Action In Rural Sussex

Children and Family ServicesChildren and Family Services

The Children's Outreach and Parents Extended Support service (COPES) is a project run by Action in rural Sussex. The project extends to all Local Authority schools working in East Sussex except those in the towns of Bexhill, Eastbourne, Hailsham and Hastings.

COPES consists of a professional team of experienced, qualified outreach workers who offer support to children, young people and their families where they need it. This can be at school, at home and in the communities of East Sussex. All of our staff operate according to the General Social Care Council Standards.

COPES is a family support project that offers tailored and non-stigmatising help to 5 -13 year olds and their families. It is designed to help improve social skills, emotional wellbeing and motivation to stay in school and has an impact on improving parenting capabilities and family well-being. This contributes significantly to reducing social exclusion.

The work with children uses play and a range of therapeutic techniques adapted for use at home and in school. Children and young people are assisted with issues such as managing feelings, behaviour, anger, bullying, peer relationships, transitions, bereavements, depression and other mental health issues.

Parents are assisted with boundary setting, understanding their child’s behaviour and feelings, emotional support and reinforcing strengths, developing child centred parenting techniques and how they can assist with learning. Parents are also assisted with their own wellbeing and health and how to be more confident in relationships with schools, other agencies and their own communities.

Why does COPES do this?

  • We want every child to develop to their full potential;
  • We recognise that families go through tough and testing times;
  • We are committed to enhancing the resilience of children;
  • We are pleased to be committed to the ‘UN Convention on the Rights of the Child’ and the ‘Every Child Matters Agenda’

    • COPES supports by building on families strengths using solution focused and resilience approaches that allow the child and parent to succeed.

    We receive referrals from schools, parents, young people and other professionals. We work especially closely with schools in identifying strengths in children and families and other agencies. This is explored openly and work agreed. The work may be done with the child, parent, parents and child, the family overall or simply by supporting other agencies.

    For our main leaflet explaining our servcies and containing contact information, please click here

    For our leaflet designed by children who have used our service,  please click here

    How to contact COPES

    Telephone: (01273) 407336

    E-mail: nicola.dudley@ruralsussex.org.uk

    Address: Sussex House, 212 High Street, Lewes, East Sussex. BN7 2NH

    We do not operate an emergency service. If you need to speak to someone straight away please use one of the sites below:

    Childline Tel: 0800 1111 

    Domestic Violence Issues Tel: 0845 601 0777 / 01323 737294

    Parentline Plus Tel: 0808 800 2222 

    NSPCC  
    Advice for children, tel: 0800 1111 Advice for adults, tel: 0808 800 5000

    Children’s Services Duty and Assessment Team for children under 11 years old. For children and families in the Hastings and Rother Districts call (01424) 724144. For Children and families in Eastbourne, Wealden and Lewes Districts call (01323) 747373. 

    For children over 12 years contact the Youth Support Team Tel: 01424 724130.

    Other sites and telephone numbers to consult:

    A range of helpful helplines, services and websites for parents can be found here.

    Carers and Young Carers Tel: 01323 738390 

    KITES Information services for families Tel: 0845 601 0777 / 01323 737294

    East Sussex Family Outreach Service for children below 5 years old

    East Sussex Children’s Trust  

    Travellers Education Service Tel: 01273 482671 Email: traveller.education@ eastsussex.gov.uk

    Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services Tel: 01273 402510

    We are a partner in the local Children Trust which is led by the County Council. Along with other parts of the community and voluntary sector we have a role in representing the sector within the Trust. Key summaries about the Trust for the voluntary sector that we all prepare may be found here.

     

    Projects with this service:

    Parishes that received this service in 2007/08: