Shane, aged 12
Category: Caps
Shane lives with his aunt and one brother. Another older sister does not live at home. Shane’s father is in prison and his mother is deceased.
Referred to Caps by another NIACRO service, Family Links, it quickly became apparent that Shane had experienced serious difficulties at school since his father was imprisoned and was aggressive and emotional. Further, as his aunt had issues with mental health, the children were living in an unsecure placement and were afraid of being placed in care, thereby affecting Shane’s own mental health.
The Caps Project Worker developed an individual work programme for Shane, which looked at how he could address anger issues, consider what triggered them, how to deal with a lack of self-esteem and self-confidence and dealing with his complicated family relationships. Shane’s Project Worker also established routines such as weekly meetings at school for the family, Shane was encouraged to attend homework club and he also attended regular group activities with other young people on the Caps programme. Finally, Shane was referred to the VOYPIC mentoring scheme, which gave him an opportunity to develop a supportive relationship with an adult outside his family group (VOYPIC)
Working with Shane’s aunt, the Caps team offered practical support through arranging for Shane and his siblings to visit their father in prison, as well as offering her a place on the Caps parenting programme. The team then developed a therapeutic programme for Shane’s aunt, which focused on helping her understand Shane’s worries, developing good family relationships and providing reassurance and consistency of care. NIACRO also provided support in her application to become Shane’s permanent foster parent.
Today, a much more settled Shane is not engaged in anti-social behaviour and attends youth club several times a week. His performance at school has improved, through attending school regularly as well as homework club. Thanks to the work of the Caps project team, Shane’s family placement is secure and his aunt is much more confident in her parenting skills. The mental health issues experienced by Shane and his aunt have also improved.
Speaking of the family, NIACRO’s Family Links service said: “When Shane was first referred to the Caps Project he was an incredibly vulnerable and sad young man. His father's imprisonment had caused a total breakdown in the family unit and his world seemed to be falling apart. With the support and commitment of Caps over the past six months, I have seen Shane transformed into a happier and more secure adolescent who now has a greater sense of control and purpose in his life.'