Applications
Those who have sustained an ABI need help and attention. Often, children with brain injury and their parents and carers feel lost, afraid and confused, and most importantly alone. They need to know that there are people who can offer them help, information, and even just someone to rely on when they themselves don’t know what to do. If you feel that you can help these people, both the children suffering from ABI and their friends and family who’s trying to help these children, you can apply to become part of SHIPS and help those who have an ABI alongside us.
All applications to SHIPS for support should be made through email or letter setting out why you think SHIPS will be able to help the young person for whom you are applying. You will also need to complete an application form.
Family and supporter membership are also available. Click here for details.
Who can SHIPS help?
Parents, teachers, educational psychologists and speech therapists may all refer pupils with an acquired brain injury (ABI) to SHIPS. SHIPS will only accept children with an acquired brain injury sustained after birth. Specialist advice from the SHIPS project may be written into a child's Education Health and Care Plan (formally Statement of Special Educational Needs) or may be available from a legal settlement.
What will it cost?
Initial intervention from SHIPS involves classroom observation, a report for teachers and parents and access to the help line, with follow up if considered necessary. This costs the charity around £500 (2014 figure) per pupil. Until 2013 we had been able to survive on grants and offer the service free to schools and families.
Unfortunately we were not successful in our grant applications for general funding in 2011, 2012 or 2013 and we made the momentous decision that, in view of our lack of success in securing grants, we would need to charge schools for our services. We felt that the fairest way of doing this was through membership of the project. Schools pay a nominal amount for membership, as set out in the table below, which gives access to:
- classroom observations and report,
- attendance at reviews & meetings
- access to the help line
- subsidised contribution for attendance at a training day (£20 instead of £45 - half day courses £15 instead of £30)
- subsidised contribution for use of a SHIPS Lifeboat (£80)
- subsidised contribution for transitional support to a new school
- attendance at parent support groups
The rest of the cost is made up by fundraising. The membership level is set each year in June. Schools and families joining later in the year may be able to have a reduced contributions, although the major part of the money is taken up with the initial observation and report which usually costs over £200. The contribution structure for 2018-19 has been held to the same level as the previous year and is given below. It depends on the size of the school and the distance from our base in Warmley, just outside Bristol.
Contribution grid | more than 1500 pupils | 1000-1500 pupils | 500 -1000 pupils | 100- 500 pupils | fewer than 100 pupils |
2-3 hours driving from Warmley | £400 | £350 | £325 | £300 | £200 |
up to 2 hours driving from Warmley | £350 | £300 | £250 | £200 | £100 |
A break down of other services
Where pupils are supported by a financial settlement we have a separate fee structure reflecting the true cost to the charity. SHIPS also offers other services:
Staff training in one school/group of schools
- INSET for groups of staff at a school can also be arranged and tailored to your particular needs. The cost is £300 per half day, £500 per full day. As organisers of the training, you would be expected to provide the venue, any refreshments, photocopying and presentation facilities, e.g. Power Point projector and screen.
- A one hour presentation is offered to acquaint teachers, and others involved with children and young people who have sustained an acquired brain injury ,with the issues surrounding brain injury and education. There will be background information about ABI, a list of websites for further support and a bibliography provided, as well as some basic advice about supporting the learning of young people after ABI. The cost would depend on the location, but would start at £50.
Supported transfer to a new school
A new school means new teachers, new customs, new friends and a new building to get to know. It is an exciting time for the young person, but can also be quite daunting. The SHIPS team can assist with this, making sure new staff are invited to training, and that the young person has an enhanced transfer package. We can also advise on strategies for making a smooth transfer.
Brain injury awareness session for peers, or a local group of adults or young people
- This interactive talk aimed at young people, can be delivered wherever they meet, in schools, youth groups or churches. It provides information about the brain and brain injuries. It uses Power Point to provide interest as well as illustrate the session. It can last between 40 minutes and 1 hour to suit the class/group. Follow-up activities can be provided. The cost to SHIPS varies according to the location, but as a general guideline we ask for £30 to £50. You would also need to provide presentation facilities, such as an interactive white board and photocopying
- A presentation is available for groups of adults, e.g.. Mothers' Union, Probus, Round Table or similar groups, to help them protect children and young people from injury and to be aware of the difficulties which follow injuries. Where presentation facilities are available this helps with interest, but the session may be undertaken in venues with no presentation facilities. We request a contribution towards costs.
One-to-one assessment and report
If no neuropsychology or educational psychology assessment is available, members of the SHIPS team are able to undertake appropriate one-to-one assessments. The cost will depend on the length and type of assessment.
10 self-awareness sessions with a pupil
Self-awareness and self-acceptance are most important to recovery after a brain injury. Through these sessions we try to help a young person understand the changes which have occurred and employ strategies to make the most of their learning opportunities.
Do you have a question?
Then don't hesitate - get in touch today by clicking the button or call us on 01179 673 279
