From an innocent game to a sinister scheme
IN so-called GIRFEC Cluedo, the facilitator of the training exercise plays ‘Jayne’, a fictional single mother with a daughter called Melody.
Groups of social-worker participants are invited to play the roles of other characters – figures involved in Jayne and Melody’s lives. The aim is to stimulate discussion about exactly who should be reporting what information to Melody’s Named Person.
Below are edited summaries of the characters, highlighting their observations about Jayne and Melody as well as areas of ‘concern’ that they should be flagging up to the Named Person.
JAYNE FISHER
SINGLE parent after her partner Chris left her for another woman shortly after 13-year-old Melody was born. Assistant manager of a bank branch. Has a large and supportive family network around her.
Melody has no history of behavioural problems or chronic illness. Strong relationships with her mother and grandparents and a wide circle of friends.
ALAN & EILIDH FISHER
JAYNE’S PARENTS
IMPRESSED with how Jayne has turned her life around and the good job she’s done bringing up Melody.
Cause for ‘concern’: Jayne appears tired and is feeling pressure at work.
BEV WRIGHT
JAYNE’S BEST FRIEND
GREAT mum to Melody.
Cause for ‘concern’: Jayne is worried about work. She’s now enjoying a glass of wine during the week and has been drunk on nights out a couple of times lately.
CHRIS MACLEAN
JAYNE’S EX AND MELODY’S FATHER
IMPRESSED with Jayne as a mother and no complaints about Melody’s care.
Cause for ‘concern’: Melody has said her mum has been crying a lot lately but hasn’t elaborated.
FIONA SMART
YOUTH CLUB LEADER
MELODY is healthy, popular and intelligent – has a strong attachment to her mum and there have never been any child protection concerns.
Cause for ‘concern’: Melody has been quieter lately, sometimes leaving early and using her mobile phone more.
Neither mother nor daughter is volunteering as much as they used to.
JOHN HUTCHISON
LOCAL POLICE CONSTABLE
CALLED to incident where Chris broke a court order and visited Jayne’s home. Melody was fine. Cause for ‘concern’: Melody was up at 11pm on a week night.
PAUL SYKES
LANDLORD
JAYNE is an ideal tenant. She accidentally missed a rent payment three months ago due to bank mixup.
Cause for ‘concern’: Heard gossip that police were called to her address recently.
ROD CARR
FAMILY DOCTOR
MELODY is healthy – no concerns. Jayne was on anti-depressants a decade ago because of baby blues and Chris walking out.
Cause for ‘concern’: Recent trouble sleeping due to work anxiety.
SARAH COVENTRY
GUIDANCE TEACHER, FRIEND OF FIONA
MELODY has good attendance, behaviour and results – no concerns from any teachers. [Sarah will probably be the Named Person].
TERRY O’NEILL
JAYNE’S BOSS
JAYNE is a reliable employee who has been given promotion – handles stress well. Cause for ‘concern’: She has recently taken time off work to care for Melody who’s been ill. Heard gossip that Jayne has been drunk at weekends.