Category: Our People

 

Our staff spotlight is shining on Zoe Cox this August!

During term time, Zoe is the Deputy Manager of our West Berkshire Centre. 

Added to her duties at the centre, this summer holidays Zoe is part of a team of staff that are running the Dingley’s Promise Remote Learning Summer Support Programme; ensuring that children with SEND are not left behind this summer. 

We caught up with Zoe to get to know her a little better and find out how her summer has been so far: 

 

 

What is your role at Dingley’s Promise?

Deputy Manager at our West Berkshire Centre. 

 

How are you supporting children and families from your centre (and others) over the summer holidays?

We are offering a garden stay and play session every Tuesday morning during August at the West Berkshire Centre and every Thursday morning at our Reading Centre. 

We are running Zoom sessions with parents/carers covering a range of topics such as sleeping, potty training and using visuals, as well as offering family zoom sessions which involve singing, stories and bubbles! We have also been having weekly phone calls and email communications with parents, although this is by request of individual families.

 

What do you enjoy most about your role at Dingley’s Promise?

I love being a part of each child’s journey, and supporting them as they learn new skills and celebrating the big and small progresses they make. I enjoy every day as it’s always different, and we always like to have fun!

 

Could you talk about your background in the Early years sector? 

I started working with children with additional needs in 2010 as a playworker for West Berkshire Mencap. There, I worked with children from the ages of 5 – 18 years old, with a range of disabilities. I gained lots of knowledge and experience on how to support children with additional needs, but wanted to expand my knowledge and work with children in the early years. I applied for a job at Dingley’s Promise and wasn’t successful, but I still wanted to learn more so asked if I could volunteer and began volunteering once a week. Then, once another job came up, I applied again, and was successful! 

I have now been working for Dingley’s Promise for 4 and a half years and have gained a lot of knowledge of early years education and insight into the importance of early intervention. I am now the Deputy Manager at the West Berks Centre and have qualified in Level 3 Health and Social Care, the Children and Young People Workforce Diploma and as an Early Years Educator.

 

In your spare time, what do you enjoy doing?

I have two children, a 7 year old who I make dens and do crafts with, and a 2 year old who loves trains! He has a speech delay, so I have been using my knowledge and experience from working at Dingley’s Promise to support his communication, which has been beneficial for our whole family. 

My friends and family are very important to me too, so if I’m not with my children I’m out for dinner with them.

 

How would you describe yourself in three words?

Bubbly, Caring, confident 

 

If you could go on holiday anywhere in the world, where would you go? (Once it is safe to of course!) 

I would love to go to Disney world, it’s on my bucket list! 

 

 

Thanks Zoe!

 

 

 

Staff at Dingley’s Promise have taken the opportunity to develop their skills and further their knowledge by undertaking online training during lockdown.

 

The course, titled ‘Behaviour that Challenges’, aims to equip caregivers with a more in depth understanding of the different behaviour conditions that affect children and young people, as well as the guidance and legislation surrounding behavioural risk factors and the impact mental health concerns may have on young children and others. 

 

Run by The Aim Group (an online learning resource), the course is fully funded by the Government’s Adult Education budget, and learners receive an Ofsted Registered Level 2 Qualification upon completion. 

 

 

Staff participation in the ‘Behaviour that Challenges’ course forms part of Dingley’s Promise’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The charity’s three centres are temporarily closed and staff have been adapting to working and supporting children and families remotely. This change has therefore given staff some extra time to focus on upskilling. 

 

Dingley’s Promise, as an organisation, has always been dedicated to providing opportunities for its staff to learn and develop because it is important for staff wellbeing, as well as benefiting the children and families that the charity supports. 

 

Hannah Goddard, an Early Years Practitioner at Dingley’s Promise in Reading, explains how what she is learning on the course will help;

 

“When staff have better understanding, children receive better care and support. This training reminds us that the behaviours children show are a form of communication and expression. It also teaches us how to look for a child’s triggers (sensory overload such as lights, noise etc) and develop a support plan so we can care for each child in the best way, taking into account who is suitably trained and confident to support different behaviours.”

 

Chloe Owens, who works at the charity’s Wokingham Centre, says;

 

“It’s been interesting to see how much we are already doing for children in the centre fits into the ideas set out in the course, and the training is a reminder of how important it is to investigate the root cause of a behaviour. Consistency and communicating are two things I will be even more conscientious of in my practice, such as seeking out opportunities to talk regularly with colleagues and families about what’s working, what’s not and to find new ideas.”

 

The concluding section of the training focuses on helping practitioners to understand the support available to maintain their own wellbeing. This is particularly relevant because the 18th – 24th of May is Mental Health Awareness Week, led by the Mental Health Foundation. Dingley’s Promise is passionate about this initiative and embraces any new way to further support the mental well being of it’s team, such as through the ‘Behaviour That Challenges’ training. The charity signed up to the ‘Time to Change’ movement in 2017, and introduced ‘five ways to wellbeing’ and mental health first aiders across the organisation. An Employees Assistance Programme provides counselling and support when needed, and the organisation regularly takes part in staff sessions that encourage opening up, sharing concerns and supporting each other. The most recent staff survey shows that 77% of staff feel supported by Dingley’s Promise when they are stressed, with the remaining 23% neither agreeing or disagreeing. No staff member felt they were not supported, which shows the impact of really taking wellbeing in the workplace seriously.

 

 

Chief Executive Catherine McLeod MBE said:

“A few years ago, we encouraged staff at all levels of the organisation to share their thoughts and feelings on mental health and wellbeing. I shared my own story too, and since then we have all become much more open about mental health. Not only has this taken some pressure off people, but it has helped build closer relationships between colleagues as we all recognise how common mental health problems are, and that we can be there for each other.”

 

To lean more about the ‘Behaviour That Challenges’ course, visit https://www.theaimgroup.co.uk/

 

For more information about Mental Health Awareness Week and the support on offer, visit https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week 

 

Life has become very different for a lot of us during the Covid-19 pandemic, and Dingley’s Promise has adapted quickly to new remote ways of working so we are able to continue providing life changing support to the children that attend our centres. 

Our centre teams have risen to the challenge brilliantly! We spoke to Georgia Fromant from our West Berkshire Centre to hear about how her work life has changed and how she continues to support her key children;

 

What is your role at Dingley’s Promise?

Early Years Practitioner.

 

How has your role at Dingley’s Promise changed given the current circumstances? How are you finding it?

If you had asked me a few months ago whether it would be possible for me to work from home, I would have responded absolutely no way! But here I am, supporting my key children’s families as best I can by creating activity ideas and tutorials (via our online database, Tapestry). I’m also keeping in regular contact with my families to ensure they are all okay. I’m using the time to become my ‘best me’ as a practitioner – planning interactive stories, future activity ideas and making my way through a long list of additional training that I can complete ready to support my practice when we all come back together. 

 

What do you enjoy most about your role?

Building relationships with families and children and getting to celebrate their successes with them.

 

Could you talk about your background in the Early years sector? 

I started my Early Years journey in September 2016 when I came to Dingley’s Promise in West Berkshire as an Apprentice. I was gutted when it was over and there weren’t any full-time vacancies! So off I went for a year to be a Nanny. During this time I gained my qualification in Level 3 Inclusive Practice (created and run by Dingley’s Promise) and in October 2018 I returned to the West Berkshire centre as a qualified practitioner! Fast forward a year and I began my degree in Children’s Development and Learning!

 

In your spare time, what do you enjoy doing?

I really enjoy making things and doing DIY projects – for a while I even had my own Youtube channel! These days time is a little harder to come by but I still enjoy making things every once in a while. I have a good list of things to make for my wedding next year too! 

 

How would you describe yourself in three words?

Creative, caring and energetic.

 

If you could go on holiday anywhere in the world, where would you go? (Once it is safe to of course!) 

I would really love to go to the Maldives and stay in one of the bungalows on the water. Hopefully this dream can come true for our honeymoon! 

 

Thank you Georgia! 

 

To read more about the fabulous staff at Dingley’s Promise and the life changing support that the charity provides, sign up to receive our news here: https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/DingleyFamilyandSpecialistEar/signupfornews.html

To help us support as many families as we can during the Covid-19 pandemic, please donate to our vital appeal:  https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/dingleyspromisecovid19appeal

We are lucky to have such amazing staff at Dingley’s Promise, and we want to put them in the spotlight because they are at the heart of everything we do! 

Abi Preston-Rees is the Manager at our West Berkshire Centre in Newbury and has been with Dingley’s Promise since 2014. We managed to grab her for a chat about life, work and Justin Fletcher – and here’s what she said:

 

What do you enjoy most about your role at Dingley’s Promise?

Working with such lovely families, children and staff, and being able to provide a safe environment where everyone feels welcome and supported.

What has been your favourite memory from working at Dingley’s Promise so for?

Going to watch the Panto at the Hexagon in Reading and meeting Justin Fletcher (Mr Tumble). The children were so excited to meet him and so was I as I’m a big fan!

Can you tell us about your background in the Early Years/ Education sector?

Before starting at Dingley’s Promise in 2014 I had previously worked at Treloars, a Special School, as a Health Care Assistant and then a Physio Assistant. I had also spent some time in a mainstream nursery and worked 1:1 with a child with ASD within her family home. I have been a foster carer since 2010 and provide respite care for children with additional needs within my own home. 

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? 

Spending time with my husband and 3 daughters going on adventures and making memories. I also love to go to the theatre and have seen numerous musicals!

How would you describe yourself in three words? 

Friendly, Determined, Busy.

What are you passionate about?

Children, especially in the early years. I really feel it is important to expose them to as many new experiences as possible from an early age. This gives them the opportunity to make their own decisions and take risks in order to learn and grow into the best versions of themselves. 

What is an accomplishment you are proud of? 

Being given the opportunity to become Manager of the West Berks Centre and completing my Level 5 in Early Years Management. 

What makes you laugh? 

My daughters. They are a constant form of entertainment and make me laugh every day.

NAME: Hannah Spence

JOB TITLE: Centre Manager At Reading.

Hannah Spence is the Centre Manager at Dingley’s Promise in Reading. The centre looks after 25 children each week, and has nine in its busy team. We caught up with Hannah to find out more about her role.

How long have you worked at Dingley’s Promise, Hannah?

I’ve worked here for about three years – before coming to Dingley’s Promise I worked in mainstream education, but always in Early Years.

Describe a typical working day:

A typical day involves having a team meeting first thing and ensuring the staff have answers to any questions they may have, and we’re prepped for the children’s arrival. It also includes a bit of admin, and generally making sure the morning goes to plan and that everything runs smoothly. It’s quite a varied role – I manage the centre as a whole; the team, the welfare of the children and their families and the other professionals who we welcome each week.

Our children may have a range of therapists working with them outside of Dingley’s Promise, such as speech therapists, physiotherapists and educational psychologists. The team at Dingley’s Promise will work with them and include any advised exercises in the individual programs we devise for the children.

How did you become an Early Years Practitioner?

I initially wanted to work with kids who were a bit older, but I went to an Eary Years setting and it happened quite naturally – I found it very rewarding. So I decided to go to college to study an Early Years NVQ in Childcare.

What is the most rewarding thing about working at Dingley’s Promise?

There is so much that I find rewarding about working here. Specifically – in the role that I do – it’s the relationships that we build with the families, and the difference we make to them that is the most rewarding aspect of my job.

The families who join Dingley’s Promise will face various difficulties and challenges, and when we can help them progress positively and move on in a positive way, it means a brighter future not just for the child but for the whole family which is a great thing.

When families first receive their child’s diagnosis it can understandably be an uncertain and challenging time for them, and we see that when we welcome families here. After their time with us, though – you can see how they leave in a different, positive, frame of mind and have a very different outlook on their child’s future.

We stay in touch with many families here, even when their children have moved on, which I think is testament to the role we play in the families’ lives, which is something we’re all very proud of.

In your opinion, what makes Dingley’s Promise such an invaluable service?

It is such as bespoke service – we focus on learning through play, and have a big focus on inclusion. We aim to boost the confidence of the children and the families, and work on interaction, communication and physical progress skills. No child is the same and we work flexibly and individually, often with one-on-one care. We recognise that we’re a rare service, and where possible we share our knowledge so other Early Years centres have the skills to work with children with additional needs, too.

No two days are the same – it doesn’t come without its challenges, but working with the children and their families is what matters most to me.

Hannah Spence is the Centre Manager at Dingley’s Promise in Reading. To contact the Reading centre, please call 01183 277424 or email [email protected].

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