BEFRIENDING: More than just finding friends?/Quality measures for befriending schemes

BEFRIENDING: MORE THAN JUST FINDING
FRIENDS?

Pauline Heslop and Carol Robinson, Shared Care Network

ISBN 1 874291 17 9, £13.95

STAR RATING: 4/5

QUALITY MEASURES FOR BEFRIENDING SCHEMES

Pauline Heslop, Shared Care Network

ISBN 1 874291 22 5, £12.95 (or both books for
£20.95)   

STAR RATING: 4/5

Befriending presents research material on short break services
for disabled people, based on seven schemes for children or adults
with learning difficulties, and draws on the views of service
users, parents, paid workers and befrienders themselves, writes
Lynda Hassall.

It describes the development of schemes over the last three
decades, covering both factual and emotional aspects of
befriending, including topics such as policies and procedures,
relationships and endings.

It is a readable book and should prove useful to practitioners,
planners and funders. There is also a free accessible version for
people with learning difficulties, available from the website
www.bris.ac.uk/Depts/NorahFry

Linked in to the findings above, Quality Measures is a practical,
clear and accessible pack covering 12 standards presented in a
workbook style. Each chapter describes the rationale for a
standard, suggests essential questions, offers examples of good
practice, and invites the reader to complete sections on “what we
are currently doing well” and an “action plan”.

The template of all 12 standards can also serve as a record of
service improvement and a basis for evaluation. This is an
attractive and user-friendly toolkit for any befriending scheme
staff or managers who are interested in quality and
self-evaluation.

Lynda Hassall is programme manager, Sure Start Carlisle
South

BTEC NATIONAL CARE TUTOR RESOURCE FILE

STAR RATNIG: 3/5

David Herne and colleagues, Heinemann

ISBN 0 435 45464 1, £85

This resource pack aims to support tutors delivering the BTEC
national care qualifications. It covers the eight core and four
optional units and provides tutor notes, case studies, group and
research activities, test questions and answers, all with backup CD
and free online support, writes Karin Bell.

The range and depth of material is impressive. The A4 folder
provides a rich resource for tutors, supporting but not replacing
the role of a tutor in delivering difficult and thought-provoking
material.

Inevitably there are some quibbles. The use of statistical material
would be improved by providing the dates to which it relates as
well as sources. More explicit reference (not just the website
address) to the importance of tutors ensuring the material remains
current would also be helpful. Nevertheless, this is a
well-presented and useful pack. I recommend it.

Karin Bell is an education and social care
consultant.