Family Services and Toddler Groups

Our Family Services team support and provide Toddler Groups in communities throughout Highland providing a wide range of support, information and guidance to Toddler Group committees and parents/carers who attend with their children.

Family Services delivery is tailored to the needs of each group including:

CALA Play and Learn Sessions

Come along and join us in our engaging and friendly environment for babies and young children. Enjoy some child led, play based activities indoors and out, including messy play, craft, imaginary play, singing and physical games. These sessions are currently running each week at:

Alness – Perrins Centre – Monday’s 9.30am – 11am

Nairn – Community Hall – Monday’s 1.30pm – 3pm

Inverness – Merkinch Centre – Tuesday’s 9.30am – 11pm

Aviemore – Community Hub – Tuesday’s 1.30pm – 3pm

Muir of Ord – Village Hall – Wednesday 9.30am – 11am

Inverness – Raigmore – Thursday 9.30am – 11am

 Individual Groups

• Supporting both new and established committees as required
• Supporting parental involvement in the running of the group and engagement in children’s play and learning
• Advice and support on how to run a group eg. session format, layout, health and safety linked to national guidance

Families

• Being a listening ear, facilitating discussions, signposting to family information and guidance eg. healthy eating, sleeping, financial support
• Linking parents/families with other professionals
• Supporting parent confidence in providing play experiences and value in the positive impact this has for them and their children
• Increasing awareness of the benefit of a range of experiences on children’s and adult mental health and wellbeing.
• Developing effective relationships and parent networks

Young children

Learning and development are supported through play:

• Book bug sessions – many of our Family Service Practitioners deliver fun, interactive stories, songs and rhymes using Book bug and his puppet friends.
• Baby massage – provision of baby massage sessions for parents and their babies to join in with.
• Provision of introductory sensory messy play experiences using eg.  shaving foam, gloop, water play, finger & foot painting, treasure baskets and boxes, energetic play and song time that can be also be done at home.
• Active play sessions

Our Family Services team strive to ensure they make a positive impact on the lives of children and families through their regular visits and tailored support based on parents and children’s needs and interests.

Our service delivery is fully committed to the Scottish Government’s aspiration for Scotland to be the best place for children to grow up and puts children at the heart of all that we do.

Our practitioners’ access continuous professional learning, their practice is informed and evaluated against national guidance including:

• Getting it Right for Every Child,
• Pre-Birth to Three,
• Realising the Ambition: Being Me.

Making a difference – some of the positive impact parents/others have shared: 

For children:

• A fun, exciting and creative environment for children to explore & learn more about the world around them
• Opportunities for social interactions with other children
• Experiences to support and extend children’s development and enjoyment

For parents/carers:

• A time to come together and share experiences
• Providing support through friendship, advice and encouragement
• Playing with the children and encouraging the parent to play/read with their child
• Signposting to other local services
• Assistance to access benefits, grants and financial support
• Helps reduce feelings isolation during maternity/paternity leave
• Enables parents/carers to feel part of the community
• Further develops parents understanding of their children’s learning and development and how best to support this

Our Family Services teamwork in partnership with a range of professionals to provide cohesive services and support including Highland Council, Health Visitors, Community Service Workers, Communities Community Groups and local funders.

Project work includes:

• Ukrainian Support – toddler groups run each Wednesday 1.30pm – 3pm at the Ukrainian Hub, Inverness 
• Supporting our Afghan families to take part in English Language Classes while their children take part in fun, stage appropriate play.
• Providing play sessions for children visiting family members in prison.
• X Programme
• Active Play – Family Services Play Practitioners deliver ‘Active Play’ sessions in Primary Schools, Early Learning and Childcare settings, Parent and Toddler Groups and Pop-up play events predominantly in and around the Inverness area. 

Corrina Shearer

Head of Quality, Learning and Workforce Development

Tel: 01463 222569

Mobile: 07920852762