The difference a Summer can make
YPB is currently in care, has an EHCP and has 1:1 support at school. F4YP received a referral for YPB to attend our summer provision. We completed a risk assessment consulting with their social worker and foster carer. The risk assessment showed that YPB was high risk and has experienced some episodes where their behaviour can escalate quickly, but given time is able to regulate themself.
YPB came to F4YP Summer Activities 2023 over 4 weeks, funded by HAF.
On their first morning with us, YPB was very quiet after arriving in a taxi not having been to us before. Throughout the holiday clubs, YPB struggled with their behaviour and at times would need time out of sessions, and at times needed positive handling intervention (Team Teach) to ensure their safety. The staff were able to explain our sensory room to them, known to the young people as the ‘Frog Room’ and allow them to understand that when we aren’t feeling ourselves or need a small break, we can use this room.
As the courses progressed in weeks one and two YPB became more confident and trusting with staff. We were able to encourage YPB to bring belongings to the holiday club, increase their engagement across sessions and help them when they need extra support. One tutor commented: “[YPB] started the week very quietly but soon found thier confidence and voice within the group. They visibly and vocally really enjoyed the session and couldn’t wait to see what we were doing the following days.” Another tutor comment said of YPB: “[At the] start of the week [YPB] sat out on their own but as the week went on, they got involved with others and started to build some positive relationships through support and encouragement.”
By Week 3 of our provision, YPB began to interact better with other YPs, showing more appropriate social behaviours. When asked about a talent they would like to share at the talent show at the end of the week YPB expressed that they wanted to show football skills, previously YPB had opted out of this activity. Other young people in their group also wanted to show football skills, and YPB was able to demonstrate teamwork with others to create a performance for the talent show. By the end of the summer provision, YPB was able to show an improved understanding of instructions and showed their personality with both staff and peers, fully engaging in sports and other activities. Our science tutor said in STEM sessions: Had never used the equipment before and would say was almost an expert in using it by the end of the week.” YPB said they had made new friends, tried something new and would come back to another F4YP course. In their outcome log, they stated that coming to F4YP made them feel “Good” because they “like coming here”.
Due to the relationships staff had built with YPB over the holidays, the progress he had made over the courses, and our staff’s Team Teach training, we were able to have YPB come along on our trip to Marston Vale Forest Centre and to our adventure days. YPB loved catching bugs and persisted with our course assistants to catch a frog in a net. They were really pleased with thier achievement and was then able to release the frog back into its natural habitat, watching it hop away. YPB also loved taking part in paddle boarding, den building and bush craft activities. They grew in confidence in the water and on water crafts and by the end of the week was able to jump off a paddle board by themself and happily swim in the river without adult aid. After watching a demonstration from an instructor YPB was able to create a fire using materials found in the woods. They were very proud of their achievement and loved watching back videos from the day.
In just one summer holidays the change in YPB was dramatic and many staff felt they had built a strong rapport with YPB. We intend for this relationship to continue into after school clubs.
