Children, family and home
Seamab works in partnership with the child's family or, more usually, with foster carers. The family supports Seamab and Seamab supports them. Through this partnership we can create a more nurturing and stable environment for the child.
Although Seamab operates as a large family, it is not an alternative family, it is a family support. Children are encouraged to talk about home and to feel that their families are taking an active interest in their progress.
Their immediate and extended family are encouraged to keep in touch by visits, telephone and letters. Families are welcome to visit and to join us for meals and activities. An essential part of our work is to help parents and carers develop strategies which will lead to a better relationship with their child.
When a child is placed at Seamab, we work to support parents or carers through this period of change. Every child comes from a different background with different parents or carers and different problems.
Once we get to know the child and have got to know carers then we can suggest strategies for coping at home.
We work hard to build up relationships, develop a child's self esteem and social skills and enable them to cope in the wider community. We work closely with the child's professionals and actively support foster placements and respite placements when they are in place.
