Do you work with disadvantaged children who never have the chance of a break away?

Give them the chance to experience time out from their difficult lives in a safe, fun and caring atmosphere.

If you are able to refer a child to CHICKS you will give them the chance to experience time out from their difficult day to day lives in a safe, fun and caring atmosphere.

Who Can Refer A Child? 
How Can I Refer A Child? 
Criteria 
Breaks During Term Time 

Who Can Refer A Child?

Any one that works with children in a professional capacity can refer to CHICKS.

Agencies that currently refer to us include Social Services, schools, youth clubs, churches, young carers groups, Barnardos, community centres as well as many other organisations. 

The children that come to CHICKS are referred for a whole number of reason: from being young carers to those who are living in poverty, subject to neglect, bereavement, abuse, emotional distress and any other situation that causes the child to have a tough time at home.

You can be a teacher, a school nurse, social worker or work in children's services. A referral application must be completed for each individual to enable us to assess their situation. It is important that children are referred by a professional person who is able to take responsibility for completing paperwork, arranging transport and being the primary contact, thus providing the link between the family and CHICKS. 

For information only – each child place in 2013 costs CHICKS £735, we believe every child should have the chance to build happy childhood memories and that is what CHICKS is all about.

How Can I Refer A Child?

In order to refer a child for a free CHICKS break you will need to complete the Child Referral Application Form (please use this as a master and photocopy as required).

The Booking Request section (within the form above) should be completed with dates that you would like to request. No bookings can be made without the Referral Application form and all bookings will be confirmed in writing.

Click here to view our full availability for camps in 2013!!

The CHICKS Coordination Team will allocate spaces once a referral has been made. Bookings are made according to availability and criteria. If you wish to make any group bookings please contact the Coordination Team to discuss dates and further details with regards to group bookings.

Criteria

CHICKS provides short stays for children that, through no fault of their own, are living in difficult or deprived conditions and really deserve the chance to get away from it all. The breaks provide the opportunity to have some fun with peers of their own age and build upon their self esteem and confidence.

With up to fifteen other children on each break it is vital that we have the right mix of children and volunteers to ensure every child is given the attention and support they deserve. The list below outlines our main criteria.

For children to attend a CHICKS break...

They must be between the ages of 8 & 15
Have no other opportunity of a break away in that year
Be in need of respite from their current home situation or circumstances 

We accept children who...

Are on the child protection register
Have attended CHICKS before (but not in the same year)

We CANNOT accept children who...

Require 1:1 attention
Who have a police record of GBH, ABH, or arson, or have used knives or other weapons. If the child has had previous police intervention we MUST be informed of exact details and dates before we can decide whether the child is suitable for a specific camp.
Who have demonstrated overly sexualised behaviour.
Have siblings on the same camp.

Whilst Chicks aims to provide happy and enjoyable respite breaks for as many children as we can, we do not have facilities which can safely meet the requirements of children and young people with significant additional needs.  Because of this, we are unable to accommodate children whose sight or hearing is severely impaired, children whose physical needs necessitate specialized equipment or handling, and children with a diagnosis of autism or Aspergers syndrome.  We can accommodate children with mild or moderate learning difficulties, provided they are physically, mentally and emotionally able to participate in our respite breaks. 

Please discuss any medical conditions with us BEFORE paperwork is completed so that we can advise suitability.

CHICKS operate a no smoking policy. Children will NOT be allowed to smoke for the duration of their break. It is the referral agent's responsibility to inform children of this prior to their arrival.

If you are unsure if a child fits our criteria please contact our Coordination Team who will be able to discuss individual cases with you in more detail, 01822 811020 (option 2)

Breaks During Term Time

CHICKS realises the need for a good education.

The Education Act 2006 states there is a registration category for children that are away from school for legitimate reasons. Educational visits, approved sporting activities and field trips are all classed as 'present' for statistical purposes.

CHICKS staff and external instructors are fully qualified and all Retreats are thoroughly risk assessed, with safety procedures kept under constant review. Some schools whose pupils have benefited from a CHICKS respite break have authorised the pupils' absence as authorised annual holiday. Others have categorised the absence as approved activity.

The children referred to CHICKS are disadvantaged and have often not had the opportunity to experience many of the activities on offer. During their stay at CHICKS, children benefit from group and individual team building activities, experience new challenges and receive encouragement from the CHICKS team to develop as individuals. Many schools see this as a positive experience that will add to the child's life experience and therefore actively encourage and support our respite breaks.

Please contact a member of our Coordination Team if you require any further information on 01822 811020 (option 2)