Youth Offending Service Update: COVID-19

On 19th March 2020, the Welsh government imposed measures to help to stop the spread of Covid-19. Due to this, we have had to close the Youth Offending Service office at Mamhilad House.

Staff are continuing to work from home mainly, but are completing face to face to contacts where necessary on the basis of risk and safeguarding (using social distancing), for Court Duty, Appropriate Adult requirement and urgent administrative duties. Our telephone lines have been re-directed so that Business Support can answer all calls, if anyone needs to contact us.

Young people and their families involved with the Youth Offending Service have all been contacted. Plans have been put in place to continue with their Court Orders, Out of Court Disposals, Community Resolutions and Prevention interventions safely whilst ensuring that appointments, reports and safeguarding are continuing despite the different format.

Our service has adapted by increasing the use of technology, being pro-active and creative to deliver a service to support young people and their families/carers during this time. For example, virtual panels and meetings have been taken place.

If you need to contact us, please ring our main office telephone 01495 768300 or email us on Youthoffendingservice@monmouthshire.gov.uk

Please follow the Welsh Government Guidelines regarding COVID-19 https://gov.wales/coronavirus

Stay Safe,

Monmouthshire and Torfaen Youth Offending Service

Parenting Service

It’s not easy being the parent of a teenager …

No-one can prepare us for the ups and downs of life and living with a teenager…

What is the parenting support service?

We work in partnership with families, the Youth Offending Service and other professionals to share skills, offer information, advice and support to parents.

We work in a variety of ways by:

  • Offering intensive support to parents, carers, grandparents to help them cope with living with their children and teenagers
  • Delivering one-to-one support and programmes to parents/ carers
  • Running friendly, informal parenting skills’ programmes for small groups
  • Referring families to other services if required.
  • We are a VOLUNTARY service (except when Parenting Orders have been imposed by a court)
  • We are there to help not to judge – we won’t tell you what to do

What happens next …

A Parenting Worker will make contact with you to arrange a home visit to discuss any concerns you may have with your child’s behaviour.

This will be at a time to suit you.

After talking about the problems you are facing, you and your worker will put together a plan of support.

This will cover practical areas of support such as setting boundaries, discipline, conflict resolution and communicating with your child.

Parenting skills programmes

If you wish, you can join a group, meeting others in similar situations, where you can get support and share experiences.

Groups cover topics like:

  • Confidence building
  • The parenting job – what is it?
  • Negotiating with your child
  • Boundaries and rule setting
  • Conflict resolution
  • Parenting styles
  • Improving communication
  • Making Choices
  • Setting an example

Other Useful Websites and contacts:

Please follow the links below:

Practical advice on what to do if your child goes missing. https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/sites/default/files/tcs/runaways_parents_guide_2013_final_six-page.pdf

 

Substance Misuse

Drugaid Cymru works with families to help them to understand, respond to and cope with the substance use of their child / young person.

www.choices.cymru

 

Sexual Exploitation

It is important you know how to protect the children you love by recognising the signs and symptoms of exploitation.

https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/knowing-the-signs-of-child-sexual-exploitation

 

Mental Health for Children and Young People 

YoungMinds Parents’ Helpline is a free, confidential helpline for any adult who is concerned about the emotional problems, behaviour or mental health of a child or young person up to the age of 25.

http://healthyyoungmindspennine.nhs.uk/resource-centre/external-links/youngminds-parents-helpline/

 

 

The Child and Family Bibliotherapy Scheme is available at your local library.  There are a number of Self- help books on different topics to help children and families.

http://www.bookstohelp.co.uk/home/128

 

Local and national organisations and support can be found at:

Supporting Families Torfaen

www.torfaenfis.org.uk

Telephone: 08000196330

Monmouthshire Family Information Service https://www.monfis.org.uk

Telephone 01633 644527

 

 

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