A problem shared

FULL ARTICLE:
http://www.stopinjusticenow.com/News_0700.htm

A bold child protection scheme that uses volunteers to help families turn their lives around has proved so successful in helping children classed as "at risk" that councils around the country are now looking to replicate its work. The CSV (Community Service Volunteers) scheme has helped 15 families move off the at risk register – half the families targeted for volunteer support. It was piloted in Sunderland and the London borough of Bromley who have both found the scheme a success. Bromley plans to expand it while Sunderland hopes to use volunteers as outreach workers from their children's centres. Now the charity is in talks with five other interested councils in London, the east of England and the Midlands. "I'm really happy with the way it's gone," said Jean Pardey, the CSV director who oversees the programme. "What's been so good is the acceptance of volunteers: families and social workers value them." "I come from a social work background and can see there are extraordinary possibilities to it. The importance even of little things like helping get children to school is immense. It can relieve the pressure on families." The Volunteers in Child Protection scheme was seen as exceptionally bold when it was launched by the charity in 2003. Many questioned the wisdom of using volunteers to help tackle families with often complex and difficult problems. But its initiative has paid dividends. CSV said volunteers can offer unique support to families on the "at risk" register who may be wary of saying or doing anything in front of social workers, fearing they could have their children taken away. Volunteers are able to get closer and put families at ease, as well as continuing to offer support when official help ends as families leave the register. The project was inspired by a similar scheme in California that launched just when concerns about the killing of Victoria Climbie were pushing child protection agencies to cast around for new ideas. CSV has just recruited its 60th volunteer and said they were pleased that many had ended work with one family and come back to help others. Their volunteers are aged 18 to 60: many have their own children while younger ones are often thinking of a career in social work.