About

What we do

Our service model is based on self efficacy. We want to support and enable families to do more by helping themselves, which in turn helps transform lives within families and wider communities. By empowering parents  to become more effective advocates for themselves and their children, we help create more effective home learning environments in which children can boost their language skills, grow and thrive.  Building meaningful relationships with children and their parents and carers, we create space to tailor our support to the needs of the family.

Through  a blend of 1:1 support, group sessions, online platforms and local activity,  we offer a flexible and dynamic approach which is ‘designed for families by families’.

” My health visitor told me she thought there was nothing to worry about. M son wasn’t speaking the way all the books said he should, he seemed frustrated and gradually became more isolated. Playing on his own but not able to speak to his brother and sister. She left me exercises to do. I did my best with them but I didn’t see much difference. It seemed to get worse. He looked at me. I looked at  him. I recognised  the frightened look in his eyes. The next time she came, she said she’d make a referral. To whom and for what I wasn’t sure.  I needed someone to listen when I needed to talk, not wait for weeks until I could get an appointment; I wasn’t willing to wait until my child was 5 years old to see if his speech caught up with his peers! I was frantic trying to find help, speak to someone I could trust; to help me understand what was wrong and work with me at my own pace and understand that I was worried about my child. I didn’t find that until I found SLCO. And I am so thankful. It’s great to pick up the phone and talk to someone who knows our situation and understands how my family works and how my child is – his language difficulties,  his emotional difficulties and his social difficulties. Being able to get support in my own home made such a difference. It’s not only about my child’s speech, it’s all the other things that affect him and everyone else in the  family. Getting the support from our family coach has been the most help to me and my son. She’s helped him build his language skills and his confidence has increased so much. We now use a few apps at home which fits right into the day without too much planning around other commitments. He’s a different child, he’s talking more and  smiles a lot  and I’m a better, and less stressed  mum. SLCO has  really been such a lifeline for our family and we maintain contact. Just knowing you’ve got a back up when you need it, that helps. “ Irene, Tayside

” My son and I usually go to the family days that the parent network in Edinburgh runs..we were at a recent one at The Royal Observatory.. it was great. The events are always  great fun and it’s good to get a chance to meet other parents you wouldn’t normally see. Share things we know and things that help at home or school and just be with people who understand how much of a challenge it is to parent children who don’t communicate very well  or get a chance to go out much as they’re so vulnerable. Nobody knows what it’s like unless you’ve experienced it. We can all go together too, my husband, daughter as well. Which is great as it takes the pressure off sometimes just to be out as a family.  That doesn’t normally happen, in or house anyway!” Louise, Edinburgh

SLCo works with many local and national partner agencies especially those working with children and families that need extra  support , we network through relationships with local authorities, Third Sector forums,  and our volunteers and communication ambassadors are active within local communities.

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Governance

Our organisation is led by a board of trustees. Their range of business and professional skills help shape essential components of the charity’s business needs. Below you’ll find more about the role of the trustees.

Framework

• The Board establishes the framework for SLCo
• Creates and updates the mission and vision statements
• Defines what benefits SLCo will provide to whom and what it will cost

To deliver them

• Determines how performance will be measured

Direction

• The Board sets the direction for SLCo
• Sets goals and approves and monitors the Strategic Plan
• Develops policies, including the policies that govern how the board will operate

Accountability

• The Board is responsible for the behaviour and performance of board members and the executive
• Establishes the code of ethics for the board and Executive Director, including policies and conflict of interest, and sets the tone and values for the organisation’s behaviour
• Establishes the outcomes the Executive Director is assigned to achieve
• Monitors financial and operational performance. Evaluates the Executive Director based on achievement of outcomes and compliance with predefined requirements
• Serves as the source of appeal within the organisation
• Selects an accountant to examine the charity’s financial status  and receives the report

Good Will and Support

• The Board represents SLCo to the outside world and provides support  to the Executive Director
• Supports the organisation by overseeing the Fundraising Strategy
• Serves as the organisation’s ambassador to other agencies, funders and potential funders and the general community
• Helps to attracts donors, supporters,  press awareness, and new board members

Statement of the Board

• SLCo believes that all of its funds should be used to support the voice of a child
• SLCo values its donors and will not send donation requests
• Salary policy – SLCo conducts a job evaluation exercise which determines fair and transparent remuneration for its staff. SLCo operates a pay policy whereby the highest-paid employee never earns more than 3 times the lowest-paid employee. That equates to a 3:1 wage ratio.

 

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Our Partners

With special thanks