A single mum suffers with depression and struggles to get up in the morning. She is unable to set any routine or boundaries for her teenage children who have been excluded or are at risk of exclusion from school. The children’s concern for their mother means school issues are relegated, as they become carers for her.
The school inclusion officer is concerned that taking the family to court will only make the situation worse, but with mum’s consent the inclusion officer makes a self-referral to the Family Support Co-ordinator.
Michael deploys a home visitor, a local person employed to provide some day to day support. She encourages mum to seek counselling through her GP; gets information about local-based courses, helps her to set routine and boundaries.
At school, the learning mentor supports the children who are at risk of exclusion in school, while the Cellar Space project provides local support for the excluded children.
The home visitor helps mum rebuild her self-esteem and confidence, the children’s school attendance and behaviour improve.The Inclusion Officer monitoring attendance is no longer concerned.