TLC KIDZ programme

Tlc kidz

 

TLC KIDZ is a 12-week group based programme for children and their mothers who have been exposed to domestic abuse.

 

The purpose of the group programme is for children to have an opportunity to move beyond what has happened in their family in a safe and therapeutic way.

 

 

Some core features of the programme include:

 

• Providing support to  mothers as they understand how best to help their children

 

• Encouraging mothers to “think through the eyes of children” by engaging in activities that involve cutting, pasting or using craft supplies.

 

• Teaching children how to develop a safety plan and giving them an opportunity to practice it.

 

 

 

 

Referrals on how to join the group programme for either self-referral or agency referrals

 

To join the group or to refer someone to TLC KIDZ, all you have to do is phone the number on this leaflet and leave you details.

The Co-ordinator from TLC KIDZ will contact you for a confidential discussion.

 

You will be sent a form to complete. When the completed form is received, you will be contacted again by the Co-ordinator who will arrange to meet with the prospective participants, the mother and child or the referrer in order assesses suitability. Following this, if it is agreed that the child would benefit from the programme, the child will be offered a place in the group and the mother offered to join the mother’s group.

 

Guiding Principals:

 

• Provide an opportunity for children to tell their stories re hurting in their families and to be heard, believed and validated.

 

• Children learn to keep themselves safe.

 

• Children will achieve an understanding that all types of abuse is wrong.

 

• Children will understand that they are not responsible for what has happened.

 

• Children are supported to identify and express emotions.

 

Children will learn effective problem solving skills

 

The Group-work programmes for children exposed to domestic abuse are run as concurrent groups for children and their mothers. The group process facilitates the opportunity for healing. The children will be given support to process and understand the hurting that has happened in their family. The service provided is nurturing, non-judgmental and well informed.

 

The Mother’s Group –

the Concurrent Model

 

Experience has shown that the programme is more successful when both the children and their mothers are able to attend during the same time frame. The mothers are able to support and reinforce the lessons their children are learning as they develop their own network of support.

 

In some cases where the mothers are unable to attend the group then individual feedback of their children’s progress may be offered to them.

 

 

 

 

The Mother’s Group

 

The Mother’s group is a safe and supportive environment where trained female facilitators provide an opportunity for women to explore and reflect on how to support their children’s healing from the impact of violence. The programme helps women to create relevant links and build bridges between themselves and their children, providing a nurturing and positive environment for both.

 

 

The Children’s Group

 

The group-work concurrent programme helps children/young people to identify and express their feelings about the abuse, separation and loss. Children learn to recognize their feelings and understand how important underlying emotions are. Strategies on managing feelings are explored through discussion, fun, child centered activities, books and other materials. Light snacks and drinks will be offered during sessions.

Positive conflict resolution through role modeling and play help children to develop useful new skills which are explored in the group. Group guidelines help to create a safe and predictable environment for children to share their experiences.

 

 

 

 

 

Programme Modules for Children

 

1. Getting to know you
2. Breaking the secret about abuse that occurs in families
3. Understanding their often complex feelings.
4. Children’s experience of violence in their family
5. Staying safe when abuse happens-My personal safety plan
6. “It’s not our fault” beginning to understand responsibility
7. Anger is important-understanding and expressing it
8. Learning about problems- how to get help to solve problems in positive ways
9. Dealing with family changes when abuse has happened
10. Sexual abuse prevention
11. The best me I can be- self esteem
12. Saying “goodbye”

 

 

Click here to register for this event