to take photographs?
- As an organisation promoting positive relationships, capturing special moments is a normal aspect of nurturing positive connections. Please note however, this may be subject to certain conditions if a court order explicitly prohibits photographs, if there are child protection concerns or identified risks or if the child does not consent to having their photograph taken, their wishes will be respected. Prioritising the safety and consent of all parties involved is paramount.
Will there always be a staff member in playroom with my child?
- During supervised Family Connection sessions, a staff member will ALWAYS be present with your child. During supported Family Connection sessions, a staff member will be available for when a child or parent/family member may need them, and they will offer regular check ins to see if all is going well in the playroom.
Can I wait at Family Journeys whilst my child sees my ex-partner?
- Yes of course. We have relaxing parent/carer rooms for you to wait whilst your child is enjoying time in the playrooms. This can help you and your child feel more at ease in the early sessions. However, you may also wish to spend some time away from the venue and this is encouraged once your child feels comfortable coming to Family Journeys. Staff will always call you if your child needs you to return.
My court order was issued last month, why can’t I start immediately?
- At Family Journeys, we understand this is a stressful period for all, especially the child. We don’t want to delay but sometimes it takes a while to find a vacant slot in our venues that suits both you and your child. We also want to give your child and family every chance of success when coming to Family Journeys, therefore it is important that we start after a period of preparation. This preparation period will travel at the pace of the child and support everyone to get the most out of their time playing together in the hope of independent co-parenting solutions.
How long will it take after the intake meeting for contact to start?
- This is difficult to answer because it depends on your child’s readiness to meet. Sometimes we support the child with an extended preparation or involve the child in our All About Me service if they are struggling. Normally we would hope your first play session would be no longer than a month after your initial meeting with staff, but sometimes it can take longer.
I worry I can’t afford this. What can I do?
- If you are in receipt of benefits or earn below a certain threshold, you may be entitled to Scottish Legal Aid. You will need a solicitor to access these funds. If you are not entitled to Scottish Legal Aid and feel you will struggle to meet the costs, please get in touch with us directly to discuss how we can work out a payment plan that is affordable.
If I go on holiday, will I get into trouble?
- No. We will communicate this information to your ex-partner and solicitors, if applicable, and arrange a catch-up session where possible. The key here is being honest and planning ahead.
I can’t find a legal aid solicitor, what do I do?
- Although Family Journeys cannot specifically suggest a particular solicitor, we can provide you with a list of Scottish Legal Aid solicitors who you can contact.
My solicitor told me that they are no longer doing Legal Aid work. What do I do?
- Let Family Journeys know ASAP. It is possible the child’s other parent may be able to cover costs short term through their own legal aid. Family Journeys can help communicate this with your permission. It may be important for you to find another solicitor to represent you. During this period, we will not stop your child’s Family Connections time.
I am worried my ex-partner will find out where I live if they ask the children. Can you control what is said during a session?
- During supervised Family Connections sessions, our staff will be present to ensure you, and your children, are safe. Any leading questions thought to expose a restricted address will be stopped.
How can I access my child’s or my notes?
- You can acquire all notes retained on our information management system regarding yourself and/or the child you have legal rights and responsibilities for through a subject access request.
What happens if a parent or guardian arrives under the influence of substances?
- Family Journeys are unable to do any drug testing, but we do visual checks and monitor the persons behaviour. If staff detect that a person is under the influence or cannot look after the child, family time will be stopped. Family Journeys are an inclusive organisation, if a family is impacted by substance use Family Journeys can support to find appropriate solutions with the individual and family.
Resources
There are many resources and organisations available to offer support.