Okay, then, so let's move on to the Henderson Miller Taylor family.
I can see that you've been doing this now for about six months.
And I can see from our last supervision notes
we said that we were looking to close this.
Have we achieved any of the outcomes?
Well, no, not really.
There's been a little bit of improvement in some areas
but despite all the support we've put in place
I don't really think we've improved the outcomes for the children.
No. All right, so let's look at the file, then.
So the initial referral came from the health visitor
who felt that the children were being neglected.
You did an initial assessment
and the plan was to work towards ensuring that the children were safe
and were protected and healthy.
I see that you've updated it already.
Yes. As time's gone on I've had more contact with the family
and I've updated the assessment
as you suggested at the last supervision.
Yeah, brilliant.
Troy and Susan are attending school more frequently
but let's talk through the areas that you're still concerned about.
Well, you're right, some things have gone better than others.
But I think that this is because I've prompted
and supported the family quite heavily for this to happen
and I worry that without my support
things will just fall back into the same routine as before.
I do feel that these children are being neglected
and that there is a lack of routine and a lack of boundaries
within this family generally.
Okay, let's talk about the underlying problems here.
Is it to do with the parenting capacity?
Do we need to get Claire and Darren on a parenting course?
Or do you think there's some deeper issues that we need to explore?
What do you think?
But, listen, before we do all that, why don't we just have a cup of tea?
Oh, lovely.
So to summarise.
We think that so far we have made some limited progress
due to the practical support that we've given
but that we haven't got to the root of the problem.
Claire and Darren need some practical parenting advice
and support to help them establish care, routine
and boundaries to the household.
Yes, I've got their names down for a parenting course
but I'm going to do some preparation with them in advance
to build their confidence and prepare them
before they go into a group setting.
I'm also going to speak to the health visitor
to see if she'll accompany them because I thought a familiar face
would be good.
I think transport might be an issue for them, though.
The bus fares might be a barrier
so I'm going to need to talk to them again about this.
Well, obviously it would be great and a good step forward
if Claire and Darren did go.
But the important thing
is to be mindful of how this is impacting on the children.
Let's see what difference it makes to them.
You're already tracking their health progress for Kimberley
and school attendance for Troy and Susan.
But let's look at other things.
Well, how do you mean?
Let's get some more information here from the school.
Are they appropriately dressed? Are they getting enough sleep?
Are they concentrating?
When you see Claire or Darren, how are they with them, for example?
You means things like have they been preparing meals for them
and giving them drinks and things?
Yes, exactly that.
But also how they're responding to each other.
Are they happy or are they sad?
Or are they just as bad as they were at the start of this referral?
Yeah, okay.
Also, make some time to see Claire or Darren individually.
Try and get a clearer picture of what's going on with them
and what additional support they might need.
- Do you mean outside agencies? - Yeah, absolutely.
We need to build a network around the family
before we can even think about closing this case.
Thanks for that. This discussion's been really useful. Thanks.
Good, good.
Well, let's come back in four weeks' time in your supervision
and let's discuss it further to see how we're getting on.
- Okay. - Brilliant.