Halliwell Homes

We are delighted to announce the venues for our upcoming Intensive CPD Training Masterclass sessions later this year: University College London and The University of Salford. Halliwell have worked with both of these prestigious educational institutions over recent months and we are very pleased to be doing so again.

These intensive training sessions provide an in-depth insight into the Pillars of Parenting: Emotional Warmth Model of Professional Childcare and will give you the opportunity to complete the Pillars of Parenting qualification*. The five day course will run over a week with structured individual days if you only wish to attend a single day session. 

The agenda will include:

Day 1             Parental Acceptance & Rejection Theory (PARTheory)

Parenting Style

Day 2             Attachments in Public Care

                        Positive Self-perception

Day 3             Self- Management

Self-Perception

Self-Limiting Behaviour

Day 4             Resilience

Emotional Competence

                        Emotional Trauma

Day 5             Signature Strengths

 
" The Pillars of Parenting is the only UK published and peer reviewed practice model for foster parents and residential child care staff. This training is an opportunity for colleagues in the sector to acquire a theoretical research based understanding of issues faced by looked after children to build on their own knowledge and experience whilst gaining a qualification." - Colin Maginn, co founder Pillars of Parenting.  

For individuals who complete the entire course there is the option to progress to the Pillars of Parenting: Emotional Warmth Model of Professional Child Care qualification.

Guest speakers include Colin Maginn co founder of the Pillars of Parenting, Karen Mitchell-Mellor Practice Director at Halliwell and Andrew Constable Director at Hallliwell Homes.

Please note there will be discounts for group bookings.

If you would like to book on to any of these courses please complete and return this form to:training@halliwellhomes.co.uk

We look forward to hearing from you.

*the five day course covers the complete taught element of the qualification, in order to complete there is a coursework requirement.

Foster Carer Fortnight has been a great success in highlighting the essential work, dedication and importance of the nation’s foster carers.

Halliwell Fostering would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has contributed to our real life stories, they give an excellent insight into what it is like to go through the assessment process, becoming a foster parent and what it is like from a child’s viewpoint.

If you would like further information on fostering with Halliwell please contact: fostering@halliwellhomes.co.uk or ring 07761 830389

Hi, I’m Rachel and I am a supervising social worker with the Halliwell Fostering team. My role includes speaking to new possible applicants at recruitment events, completing assessments of potential foster parents and supporting approved foster families.

Assessments are often anxious time for families as they may be unsure about what to expect. It is my job to explain the assessment process, make you feel more relaxed about the process and get you ready for Panel. There is a lot of work that goes in to assessments and it can take at least three months until you go to Panel. On the night of Panel I will be there to support you and explain what will happen.

When you are approved I will be one of a number of professionals who will be on hand to support you and offer support and advice. There is always someone on the end of the phone – even if it is the middle of the night!

The relationship with your social worker is an important one as they will often be your first point of call. Hopefully over the assessment period you will develop a positive relationship with your worker as this will form the basis of your working relationship. 

There’s lots of different parts of my job that I love but there is nothing more rewarding than working with a family through their assessment to then see their hard work acknowledged and be approved by our fostering panel.

The panel meeting was the final part of the process. It was nice to meet all the people that are involved with Halliwell. The questions panel asked were very straight forward and to the point. It did not take long for them to make their decision and I was really pleased to be approved. Now I cannot wait to start and have a child living with me. 

Moving to a foster family was a true challenge.  Halliwell Homes had become a safe and predictable place to be with people Robert knew and now all that was changing.  Robert showed how uncertain and anxious he felt and some of his old behaviours came back.  Yet he so wanted a family like other children. 

Moving was scary but the therapeutic parents  and support team at Halliwell were still around and his new foster family and they worked together so that Robert could experience familiarity and predictability even at a time of change.  Robert realised that in moving he had not lost people who are significant to his, but had gained people who wanted to be a big part of his future, people who wanted to see his achieve and do well. 

On Saturday Halliwell had a stand in Sale, we spoke to a number of interested families and gave out plenty of information to people who were considering fostering. Thanks to everyone who came to speak to us and we hope to see you at our next Skills to Foster Training.

For those who could not make the event but would like more information contact us at fostering@halliwellhomes.co.uk. We are running our next Skills to Foster Training over two days at our Head Office in Salford on the 8^th and 15^th June.

We recommend potential applicants attend this training prior to submitting their application form as this will give a good insight to the role of a foster parent, what the role looks like on a day to day basis as well as what foster parents can expect off Halliwell with regards to ongoing training and support. The training will also introduce you to our Restorative Parenting Recovery Programme.

If you are interested in fostering for Halliwell and would like to come on our Skills to Foster Training please contact us on the above email and we will provide you with further information. 

If you want to come along, meet the team and find out a bit more about fostering come and see us at the following events:

Saturday 18^th May – The Square Shopping Centre, Sale

Tuesday 18^th & Wednesday 19^th June – Cheshire County Show, Tabley, Knutsford

We hope to have more dates to add to this list for the summer months so keep an eye on our website for updates.

We hope to see you at an event soon.

Delegates were introduced to the Pillars of Parenting; Emotional Warmth Model of Professional Child care by co-founder and Director of the Pillars of Parenting Colin Maginn. This informative presentation included social and parental rejection, attachment, self perception and signature strengths with real life stories and supportive research studies.

Karen Mitchell-Mellor, Practice Director at Halliwell, then went on to demonstrate how the model works in practice, covering the key elements of environment, material and process. Professionals were keen to voice personal experiences, opinions and practical insights during all aspects of the day and in particular the group workshops.

Comments and feedback from the delegates were very positive and included the following statements:

“A very informative day, thank you.”

“Great to see what you offer, budget holders need to listen.”

Always keen to support the next generation of the health care professionals, Halliwell have conducted their latest CPD event at Manchester College. Tutors at the college invited Halliwell in as part of Adult Learners Week where students get the opportunity to speak to people from related industries.

With over forty years experience between them speakers Karen Mitchell-Mellor,  Practice Director and Dr Chris Robinson, Clinical Psychologist presented to learners from BTEC National Diploma Levels 2 and 3 and Access to HE courses. The enthusiastic group of students were introduced to Halliwell’s restorative parenting model, the theory and how it works in practice, the services we provide and the employment opportunities available.

“We were looking to provide the students with a proper case study following the child protection element of the teaching syallbus. There are too many negative stories highlighted in the press and we wanted to demonstrate that there are positive examples out there for them to learn from.” Nicola O’Brien, course tutor.

Students were quick to take part in the interactive session, voicing opinions, personal experiences and building on the new concepts introduced via the restorative parenting model. Several learners have now volunteered to take part in future training opportunities later this year.

“It was very informative, and today’s session has changed my perception of children in care. After Baby P I wanted to go into adult social care but you have shown me a different side, I am seriously considering looked after children now.” Laura Jackson Access to Social and Community Work

Robert came to Halliwell Homes after a number of fostering and residential care placements.  Robert’s family had struggled to provide a stable and loving home for Robert and his siblings and this meant missing meals and school frequently.  It meant not having clean clothes.  It meant not having many toys to play with.  It meant not having a daily routine in which he could rely on his parents to be attentive to his needs and make him feel like he was important to them.  It meant growing up feeling lonely and unworthy of love.  Robert had become angry and resistant towards anyone who tried to show his love.

Things changed when Robert came to Halliwell Homes.  He learned that the therapeutic parents would not give up when he refused to eat, always said nice things to him and about him, would make his bedroom tidy when he threw things around in anger, encouraged and rewarded his attendance at school, delighted in his achievements, listened when he shared his fears and concerns, comforted his when he felt upset.   Robert began to believe it might be possible that someone could want him and that he was loveable.  Robert completed 18months of the Restorative Parenting Recovery Programme in residential care and was ready to continue that progress in a foster family.

Over the bank holiday weekend staff at Halliwell undertook a 40 km walk for charity in one day. The route, the

Staff were inspired to work with Wood Street Mission after learning more about the charity and wanted to do something to raise money for them.

With the challenge and date set all participants set off bright eyed and bushy tailed determined to complete the walk in good time. The walk was enjoyable, all the more so for the good weather and buoyant team spirit. Several hours later the walkers hobbled up to the finishing line for a well deserved rest and refreshment.

“Well done to everyone who took part, the walk was a real challenge to complete in such as short space of time. Thank you to everyone who has supported us in raising money for Wood Street Mission.” Andrew Constable, Director at Halliwell.

Halliwell would like to make a special mention to Health and Social E-Care Solutions for their generous support.

www.justgiving.com/HalliwellHomes.

If you are:

·         Looking to develop your career through leading practice excellence and then onto consultancy or training?

·         Experienced in delivering effective recovery programmes within high profile educational, residential or fostering settings? 

·         Professionally qualified and a graduate in Psychology or a related subject who enjoys working within a social enterprise setting?

Then talk to us about joining the Halliwell team. We are particularly interested to hear from professionals who have established their practice with organisations that follow specialist models of child care and who now want to develop their career further.

For further information and to apply to join our team, email your current CV to recruitment@halliwellhomes.co.uk with a covering letter.

  

“I really liked the voting bit, it was different to take part in presentation rather than just take notes all the time.”

Colin Maginn, co-founder of the Pillars of Parenting, kick started the day with an introduction on social and parental rejection of children in the looked after system before leading on to the theory of the model. Karen Mitchell-Mellor, Practice Director at Halliwell, followed Colin’s thought provoking presentation with process and challenges faced when putting the model into practice in our residential homes, educational settings and fostering service.

The event was a great success with attendees from across the looked after children’s sector enjoying an interesting and inspiring day.

“I learnt an awful lot that will help in my practice and lots of information to add to carer training courses.”

“Please get senior managers / commisioners involved”

For further information on our CPD training events please contact training@halliwellhomes.co.uk.

This year Halliwell will be working in association with Wood Street Mission, a registered charity based in Manchester which aims to alleviate children and families from poverty and run a series of projects from clothing to children’s books and school uniforms.

Halliwell staff are undertaking a charity walk along the Bollin Way a 40km walk stretching from Macclesfield Riverside Park to Partington taking in natural woodland, reservoirs, and the Manchester Ship Canal. Participants are aiming to complete the trek in a single day, Sunday 5^th May. If you would like to support us on this fundraising event please visit: www.justgiving.com/HalliwellHomes.

The third Halliwell CPD training event of the year  took place this week and delegates travelled from across the country to The University of London to attend the workshop on ‘The Pillars of Parenting: Emotional Warmth Model of Professional Childcare’.

The session started with Colin Maginn, co-founder of the Pillars of Parenting, introducing the group to the Pillars of Parenting practice model which was followed by a presentation by Karen Mitchell-Mellor, Practice Director at Halliwell, on putting the model into practice. The attentive audience were keen to pose questions and take part in discussions.

Delegates included representatives across the sector including social workers, senior practitioners, therapeutic workers, consultants and commissioners. The session concluded with an interactive group work activity and a lively debate on primary care and protection and personal and social responsibility.

“Very good and insightful opportunity...I will surely recommend your service to my managers.”

“Very passionate speakers, motivated me to think about the eight pillars of parenting and now I want to find out more.”

For further information on our CPD training events please contact training@halliwellhomes.co.uk.

Halliwell have continued their positive start to the year with another successful CPD Training event which was hosted by Birmingham University at the fantastic Hornton Grange. The session was centred on the Pillars of Parenting: Emotional Warmth Model of Professional Childcare which was presented by Colin Maginn, co founder of Parenting of Parenting. Andrew Constable , and Karen Mitchell-Mellor, Director and Practice Director respectively, co presented with discussions and presentations on putting the model into practice.

Halliwell is a social enterprise based in the North West of England whose objective is to enhance the psychological health of young people within the care system. Our guests showed great interest in the model and were keen to explore concepts, research findings and their counterpart’s experiences within their own individual sectors:

For further information on our CPD training events please contact training@halliwellhomes.co.uk.

“It has definitely made me change my way of thinking, to consider certain points within my work.”

Halliwell have started 2013 with a bang as the first of our CPD dates got underway yesterday. Despite the wintry weather delegates made their way across the north east to attend the Pillars of Parenting: Emotional Warmth Model of Professional Childcare training at Northumbria University. Speakers included Colin Maginn, Director of Pillars of Parenting; Karen Mitchell-Mellor, Practice Director of Halliwell and Andrew Constable, Director of Halliwell who between them have over forty years of experience in the sector.

Attendees were put through their mental paces as psychological theories, research, and personal experiences were discussed and explored highlighting trends and differences across the childcare spectrum. The day culminated in a lively group work session with new concepts and ideas that gave speakers and delegates alike something to think about.

For further information on our CPD training events please contact training@halliwellhomes.co.uk.

Halliwell are proud to announce their sponsorship of the Child Protection Award at the Children & Young People Now Awards 2012. This award ceremony is a real celebration of the achievements of the people who work with and for children and young people nationwide. The event was a real success with Hertfordshire County Council (Joint Child Protection Investigation team) fighting off competition from SOLACE, Park Community School and Stay Safe Helena Project to win the Child Protection Award.

“Halliwell was delighted to sponsor this event as it brings into sharp relief the wonderful work across the country for children and young people.” Andrew Constable, Director at Halliwell.

The CYP Now Awards, held at the Hurlingham Club in Fulham, was described as THE award ceremony to celebrate by key note speaker Edward Timpson, Children’s minister. For the full list of winners and organisations on the short list please click here.

• Chartered Child Psychologists reviewing all placements and placement plans.
• A model of care seen as part of the solution for the challenges within social care.
• A psychology-led training and development programme for all members of our practice team.