Child & Family Advocacy and Engagement

Meet the team

Our role is crucial in ensuring that we put children and family’s views, wishes and feedback right at the heart of all decision making at Derian House.

Natalie

Child and Family Advocate and Engagement Lead

My name is Natalie Schofield and I am the Child and Family Advocate and Engagement Lead.

Away from Derian, I am a Foster Carer, I specialise in looking after children with complex health needs and disabilities. As part of this role I have worked on the youth forum in Bolton evaluating provisions and opportunities for those living with disabilities and championing the voices of children and their families to effect positive change.

At home, I love walking in the hills, camping and all things Disney. Musical theatre is another passion of mine, I love nothing more than an impromptu flash mob and sing off! I am a wannabe chef and my favourite food is tied between Greek and Thai cuisine!

Ionie

Child and Family advocate and engagement worker

My name’s Ionie Calderbank and I am the Child and Family advocate and engagement worker working alongside Natalie. I am really passionate about capturing people’s voices, helping people feel heard and working together to make change.

I have always working with children and young people, in a variety of different roles/areas. I have worked in a short breaks service and the participation service, helping to run LINX – Lancashire’s Children in Care Council and POWAR – Lancashire’s Special Education Needs and Disability Council. I then spent a few years working in a children’s residential home. My most recent job I worked in supported accommodation working with 16-25 year olds in Leyland.

I have a dog called Bella, at times I look after my parent’s two dogs, Indie and Pippin. I spend a lot of time walking the pack and Iove being outdoors as much as possible. I also enjoy baking and crafting (anything and everything), using my cricut machine.

Get in touch

Email: Natalie.Schofield@derianhouse.co.uk 

Call: 07912216996 

Email: Ionie.Calderbank@derianhouse.co.uk 

Call: 07912217086

What are we going to be doing and why?

  • Ensure that all our children and their families are meaningfully engaged, consulted and have the opportunities to be involved in co-design of our services at Derian House.
  • We will listen to, consult and engage with everyone, putting views and needs at the centre of every decision that is made.
  • Ensure that we foster a sense of belonging through all methods of communication.
  • Work autonomously across the organisation, to help support all departments in ensuring that we work “with” not “to” our families.
  • We will seek regular feedback and ensure that we are communicating with everyone in the way they want us to.
  • We will ensure we are using our platform to raise awareness of any points that are raised by families, provide timely feedback, pick-up on cues
  • Ensure that we are proactive and pre-emptive in our approach.

This will:

  • Demonstrate how we are accountable for the way we deliver and advocate for our families.
  • Help us develop more critical-thinking and collaborative working.
  • Create sustained meaningful outcomes for our families because they have been co-designed.

How will we do it?

  • We will represent, advocate on behalf of, and create opportunities for children and families to have their voices fully heard at Derian House.
  • We will develop a communications framework that works for families.
  • We will lead the family feedback and evaluation processes.
  • We will develop training sessions to ensure that we are working collectively on meaningful consultation, co-design and feedback for both staff and families to engage fully and without barriers.

How will you know we are doing our job?

  • We are going to be present in and around Derian House across all services.
  • We will attend sessions and speak to families regularly.
  • We will communicate with families in a variety of ways and develop communication tools to increase our contact with them.
  • We will explore our recording processes, by developing different tools/frameworks to ensure we have a standardised expectation to capture the work we are doing.
  • We will regularly consult with staff to ensure feedback is actioned and outcomes and decisions are shared with families in a timely manner.