Sarah’s story

CASE STUDY

Sarah made a self-referral into Home-Start in Suffolk with the help of her carers.

 

Following a very difficult upbringing which resulted in her living in a residential secure unit, Sarah was involved in a terrible accident, falling from a roof leaving her with life changing injuries. Sarah has lifelong physical disabilities and has experienced brain damage which means she requires support with day-to-day tasks. Now a mum herself, to a 7-year-old boy diagnosed with autism, Sarah sought Home-Start support to help her and her son who was already supported by a Social Worker and had a Child in Need team and process working to represent his best interest. Sarah was extremely anxious and struggled to leave the house. Matched to one of Home-Start’s Family Support Workers due to the complex needs of the family, Sarah was introduced to Kirsty. The first visit was very challenging, but Sarah was able to open up and share her worries and frustrations and this helped to build a professional trusting relationship.

 

 

Throughout the support Kirsty helped Sarah to access groups in her community, attend medial appointments and has been a listening ear for Sarah. Together they have worked on developing some of Sarah’s skills at home, including cooking.

Sarah’s confidence has really grown and supporting her sons additional needs has become a priority for her, resulting in her accessing 1 to 1 support from Home-Start’s Special Educational Needs Navigator. These session’s have given Sarah more of an understanding of her sons needs and has helped her to find ways to cope with his challenging behaviour.

Sarah feels that without Home-Start support she would not be where she is today and is grateful to both her Family Support Worker and our Special Educational Needs Navigator for all they have done for her and her son.

 

Sarah feels that without Home-Start support she would not be where she is today and is grateful to both her Family Support Worker and our Special Educational Needs Navigator for all they have done for her and her son.