SANDWELL ASIAN FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICE

All SAFSS staff are to sign up to The Department of Health’s Dignity Challenge. The initiative, led by Manager Neelam Pallen, will see all SAFSS staff and Board Members signed up by the end of the financial year.

The DOH initiative aims to stimulate a national debate around dignity in care and create a care system where there is zero tolerance of abuse and disrespect. Individuals sign up to become a Dignity Champion and make a statement about how they individually will challenge dignity in care.

To become a Dignity Champion sign up on www.dignityincare.org.uk or for more information please see

http://www.dhcarenetworks.org.uk/dignityincare/

We look forward to reporting back to you on our progress with our Dignity Challenge. For more information on how SAFSS is participating in this challenge please cotact Neelam Pallen safss@btconnect.com or (0121) 558 2198

Congratulations to our Childrens Care Service Co-ordinator Hardeep Sandhu who is the first member of staff at SAFSS to complete the Artemis Training!

Artemis is a quality e-learning package, developed by the Children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC) to embrace the ‘One Children’s Workforce’ philosophy.

The package acts as an introduction to the Every Child Matters (ECM) five outcomes and outlines seven induction standards to which all people working with children must meet. The ‘One Children’s Workforce’ includes the statutory, private, voluntary and independent sector and includes the unpaid workforce such as volunteers running a football club.

Hardeep will now work with all her care staff to complete the training.

For further information www.cwdcouncil.org.uk

Our Chief Executive Parpinder K Dhatt has been announced as the new Chair of the Board at Sandwell Council of Voluntary Organisations (SCVO). For further information please see: http://www.scvo.info/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/SCVO.pdf

If you have seen SAFSS on the BBC this week and would like to find out more about our services and how we could help your family please do contact us. All calls are in confidence and without obligation.

If you would like to find out more about our Children in Need sponsored After School Club for South Asian children aged 3-18 years who have a disability or life limiting condition (as featured on the BBC piece) please contact Sayma or Neelam on (0121) 558 2198 or asc.safss@btconnect.com.

If you would like to find out more about all our services for children with disabilities or life limiting and life threatening conditions please contact Neelam or Hardeep on (0121) 558 2198 or safss@btconnect.com.

We currently have a couple of places in our After School Club so please do get in touch if you think we could support you and your child.

SAFSS offer a range of quality care and support services to South Asian children, young people and adults who have a disability and we are here to help.

For general enquires about any aspect of our work please contact Neelam Pallen, Manager on (0121) 558 2198

For media enquires please contact Claire Bradshaw, Development Manager on devmgt.safss@btconnect.com or (0121) 558 2198

Look out for SAFSS on television over the next week. We will be appearing on the Children in Need programme on Friday 20th November at 8.50p.m and our Chief Executive, Parpinder K Dhatt will be in the studio being interviewed by Joanne Malin.

SAFSS will also be on the Children in Need programme on Sunday 16th November at 5.30pm and on Midlands Today one night during the week!

SAFSS are delighted to support Children in Need and to showcase the excellent work of the Trust. SAFSS Monday After School Club for children with more complex care needs is supported by BBC Children in Need and we hope that by showing what a difference their money has made to us it will encourage others to support the general Children in Need cause.

For further information about our Children in Need After School Club please contact Sayma on asc.safss@btconnect.com or (0121) 558 2198

The work of local charity, Sandwell Asian Family Support Service has been recognised by the Central England Care Awards at the Care Show.

The event, held at the NEC, recognised the achievements and excellence of care organisations and covers the West Midlands, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and the East Midlands.

The award “Central England Domiciliary Care Provider of the Year 2009″ highlighted SAFSS excellence in providing care at home serices to South Asian children, young people and adults who have a disability. It was noted that SAFSS had demonstrated ongoing excellence in providing personal care to clients.

Chief Executive Parpinder K Dhatt said “This is a fantastic recognition of the quality of SAFSS’ care and support services. We take great pride in our staff who have contributed, from the back office to the care workers, in providing and excellent service. I am so proud that our familes are in receipt of services from an organisation recognised as the best in the West Midlands and Central England.”

The award follows a very successful year for the charity. SAFSS was awarded a 3* Excellent at their latest inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and was awarded “West Midlands Domiciliary Care Provider of the Year 2009″ by the West Midlands Care Association.

SAFSS were announced as Domiciliary Care Provider of the Year 2009 at the West Midlands Care Association Care Awards.

The awards held at Dudley Council House on 26th October were presented by Linda Saunders, Director of Dudley Social Health and Care and celebrates excellence in the care sector. The award covers the West Midlands, Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Chief Executive Parpinder K Dhatt said “This is a fantastic recognition of the quality of SAFSS’ care and support services. We take great pride in all our staff who have contributed, from the back office to the care workers, in providing an excellent service. I am so proud that our families are in receipt of services from an organisation recognised as the best in the West Midlands”.

As winners of this award SAFSS will now represent the West Midlands at the Central Care Awards which are to be held on Weds 4th November at the Care Show at the NEC. We will keep you posted on how we get on!

http://www.westmidlandscare.org.uk/membershome.asp

SAFSS Chief Executive Parpinder Kaur Dhatt has been invited by The Prime Minister and Sarah Brown to attend their Diwali celebrations at Number 10 Downing St. The event, to be held on Friday 16th October will celebrate the contribution of Britain’s Asian communities.

More information and pictures to follow in due course.