A Family's Best Friend
Jannicke Ive

I started the business in 2010 when I saw a gap in support available for families. I have been working with children, young people and adults with special needs and disabilities since 2000. My experience has included support in the home, the community and also as a teaching assistant within a school. My experience has been predominantly with Autism, Cerebral Palsy and Epilepsy but not exclusively. My training and qualifications reflect my spectrum of work and a desire to continue to develop my skills and knowledge.

I am an outgoing and positive person who enjoys meeting new people and interacting with Service Users and other staff members alike. I am confident in my abilities and enjoy the challenge of new experiences and situations. I am passionate about my job and about my role in supporting families but also the Service Users reach their full potential. I set this company up with that exact idea in mind.

A Family's Best Friend
Kirsteen Clarvis

I have worked in care since I was 18. I have varied experience working with older adults and adults and young people with disabilities. I have worked on care teams and as a manager. I really enjoy my role with AFBF as I enjoy working with children and young people a great deal.

I think I am a fun and bubbly character and find I have a great affinity with the service users we support. Having 2 children myself I think this has helped me learn how to be firm but fair. I love being outdoors and active and I bring this to my role as a session worker. I enjoy supporting our service users to learn new skills and have fun.

I have been a manager in other agencies for many years and this has helped me develop in my role as deputy with AFBF.

Our colleagues

 

 

We employee a strong and well trained small team of staff, who work with a selection of our service user’s. Each service user has a small group of staff who support them to ensure consistency and familiarity reassuring everyone involved. All our staff receive mandatory training in moving and handling, safeguarding, equality and diversity, health and safety, medication administration and epilepsy including administering rescue medication before they start working on shift. During their employment they will also receive first aid, challenging behaviour, team teach, Makaton and Autism Awareness training, as well as anything else that is identified specific to an individual service user’s needs.

 

They will also be required to complete a workbook over the course of their first 6 months. This is set by the Children’s Workforce Development Council, this is a legal requirement and we do it throughout their probationary period. After this they may be required to complete a diploma in childcare. This is done through Kendal College and supported by our deputy Kirsteen Clarvis.

 

We are proud of the professionalism and behaviour of all our staff and how they represent us as an agency. We encourage honesty and transparency from everyone we work with and who works for us. We think this helps foster a better working environment for everyone involved.