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Wac Arts Buddying Service

Camden has a buddying service specifically for disabled young people provided by Wac Arts.

The social care team in Camden MOSAIC identifies young people who would benefit from being allocated a buddy to help support them depending on their presenting need and with the aim of increasing their independence.

The aim of the service is to build confidence, independence and sociability skills. Once linked with a ‘Buddy’, the young person will be supported to access a wider range of social settings and activities with an aim of encouraging the development of new skills, new relationships and widening the young person’s social circle.

Frequency of contact will be agreed by Camden Mosaic and in consultation with the buddy, young person, and their parents/ carers.

Contact details

Contact Name
Jo Yeoman
Contact Position
Advocacy, Buddying and Transitions Coordinator
Telephone
020 7692 5800
E-mail
Jo.yeoman@wacarts.co.uk
Website
Wac Arts 

Address

Address
213
Haverstock Hill
London
Postcode
NW3 4QP

Further details

Ward
Belsize Ward
Last checked date
01/09/2014
Record ID
40007

Local Offer

About Local Offer
Local Offer Age Bands
School Age Children & Young People 5-18
SEN Provision Type
Targeted
Where is the service located and what areas does it cover?

The service is based in a range of settings including linking with pre existing sessions at Wac Arts, at the home of the young person or in the wider community.

Who does your service provide for?

The service is aimed at disabled young people aged between 11 up to their 18th birthday.

How can a child or young person start using the service?

The young person will be referred to the service by the young person's social worker in the disabled children's social care team in Camden Mosaic.

How are decisions made about eligibility for your service?

Decisions about referrals to the service are made by the disabled children's social care team in Camden Mosaic. A completed Wac Arts Buddying referral form will be sent to the Advocacy, Buddying and Transitions coordinator at Wac Arts by the young person's social worker.

How do you communicate with service users and how are they involved in decision making/planning?

Buddy’s assist in choosing what activities they would like to participate in and in consultation with their buddies they plan each buddying session, this includes journey planning and budgeting. Service users are given consultation forms to express their views on the service.

Is your service fully accessible?

Our building and service is fully accessible and buddies travel to the young people to deliver this service.

What training have the staff supporting children and young people with SEND had/or will be they be getting?

Staff have a variety of training and this includes: • Child protection and safeguarding procedures • Disability awareness • Confidentiality • Good communication skills, including use of different communication methods e.g PECS /Makaton • Manual Handling & Safe use of aids and equipment • Managing challenging behaviour • Boundary settings • Working with Parents • Conflict Management • Working with people who have physical and sensory disabilities • Confidentiality • Relevant NVQ Qualification or relevant experience of working with this user group • Use of Sensory equipment • Risk Assessment • Basic first aid First Aid certificate • University degrees and Master degrees • ABA training • Autism awareness training • Teaching qualifications Staff supporting young people with SEND on the buddying service, are able to complete training from Camden TDS.

Who should a service user contact if they want to raise a concern or complain about something?

If a service user has a concern or wants to complain about something happening in their life they can tell their buddy who will pass the information the Buddying, Advocacy and Transitions coordinator,: Jo Yeoman, the Buddying coordinator on 020 7692 5862 The Co-ordinator will then pass the information onto the child's social worker in Camden Mosaic. If the concern is regarding the Buddying service the Buddying, Advocacy and Transitions Coordinator or Disability Officer at Wac Arts would be happy to listen to any concerns regarding the service. Buddying evaluation forms are used to gain young people’s views on the Buddying service.

Who can a parent carer/young person contact for further information?

Jo Yeoman Advocacy, Buddying and Transitions Coordinator 020 7692 5862 Jo.yeoman@wacarts.co.uk

The Local Offer is a free and impartial service provided by Camden Local Authority. Any service or provider mentioned in this Local Offer, does not represent a recommendation or endorsement of the service or quality of the service provided. You are responsible for undertaking your own checks to determine suitability of the service and provider.

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