Bryson: Supporting children and strengthening families for over 100 years
Children are at the heart of the work carried out by one division of Bryson Care, part of the leading social enterprise, Bryson Charitable Group. In the past 30 years, Bryson has helped and supported over 30,000 children and young people to improve their lives and create a more stable family environment.
The challenge
Even today many families in our society continue to suffer high levels of multiple deprivation including poverty, poor mental or physical health and isolation. More than ever, these families require new forms of help to tackle their individual needs providing a route to creating a strong family environment.
Bryson’s unique approach
Using our social enterprise model we have challenged traditional thinking and developed a child centred approach to social care for children and their families. Our innovative children’s service is designed to strengthen families within their own home by building parental capacity through role modelling, education and creating parental partnerships to achieve change in an open and positive manner. Bryson works with each family to develop a home environment conducive to children’s wellbeing and future success. This service ensures that children have a better start in life with a more secure home environment. It also empowers parents and carers and gives them the confidence to care and support their children.
“My Family Support Worker from Bryson guided me through the bad times and helped me make decisions which have changed my children’s lives and my life significantly, for the better”…. Parent
A key strength to our approach is listening to the children and their parents and allowing them to assess their own progress balanced with the perception of others. Bryson has developed an interactive assessment tool to work with children and their families. This tool, known as the Outcome Star, is continually adapted in response to the children and parents feedback. It is now being viewed within the wider family support context as a good example of best practice.
“The Bryson Family Support Service is truly outstanding, setting exceptional models of professional practice, contributing greatly to safeguarding children.” Service Commissioner
Dawn Thompson, Assistant Director for Bryson Care Children’s Service explains, “Sustainable change is our challenge and we continuously strive to make a positive difference to the lives of children and their families. We work in partnership with government developing and improving service delivery and welcomed their 10 year strategy for children.”
Meeting emerging needs
Based on identified need, in partnership with Bryson Intercultural, we have developed the Roma children’s education project were we are helping up to 20 plus Roma children attend school with pre-school classes, after-school clubs and health education involving parents and toddlers.
Further innovation includes the development of a mentoring programme for older children who are excluded from the mainstream school system. This programme is known as Positive Destinations. It is designed to support young people by helping them with the transition to adulthood, realising their future goals which includes employment, education and training.
Bryson also support families through the Christmas Family Appeal and in 2011 supported over 426 children and 269 families with presents and food hampers. This appeal has been operating for over 25 years.
Bryson is committed to innovation, excellence and making a real difference to the lives of children and their parents, and to ensure that each child has the best possible start in life.
Bryson Care Children’s Service has been externally accredited since 2007 through Customer Service Excellence and has been awarded with nine best practices in 2011. The services are currently delivered in the Belfast Trust area, the South Eastern Trust area and in partnership with Downpatrick SureStart. For more information on Bryson please go to www.brysongroup.org or call 028 9032 5835.
