Frequently Asked Questions

How do children get on the programme?  

Usually children are referred by   school or social services. Some may be school refusers, on a part time timetable or subject of exclusions. Sometimes they come via the health service or  criminal justice system.

What age group do you take? 

from seven to thirteen years old. we also run a separate programme for teenagers aged 14-16.

How is the charity funded?

 Funding comes partly from grants which we apply for from charitable  foundations, partly from direct fundraising and partly from statutory bodies, such as education, social services and health service. The latter funding currently provides for only 35% of our total costs. We plan  to grow and expand over the next few years to meet increasing demand and will need to raise extra funds to develop the site and recruit and train more staff.

How many children do you help?

During the course of a year we work with approximately 280 children, and young people,  80 attending our individual and family therapeutic programmes and 200 on a preventative and early intervention programme working with a number of local schools.

What are the results?

In terms of getting children back to school or other educational provision we have a success rate of around 75% but we also assess the impact on well being, family functioning, physical health and social functioning. These can all improve on the programme – often  dramatically. Our outcomes have been shown to have been sustained 3 years after the programme has ended.

What are the potential long term benefits to society?

The human benefits of improving family stability, educational and employment prospects and reducing the risk of addiction and crime are immeasurable .The correlation between unhappy, stressful and abusive childhood phases with later physical and mental health issues in adulthood is well documented, as is that of children entering the criminal justice system and later involvement in criminal activities in adulthood.  Positive changes made in children and their families can impact on future generations just as past experiences of abuse, neglect and trauma have often continued over generations before.

 We are often asked about the cost benefits of our work. We currently estimate the cost of helping one child and family on our programme for up to a year to be £7500.  The cost of one young person aged between 15 and 17 in custody averages  £75,000 per annum. In addition it is estimated that the impact of their crime on others equates to another £20,000 each. The current cost of supporting those unable to work is £8000 per year and for those with long term mental health needs , £12,000 per year. These figures do not include additional impacts on health and other services. The investment in prevention is clearly cost effective.

Can you help children with Aspergers, ADHD and other neuro-developmental disorders?

At Dandelion there are no specific exclusion criteria – the only barrier to access is unwillingness to engage. The calm, natural environment at Dandelion, the use of natural activities in our work and gentle therapeutic processes can provide the kind of environment ideally suited to children with neuro-developmental disorders. Our approach helps to rebalance neurobiological processes and help therapeutically address the harm done by trauma to the developing brain. We believe children with most types of developmental difficulties can benefit.             

What is different about Dandelion and the way you work?

Dandelion Time provides a unique therapeutic service based upon distinct and integrated approaches  that  have been the foundation for our work over the last seven years. These approaches continue to evolve and are developed further as advances are made in understanding the relationship between early attachments in infancy, trauma and brain development.

The following are the principle approaches of Dandelion Time:

• Systemic practice :  working  therapeutically with members of the family, alongside those involved in the child and families care and others important to the referred child, in a highly flexible  way in a non ‘clinical’ setting.  A strong emphasis on constructive working with  agencies engaged with the referred child and family.  Utilising ‘systems’ approaches in a different context away from formal therapeutic settings. Extending the ‘systems’ approach to include working with groups of families together, to enlist the experiences and learning of other families.

•  Role modelling : alternative ways for  self expression and communication against a backdrop of ‘every day’ experiences of families being and working together, helping children to practice and develop new skills in a held, non threatening  and protected environment, where they can feel safe to experiment and develop social communication skills, caring, understanding  and empathy.

•  Working in the natural world : Engaging with and harnessing the natural world and natural processes, through craftwork, animal care, gardening, cooking , farming, music making. These creative interactions with the natural world through the senses are utilised in:

• helping develop the senses  (stimulating and nurturing early attachment experiences,  often lacking in referred children)

• personal development and learning to improve self confidence, esteem, resilience and self-regulation.

• therapeutic engagement during practical activities. Offering possibilities for observing  then working with challenges and conflicts within family members in a way that is non-threatening and where adults and children can be  free to communicate naturally.

• the discovery of a sense of wonder, play, laughter and wellbeing. Expanding interest of and personal vision into the wider world,  an appreciation and love of nature.

• Flexible working : in the home, community, centre and farm, at times to suit the referred family’s needs, offering a fast response where other agencies have been unable to engage.

• Therapeutic engagement :  with adults and children on an individual basis where needed to compliment family working, providing the care, energy and commitment needed to offer hope and trust no matter what symptomatic behaviours associated with anger, shame or sorrow are displayed. Giving the time and depth needed for consultation and reflection.   

Why are craftwork, gardening, farming and cooking important in your work?

The use of information technology has increased dramatically in the lives of children, young people and for many others too. This has included computer gaming which whilst seeming to entertain young people, also can lead to overuse, loss of routine and sleep and a loss of contact with real life experiences.

For other children, early attachment difficulties may have led to a poor development of the senses. For these children as for others who rarely access the outdoors, Dandelion Time offers opportunities for using the hands for creative activities and working or getting outside and exploring the natural world. Craft activities, work in the garden and farm and cooking all play an important part in developing skills and new interests leading to increased confidence and self esteem. The natural activities and working outside in the gardens or farm help children to develop abilities to wait, for example through patience when carving a piece of wood, or making a loaf of bread.  By helping them to understand the importance of seasons and natural rhythms children can slow down and start to appreciate longer term goals.  Dandelion has no electronic devices or tools instead allowing children and families to enjoy the quiet rhythm of working with hand tools which offers a stark and, most appreciated relief from the fast changing images and continual noise of computer games and TV. Children can find and understand the importance of seasons and natural rhythms can slow down and start to appreciate longer term goals.  Often children forget all about their mobile phones as they become absorbed in these activities which engage their whole minds and bodies.