SATCHEL
SIF provided funding of over £1.1m for this project aimed at working with parents and children to promote the physical, intellectual, social and emotional development of pre-school children - particularly those who are disadvantaged to ensure they can flourish at home in preparation for school. It has built on the Sure Start services and continues to support the child and parents via the school setting once the child enters the education system. It has extended the service up to the age of 7.
Project Name: | SATCHEL |
|---|---|
Zone: | Western |
Category: | Revenue |
Social Investment Fund Outcomes: | Reducing Deprivation |
Status: | Delivery Complete |
Funding awarded: | £1,181,593 |
About the Project
Schools and the Community Help Everyone Learn (SATCHEL) was a pilot programme designed to support families through the transition from Pre-School into P.1 & P.2. It delivered parenting support programmes to families with children aged from 4-6 years.
SATCHEL was a partnership between Barnardo’s, SureStart, Save the Children, Early Years, WHSCT and Derg Valley Care.
The overall aim was to improve the educational outcomes for children and to increase parental involvement in school life and their children’s education. The project was designed to deliver a variety of interventions in targeted preschools and schools based in the areas of highest deprivation. These included home visits and group work programmes with a strong evidenced base such as Incredible Years, Nurturing Groups, Media Initiative for Children Respecting Difference, Toddler Yoga, Health Promoting Homes and the Families and Schools together (FAST) programme. The project also provided Speech and Language support to Nursery Schools and Preschool Playgroups through support and training to staff and parents, as well as signposting to relevant support services and the Family Support Hubs in Dungiven, Fermanagh, Omagh and Strabane.
Progress to date
This project has completed delivery. The project was successful focusing on parenting skills, healthier lifestyles and building stronger relationships between families and schools to improve the educational outcomes for children and ensuring the needs of people living in the SIF Western zone were met. SIF funding allowed the project to provide critical support to parents, children and schools. It has enabled new and additional services to parents and teachers to target issues such as low aspirations, health problems, developmental delays and behavioural disorders. The project exceeded its targets in terms of the number of programmes delivered and the number of participants engaged and has had positive impacts on those involved. These include reduced social isolation, stress and anxiety for parents, improved emotional wellbeing/confidence and self-esteem amongst parents and increased access to support networks and peer support for parents.
Impacts
Monitoring and evaluation of all Social Investment Fund projects is carried out using “Outcomes Based Accountability” (OBA). The below infographic details some of the key impacts of the SATCHEL project.
