TAC case study: Henry aged 9 years

Henry is a nine year old boy who has had no contact with his father for three years but recently he has begun to be involved. This is inconsistent. He has been excluded from two primary schools and now attending a Pupil Referral Unit. Mum is a supportive single parent who wants the best for her child. There are concerns over child's mental health. Henry has been receiving different services, none of which have been communicating or working together until the CAF was completed.

He has been displaying risk taking behaviour, and there are signs of very low self-esteem and anxiety. Mum feeling very isolated and stressed. She suffers with physical illnesses. Henry is often not going to sleep until midnight. Watching inappropriate TV programmes and playing on the Play Station in the evening. He struggles to make friends and is becoming overweight due to not exercising.

CAF was completed by educational psychology. And there is involvement from a paediatrician, youth inclusion. CAMHS and Fegans Family Care (voluntary sector project), Mum requested support from a family support worker from the TAC team and A copy of the CAF return form was sent to the area managers and a decision was made to allocate to a family support worker.

After a home visit the following actions were agreed with Mum and Henry: 

• Mum would like activities for her son after school.
• Mum expressed she would like to meet other parents and build a support network.
• Mum wanted support with the bedtime routines and advice on boundaries management.
• Action plan completed with mum: 2nd home visit arranged.
• Bedtime routine plan discussed with mum and written down for her to follow.
• Relaxation exercises given to mum to do with son before bedtime.
• ‘Golden time' introduced- 30 minutes of quality time with mum to settle him and help him feel secure. Restriction of Playstation and TV.
• Implementing a behaviour chart for mum to use with her son.

Mum was given information about free activities in the local area for child to attend. Including information on a football club in the area where he could go and get fit, make new friends and work as a team. And support offered to mum in taking her son. The family support worker provided information to mum about regular events where she can meet other parents. These are free pampering days close to her home, where she can obtain free reflexology, Indian head massages etc to give her time to herself whilst at the same time meet other parents .There is a plan to liaise with dad around regular visiting times so that the child can feel more settled. 1-1 mentoring work with the child around issues of self-esteem and risk-taking behaviour will be explored once the relationship is more established.

Feedback so far has been positive. Mum seems happy to engage with family support and seems optimistic regarding the strategies put in place.