Pyramid Intervention Group Project - Assignment Example

Pyramid Intervention Group Introduction Pyramid club was developed in the 1970’s to offer early intervention services for children aged 7-14 years. It is normally run as an after school club for children having mental problems, especially those showing signs of depression, anxiety and social withdrawal. These children attend the club for 1.5 hours a week after school so that they can receive the necessary intervention services. In addition, pyramid club offers an environment that allows children to develop skills and overcome challenges they face, especially in their transitioning stage (Ohl, Fox & Mitchell, 2013). The club has also provided an option for training parents along side the children so that they can also develop their skills. It is a good forum because parents get the necessary training and support they need to help their children. Background Information Pyramid club adopts early intervention strategies that are aimed at helping children, who show signs of mental difficulties instead of waiting until the problem worsen. It is very important to provide early intervention strategies to children, who show early signs of mental problems to prevent them from suffering severe mental cases when they become adults. The aim of this program is to provide children with social and emotional skills so that they can live a happy life. Pyramid meets the key requirements to cater for children suffering from mental problems (Ohl, Fox & Mitchell, 2013). The club provides evidence based intervention that demonstrates its purpose and analyses its needs clearly. In addition, the pyramid also provides a baseline for measurement and gives feedback on the outcomes. The club is well equipped with facilities for intervention and are enough to cater for all children. Well-targeted clubs like pyramid provide efficient intervention clubs that will later lead to better outcomes and improve children skills. Selection and Evaluation Children are selected for pyramid club using Goodman’s SDQ questionnaire that is used to measure their social skills and emotional development. SDQ questioner is later replaced with ContinYou’s questioner that is provided by parents and young adults. This replacement is part of a screening process and evaluation of the club. Consequently, those who manage the club take part in post evaluation processes. Research Evidence to Support the Model This club was developed and has been extensively tested in the US. The assessment includes qualitative and quantitative measurement and response from children and young adults. The University of Ulster follows a strength-based research that reflects learners flourishing theory, and it suggests that pyramid club ensures the efficacy of children by giving them responsibilities and autonomy. The club allows children to be playful, to promote self-expression skills and acquire conflict resolution skills. In addition, extensive research has been done by the University of London with SDQ to assess the impact of the clubs against other controlled groups. Research done by education psychology show that emotional and hyperactivity difficulties of children in pyramid clubs decreased as compared to the other groups. In connection to loneliness and social dissatisfaction scores of children in pyramid club decrease while those in other groups increased (University of West London, 2012). Reach Research shows that since the year 2004, over 33000 children have attended pyramid clubs across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The club also has received support from more than 8000 leaders in the club across this region. Pyramid is one of the interventions that were included in the guidance of suitable children in the year 2000 where funds were donated to help the vulnerable children suffering mental health problems. Since pyramid was introduced, it has run in more than 48 local authorities in England, 10 in wales and across Northern Ireland. Attributes of Pyramid Model • Low cost by having trained volunteer club leaders and teaching staff • Constant evaluation of both the clubs and children-attending pyramid • Having links with universities for getting academic research • The club has proven to be adequate for both boys and girls from different ethnic groups • There is routine screening that allows the clubs to identify other difficulties • There is a licensed model that ensures there are specific procedures undertaken • There are flexible deliveries in the club in conjunction with ContinYou that are tailored with the interests of the group • All club leaders running the club are trained in advance and supported by local coordinator or get support from ContinYou • Network from England and Wales to work with the coordinator • Certified training for trainers award Key Outcomes for Children Even with improvements that have been observed using the SDQ, other skills have also been observed in children who have attended pyramid clubs: • Children have improved self-esteem • They have improved relations with adults • Improved peer relations • Increased flexibility through the development of problem solving ability • Children have improved self-awareness • Improved locus control that leads to better self motivation • Development of major skills that ensure emotional regulation and self-soothing • Development of a secure identity and appreciation of different cultural identities • Improved school attainment through better attendance and participation in class Health and Safety Pyramid club has organized its self in a manner that observes safety rules and regulations. The staffs have been trained to follow safety rules and procedure, so that they can avoid accidents. The staffs have been taught basic rules that are obvious like lifting boxes in a correct manner so as not to harm our backs, sitting in a correct manner while using the computer so as not to harm our backs and avoid looking at chemicals. Pyramid club has ensured that their staff is adequately supervised at work and that they give them proper training so that they can take good care of children (Building friendship, developing confidence, 2011). The club teaches its staff to concentrate while at work and to pay attention to whatever they are doing. Pyramid Safety and Welfare Coordinators of pyramid club consider the workplace environment of their staff and children by providing basic facilities to ensure that the workplace is safe and healthy. For instance • The working stations in the pyramid have enough space to avoid overcrowding that can lead to high stress levels • The furniture is appropriate for the work it is supposed to serve to avoid repeated awkward movements that can cause muscle and spinal injuries • Places that have staircases are well maintained with handrail and open stairways are fitted with guardrails • The club has adequate lighting to reduce eye strain and fatigue • Ventilation system of the club is on high standard to avoid drowsiness and headaches • There is proper housekeeping to ensure the place is tidy and things are put back into the rightful place. A disorganized environment can cause children to trip and succumb injuries • Toilets and washing facilities in the club are kept clean and are well maintained. In addition, the club has provided both cold and warm water for drinking and washing hands Health and Safety Work Act Pyramid club has incorporated health and safety work at in their daily operations. The main purpose of the act is to ensure both the staff and children have good standards of health and safety so as to prevent people from coming to harm while at work. This has made health and safety to be an essential part of work and not an option. This act ensures the staffs have a responsibility of maintaining health and safety practices at work. In addition, it provides a framework of health and safety regulation. Risk Assessment People need to be aware that there is the risk of having an accident before they take the necessary steps to prevent the accident from happening. It is not always obvious that a workplace can result in an accident. Therefore, it is very important to carry out risk assessment often. Pyramid club coordinators ensure that its management carries out a risk assessment to ensure health and safety regulations are observed. It will make it easier for the management to identify all workplace hazards, assess the risks and take the necessary steps to reduce accidents. Training Before I was absorbed in pyramid club, I have to undergo some training so that I could efficiently handle the children. The following are some of the skills that I was taught to demonstrate while I was in the club: • I had to demonstrate a positive attitude toward children and be motivated by the need to work with children. • I was supposed to have a positive attitude while working with people from any gender culture and ethnic group. • I had to demonstrate a sensitive and non judge mental attitude towards other people. • I had to be punctual and reliable since it is very important for the successful delivery of pyramid club. • I was taught to have good communication skills to be able to communicate with children effectively. • I had to be able to facilitate play and to support children to paly so that they can develop self-confidence. • I was taught to work with other team members so that we could deliver pyramid services appropriately to children. Application and DBS Checking I applied to pyramid club and before I was absorbed, I had to undergo a DBS check. It is by law that anyone who is working with vulnerable children have a DBS certificate. DBS looks at an applicant’s background, including criminal records and other relevant recorded incidents. To be given a DBS certificate as the person is required to fill a form and provide documents that will prove his identity. The following documents need to be submitted while completing the form: • Current driving license that is the card and the paper part • Biometric residence permit • Bank statement sent by the bank in the last 3 months • Credit card statement sent by the bank for the last 3 month • Valid work permit or visa • EU national ID card Pyramid Organisational Structure Other users operate underlicensee from UWL, subject to acceptable quality standards to ensure implementation fidelity References Building friendship, developing confidence. (2011). Retrieved on November 21 2014 from Ohl, M, Fox, P & Mitchell, K. (2013). The Pyramid Club Elementary School-Based Intervention: Testing the Circle Time Technique to Elicit Children’s Service Satisfaction. Retrieved on November 21 2014 from University of West London. (2012). School of Psychology, Social Work & Human Sciences. Read More