If more family support is needed

Many families need help at different times in their lives.

We will work with you, listen to you, and support you to make changes where needed so things can feel more stable again.

There is a different level of help, depending on what you need. Pathways 1 and 2 can often mean more support from people working in the community.

If your family needs more support than pathways 1 and 2 can provide, you may be offered Family Focus support for up to 16 weeks.  

This support is designed to help you make positive changes more quickly and includes:  

• 2 weeks to get to know your family and understand what support would help
• 12 weeks of focused support to help you make changes
• 2 weeks to review progress and plan what happens next  

Your family help worker will join your existing team around the family. If you don't already have one, they will help set this up.  

You will receive regular home visits. These visits focus on building skills, confidence and knowledge to support positive changes in family life.  

We may also offer you: 

• a family group conference, where family and friends can help make plans together
• group based support, such as parenting or relationship groups  

Your family help key worker will make sure there is ongoing support in place when this period of help comes to an end.

If your family needs longer term support, help may be available for up to 12 months.  

Your family help key worker will visit you regularly at home to support positive and lasting change. During visits, they will also take time to listen to your children and understand what is working well for them and what might need to change.  

You will be offered a family network meeting, so you and your wider family can have a say in decisions and plans.  

More targeted support may also be offered, depending on your family’s needs. This can include group based support such as parenting or relationship groups.  

As your lead professional, your family help key worker will make sure:

• team around the family meetings happen when needed
• ongoing support is arranged after this period of help ends 

What is family safeguarding?  

You may hear the term family safeguarding. It is how we work with families when children may not be safe or have their wellbeing needs met. It encourages parents to think about what needs to change to make a safer, healthier home life – and then, with help how we can all make this happen.

We know that, whenever possible, children do best when they can stay at home with their family. 

Sometimes changes are needed to protect a child's safety or wellbeing. 

• someone may have a concern about your child
• or you may have told someone you feel you need more support

If we are worried about your child, we have a responsibility to act. We will always try to do this with you, not to you. 

This is family safeguarding, and it means: 

• working alongside you and your family
• focusing on strengths as well as worries
• offering practical help and specialist support
• doing everything we reasonably can to keep families together 

How we will work with you 

We have different ways we can support you and your family. We'll work with you to decide what is right for you.