Story 1: Roma Family
A Roma family were receiving demands for repayments from the HMRC for several thousand in overpayment of Tax Credits. After scrutinising their case, it transpired that they were not liable and the debt was cancelled against them.
Story 2: Isolated Children
Another family had children struggling in primary schools where they felt very isolated, had not made any friends other from other children of their own community, and their progress suffered. After giving them tuition, the CEO identified that one of them was very bright and had great academic potential. Coaxing the parents to let her consider Grammar school was a feat, as they thought these were for the ‘English only’. Persuading them to let her get attention in the 4 months left until the exam, she passed it and is today thriving academically and wants to pursue social service when she grows up.
Story 3: Unidentified Learning Difficulties
Another child also in primary school was failing dismally due to her acute shyness and learning difficulties that had not been identified. An incident led the parents to withdraw her from school and she remained home for 8 months without any education. I arranged for the county council to register her for home education and the girl is doing so much better and motivated every morning to do her scheduled work. She wants to be an artist.
Story 4: Behavioural Problems
A third senior schoolboy was struggling with behavioural problems and was asked to change his school. His parents thought that independent schooling would be best for him and he was admitted, however within months, his behaviour started to cause problems. I identified that he felt misunderstood all the time, he was struggling with the fact that his home atmosphere was not ideal with quarrelling parents who have separated. He is now receiving counselling and we have sought a boarding school place for him.
Story 5: A Distressing Situation
In a distressing situation, an 11-year old child’s attempted suicides and repeated runaways led to a referral to the NRM. Despite resource constraints causing delays in counselling and assistance, I took a proactive approach. After engaging individually with each family member and identifying underlying passive aggression, I suggested a transformative solution. Encouraging the mother to take her daughters on an extended holiday to her home country, the family gained a fresh perspective. Upon their return, discussions with both parents highlighted the impact of their arguments on the children, prompting a positive shift in their awareness and a commitment to change.
Story 6: Identity Crisis
A young mixed-race teenager was struggling with her identity crisis and was referred to us by her early help worker. We have a conducive conversation and it was identified that she was struggling with not knowing much about her father’s culture or religion so we’ve arranged regular classes and talks and will introduce her to another mixed child to be able to share experiences. Her English mother also wanted to understand more about Islam, and was referred to the Mosque’s revert group.
