CCS Annual Review 2013

The Light

Of Hope

Catholic Children’s Society (Westminster) Making A Difference

Annual Review 2012/13

Shining

Shining The Light Of Hope

Poverty File:

The Horizon of Hope The light of hope, the theme of our annual report, demonstrates the way in which the Society has brought light and hope into the lives of children and families experiencing economic, relational and spiritual poverty. Our report is a vehicle for highlighting the facts about poverty in the UK today, the vital front line services and interventions delivered by the Society, and 'Our Hope For The Future'.

Our Catholic ethos infuses every aspect of our work – how we are governed, who we serve, how we treat our service users, the way we work, and why we do the work that we undertake. Ultimately it is this ethos and the star of hope that drives us to help children and families break free from the cycle of poverty and enter into the fullness of wider community life.

Throughout this report you will have the opportunity to read on each page ‘fact files’ which will give you: • Information about poverty in the UK today; • How the Society helped people last year; and, • Our vision for future services.

I have plans to give you hope and a future 02

- Jeremiah 29:11

London is the sixth richest city in the world, provides 20% of the UK ‘s GDP and is one of the most expensive cities to live in worldwide¹.

Yet alongside prosperity lives poverty.

4 in 10 (or 700,000) children in London & Hertfordshire live in poverty, 12% above the national average². Child poverty levels in inner London boroughs are higher still; more than one in every two inner London children live in poverty. Indeed, London & Hertfordshire has the highest proportion of children living in income poverty (after housing costs) of any region or county in Great Britain³.

Poverty impacts on the health, education and life chances of children, consigning them to remain in a cycle of poverty which takes them from poverty in childhood, to becoming a parent of poor children. This intergenerational effect appears to be escalating; children in the UK face higher risks of longer-term negative impacts of childhood poverty than in many other countries4.

2012/13/CCS Fact File: Through our services over 3,000 people were directly assisted to break out of the poverty trap.

• 1,466 vulnerable children, teenagers and parents from over 60 schools were supported through our Counselling and Therapy services.

• 6,500 children took part in liturgical events at Westminster Cathedral and in schools to help them better understand the Catholic faith.

• Prisoners at Feltham Young Offenders Institute benefitted from our joint work with Ten Ten Theatre to improve their understanding of issues such as parenthood, gang culture and knife crime. ¹ PWC (2012) Global City Forecasts. ² DWP (2013) Households Below Average Income Statistics. ³ DWP (2013) Households Below Average Income Statistics Statistics. 4 Hirsch D (2013) Child Poverty Map

CEO Review

Review God said, 'Let

there be Light'

Working with children and families on a daily basis, we know how difficult life can be for many of them. Our counsellors, therapists, social workers and early years workers help those struggling with relationship difficulties, mental health problems, inadequate housing, a low income and in need of help and advice. Life at times can seem very dark indeed and hope can sometimes seem but a glimmer.

At the very opening of the Bible, in the beginning of the first chapter of the book of Genesis, we read that God created the heavens and the earth. God’s first words are: 'Let there be light'.

We know that there was light and God saw that the light was good and he divided it from the darkness. Even in the darkness of night the light of the stars reminds us of that goodness. Each day begins with that light and in a sense this dawning of a new day heralds another day of hope for those who awaken to its light.

In his inaugural homily Pope Francis challenged each of us to, “Be a star of hope shining brightly”.

This year our Annual Review both celebrates the light of hope that our supporters have enabled us to bring to others and heralds the signs of new hope that its legacy is enabling us to build upon in the future. Hence, for each of our service reports we share with you not just what we have achieved together in the last year but also the 'Signs of hope' that together we will give in the coming year.

To be a star of hope shining brightly is to bring joy to others, just as the three wise men were overjoyed at seeing the star stop over Bethlehem, heralding the birth of Jesus and the Good News that his coming brings. The signs that we ourselves give, through our words and actions, witness to the presence of God’s love in the world. Those children and families who today experience the darkness of poverty - be it material, relational or spiritual – need hope to carry them forward.

The giving of hope is not one-way: from benefactor to recipient. Each of us, no matter how rich or poor we may be, at one time or another in our life need a sign of hope. The sign of hope that we give and receive, the values that we hold, strengthen in turn our own faith and hope, not least by confirming that faith makes a difference through our prophetic witness to God’s love and presence in our world. St Peter in his second letter describes how the prophetic is a lamp to lighten our way through the darkness until the dawn arrives and the morning star rises in our minds.

At the Catholic Children’s Society we see the legacy of the Year of Faith, as a clearer understanding of how the work that we do can ‘be a star of hope shining brightly’ to those in need.

For the invaluable part that our supporters play in this, I would like to thank you. Without our supporters we would be unable to provide assistance and hope to so many children and families in need.

With appreciation,

Dr. Rosemary Keenan CEO 03

St Francis

Poverty File:

Working with Families Tower Hamlets is one of the most deprived areas in the United Kingdom.

Over half of its children live in families experiencing real poverty for reasons such as redundancy and debt that in turn lead to emotional difficulties.

With rising food and energy prices combined with low income, children are going hungry every day. Parents have to make the stark choice between ‘heating and eating.’ CCS is here for them. Since 1986 we have provided an OFSTED registered 'Outstanding' nursery, free at the point of need as part of our

St Francis Family Centre.

We provide emotional support, counselling and immediate ‘crisis’ funding to those most in need.

Families with children are more likely to experience working poverty than those without. A large part of the problem is that many families are surviving on low pay in jobs where there is little chance of progressing. This means that low-paid workers tend to stay low-paid, which keeps them trapped in poverty.

Three-year-olds in households with incomes below £10,000 are 2.5 times more likely to suffer chronic illness.

• Child poverty blights childhoods.

Growing up in poverty means being cold, going hungry, not being able to join in activities with friends. For example, 61 per cent of families in the bottom income quintile would like, but cannot afford, to take their children on holiday for one week a year¹.

• Child poverty imposes costs on broader society – estimated to be at least £29 billion a year². Governments forgo prospective revenues as well as commit themselves to providing services in the future if they fail to address child poverty in the here and now³.

2012/13 Fact File:

I have put my hope in your word 04

– Psalm 119:114

• 62 families used the St Francis Family Services during 2012/13 - That’s over 400 individuals!

• 140 people received advice or emergency voucher support from our ‘Crisis Fund’.

• Educational outings or a first holiday away from London was arranged for 25 disadvantage families.

¹ DWP Households Below Average Income (2013). ² D.Hirsch Cost of Child Poverty (2013). ³ University College London Child Poverty and it’s impact on adult life December (2012)

St Francis

Signs of Hope: Linda is a 23 year old mother of 2 children. Linda had been removed from her mother’s care at the age of 13yrs old and had entered the care system. She had many foster places and many different schools, Linda would skip school as she was bullied, so never finished her education. When she had her own daughter she was determined that they would have a good family life together, but her partner was violent towards her and she left him. She soon found herself in another relationship and became pregnant, giving birth to her son. It was then her world turned upside down as she developed post natal depression. She did not bond with her son and found it difficult to care for him, and her daughter. Once again she found herself back in the social services system. She resisted attempts to put her son in a day nursery, fearing that he would be taken from her.

She was referred to CCS at St Francis Family Centre and accepted a nursery place as she could stay with her son. She was able to meet with her counsellor at the centre; safe in the knowledge that her son was being well looked after. We worked with her & her son to develop their relationship and helped build a strong bond between them.

She was able to meet with other parents and gained a support system from her peers, something she had never had in her life before.

Linda said “St Francis gave me a brighter life and has made me know that I am a nice person and that people like me. I am now a good mother.� She knows now that she can give her children the life she never had.

05

BHFS

Poverty File:

Delivering Services CCS delivers therapeutic support for vulnerable children and families at our

Bishop Harvey Family Service (BHFS), based in Haringey. This Borough has Children who are referred to us requiring specialist support to overcome mental health difficulties.

These can result from a range of issues such as family breakdown, bereavement, domestic violence or depression.

Our whole philosophy is to provide early intervention support, helping children overcome their difficulties before they get out of hand and lead to long-term mental health problems developing. In this way we help children overcome the obstacles posed by poor mental health so they can achieve their full social and educational potential and have a brighter future.

• Poverty is also associated with a higher risk of both illness and premature death.

• Children born in the poorest areas of the UK weigh, on average, 200 grams less at birth than those born in the richest areas¹.

• Children from low income families are more likely to die at birth or in infancy than children born into richer families².

• They are more likely to suffer chronic illness during childhood or to have a disability. Poorer health over the course of a lifetime has an impact on life expectancy: professionals live, on average, 8 years longer than unskilled workers³.

2012/13 Fact File: • 601 Parents, Carers, Children and Young People benefited from services at BHFS last year. An increase of over 100 on last years performance.

This year we secured funding to employ a new Family Therapist which will help increase our capacity at BHFS and enable us to reach out to many more children and families in need of support.

There is surely a future of hope for you 06

– Proverbs 23:18

¹ P J Meis, R Michielutte, T J Peters, H Bradley Wells, R Evan Sands, E C Coles and K A Johns, ‘Factors Associated with Term Low Birth weight. ² S Bambang, N J Spencer, S Logan and L Gill L, ‘Cause specific Perinatal Death Rates. ³ Office of National Statistics (2012) Life expectancy at birth.

BHFS

Signs of Hope: A mother whose family had been affected by life threatening illness came to BHFS for a 6 month series of parent support meetings with our therapist. At the conclusion of our interventions she said: “Things were pretty difficult at the time.

The good news is that since receiving your counselling my partner and I have had some honest conversations and as a result things have improved. My partner’s relationship with the children is definitely better and I am more able to be open with him. I had to go away for a few days recently, and left the children with their dad, and all went well - a miraculous turnaround!!

We still don’t know what the future may bring as life continues to throw us challenges, but my daughter is less anxious about things, she has told me this and her behaviour is much better.

Thank you ever so much - I am a bit lost for words. The work your centre has done with our family has been life changing.”

Specialist CCS counselling delivered by fully trained staff benefited the whole family and gave a ‘ray of hope’ as they continue to cope with very uncertain circumstances.

We are working to reorganise how BHFS operates. During the coming year we will develop the site in Muswell Hill into a multi faceted facility, from which we will deliver psychotherapy and school counselling services to London Boroughs in the north of the Diocese and Hertfordshire.

The unique atmosphere of the Centre will be preserved with us looking to fully maximise the potential use of our fully equipped counselling rooms.

07

Post Adoption and After Care

Poverty File:

We're still here for you The Society is no longer an adoption agency but we still strive to meet the needs of all those children, we placed for adoption, their birth family and adoptive family, and those adults, we previously looked after and cared for.

Through our Post Adoption and After Care Service we provide intermediary services, information and support to people previously adopted through the Society or in our care.

Since 1948 we have placed over 6,000 children for adoption, and from the mid 19th century up until the 1980’s we have had children in our care. The service helps adults adopted as children and former residents of our children’s homes to achieve a greater understanding of their origins and reasons for separation.

This part of our work is slowly decreasing as the age of those formerly adopted increases; however, we are as committed as ever to supporting all who seek information about their family.

Be joyful

in hope 08

– Romans 12:12

73 per cent of 5 to 6 year olds from the most deprived backgrounds achieved the expected level of writing, compared to 90 per cent of those in the least deprived.

• Poverty damages. It damages childhoods; it damages life chances; and it damages us all in society.

• Poverty in childhood often leads to poverty in old age¹.

• In 2013 a report estimated that child poverty costs the UK at least £29 billion each year. Of this £20.5 billion is a direct cost to government resulting from additional demand on services and benefits, as well as reduced tax receipts².

• Work does not provide a guaranteed route out of poverty in the UK. Two-thirds (66 per cent) of children growing up in poverty live in a family where at least one member works³.

• People are poor for many reasons. But explanations which put poverty down to drug and alcohol dependency, family breakdown, poor parenting, or a culture of worklessness are not supported by the facts.

2012/13 Fact File: • 89 Access to birth records • 24 Adopted adults. (section 98 intermediary work) • 40 Birth relatives (section 98 intermediary work) • 6 Under 18 year olds.

• 50 Residents of Catholic Care Homes and former Child Migrants.

• 110 People seeking signposting, enquiries about baptismal certificates, Local Authorities searching for records.

319 cases in total.

¹ D. Hirsch ‘Effects of Poverty’ (2012). ² D. Hirsch ‘Analysis of Child Poverty’ (2013). ³ DWP Households Below Average Income (Stats 2013).

“The only information I had about the place that I was born was that it was in Highgate London.

Having undertaken research, I discovered I was probably adopted from St Pelagia’s Mother and Baby home. I contacted CCS who quickly responded telling me they held records of my birth. I met with the CCS advisor who helped me understand and prepare for the potential life changing information held on file. She gave me an appreciation of how my birth mother coped and the role she played in my life, pre-adoption. I also gleaned a little about what she might have been like. To my amazement, CCS found my mother was still alive and in her 80s.

Post Adoption

Signs of Hope:

Over the next few months CCS guided correspondence between my mother and me leading to phone calls and ultimately a face to face meeting. We now speak every day.”

'For me the journey was full of hope and truly enlightening'.

09

St Mark’s Stay and Play

Poverty File:

Learning through Play The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea (RBKC) is notable for having some of the most exclusive residential areas in London, with property amongst the most expensive in the world.

It has the second highest average income in London. However, this prosperity is not shared equally, and the borough also contains above average levels of deprivation.

This deprivation is almost exclusively concentrated in the north of the borough, with the five northerly boroughs of Norland, Colville, St. Charles Notting Barns and Golbourne each including at least one ‘Lower Super Output Area’ in the 20% most deprived in the country.

Golbourne is the 8th most deprived ward in London, out of 627.

• Fuel poverty also affects children detrimentally as they grow up. Low income families sometimes have to make a choice between food and heating.

• Children from low income families often forgo events that most of us would take for granted. They miss school trips; can’t invite friends round for tea.

• While studies show that there are more play areas in deprived neighbourhoods, their quality is generally poorer.

Vandalism, playground misuse and danger of injury all act as deterrents to using what otherwise might be good facilities¹.

2012/13 Fact File: • 400 children, parents & carers used our Stay & Play facility last year – more than in any previous year.

• New play equipment was provided using funds raised from a sponsored 5k run and parachute jump!

• We provided families most in need with Christmas food hampers and where needed appropriate gifts for children.

It’s not surprising then that you find CCS delivering front line support services here through our vibrant Stay and Play centre.

Make your hope sure 10

– Hebrews 6:11

¹ Fair Play for England - Play Areas (2012)

During a recent visit by our CEO to the centre a mother was heard to say to one of our nursery staff:

‘Thank you, being here with everyone means so much to me… I have no family but you are my family now!’

Simple heartfelt words that sum up perfectly the reason why we deliver services here and shine a light on the awe inspiring work undertaken by our staff at Stay & Play.

St Mark’s Stay and Play

Signs of Hope:

Help us to bring Hope: Think how you might be able to help?

• • • •

Set up a monthly standing order in favour of the Society.

Organise a fundraiser in your parish/work.

Volunteer.

Talk about our work to others.

11

School Counselling

CCS

We are Listening Our School Counselling work addresses the issues that prevent children & young people from reaching their full physical, emotional and educational potential and which affect the stability and well being of the family and wider community.

Our qualified and accredited counsellors and therapists provide counselling and play therapy both in and outside the school environment to children in need of emotional support. Child-friendly techniques such as art, play, drama, story and games are used to enable children and young people to explore their feelings and experiences.

By providing a safe and confidential space for children to express their emotions and talk about their problems our counsellors and therapists can help children to understand themselves, feel valued, develop self-esteem, and explore and manage their difficulties.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess 12

– Hebrews 10:23

Poverty File: • Children from poorer backgrounds lag at all stages of education.

• By the age of three, poorer children are estimated to be, on average, nine months behind children from more wealthy backgrounds¹.

• According to Department for Education statistics (2012), by the end of primary school, pupils receiving free school meals are estimated to be almost three terms behind their more affluent peers.

• By 14, this gap grows to over five terms.

• Child poverty has long-lasting effects. By 16, children receiving free school meals achieve 1.7 grades lower at GCSE (C-F grades) than their wealthier peers. Leaving school with fewer qualifications translates into lower earnings over the course of a working life¹.

2012/13 Fact File: • 166 Teachers and other professionals benefited from our Mental Health Training and Consulation.

• 767 Children, Young People and Parents benefited from Pychotherapy or Play Therapy.

• 98 special needs children benefited. from our counselling services.

• Over 90% of Young People accessing our Counselling and Therapy Services showed a marked improvement in their emotional well being.

¹ Jospeh Rowntree Foundation - Poorer Childrens’ Educational Attainment (2012)

ConnectEd

ConnectEd

CCS

ConnectEd was formally launched in October 2012 by Bishop John Arnold at our Good Citizens Address. We developed the service to assist teachers and other school staff to identify and support children who have, or may be at risk of developing, mental health problems.

Why is there a need for ConnectEd? There are well-documented concerns over recent years around increased mental health issues for our children, young people and their families. Disruption of lives seen at home, at school and in the community results from a rising complexity of personal, environmental and social pressures.

Often children and young people find it difficult to tell us their thoughts, ideas and feelings, partly due to their lack of maturity and as a result their behaviour can be the key “language” they use to try to get their needs met.

It is easy to understand how it is possible for many signs of their emotional distress to go either un-noticed or misunderstood, especially when the behaviours being used are negative, challenging and distressing for everyone involved. But the consequence of this lack of recognition and the failure to provide support can result in diminished mental health for all concerned, including future generations.

Pupils may communicate their painful emotions through challenging and difficult behaviour and it is vital we understand what the child is trying to tell us. All of us involved in supporting children have a responsibility to help identify and understand what a child might need to ensure the stresses and strains of life can be dealt with as appropriately as possible.

Without this recognition, understanding and support, many mental health needs can continue into adulthood and lead to problems in all areas of the person’s life – a potential legacy that none of us can afford to ignore.

The training packages we have produced help school staff to develop their practice with greater understanding and skills in mental health and emotional wellbeing. We have an experienced mental health professional who takes the exciting training into schools and even to Feltham Young Offender Institution.

Key to the success of the programme is the commitment to build partnerships with senior management teams and to add value to their existing behavioural strategies.

Get ConnectEd @ www.ccsconnected.org.uk

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Hope for the future

CCS

Hope for the future We all live with hope; we might hope that our football team wins the FA Cup or that the weather in the summer will be good for our summer holidays. Hope is part of our human nature and condition and creates optimism within the human spirit. As Christians, we see it as one of the three great Christian virtues: Faith, Hope and Charity.

Hope is above all trusting in God’s promises to love and care for us in all the circumstances of our lives. It fits so well with the two other virtues: Faith gives us confidence and trust in a supreme loving and merciful God; Charity reflects the recognition that we are all created in the image and likeness of God, who is love, regardless of our ethnicity, nationality, religion or gender.

Our mission as the Catholic Children’s Society is to live our faith through charity and to bring 'The Light Of Hope' to those most in need.

When writing this piece, I found my brain more than usually lacking in ideas. Then I reflected on the parable of the Good Samaritan and the work of the Society really struck home! This glorious parable is all about hope. In the rescuing of a poor traveller, mugged on the road from Jericho to Jerusalem, it is a sworn enemy who saves the man’s life and more than generously ensures his recovery. This stranger, in an act of charity, offers help to someone in distress. The charity is freely given without any concern for cost. The source of such love and charity can and very often does surprise us. We might have expected the Priest and Levite to be the ones who did the good deed. But as the passage of Scripture tells us, they’ walked by on the other side’. They just didn’t want to get involved or perhaps it was due to their interpretation of Jewish law. Jesus is showing us that charity prepares the path for hope. Life without hope is not life. For the poor traveller, hope truly meant discovering life in its fullness.

Pope Francis has spoken of the virtue of hope and offering it to the poor and destitute as a sign that God’s face is seen in those who care. The challenge 150 years ago when our Society was founded was to offer hope to orphaned children. What was initiated offered a 'Shining light of hope' to those who were homeless and in great need. The Catholic Children’s Society has continued to offer that light of hope to countless thousands through adoption, homes and in more recent years through school counselling, playgroups, family centres and therapy.

In our country today, economic circumstances and political decisions pose great challenges to so many, not least to those effected by stringent cuts by government departments, particularly in social care. Many more in our society now find it more difficult to feed their children and pay the household bills. For some, life does appear hopeless. The Catholic Children’s Society will always aim to be the’ Good Samaritan’ to those in need - particularly children, young adults and families - and in so doing be a 'Shining light of hope' in our world today.

Monsignor Phelim Rowland

14

Chairman of The Catholic Children’s Society (Westminster)

Thank You for giving hope

Our Donors and Benefactors: Arthur Robinson Wills Trust BBC Children in Need Big Lottery Charlotte Marshall Charitable Trust Childwick Trust City Bridge Trust City of Westminster Charitable Trust Coutts Charitable Trust FAF Charitable Trust Family Holiday Association Help a Capital Child Hillingdon Community Trust JAR Trust John Lyon’s Charity London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham London Borough of Richmond upon Thames London Borough of Tower Hamlets Miss Jeanne Bisgood’s Charitable Trust Ross Trust Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Sir Harold Hood’s Charitable Trust Sir Pierce Lacy Charitable Trust Souter Charitable Trust St Giles in the Fields & William Shelton Charity St John Southworth Fund Westminster Amalgamated Charity

Supporters from the Professions:

Thank you for giving hope

CCS

Prof. Cecilia Essau - Director - Centre for applied research and assesement in child and adolescent well being - Roehampton University Anne Dixon - Green Tea Architects Phillip Gannon - Actor Giovani Marseglia - Liturgy and Music Dr Marion Miles – Medical Advisor Marcin Mazur - Photographer Mary Ryan - Liturgy and Music Liz Simpson - Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School Father Keith Stoakes - British Sign Language Sr. Kay Trivett - Social Worker Peter Ward – Education Advisor Nanette Whitlock - Communications

President: Archbishop Vincent Nichols

Vice President: The Bishop of Brentwood

Senior Management Team:

Trustees:

CEO - Dr Rosemary Keenan Head of Services - Caroline Bennett Head of Finance - Pauline Brady Head of Resources - Marie Kissane Head of Service Development - Greg Brister Head of Communications & Fundraising Charles Maynard – left December 2012 and Paul Winterbottom – from December 2012

Mgr Phelim Rowland – Chairman Pamela Singh OBE - Vice Chairman Simon Bartley – resigned July 2012 John Gibbs - Treasurer Frances McCarthy Timothy Morris Victoria Nicholl John O’Donnell Anthony O’Halloran Maureen Roe Nadine Waddell – resigned March 2013 15

'Be a star of hope shining brightly' - Pope Francis

Catholic Children’s Society (Westminster) Making A Difference 73 St. Charles Square, London, W10 6EJ Tel: 020 8969 5305 Fax: 020 8960 1464 Email: info@cathchild.org.uk www.cathchild.org.uk Registered Charity No. 210920 Designed and printed in house by The Catholic Children’s Society