Mental health support service for Reading young people receives top marks

A mental health support service which works in Reading schools has been rated good or above by almost 100% of its users.

The Mental Health Support Team (MHST), run by Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC), operates in 36 schools in south, west and central Reading.

An annual feedback report for the team showed that 98% of respondents rated their experience of working with the MHST as good or above, while 88% rated it as very good or excellent.

Feedback was received from 272 people, compared with 50 last year, and the majority came from young people who had used the service.

When asked to rate their overall experience of working with the MHST, 93% or respondents rated it between 4 - 5, out of 5.

There were also touching comments from young people, parents and school staff.

One young person said: “It 100% met my needs. Our sessions felt like a conversation – we talked through things together and I felt heard, understood and respected.”

Another said: “The best part of working with MHST was writing a story every week and sharing feelings in our sessions. I am going to carry on sharing my feelings with other people more now.”

The MHST was launched in 16 schools in west Reading in January 2020 as part of an innovative trailblazer project. It was expanded to a further 20 schools in south and central Reading in September 2022.

The team supports children and young people, and their families, with emerging, mild or moderate mental health needs, focusing particularly on low mood, anxiety and behaviour. The aim is to help prevent more serious problems developing.

The MHST is funded by Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire & Berkshire West Integrated Care Board and complements mental health support already provided in schools and by existing professionals and services in Reading.

Di Smith, Board Chair of Brighter Futures for Children, said: “You can receive no better praise than hearing such positive comments from the young people you work with.

“I am so delighted that our Mental Health Support Team is having such an impact in the schools they work in.

"It is brilliant that the MHST and school staff are working so closely together to help children and young people in Reading receive essential support for their mental health and wellbeing needs.”

Cllr Ruth McEwan, Reading’s Lead Councillor for Education and Public Health, said: “We know that children and young people nationally are struggling more with mental health issues, so services such as the Mental Health Support Team are vital.

“It is excellent that we have professionals in schools to help children with issues such as anxiety before they develop into anything more serious.

“The feedback report clearly demonstrates that the MHST is making a big difference for children and young people in Reading, as well as their families and school colleagues.”

You can view the report and find out more about the MHST at: https://brighterfuturesforchildren.org/for-parents-carers/mental-health-support-team/.

by David Millward

Reading GCSE exam results day 2023

Young people who sat their GCSE exams in Reading this summer will be finding out their results this morning.

Vocational technical qualification (VTQ) students will also be receiving their results this week.

The team of advisors at Elevate careers service are on hand to offer guidance and advice to young people who need support after receiving their results this morning, including a drop-in session between 12noon-4pm today (Thursday 24 August).

Brian Grady, Director of Education at Brighter Futures for Children, said: “I wish every success to all the young people receiving their exam results in Reading today.

“Your time at school was interrupted by the pandemic which meant you faced the challenges of remote learning and being away from friends and family. I hope your resilience and hard work has paid off and that you have received the results you wanted.

“If your results are not what you were hoping for, please try not to worry. There are so many different opportunities to consider and our team of expert advisors at Elevate career service can offer you guidance and support.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all headteachers, teachers and school staff in Reading for supporting their pupils with such dedication through challenging times.”

Cllr Ruth McEwan, Reading’s Lead Councillor for Education and Public Health, said: “Congratulations to all young people in Reading receiving their GCSE results today. I have been so impressed with the way you have tackled the challenges of the pandemic with such perseverance and determination and achieved so much.

“This is an exciting time in your lives and if your results were not quite what you were hoping for there are still many options available to you. Please contact our friendly careers advisors at Elevate who can help guide you through them.

“I hope you enjoy the remainder of the summer before embarking on your next adventure.”

There are a variety of ways of getting in touch with advisors at Elevate:

The following websites offer advice for young people and parents/carers about coping with stress and anxiety around the exam results period:

 

ENDS

by David Millward

Reading A-level results 2023

A-level students who sat their exams this summer have been receiving their results this morning (Thursday 17 August).

Young people in Reading will also be receiving their AS-level, T-level, BTEC and other Level 3 results and planning their next steps.

The team of advisors at Elevate careers service are on hand to offer guidance and advice to young people who need support after receiving their results this morning, including a drop-in session between 12noon-4pm today.

Brian Grady, Director of Education at Brighter Futures for Children, said: “Congratulations to all young people in Reading receiving their results today for what they have achieved.

“I am proud of Reading young people for the results they have achieved. It should not be forgotten that these young people experienced three years of disruption to their education due to the COVID pandemic and have demonstrated great resilience and determination.

“For those young people who did not receive the results they hoped for, I would urge you not to worry and be assured that there are many options open to you. Our expert advisors at Elevate careers service are there to help you and I would encourage you to make contact.

“I would also like to thank all teaching and support staff in Reading who have worked so hard to support their students through challenging times.”

Cllr Ruth McEwan, Reading’s Lead Councillor for Education and Public Health, said: “Well done to all young people in Reading receiving their exam results today. You should be very proud of the way you have persevered through lockdowns, remote teaching, social distancing and all the other challenges you have had to face in unprecedented times.

“I wish you all the best with your next steps, whether that be university, training or employment.

“If you were disappointed with your results, I would urge you to contact our friendly team at Elevate careers service who can guide you through all the different options available to you.”

There are a variety of ways of getting in touch with advisors at Elevate:

The following websites offer advice for young people and parents/carers about coping with stress and anxiety around the exam results period:

ENDS

by David Millward

Exam results – advice and support for young people in Reading

Young people in Reading will be able to find advice and support from expert advisors at Elevate careers service when they receive their exam results this month.

 The team at Elevate, run by Brighter Futures for Children, will be available to talk to students by phone, text, email or in person if they are unsure what to do after receiving their results.

Young people who sat their exams this summer are due to receive their A/AS Level results on Thursday 17 August and GCSE results on Thursday 24 August.

Young people who are concerned about their exam results and want some guidance about their possible next steps have a variety of ways of getting in touch with advisors at Elevate:

  •  Book a face-to-face appointment in the Youth Hub based at The Curious Lounge, The Pinnacle building, in Tudor Road, Reading, RG1 1NH.
  • Elevate careers coaches will also be available for drop-in sessions on the GCSE and A level results days (12noon to 4pm)
  • Call: 0118 937 3766 or text 07980 744530
  • Email: elevate@brighterfuturesforchildren.org

Brian Grady, Director of Education at Brighter Futures for Children, said: “We have a friendly team of professional advisors at Elevate who will be able to give expert advice and support to young people receiving their exam results in Reading.

 “Advisors will be able to help young people plan their next steps and guide them through the different options available if they didn’t receive the results they were hoping for.

 “There are a variety of easy ways of getting in touch with the team at Elevate and I would strongly encourage young people to make contact if they have any concerns or questions after receiving their results.”

 Cllr Ruth McEwan, Lead Councillor for Education and Public Health, said: “I would like to send my best wishes to all young people in Reading who are awaiting their exam results this month.

“It can be an anxious time but it is important to be aware of all the different options available to you, even if you do not receive the results you were hoping for.

“The team of advisors at Elevate careers service will be there to guide you all through the exam results period and I would recommend you make contact if you need any advice or support.”

Visit the Elevate website at: https://brighterfuturesforchildren.org/young-peoples-zone/careers-service-for-young-people/.

The following websites offer advice for young people and parents/carers about coping with stress and anxiety around the exam results period:

 

by David Millward

Choose a Career in Childcare

A campaign to encourage people to choose a career in childcare in Reading has been launched by Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC).

BFfC, which delivers children's services in Reading on behalf of Reading Borough Council, surveyed local childcare providers recently and found that 75% of respondents had difficulty in recruiting early years staff. This is a problem which exists nationally.

The Choose a Career in Childcare campaign aims to encourage more people to consider a fulfilling career in early years and highlights the opportunities available locally.

BFfC has launched a webpage which is packed with details of the range of childcare roles available, the qualifications required and where you can find more information. There are also details about apprenticeships, training and opportunities for career progression.

Men are also actively encouraged to consider childcare as a career as they only make up a small minority of early years staff in the UK.

Case studies are being added where local early years staff tell their stories of why they love their job.

BFfC’s Early Years team has also strengthened its early years and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) training for providers locally.

This is all being backed up with a social media campaign which highlights the many benefits of working in childcare.

Lara Patel, Executive Director of Children’s Services at BFfC, said: “Working in childcare is such a rewarding career where you can feel proud that you are helping to give children their best start.

“So many families rely on childcare but so many early years providers are struggling to recruit enough staff.

“By putting childcare in the spotlight and highlighting what a wonderfully rewarding job it can be, we hope more people will choose a career in childcare in Reading.”

Visit the BFfC Careers in Childcare webpage at: Under 5s and early years services | Brighter Futures for Children.

by David Millward

Forbury Gardens wildflower area dedicated to Reading foster carers

A wildflower area in the Forbury Garden is being dedicated to Brighter Futures for Children’s (BFfC) foster carers in Reading to celebrate the amazing work they do.

Reading Mayor Cllr Rachel Eden, Council Leader Jason Brock and BFfC Board Chair Di Smith led a gathering of senior councillors and managers to scatter the wildflower seeds in the Grade II listed gardens this morning (Thursday 18 May).

BFfC foster carers were then invited to a get-together in the gardens to celebrate the dedication of the wildflower area and to mark Foster Care Fortnight (15-28 May).

Brighter Futures for Children’s fostering service is the only not-for-profit Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) in the Reading area.

BFfC worked with Reading Council’s Parks department to create a special area in the Forbury Gardens as a mark of appreciation for the vital work of foster carers.

A plaque will also be installed in the wildflower area reading: ‘Dedicated, with pride, to our foster carers who help children in Reading bloom and grow’.

The wildflowers will be replaced by sensory plants when they fade and the cycle will be repeated in future years.

BFfC would like to thank Roland Staines, Head Gardener at Forbury Gardens, for donating the wildflower seeds for the garden.

The dedication follows the planting of an ornamental cherry tree in Town Hall Square in 2020 to signify the importance of our children in care feeling rooted in Reading, even if they have to move away from the town due to the shortage of local foster carers.

Di Smith, Board Chair of Brighter Futures for Children, said: “Our wonderful foster carers are special people and this wildflower area in Forbury Gardens will act as a living celebration of their vital work.

“The wildflowers also symbolise the variety and difference of our foster carers and of children in care and we wanted to recognise and celebrate this.

“Sadly, we do not have enough local foster carers in Reading which means some children and young people in our care have to live outside their home town.

“I would urge anyone who has thought about foster caring, or who would like to find out more, to contact our Fostering team at Brighter Futures for Children.”

The Fostering team can be contacted by telephone on 0118 469 3020, by email at: foster@brighterfuturesforchildren.org or via the website at: https://www.readingfostering.co.uk/.

Cllr Jason Brock, Leader of Reading Borough Council, said: “I would like to thank our amazing foster carers for all they do for children and young people in Reading. The dedication of a wildflower area in the treasured Forbury Gardens is a beautiful way of showing the town’s appreciation to them for everything that they do.

“Foster carers are always there for children when they are most in need; they deserve our recognition and thanks every day of the year. Foster Carer’ Fortnight provides us with a focal point to show that, but we have to go beyond that in making sure that they always feel valued and I hope this wildflower area will be an enduring symbol of that commitment.”

Foster carer Dimple Gillausseyn, Chair of Reading Carers’ Link, said: “Fostering can be a challenging but always rewarding experience and I am sure Reading’s foster carers will appreciate the dedication of this wildflower area in the Forbury Gardens.

“As well as acting as a constant tribute to existing foster carers, I hope it might also prompt people to think about fostering themselves.  We would love to welcome more Reading adults to our fostering family and keep local children in care close to their family and friends.”

Foster Care Fortnight is the UK’s biggest foster care awareness campaign, delivered by The Fostering Network and supported every year by BFfC. We have 250 children and young people in our care and always need more local foster carers so we can keep them in Reading. Our Fostering team have been out and about in the community to spread the word and answer questions about fostering.

The next event will be at the Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Reading on 23 May, 2-4pm.

Anyone who cannot make that date but are interested in finding out more about fostering, can join an informal online talk on Wednesday 24 May, 6-7pm. Email: foster@brighterfuturesforchildren.org to register.

Call 0118 469 3020 for a no-obligation chat or visit https://www.readingfostering.co.uk/ to discover more.

NOTES TO EDITORS

  • Rooted in Reading – The idea of planting a tree in Reading town centre for children in care came from Nick, who was 15 at the time, and was having to move away. He believed it would help him and others like him feel ‘rooted’ in the town. BFfC collaborated with Reading Borough Council, Ethical Reading and Reading Tree Wardens to plant the ornamental cherry tree outside Reading Town Hall in February 2020.

by David Millward

First preference primary school places offered to 91% of Reading families

Ninety-one per cent of Reading parents have been offered a place at their first preference primary school for their child this year.

And 98% of Reading parents have been offered one of their top three preferred primary schools.

Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC), which delivers education services in Reading, has ensured all primary school pupils in the borough have a place for September.

BFfC received 1,727 applications for primary school places this year compared with 1,844 in 2022.

The number of families being offered their first preference school increased from 89% last year.

A transfer from infant to junior school was needed for 132 pupils in Reading and 97% of on-time applicants received their first preference.

Brian Grady, Director of Education at BFfC, said: “I am delighted we have been able to offer almost all Reading families a place at one of their top three preferred primary schools this year.

“We have also worked hard to make sure a place was found for every child whose parents applied for a primary school place in Reading.

“We send our best wishes to all the children who will be experiencing the excitement of starting in their primary school this September.”

Reading primary school offers 2023-2022

Offers 2023

(%)

 2022

(%)

 2023

(pupil numbers)

 2022

(pupil numbers)
1st preference 91% 89% 1,574 1,641
2nd preference 6% 6.5% 99 120
3rd preference 1% 2% 19 36
4th preference 0.5% 0.5% 9 9
Offered divert 1.5% 2% 26 38

 

by David Millward

Support for pupils as part of Reading’s Holiday Activity and Food initiative

Brighter Futures for Children & Reading Borough Council press release

Holiday camps across Reading will once again be providing a wide variety of exciting activities this Easter, alongside free lunches, for children who are normally entitled to pupil premium free school meals.

Football, fencing and dance are among the free activities on offer to Reading children through Reading’s Holiday Activity & Food (HAF) scheme during the two-week school break.

Hundreds of young people who are eligible for the HAF scheme, run by Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC), can take part in holiday camps provided by organisations ranging from Reading FC to Little Musketeers, and from Sport in Mind to Make Sense Theatre.

Families need to register to access HAF activities every new holiday season, even if they have done so previously. The registration form and details of all the Easter holiday camps can be found at: https://brighterfuturesforchildren.org/for-parents-carers/schools/haf/.

 Lara Patel, Reading’s Director of Children’s Services, said:

“There are so many different activities on offer to children over the Easter school holidays, I think there is something to interest everyone. Parents will also be assured that their children will receive a tasty, nutritious lunch at the camps, as well as keeping active and making new friends.

“I would encourage eligible families to register now and get their child booked on to one of these exciting activities.”

BFfC co-ordinates HAF on behalf of Reading Borough Council and the scheme is funded by the Department for Education.

Separately, it was recently confirmed that Reading Borough Council will receive £2,261,298 from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) as part of phase 4 of the Household Support Fund (HSF) scheme, which covers the next financial year.

The national Household Support Fund initiative has evolved since it was first introduced in December 2020 as the Covid Winter Grant. At this point the fund was predominantly focused on provision of food support for families during school holidays. Since then, what central Government require councils to focus spending the money on has greatly changed. As the national cost of living crisis has worsened, the emphasis has changed to providing support for residents who have been worst impacted by the increase in energy costs and, specifically, to include households with older people in need of support.

As a result of these national changes, last year the Council combined the energy and food voucher schemes into one Cost of Living voucher. This approach provided added flexibility to residents who could redeem their voucher for cash and choose how to use the funds according to their individual needs.

Council officers are now in the process of developing a new scheme to ensure the most recently allocated funding gets to residents who need the most support during the on-going cost of living crisis.  Details of the scheme must be sent to Central Government (DWP) by May 17 and will be widely publicised to residents as soon as possible in May.

by David Millward

Pinecroft children’s home rated ‘Outstanding’

A children's home for Reading young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) has been rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted.

Inspectors gave Pinecroft in south Reading top marks for the overall experience and progress of children and young people at the home, how they are helped and protected and for the effectiveness of leaders and managers.

Pinecroft has become the second children’s home run by Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) to be awarded an ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted rating this year following the earlier inspection of Cressingham.

Shared care support is now provided to Reading families at Pinecroft, which means children receive a three-night stay before returning to their family home for eight nights. The Ofsted report says there has been unanimous positive feedback about the impact this service has had on children and their families.

The inspector said: “Staff offer highly-personalised and well-planned care that meets children’s individual needs exceptionally well. Staff gain the views of children, which are central to all aspects of their care and activities while at the home.”

The home underwent an upgrade to improve its facilities last year which, the report says, has resulted in an “exceptional outdoor space for children” and a new sensory room containing modern and innovative technology which encourages children to play.

The inspector notes how staff demonstrate an excellent understanding of the risks and vulnerabilities of the children in their care and that they manage their emotional and behavioural needs very well.

The management team is “strong and highly effective” and supported by a committed staff team who work together extremely well, the report says.

It continues that skilled managers offer brilliant support to staff which means that children are looked after by a highly capable workforce.

Di Smith, Board Chair of Brighter Futures for Children, said: “I’m thrilled the wonderful team at Pinecroft have received the acknowledgement they deserve for their commitment and dedication to the children in their care.

“Pinecroft is a very special place and I am so proud that we have such a brilliant resource to offer the children of Reading and their families.”

Cllr Graeme Hoskin, Lead Councillor for Children’s Services, said: “When visiting Pinecroft, I was immediately struck by the passion and commitment of staff to make a huge difference to the lives of the children who stay there. I’m delighted by the rightful recognition of their fantastic commitment and hard work that shines out of this report.

“Alongside our fantastic staff, the recently upgraded facilities are providing truly exceptional space for children with SEND and their families. Congratulations to everyone involved.”

Inspectors visited Pinecroft 10 & 11 January. The full Ofsted report can be found at: Ofsted | 2502334

by David Millward

Preferred secondary school places offered to 95% of pupils

Technical problems with the admissions portal meant that parents were unable to access their children’s school place offer online on Wednesday morning. This was due to both a national issue with the IT system we use and issues with the local implementation of the new system.

We would like to apologise to parents and children for any anxiety this caused.

The admissions portal is now working and emails were also sent to parents with secondary school place offers for their children on Wednesday.

Ninety-five per cent of Reading students have been offered a place in one of their preferred secondary schools this year.

Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) received 1,958 applications for secondary school places and has ensured that all pupils have a place in September.

The percentage of pupils being offered a place in their first preference school increased from 69% to 74% this year.

Ninety-two per cent of pupils will be going to one of their top three preferred schools. The percentage not allocated to any of their preferences is 5% compared with 7% last year.

Brian Grady, Director of Education at BFfC, said: “I am pleased that we are offering so many Reading children a place at one of their preferred secondary schools this year.

“Our Admissions Team has worked hard to ensure all 1,958 applicants have a school place this September and we will continue to work with Reading Borough Council and other partners to keep up with future demand for secondary places in the borough.

“It is such an exciting time for children when they start at secondary schools and we would like to send our best wishes to all Reading pupils in their new schools.”

Cllr Ruth McEwan, Lead Councillor for Education and Public Health, said: “Almost all Reading children will be able to look forward to starting at one of their preferred secondary schools in September.

“We continue to plan for the future with the construction of the new River Academy progressing well and with further investment in our existing school properties.”

by David Millward