Springboard Opportunity Group

The aim of the Springboard's family support service is to focus on early intervention to prevent small problems becoming big issues, to be user led, and to be responsive to changing needs.

It is currently funded by the Big Lottery Fund and the service was developed over several years as a response to the increased demand by families who have children with additional needs.

 Supporting families is inherent in all of our work at Springboard and the role of the family support workers complements this. However, the following are few additional areas they provide support with:

• provide dedicated Family Support Workers
• run Stay & Play sessions, including Dad's & Grandad's Morning
• run Holiday Stay & Play sessions, funded by BBC Children in Need
• provide every familiy when they leave with a pack of useful information
• provide information about holiday activities and events 
• support to individual families with benefits and financial matters
• provide a programme of Family Support Workshops including  'The Starting Point' 
• lead Springboard Open Week
• support ex-Springboard families and siblings where possible.
• support the play staff team with SPLAT (Springboard Play & Learning All Together)
• provide support to individual families   
• provide useful tips and resources:  
• Springboard Songs and Games:
  Just You and Me; Together Time; Cardboard Box Games; Think About It; Listening Time; Rhythm Sticks.
• Springboard Behaviour Starpoints;
• Springboard songs - All Time Favourites.

If you would like to know more about our family support service please contact either of our Centres.

Family Support Service has been a rapidly developing part of Springboard. We now have two Family Support Workers who are kept very busy with families as are all our staff in their respective roles. These posts are funded by the Big Lottery Fund.

Some FAQ's

Q . Do you provide transport?
A . Unfortunately we are unable to provide transport, but we are sometimes able to link parents up to share with each other.  

Q . Is my child entitled to any benefits?
A . Several benefits are available, the main ones are:

Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
the main benefit for children with additional needs and disabilities. It is made up of a care component, which can be claimed from birth and a mobility component which can be claimed from 3 years of age. There are various rates for care and mobility depending on how much help a child needs. Children aged 3 and 4 qualify for the higher rate of the mobility component of DLA. For details, phone 0800 882200. People with speech or hearing problems using a textphone can dial 0800 243355. Click here for more on DLA for children. The CAB Adviceguide has more advice on benefits.

Carer's Allowance (CA)
This is aid to people who spend at least 35 hours per week caring for a disabled child or person who receives higher or middle rate DLA. You can earn a small income, and still qualify for CA. Call 01253 856 123 for details or you may wish to contact Benefits Agency, Carlton St, WsM BS23 1TQ on 01934 634000.
Springboard has forms and leaflets and you can visit the Department of Work and Pensions website www.dwp.gov.uk where you can download application forms yourself.
Please note, several Springboard staff are available to help with completion of DLA forms, please ask a memeber of staff.

Q.Can I get free nappies from my health visitor?
A. Yes There is a scheme to help with the cost of nappies children aged five years and over, funded by the health services. Contact your health visitor for more details.

Q.Can I get help with cost of a place at Springboard ?
A. In some cases yes. North Somerset Children & Youngs Peoples' Services have a small daycare sponsorship fund to help pay for any pre school place or childminder or play scheme etc. It is subject to criteria, but ask your health visitor for more information as she will be asked to support your application. Once your child is 3 you will be entitled to the Nursery Education Grant funding for 5 places per week in pre school in North Somerset.

Q.What do I do if I am unhappy about something to do with Springboard?
A. Please talk to your child's Key Person or Playleader.

We do have a formal grievance and complaints procedure but we hope that most complaints can be sorted out at an early stage by talking to someone. This usually resolves any difficulties. If you have any concerns at all please speak to a member of staff.

This is not an exhaustive list; if you have any questions at any time, please just ask.