2008 Update
The Candle Project has been a Dept of Health project undertaken by ARC. The finished resource from the work of the project is now available to all after its launch at the National Learning Disability and Ethnicity Network Conference in London on 16 April 2008.
The Candle Resource offers guidance and resources for Tier 1’ (frontline) staff working with children and young people who have a learning disability and mental health issues.
It is a large resource covering the key areas of Mental Health, Learning Disability, Ethnicity and Transition.
It will be of use in a range of settings and services and focuses on
practical steps people can take to promote and maintain mental health and what to do if there are concerns.
It makes the links between an individual’s development, their culture, their lifestyle, their environment and their mental health.
The resource is easy to use and offers guidance that can be used in a number of ways, these include:
- A pick up and read’ resource for teams and individuals facing general or specific problems.
- A tool for discussion within team meetings or with other professionals.
- For individual personal development and training.
- Developing a training programme for staff.
- A signpost to other resources and material that will assist staff.
- A signpost to other organisations and government departments involved in CAMHS provision
Additional sources of advice and support are highlighted throughout the resource and these can help with specific problems.
Individuals or organisations can freely photocopy the handouts, case studies and tips. These can be used to help think through the key issues individually or as a team during team meetings, away days or informally.
The development of the resource has involved professionals from all aspects of care and support for young people and their families. It encompasses a range of research projects involving families and young people themselves.
It highlights and encourages good practice throughout and aims to equip people who would not consider themselves to be experts to identify early warning signs of mental health issues and how to intervene appropriately.
Candle is a resource not a full training package. There is no need to
'complete' it. As much as we’d love you to use all of it - it can be broken down into much smaller sections. Some of the sections will be more useful to different areas of work than others. Feel free to 'Pick and Mix' to fit your needs.
The best thing about the Candle Resource is it is a FREE resource!
It is free to download from the Clear Thoughts website follow the link from the homepage.
If you cannot access the internet, do not want to spend time printing or replacing expensive ink cartridges the Candle Resource is also available in hard copy at ￡25.00 or on a CD for ￡5.00 (both costs inc P&P). There is a discount available on these prices for ARC members.
The Clear Thoughts project is another, ongoing, Dept of Health funded ARC project - aiming to offer individuals, their families and staff easy to read information about mental health in learning disability. Feel free to comment on the website when you visit.
For more information about either Candle or Clear Thoughts please get in touch with the Project Worker - David Grundy
This project commenced in April 2005 and will continue until March 2008. It is to provide guidance to staff working with people from Black and minority ethnic communities who have learning disabilities and mental health needs.
The outline of work to be achieved is as follows:
- Identify Tier 1 staff
- Seek specialist guidance through an advisory group
- Explore literature to identify gaps
- Examine issues involved, eg accessibility, multiple disadvantage etc
- Consult with Tier 1 staff, people who use services and families about their understanding/barriers
- Build on existing networks including Black and minority ethnic Health Trainers Network
- Develop a training package to include a checklist and toolkit for practitioners (materials to be provided by downloads and CD)
- Publish work widely through existing networks, eg Valuing People Support Team and Black Mental Health Network
Summer 2006
This project is currently looking for organisations that will be willing to participate in piloting the materials. If you are interested to do this, or to find out more details then please get in touch with either Bridget Fisher or David Grundy (see below).
February 2007
The first draft of the resource will be available shortly, if you are interested in receiving one of these drafts please let us know. We are looking for organisations around the country to pilot the resource and provide feedback on its usefulness and any changes that need to be made.
Summer 2007
The draft resource is currently being piloted with organisations.
November 2007
The final draft of this resource will be available shortly, and if you are interested in receiving one of these drafts please let us know. We are looking for people to provide feedback on its usefulness and suggest any changes that need to be made.
This free resource will include handouts, case studies and exercises all of which are free to photocopy and use. It can be used in a range of ways, as a simple introduction to the issues, as an 'easy access' tool for specific information, as a 'pick up and read troubleshooting guide' and to assist in the development of training.
The final resource will be available in Spring 2008.
For further details about this project, or to receive email updates about the ongoing work, please contact Bridget Fisher, or David Grundy by email, or by calling 01246 555043.
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