Step Up Step Down

Step Up Step Down in Northern Ireland

Step Up Step Down began in 2016 as a pilot funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, and it operates in partnership with the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland. 215 children and 130 parents have been supported so far. Referrals to the programme are either because there is a risk of care admission or to support reunification of families where children have already been placed in care.  

‘This is the best example of trauma-informed practice I have seen.’ Dr Una Lernihan (Department of Health) 

Supporting families to flourish

Through a range of supports including mentoring for parents, short breaks for children, training, community support and family activities, Step Up Step Down works in trauma-informed, nurturing and solution-focused ways. 

A 12-year-old who struggles with emotional regulation who attended one of our summer schemes said, ‘I love this summer scheme. I can be myself and I feel easy-going here.’ 

Independent evaluation by RFA Associates found additional positive outcomes including:

• reduced levels of family support required
• increased school attendance
• higher parental employment
• parents gaining new life skills.  

If you would like more information on bringing Step Up Step Down into your area, please contact [email protected].

Step Up Step Down in Wales

(Cymraeg translation available) 

Step Up Step Down launched in Wales in 2023, with Pembrokeshire being the first local authority to pilot the programme. A second local authority will join the pilot shortly. Supported by the KPMG Foundation and Welsh Government, the programme offers an opportunity to dramatically improve outcomes for families with children on the edge of care. We will be using this pilot to demonstrate whether Step Up Step Down can bring significant benefits across Wales.  

CASCADE will be undertaking a formal evaluation of the programme.  

Get in touch

If you would like more information on the programme, please get in touch by contacting [email protected] or the programme manager, Rhian Smith.

Rydym yn falch o gyhoeddi bod Camu i’r Adwy Cyn Camu Yn Ôl wedi’i lansio yng Nghymru yn 2023.  A hithau’n cael ei chefnogi gan Sefydliad KPMG a Llywodraeth Cymru, mae’r rhaglen yn cynnig cyfle i wella deilliannau’n aruthrol i deuluoedd â phlant ar gyrion gofal.  Byddwn yn ceisio cynnal darpariaeth ymhellach na chyfnod arian y grant, a dangos model y mae modd ei helaethu i’w gyflwyno fesul cam eto yng Nghymru a’r tu hwnt.  

Gwahoddodd Y Rhwydwaith Maethu ddatganiadau o ddiddordeb gan y 22 o awdurdodau lleol Cymru.  Rydym wedi nodi Cyngor Sir Benfro i dreialu Camu i’r Adwy Cyn Camu Yn Ôl fel rhan o’n rhaglen arddangos, ac rydym yn y gwaith o gadarnhau’r ail Awdurdod Lleol.

Mynegodd Melanie Evans o Gyngor Sir Benfro fod Camu i’r Adwy Cyn Camu Yn Ôl yn ei gwneud hi’n ‘obeithiol a dyheadol’ dros deuluoedd, timau, gwasanaethau a chymunedau. 

Mae’r lefel o bartneriaeth a chydweithredu o fewn Camu i’r Adwy Cyn Camu Yn Ôl rhwng Y Rhwydwaith Maethu, Awdurdodau Lleol, teuluoedd a chymunedau yn enghraifft o ragoriaeth.  Mae ymrwymiad gan y tîm maethu, timau diogelu a chymorth i deuluoedd, gofalwyr maeth, rhieni a’r plant a’r bobl ifanc eu hunain yn hanfodol er mwyn i’r rhaglen o fod o wir werth.    

Bydd Cascade yn cynnal gwerthusiad ffurfiol o’r rhaglen, ac rydym yn llawn cyffro o dreialu’r ap ‘For Mi’ fel rhan allweddol o’n prosesau casglu ac adrodd am ddata. 

Cysylltwch â Ni 

Os hoffech fwy o wybodaeth am y rhaglen ei hun neu am y broses datganiadau o ddiddordeb, a fyddech cystal â chysylltu â ni trwy gysylltu â [email protected] neu â Rheolwr y Rhaglen, Rhian, drwy [email protected].