Sandwell MBC
Client Background
Sandwell Social Services, Children’s Division want to rebuild a relationship of trust and safety between a mother and daughter (living in foster care) and ensure they are able to spend quality time together outside of the home environment whilst in progression of this aim.
Challenge
All sides how natural the child is in all parties company
In many cases there is little to no background provided due to information being highly confidential from the parties involved.
There are times when conversations are happening simultaneously; both sides speak at the same time. It’s important to be able to create an informal atmosphere as this is a appointment for the family members to enjoy the time together, whilst making sure everything is being translated and reported to the service professional.
Objective
To get the mother back on her feet & safeguarding of the child.
Five Star Steps:
- Finding an interpreter that is experienced in the particular area of fostering and family services and available as continuity of the interpreter was key to helping all build a strong relationship
- Ensuring the interpreter was flexible throughout, working with the foster carer and the social services team offering constant communication between all services. Delivering a telephone service as feedback was vital to generate the best next steps with the mother and child. Keeping the communication channels open throughout the process in order to build and maintain rapport.
- Placing the interpreter as part of the family, able to go on outings and go above and beyond when the situation required it.
- Maintaining impartiality between the family and the professional services.
Latest Outcome
The child and mother are continuing to build their relationship.
