Eye Contact Article

The CREDO Project is a 2-year national project that supports young people between the ages of 13 and 19 who are perceived as having profound and complex impairments. The project is part of the work carried out by Circles Network – the leading national organisation on developing Circles of Support and is funded by the National Lottery Charities Board. There are currently 2 projects one in England and the other in Northern Ireland, that focus particularly on the move from childhood through to adulthood.

A Circle of Support is a group of individuals who meet together with the sole intention of supporting the focus person to become more included within society. The focus person is an individual who is either isolated from community or in danger of becoming isolated. The group listens deeply to the person, assisting with the realization of dreams and ambitions and with living the life that best suits them. With regard to the CREDO Project, young people who are perceived as having the most complex of needs are supported to reach for their dreams with the support of those around them who know them and care for them the most.

The Circle of Support is made up of those people such as parents, siblings, friends, neighbours and committed support workers who are prepared to focus only on the person and what they want. The group work together to draw out the specific information that will give the young person their ‘voice’ and will represent the contribution towards the planning of their life.

This planning is person centred and is a process that is alive and empowering, enabling the young person to be central to the process and to take control. Commonly for young disabled people and their families, the ‘transition years’ are dominated by feelings of worry, uncertainty, fear and guilt. With traditional assessments and planning techniques, young people are usually ‘matched’ to services depending on what their particular label or diagnosis is e.g. ‘profound learning difficulties’ or ‘challenging behaviour’. However, if there is a commitment to providing the appropriate support for a young person to fulfil their potential and reach for their dreams, then labels do not have to determine where somebody lives, who they live with or how they spend their day.

Some Local Authorities are now beginning to value the importance of person centred planning: 

Paul is 19 and had a plan facilitated that reflected who he is as a young man and what his ideal support for the future would look like. The picture of Paul that emerged showed that he would like to continue living within his family home with a team of support workers who would assist him to become more independent from his family and to access the local community such as; using the gym, meeting up with friends in the pub and going horse-riding. This was part of Paul’s ‘dream’ and part of his ‘nightmare’ was to attend a day centre. Paul’s completed plan was passed on to his Social Worker who considered it to be a reflection of Paul’s wishes. Paul and his family have recently assisted with the recruitment of a team of workers from a national organisation who will indeed be supporting Paul from his home in the way that he wants. 

Paul’s plan was put together with the help of his family and friends who he trusts and who are truly committed to him and who know him better than anyone. These people - Paul’s ‘circle’, should be the individuals who are consulted, as they are the ones who have the expertise on who Paul is as a person, not the range of professionals who come in and out of his life.

With the CREDO Project, there is a direct collaboration with the young person and their family rather than with other organisations. The intention is then to work ‘alongside’ other agencies and providers with the young person remaining in complete control of the process.

Friendship and companionship is essential for all of us, in order for us to feel supported emotionally and practically and also to share interests. This sharing helps us in feeling less isolated and in being ‘a part of things’. The CREDO Project aims to improve natural relationships for young disabled people and to ultimately become contributing citizens who are included within society. So often the majority of other people in the young person’s life are paid to be there to support them. People who truly commit to the focus person, stand with them during difficult times and help to problem solve and create opportunities, celebrating successes along the way!

Claire is 16 and attends a mainstream school where she has a number of friends who she spends time with and who she has known for many years. Claire has a circle of support that is made up of these friends. The purpose of Claire’s circle is for her friends to support her with ideas of different places to go and activities to get involved in outside of school – with them. The circle also creates opportunities for Claire to not just maintain current relationships but also to meet new people and to make new connections.

“Hanging out together is very important so that you don’t get bored or lonely and so you can see your friends more. Hanging out is talking, having fun and chilling out. It is important for Claire to spend time with her friends and not just with her parents” – Olwen, Paul & Nargis (Claire’s friends).  

The CREDO Project will share examples of success and challenge through the production of a video in early 2001 and through hosting a national conference in 2001 also. Individual stories will celebrate the gifts and differences that each young person brings and will demonstrate how and where inclusion into community has been achieved.

Send mail to: information@circlesnetwork.org.uk with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2008 Circles Network
Last modified: February 08, 2008