TOWER HAMLETS OPPORTUNITY PLAYGROUP
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Mission Statement
We are a playgroup and are a registered charity that provides a borough wide service situated in the borough of Tower Hamlets. We currently rent a space at Around Poplar Children's Centre. Our criteria is 51% of our children have a disability/additional needs. We also undertake outreach work where we support early identification and early intervention of children and families who are in crisis.
About This Cause
About Tower Hamlets Opportunity Group: * We are a registered charity providing high quality OFSTED registered Early Years pre-school education within Tower Hamlets. * Our focus is on supporting children with disabilities/additional needs. * Opened in 1987 to meet a gap in local services for families and children with disabilities and complex needs. * At least 51% of children attending have an additional need or disability. * Focus on social model of disability: Society, not an impairment is more often the source of disability. * Provides outreach and support to families in crisis and support during assessment and diagnosis. * Specialist autism and play workers strategically assess and support children according to their individual needs. * Works to overcome disadvantage encountered due to disability and enable children to have a strong foundation for progression through education. * Additional needs often only emerge after 2 years old, THOG support families in difficulties to access support, assessment, diagnosis and SEN reference to Education, Health & Care Plan. London Borough of Tower Hamlets (LBTH): LBTH is a diverse inner-city London borough. It is a borough of contrasts. While it is home to communities characterized by significant deprivation; it also hosts the country’s highest earners, based at Canary Wharf. At a local authority level, LBTH has the highest child poverty levels in the country (42%), significant unemployment and high rates of long-term illness and premature mortality (Trust for London, 2012). Disability and Disadvantage: ‘Every child deserves the best possible start in life and the support that enables them to fulfill their potential’ (DfE, 2014). Children with disability are disproportionately likely to be in the most disadvantaged groups and the risk of socioeconomic disadvantage increases over time. (Parsons & Platt, 2013) Key international findings confirm that quality ‘Early Years’ education is crucial in boosting achievement of all children, but particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds (e.g. World Bank, 2006) Children with additional needs are consistently more likely than able peers to underachieve at school and this disability ‘penalty’ begins from early years. Early screening, diagnosis and intervention lead to better outcomes for children with additional needs, ameliorating the effect of some impairments and preventing development of other special educational needs (C4E0, 2009) What Makes THOG Unique: Enabling Ability, Overcoming Barriers, Raising Aspirations. We are an opportunity group in the LBTH supporting under-5’s with a disability or additional need. Crucially, we take a family-centered approach and our project works alongside the family unit to improve outcomes for both the child and family. Our children have the opportunity to be integrated into a fully inclusive play setting. Research shows that, particularly for disadvantaged children, mixed ability and socially inclusive education is the best environment for their development. We are a diverse and inclusive play setting. We believe this fosters integration and mutual understanding, while challenging negative social norms associated with disability. We undertake outreach work, supporting early identification of and early intervention for children with a disability or additional needs. We follow the child through their play and educational experiences from 15 months (first home visit) up until they move onto school. We offer a wide range of learning experiences. Engagement at THOG could be the very first time parents see the significance of play and of their child being part of a peer group. THOG aims to reduce the isolation and exclusion that is often associated with disability. Research shows that early intervention which focuses on the wider family, can have significant impact on reducing stress, improving parent-child interaction and enabling parents to engage in their child’s learning. With support from THOG, families and children can feel part of the wider community. We offer a safe secure environment where children and families will have the opportunity to become involved and be part of a fully inclusive pre-school education setting. We build on parents, carers and children's confidence to increase their self-esteem and enjoy early play opportunities which can lead to us all sharing new experiences and becoming active learners. Outreach, Early Intervention and Support Work: THOG recognises that many of our families face enormous barriers; financial, social and emotional which may prevent them from accessing the support they need. Particularly for families of children with additional needs, multiple pressures can contribute to a downward cycle in which they feel helpless and out of control. Uniquely to LBTH, THOG helps and supports disadvantaged young parents and families of under-5 children with additional needs. Initially home visits are conducted, during which relationships are built with families, and staff gain insights into family dynamics and coping. According to individual needs, appropriate support plans are established. THOG staff are experienced in working closely with families in crisis, and providing essential emotional and practical support. Who & Why Children Will Benefit from Our Service: Age Range: 2-5 years, however in some cases we have been able to accept referrals from 15 months. We strongly believe that early intervention and identification of each child’s unique needs is crucial to both the child and family. THOG works to act swiftly to break down barriers to engage families in THOG and arrange support or referrals as needed. Children: 51% of our children have a disability/additional need. We focus on giving them independence, a sense of belonging, a fun-filled experience full of awe and wonderment, a sense of achievement and fulfilment and ultimately a place for them to have a voice. ‘Disability’: Children with a physical, cognitive, sensory, emotional or developmental impairment, or a combination of these. For example, Cerebral Palsy, Downs Syndrome, Growth Deficiency, Visual and Hearing Impairments or children on the Autistic Spectrum. ‘Additional need’: Includes children who have complex social needs. For example, this will include children in care, children living in refuges and children with complex behavioral issues. THOG also supports families having difficulties bonding with their children by providing strategies for them, and allowing them to enjoy play with their children in a safe and supportive environment. Parents in Need and Child-Carers: We work with children who live with parents who have medical, physical and mental health issues. Due to these issues parents may be absent from the home environment and could have long periods away. Action plans are conducted with Health Visitors and Social Services so that necessary safeguards can be put in place for the welfare of child and family. On many occasions young children have become the main ‘named’ carer, so we at Tower Hamlets Opportunity Group work through emotional situations. For example, “My Mummy is very unwell and my sister is looking after me”. Families who are often in this situation try their best, however times can become frightening for our young people and we as play practitioners need to adopt a way where the child can talk and act through their emotions, fears and anxieties. Our service is set up to do just that! Looked-After Children: Many children are fostered in Tower Hamlets and we have a strong history and reputation in working in partnership with foster carers. THOG has supported many looked-after children and play workers are highly experienced at supporting them. THOG provides a stable and secure sense of routine to children, in an environment, which fully understands the challenges that looked-after children may face. We aim to provide an inclusive, warm and welcoming environment and enable them to build their self-esteem and improve their wellbeing. Emergency Places: THOG offers emergency places families in crisis situations, for examples, children living in refuges. This allows parents and children to engage in a safe, nurturing environment and also provides respite to parents and reduces their isolation. Main Referral Sources: Social workers, children’s centres, family support workers, health professionals and special educational needs services as well as several other outside agencies. When, Where and How the Service is Delivered: Our playgroup sessions operate from Monday to Wednesday from 9am to 1pm and Thursdays from 9am to 12 noon. We operate from the Around Poplar Sure Start Children’s Centre, 115 Three Colt Street, London E14 8AP. What We Hope to Achieve: * Providing quality early years playgroup environment to all our children, regardless of ability or background. * Create an environment in which children flourish, through having fun, friendships, new experiences and multiple opportunities THOG offers. * Challenge stereotypes around disability and disadvantage and equip children and families to overcome challenges and regain control in their lives. * Work in partnership with other organisations to meet the needs of all children and families. * Through our experience provide a resource within the LBTH on disability and additional needs in the early years. A Project Under Threat: THOG has been open for over 30 years. It has a solid record in supporting children and families and an excellent reputation in LBTH and beyond. THOG won a best practice award from Nursery World because of it’s inclusive practice (2008). However, the financial crisis has put pressure on both statutory and charitable funding sources. In particular, the larger Early Years budget within LBTH is under threat, and the charity faces an uncertain future. The management committee is actively pursuing fundraising options, and other means of raising revenue. However, it is a big challenge in the current financial climate. It would be a significant loss to LBTH if THOG were to close.