Families First News

Front page - Welcome

Welcome

Dear Partners,

Welcome to our latest edition of Families First News, once again we have lots of good information, news and training opportunities to share with you.

Firstly, the Annual report of the Supporting Families programme 2023-2024 has now been published. This programme provides the framework for early help in Hertfordshire, known to us all as Families First. You can view the report here: Supporting Families - a foundation for family help

Hertfordshire Directory

We wanted to use this edition as an opportunity to ask you all to check if your service has a listing on the Hertfordshire Directory. This resource is a great one-stop shop to find support services for adults, families, children & young people across Hertfordshire and it is important that all services are listed. Please check here and email us at familiesfirst.support@hertfordshire.gov.uk should you need any help in setting up a listing.

Making SEND Everybody's Business

The bookings for our summer Working Together in Early Help events are now open. If you would like attend one of our SEND themed events, then please find out more here, spaces are limited so please book soon!


Please also don't forget to take a look through our Learning and Development articles to see what is available for you and your teams. Along with our local news pages.

We hope you enjoy this edition of Families First News and please encourage your teams to sign up to receive their own copy!

As always, please do let us have your comments and suggestions for what you would like included in future editions by emailing familiesfirst.support@hertfordshire.gov.uk.

Thank you for reading,

Kind regards 

The Development Team

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook!

 

The latest news

Working Together in Early Help : SEND Themed Events

Our Families First "Working Together in Early Help" events are a great opportunity to meet up and network with other local professionals and at the same time learn from new services across Hertfordshire. They are held twice yearly across the county and our summer events will be focused on SEND support.

More information will follow, but in the meantime, you can book your place here:- www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/earlyhelpevent


Reuse Shops Community Donations Scheme

Hertfordshire County Council Reuse Shops offer preloved furniture that has been dropped off at the Recycling Centres by members of the public. We offer some of these items, free of charge, to individuals in the greatest material need.

The criteria are:

  • Those living in Hertfordshire.
  • Individuals supported by HCC or district and borough services (such as Childrens’ Services). The request must come through the professional.

Items we offer:

The Reuse Shops receive a range of items that we offer for donation. Our stock varies as it depends on what we receive at our drop off.

Typical items are:

  • Table and chairs
  • Bedside tables
  • Coffee tables
  • Chests of drawers
  • Wardrobes
  • Small electricals

This list is not exhaustive, please contact us if you have other requirements and we will endeavour to source them. Please note that we cannot offer: white goods, mattresses, floor coverings or curtains.

How to request items

Please email hertfordshirereuseshops@hertfordshire.gov.uk with:

  • The items you would like to request.
  • Which shop you would like to collect from - Harpenden, Stevenage, Ware, Watford or Welwyn Garden City.
  • Suggested dates that you could collect.

Please note that the Reuse Shops have limited storage space so we are unable to hold items for more than a few days.

In exceptional circumstances we can offer delivery of very large and heavy items.

We will check our stock and get back to you as quickly as possible, where possible with a photograph and measurements of items that we can offer.

If you have a public facing space, please download the poster to display

New Early Years Pathway to Support Parents

Over the last 8 months a multiagency group which included HCC (Hertfordshire County Council), HCPI (Hertfordshire Parent Carer Involvement), Family Support and PHN team (Public Health Nursing) has been working on the development of an EY Pathway to inform parents of the EY (Early Years) journey and how to access support from all of our services if they have concerns about their child’s development.


The EY pathway has now been printed which includes a link tree with links to all services which gives further information to parents in an easy and accessible format. The colourful and fun but informative EY pathway is given out to parents and is being placed in the personal child health record (PCHR, also known as red book) as part of the New Birth visit and to any parent that attends any appointment with the Health Visiting team.


Please see a copy of the pathway below and scan the QR code to see the links.

University of Hertfordshire Festival of Ideas

Save the Date!

Join us on 17 May 2024 as we host a Sport for Good workshop as part of the University of Hertfordshire’s brand new Festival of Ideas - an exciting showcase of innovation that’s sure to inspire you!

Sport for Good workshop

12:45pm to 3pm on Friday 17th May

Harnessing the power of sport to create a safer society.

We all know how beneficial sport can be for health and fitness, but that isn’t all. Our panel of experts believes that sport can reduce crime, improve lives and make society safer. Come and discover how.

In this lively discussion we will explore the power of sport from a new perspective. We’ll consider the transformative potential that participation in physical activity has for creating safer communities in Hertfordshire and beyond. And we’ll have a thought-provoking debate about the different ways sport can be a catalyst for positive change. 

The panel will share evidence-based, professional strategies for utilising sport to tackle crime and violence, and stories of lived experiences in a session that will leave you with a deeper appreciation of the positive power of sport. 

Book your free tickets here.

How to book your sessions:

  1. Click on the ‘Book your free tickets’ button above to browse the full line up of free sessions at the Festival of Ideas.
  2. Once you’ve chosen the sessions you would like to attend and completed your details, submit the form.
  3. Look out for your email confirmation and put the date in your diary!

 

We need your help: Fathers and Male Carers Survey

You have previously helped us to promote the Support for Dads webpage and we would now like to ask for help and support in promoting a survey which is being run by the Early Years Service in Children’s Services.

Survey link: https://surveys.hertfordshire.gov.uk/s/GA68GM/.

The survey is aimed at dads and male carers to gather feedback to help make service improvements. We have added the survey link to the webpage and we also have some text and a direct link (below) along with an image which can be used for social media posts and a poster that can be displayed in public spaces. 

Along with your continued support in promoting the webpage, could we please ask for your help in promoting this survey (where possible) directly to dads and male carers.

Are you a dad, or dad to be? Do you want to help improve parenting support services for future dads in Hertfordshire?

By sharing your feedback, it will help services consider how they can make improvements based on your personal experience of the parenting journey. The questionnaire will take no longer than 10 minutes to complete.

Does your service work with dads and dads to be? Can you help us reach as many dads as possible through a brief questionnaire they can complete by scanning the QR code below or clicking the website link provided.  By doing this we can better understand the dads experience of the parenting journey and share this feedback with services who play a key role in providing parenting support in Hertfordshire to help us to grow and improve together, based on the essential voice of the dad.

 

Introducing the FOLLOW campaign

The Early Years Service and partners have been working on a speech, language and communication campaign

FOLLOW is a very simple and easy to use set of strategies that parents and carers can use with their little ones to help develop speech, language and communication skills at home. The FOLLOW campaign will give you fun ideas and top tips on using the key strategies through everyday activities such as going for a walk, getting ready to go out and feeding the ducks!

Parents and carers play such an important role in supporting children’s language skills and the campaign aims to give you the tools you need to get started! The FOLLOW campaign includes a linktree so parents and carers can access information on speech and language development and further activities to support speech, language and communication development all in one place.

For more information, please visit this link:- https://linktr.ee/EYFOLLOW

Targeted Parenting Courses & Workshops - Summer Term 2024

Early Help Commissioning are pleased to share the Summer 2024 newsletter of the Targeted Parenting Framework, which offers targeted parenting courses, workshops and webinars that are commissioned through a wide range of providers.

Families who are residents of Hertfordshire can access this free of charge.

Further information and booking instructions can be found in the newsletter by the relevant provider.  

If you require further information or support, please do contact us via email ehcommissioning@hertfordshire.gov.uk and we will be happy to help.

 

Download the Summer Term programme here

Relationship Support for Parents of Children with SEND

The Early Help Commissioning Team piloted 2 SEN focused relationship support courses: Parenting SEN Children Through Separation and Within My Reach between January and March 2024.

We received 59 referrals in to the programme, with 30 parents completed to date.

We have further funding and will continue to deliver these courses over the next year.

Please find attached course dates for Parenting SEN Children Through Separation that will be delivered over the summer term.  

Who is the course aimed at?

  • Separated parents raising children with SEND
  • Parents seeking guidance, support, and strategies for co-parenting SEN children more consistently.
  • Parents wanting to create a positive and supportive environment for their child’s development.

The course is free for Hertfordshire residents to attend and you can refer by contacting Family Lives or completing the referral form

For more information on relationship support available to parents and carers visit Relationship support for parents | Hertfordshire County Council

Download the leaflet here

News from Services for Young People, April 2024

 

Young person with SEND builds confidence and skills through a supportive work experience placement

Services for Young People (SfYP) supported Shane from Stevenage to complete a 70-hour work experience placement with KS Models, a local model making shop. Shane has autism and since the pandemic had lost the confidence to go out on his own. The experience has made a huge difference to his life, building his confidence, self-esteem and skills for the future.

16,300 Hertfordshire secondary school students complete Young People’s Health & Wellbeing Survey

The results of the 2023 Hertfordshire Young People’s Health & Wellbeing Survey, run by SfYP in partnership with Public Health Hertfordshire, are now available. The survey findings will be used to adapt local action plans, enabling different organisations to work together to better support young people in all areas of the county.

Violent crime awareness events help keep young people safe

SfYP took part in three violent crime awareness events across Hertsmere, Three Rivers and Watford over the last three months to help highlight the devastating consequences of knife crime and increase awareness of how SfYP helps young people to stay safe. By engaging with SfYP, young people are supported to make positive life choices and contribute to creating safer communities for everyone.

SfYP Easter school holiday programme supports young people to be happier and healthier

During the Easter 2024 school holidays, SfYP ran an exciting programme of free holiday activities, providing engaging sessions for young people to take part in physical activity, make friends, and learn skills to encourage happier and healthier lifestyles. Feedback from young people highlights the positive impact of the programme on their health, confidence, and independence.

Hertfordshire's Neurodiversity Support Hub

Following a pilot phase, Hertfordshire's Neurodiversity Support Hub is being rolled out across Hertfordshire thanks to funding from both Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) and the NHS.  The Hub has initially been funded until the end of March 2025 and ADD-Vance have been commissioned to run the Hub, which is open Monday - Friday 9am-1pm

The Hub is staffed by experts by experience, they can answer any questions to do with Neurodiversity, however big or small, or just be a listening ear.  Please note, no diagnosis is required to access the support and the helpline is open to parents, carers and professionals

The Hub can be contacted by phone on 01727 833963, with an answerphone facility for out of hours or by email at supporthub@add-vance.org

Please also watch and share with your patients this short digital animation: Your guide to ADHD and Autism support in Hertfordshire - YouTube

The feedback received so far about the new hub has been fantastic:

"I was stuck in a moment where I didn’t know which way to turn. Your helpline saved me today and put me in the right direction, made me feel less alone and has given me hope. thank you, I feel stronger just by knowing what to do next."
"I was feeling especially low and unsupported as a neurodivergent parent with neurodivergent kids. The call was such a life-line and the practical resources emailed to me afterwards are very useful. All in all, your service has kept me going during a particularly difficult time. Thank you."
"Amazing support. I was lost without L’s help, experience, advice, and support. I felt overwhelmed and now feel very supported and have direction. I felt I was heard and had the time and space I needed and could speak without being judged and ask anything. This service is incredible!"

There are also some new digital webinars which parent, carers and professionals can access on demand:

  • Understanding Autism
  • Understanding ADHD
  • Navigating the SEND world
  • Navigating the SEND world post 16.  

Over the coming months the hub team will be expanding this offer to include several other topics. View the webinars here: SEND documents and resources (hertfordshire.gov.uk)

Tell your friends and family about the Healthier Together website

Knowing where to get the right advice, when we need it, all in one place can make a huge difference when our families are poorly.

Clinical leaders of local health and care services have created a website you can go directly to which offers useful information and trusted advice on a range of common childhood illnesses all in one place.

This Spring, we want to continue to spread the word about the Hertfordshire and west Essex Healthier Together website which has up to date information and advice on a number of topics including:

  • Managing asthma
  • Mental health and wellbeing support
  • Sickness bugs and when to keep your child at home
  • Vaccinations including measles

The site advises on the common symptoms of a number of conditions, what steps you should take to treat them at home and when to think about seeking further help.

Please help us by sharing this website with your friends and family this Spring.

Free drop-in events for Families

Hertfordshire Libraries are currently hosting and artist in residence at Hertfordshire Archives and Hertford Library. The artist, Laura, is hosting lots of event for families themed around creativity and wellbeing. The events will all use local archive materials and explore local characters to create something new. Please promote these events to the families you support.


 The events that are family focused are listed below and the full schedule is here - Artist in Residence: Hertfordshire Archive and Local Studies with Hertford Library

  • Wednesday 29 May, 10am-12.30pm, HALS
    • Free family drop in to create art inspired by local historical characters
  • Friday 31 May, 2-4pm, Hertford Castle Gardens
    • Free family drop in of collage and design hosted by Hertford Library
  • Saturday 1 June, 10-11.30am, HALS
    • Families and children with SEN are invited to a closed session in the archives to explore old photos, local stories and express themselves through art
  • Saturday 15 June, 10am-12pm, HALS
    • Free drop in event exploring techniques taught during the residency

Learning & development

HSCP Learning & Development Programme

1

HSCP provide a wide variety of learning programmes and workshops across Hertfordshire to develop skills for safeguarding children, young people and adults. We use this page to give you some quick links through to the HSCP learning programmes:-

OnePlusOne Healthy Relationship Training


Evidence shows that conflict between parents can affect multiple outcomes for children, including emotional, behavioural, social and academic development. Parents in poverty or under economic pressure are more likely to experience relationship conflict. According to the latest DWP estimates, 12% of all children and 21% of children in workless families have parents in a distressed relationship.

HCC are commissioning OnePlusOne who have over 50 years’ experience in creating evidence-based resources to support the development of healthy relationships.

OnePlusOne provide digital resources that raise awareness of the impact of stress and conflict on children, giving parents the skills to cope with stress together and manage their conflict more constructively. Allowing parents to develop positive communication skills, so that they can parent co-operatively and work out solutions together.

The resources are split in to 3 modules aimed at:

  • New parents
  • Parents that are together
  • Parents that are separated

To date 163 practitioners across the Families First Partnership have been trained in OnePlusOne, if you would like to access this training please see the details below.

All training is delivered online and held from 9:30 to 12:30 | Each training has a capacity of 15 delegates

Follow the link below for your preferred training date to register your place and a link will be sent to access the training.

24th April 2024 9:30-12:30 register here

11th June 2024 9:30-12:30 register here

 For further information please contact the project lead Nicola.Wilder1@hertfordshire.gov.uk

Free Mental Health First Aid Training


As part of the ongoing response to the cost-of-living crisis,  Hertfordshire County Council are funding free Mental Health First Aid Training for volunteers and staff at foodbanks, community spaces, faith and community groups. We are working with Hertsmere Borough Council who are helping to co-ordinate this across Hertfordshire so please do promote to within your localities.    

The Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) courses will be held across 4 days, with half a day on each of the allocated dates. The training will be on Zoom and you will need to attend all a full course to receive the MHFA accreditation. 

COURSE 1: April-May 2024

Tuesday 30th April, 0930-1315
Wednesday 1st May, 0930-1315
Tuesday 7th April, 0930-1315
Wednesday 8th May, 0930-1315 

COURSE 2: June 2024

Tuesday 4th June, 0930-1315
Thursday 6th June, 0930-1315
Tuesday 11th June, 0930-1315
Thursday 13th June, 0930-1315

COURSE 3: September 2024

Tuesday 10th September, 1300-1645
Friday 13th September, 1300-1645
Tuesday 17th September, 1300-1645
Friday 20th September, 1300-1645 

COURSE 4: November 2024

Monday 4th November, 1300-1645
Thursday 7th November, 1300-1645
Monday 11th November, 1300-1645
Thursday 13th November, 1300-1645 

To register for the course, please contact Viewpoint on info@hertsviewpoint.co.uk   or 01707 386136.

Please note:

Places are limited, register as soon as possible!

Online course delivery across April, June, September and November

Course certificate sent via email once you complete the course and evaluation form.

Hertfordshire County Council know many people visiting community spaces and foodbanks require support and we will be offering a Resource Guide, marketing information, access to Togetherall and free Suicide Prevention Training as additional support to support those in need. 

Download the leaflet here

 

Money Advice Unit Training Programme, Summer 2024

The Money Advice Unit Training Programme and booking form for SUMMER 2024 is now available. 

All the courses are free of charge but please note we will only accept bookings from organisations in Hertfordshire. Due to demand, we only allow a maximum of two participants from each organisation per course

If you want to book for more than one person, please complete a separate booking form for each person. 

Once you return the completed booking form(s) to us, the attendees will receive a booking confirmation email within 5 working days. Please check your junk folder as sometimes our emails go to the junk folder straight away.

Workforce Shadowing

The vision for Families First training and development is to create a skilled, confident and resilient multi-agency workforce that supports whole family working.

Workforce shadowing provides a great opportunity to find out more about other services, what they do and how they might be able to support you in your work. It also enhances communication across agencies and helps strengthen and develop professional relationships, building local networks.

If you would like to organise a workforce shadowing placement for either yourself or a team member please complete the form on this page stating the service you would like to shadow and the preferred district and we will match you to a shadowing opportunity. 

The following services have offered to host shadowing opportunities in either in person or virtually:-

  • Citizens Advice (Broxbourne/St Albans/North Herts)
  • Childcare provision
  • CGL
  • Domestic Abuse Support
  • Families First Panels Team
  • Family Support Service, Family Centre
  • Herts Mind Network
  • Herts Sports Partnership 
  • MIND in Mid Herts
  • ASB Team, District Council, Three Rivers
  • Housing Support, District Council
  • Intensive Family Support Team (IFST)
  • Local School Partnerships
  • Police
  • Public Health Nursing
  • Schools Early Years Provsion 
  • Specialist Adolescent Services Hertfordshire (SASH)
  • Services for Young People
  • Supporting Families Practice Team

Additionally, if you would like to add your service to the above list, again please email us with your contact details, service and district.

Familesfirst.support@hertfordshire.gov.uk 

Please take a look at the page, bookmark and share with teams, where appropriate.

Workforce development (hertfordshire.gov.uk)

Suicide Prevention Training

The Suicide Prevention Network involves more than 20 organisations. Our vision is to make Hertfordshire a county where no-one ever gets to a point where they feel suicide is their only option.

Suicide Prevention Training Courses (suicidepreventionherts.org.uk)

Suicide Bereavement support

New upcoming dates for fully funded CDP suicide bereavement training, delivered by Harmless.

Those attending will benefit from the following learning outcomes:

  • The magnitude of suicide bereavement
  • Suicide loss as a unique form of complex bereavement
  • ‘Complicated grief’, trauma, and other individual responses to suicide
  • The wider impact of bereavement on those exposed to or affected by suicide
  • The stigma and shame associated with suicide and bereavement
  • Bereavement by suicide as a unique risk factor for suicide
  • Responding to those bereaved by suicide, and how we can help to support them
  • Key UK strategic guidance and research on best practice in shaping services to incorporate suicide bereavement support
  • Postvention: what is means and why it matters
  • A local service perspective: CHUMS work supporting those affected

Click here for more information, dates and booking details 

My Teen Brain

The Early Help Commissioning Team are pleased to announce the upcoming My Teen Brain Online Training course for Hertfordshire practitioners.  This 1-day CPD course is for those working with parents of teenagers and/or working with teenagers in Hertfordshire. It provides an opportunity to understand teenage brain development and the adolescent developmental process and consider both risk and resilience. It includes ideas and strategies for professionals working with teenagers and their parents to help them cope with challenging feelings and behaviour and to support young people in an emotionally healthy context. The day brings together the latest understanding from neuroscience and developmental psychology and the principles of The Nurturing Programme from Family Links The Centre For Emotional Health.

Please find below the booking link for you to reserve your place on to one of our courses.  This training is a very popular course and is beneficial to the all practitioners who work with Hertfordshire children and families.  If you are interested in booking on to the, please ensure that you ONLY book on to this course if you have the capacity to attend the training on your preferred day and for the entire duration of the session, which is from 10am – 3pm.

21st May - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/880085799317?aff=oddtdtcreator

4th June - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/880240933327?aff=oddtdtcreator

11th September - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/880244504007?aff=oddtdtcreator

 

If you would like further information about the course or alternative dates, please email EHcommissioning@hertfordshire.gov.uk

Difference we're making

Families First - Performance Data Report

You may be interested to view our Families First Performance Data report for the period January 2023 - December 2023.

The report looks at Families First Assessments that took place within the period and highlights the presenting needs and outcomes broken down by district along with information about other support for families.

 

Easter ‘’EGGstravaganza’’ at Crossbrook Family Centre

IFST East Herts and Broxbourne came together for their annual Easter ‘’EGGstravaganza’’ at Crossbrook Family Centre on April the 9th.

"On the 10th of April, the St Albans & Dacorum IFST Team hosted an Easter Funday for the families that we support, looking to provide the children with an entertaining and engaging Spring-themed occasion. Lasting between 11am and 1pm, our wonderful workers helped to run a variety of enthralling activities including an Easter Egg hunt, a sweet tombola, messy play, colouring and crafts, playdough figure creation, lunch building, sporting activities and more. This gave the opportunity for the children to run free and enjoy themselves while also having plenty of sweets to take home at the end of the day. The carers themselves also got stuck in, making the event truly one for families to enjoy together. The turnout was fantastic, and due to how smooth the event ran, it led to a pleasant and enjoyable time for all involved."

Families supported by IFST came along and joined in the fun. Various rooms within the family centre were transformed to ensure the families had lots of fun activities to keep the busy for the 2-hour session.  Rooms included –

  • Arts and Crafts room with face painting, colouring in, messy gluing and sticking activities and a chalk table where children could use their imagination on a large rolls of paper.
  • Games room with giant connect four, pool table, Lego and tabletop games which included some very intense games of guess who and snakes and ladders!! Other activities included boules and target shooting.
  • Roleplay room which offered small world toys, playhouse with imaginary food and cutlery, large and small vehicles, and car mats as well as a cozy area for the smaller children to play with puzzles, sensory toys, and activities.
  • And most importantly ….. the snack and Egg room which had a wide variation of appetizing snacks, drinks and Easer eggs for the children to choose from when they finished their egg hunt.

At the end of the event, all children were given a lucky bag to take home which included, bubbles, bouncy balls, pen, pads and stickers.

Donations of food and chocolate eggs came from our community partners at Tesco Brookfield and Ware as well as Bishops Stortford foodbank.

Katie Smith (Family Intervention worker) shared ‘it was great to see the young people encourage each other in the games room. They were seen to explain the rules to those who were not sure and empower them with praise. There were lots of happy faces and positive conversations which is always nice to see’.

Sue Illott (Senior family intervention worker) shared ‘’ it was a great example of team collaboration and working well together. Everyone pulled together and were naturally mindful of the general diverse needs of the families we support. The adults seemed happy and comfortable to chat to all staff members, even if they were not their allocated workers’.

 

Feedback from families and children was also positive.

‘’My son absolutely loved the event.  He enjoyed playing and enjoyed the freedom of picking what he wanted to do. I also found the event relaxing as my son could go off with his family worker and I did not feel I had to follow him around the whole time’’.

‘’I thought the event was amazing. I liked that the children could do the egg hunt at different times so even families arriving later then the start time could still join in. All of my children had a blast! They enjoyed all the activities and were happy with the goodies they came away with. I could not fault this event, it was brilliant!  Thank you to everyone who made it possible’’.
W (child) ‘it was sooo much fun. I liked the big digger that I could ride on and got to play with a new friend. I really liked my chocolate egg, and I was even allowed to take one home for my sister who didn’t come. I was 100/10’

Families First Case Studies

Following on from a programme of Celebrating Excellence in Early Help sessions run in Children’s Services, which aimed to highlight the Families First approach and also included contributions from some of our partners, we are sharing some of the recent case below:

Case Study 1 - Intensive Family Support / Local Borough Council

Scene Setting

The Intensive Family Support team (IFST) began supporting this family of nine in Spring 2021.

As support got underway the third youngest child Tia* was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour and the family are struggling coming to terms with Tia’s diagnosis and her life expectancy of one year. Tia is 11 years old.

On learning of Tia’s prognosis and following discussion with Keech Hospice an Occupational Therapist (OT) appointment was arranged for the family’s home. This assessment identified that the three-bedroom home was not suitable for end-of-life care and was not suitable for adaptation as the access was too narrow and steep for a ramp.

The Family Intervention Worker (FIW) made contact with the local Borough Council’s Aids and Adaptions Team for support.

READ MORE


Case Study 2 - Families First Assessment

Scene Setting

This case study provides some insight into the journey of Fran* and her family. Fran is an eight year old girl who worries about her mum, she knows mum is different when she is with her drinking friends. Fran’s Mum has a diagnosis of unstable personality disorder and has previously used drugs and alcohol as coping strategies, she has been in a cycle of poor mental health and whilst their wider family network have been supporting Fran and her mother they sought out some external support via a Families First Assessment.

READ MORE


Case Study 3 - Employment Adviser/IFST

Scene Setting:

This case study provides some insight into the support provided to Sanz* from one of our Employment Advisers. Our Intensive Family Support Teams include Employment Advisers who provide tailored support in areas such as employability; taking time to understand skills and experiences, any barriers or challenges preventing employment, identification of any training to support employability, preparation of supporting statements and CVs and job search support, including mock interviews.

Our Advisers can also provide guidance on how to navigate the benefits system, including benefit entitlements and claims, as well as how changes in circumstances impact benefits.

They work in parallel with Family Intervention Workers. This case study summarises support given to Sanz, the mother, to support with employability and benefits.

 READ MORE

Case Study 4 - Local Schools Partnership


Please share anonymised case studies highlighting how early help and partnership working has provided support to local families with us at familiesfirst.support@hertfordshire.gov.uk. Please ensure you have consent from the family.

Help us promote the Families First Website

Our Families First Website is a great central resource for early help support for families and young people, with links to many services such as mental health support, Services for Young People, SEND Local Offer, parenting courses etc along with a link to the Herts Directory and the Families First professionals area.

We would like to encourage all partner agencies to help us promote the Families First website to parents and carers in Hertfordshire.

Campaign Tools:

Please add the web address to your own website:- https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/microsites/families-first/families-first.aspx

Or use the QR Code for direct link to the Families First homepage:

Download a QR code 

Download a Families First Logo

Social media

Please follow Families First on Facebook and X (Twitter)

Suggested post

Image to post on your own social media channels, with the suggested text:-

"All families need help and support at some point, please visit the Families First Website to find out about support available in your area". https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/.../families-first.aspx

Poster:-

Please download our poster and display in your public facing space.

Thank you in advance for your support with this campaign.

Who's who

Who's Who in Supporting Families

Supporting Families Team

Head of Family Support : Karen Dorney

Service Managers:

Lauren Penrose - Service Manager, IFST and Safe Space

Simon Gentry – Business Manager

Sue Chapman - Service Manager, Families First Panels and Practice Team

Chris OConnor - Service Manager, Development Team

Intensive Family Support Teams

The Intensive Family Support teams (IFST) work with families with multiple and complex needs who would benefit from intensive support.

Find Contacts here:- Intensive Family Support Teams (hertfordshire.gov.uk)

Families First Coordinators - How can they support you locally?

As your local Senior and Families First Coordinators, we can offer support in all areas of the Families First Assessment. Please contact us if you are experiencing any difficulties or require further advice and guidance.  We can support you with challenges including:

Speak to someone (hertfordshire.gov.uk)

Development Team

To contact the Supporting Families Development team email familiesfirst.support@hertfordshire.gov.uk

Local area news

East Herts & Broxbourne Local News

Updates from the local districts

Please use this page to promote any local events or webinars. Please send an email with the subject: FF News - Local News page with a link to your event and short description to familiesfirst.support@hertfordshire.gov.uk


  • Let's Walk and Talk: This is an opportunity for families to come and take part in a walk and talk with the Family Centre Service team. Great for accessing information, discovering the environment and chatting to other local families. Please help the Family Centre by displaying this poster in public areas

  • Free Baby Group: Parents and babies can go along to the NEW Family Centre Baby Group at Tesco Extra Community Space, Brookfield Centre, Cheshunt! An opportunity to meet other families with young babies in a supportive, stimulating and friendly environment. During the session you can play, discover more about their development and support your wellbeing. Find out more here.

  • Healthy Hub East Herts are running drop-in sessions for residents to pop in for FREE help and advice about anything they would like support with. You can visit in person in Hertford every Tuesday and Friday between 9am and 4pm.  We'll be at the Skills & Learning Centre, 67 Fore street, Hertford SG14 1AL.#
  • Lots of really useful links for information on support for the cost of living is available on the Citizens  Advice East Herts website https://citizensadviceeastherts.org.uk/ from Energy saving tips, Cost of Living payments, and Fuel bills. Also download the Citizens Advice leaflet which gives times/dates of their drop-in 

  • Services for Young People (SfYP) youth work projects enable young people to develop their personal and social skills and increase their confidence, self-esteem and resilience. Get details of SfYP projects and information, advice and support services in your area here:

SfYP East Herts Team projects
SfYP Broxbourne Team projects

  • Broxbourne Council has produced a simple Cost of Living guide for residents - Download the March 24 Cost of Living Directory

  • Active East Herts: The Sele Youth Project is running on Monday's 5.30pm to 7.30pm at the Hertford Wellbeing Hub (HWH) and the MUGA near the Sele Community Centre. For more info visit http://whatson.activeeastherts.org.uk/hertford-wellbeing-hub/

  • Healthy Hub East Herts are running drop-in sessions across the district for residents to pop in for FREE help and advice about anything they would like support with. A full list of dates and venues is on our website.
  • Boxercise Classes with Herts Disability Foundation
    Herts Sports Disability Foundation are pleased to be running Boxercise classes. Boxercise are boxing exercise classes for home-educated children with additional needs from ages 8 to 18, and adults with disabilities from ages 18 plus who would like some fun with others, whilst improving coordination and fitness. Sessions are adapted to the needs of the individuals in the session. To find out more information and to book a space, click here.

Stevenage & North Herts Local News

Updates from the local districts

Please use this page to promote any local events or webinars. Please send an email with the subject: FF News - Local News page with a link to your event and short description to familiesfirst.support@hertfordshire.gov.uk


  • Find out more about IMPAKT – Domestic Abuse Support Team – which covers North Herts and Stevenage.

  • Services for Young People (SfYP) youth work projects enable young people to develop their personal and social skills and increase their confidence, self-esteem and resilience. Get details of SfYP projects and information, advice and support services in your area here:
  •  LGBTQ plus group (View poster) – If you are part of the LGBTQ plus community in Hertfordshire and would like support with your #Wellbeing or are looking to connect with others, you can join our LGBTQ plus peer support group last Tuesday of every month 4-6pm in Stevenage.  Email admin@mindinmidherts.org.uk for more information.

  • A new Community Hub in Stevenage Old Town is now open every Wednesday from 2pm to 4pm. The aim of the hub is to support anyone who is approaching the end of their life (within 12 months) and those caring for them – the time before someone dies is a difficult one – many people don’t want to acknowledge what’s happening and that can be so hard for those around them. Find our more here www.annerobsontrust.org.uk

  • Employability Project Information in Stevenage: Gifted.org.uk are offering a 6-week course where you will be taken through the different aspects of youth work: Download the e-leaflet for more information: Black & White Version / Colour Version. held at the Hampson Park Community Centre Hall Hire Stevenage (hampsonparkcc.co.uk)

St Albans & Dacorum Local News

Updates from the local districts

Please use this page to promote any local events or webinars. Please send an email with the subject: FF News - Local News page with a link to your event and short description to familiesfirst.support@hertfordshire.gov.uk

  • Man Up, No Man Down is a community-based men’s support group. A safe space for men 18 plus to meet and talk.

    The first men’s group will be held at Grovehill Adventure Playground Hemel Hempstead, Redbourne Road, HP2 7BA on the May 2nd 6.45-8.45pm.

    For more details go to Man-Up No Man Down Instagram Page

  • The Summer 2024 Parenting Courses and Support Brochure for Dacorum is now available to be viewed or download from our website, via: https://dacorumdspl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Dacorum-Parenting-Course-Brochure-Summer-2024.pdf 

  • Services for Young People (SfYP) youth work projects enable young people to develop their personal and social skills and increase their confidence, self-esteem and resilience. Get details of SfYP projects and information, advice and support services in your area here:

SfYP St Albans Summer 24 Team projects

SfYP Dacorum  Summer 24 Team projects

Services for Young People : Young People’s Hub - view the drop-in sessions here

  • Emotional Based School Avoidance - DSPL 7&8 and Services for Young People are organising some coffee mornings, which are aimed at parents and carers who have a child in year 7 - 11 who is not attending school as a result of emotional, mental health and wellbeing issues. The children and young people can also attend.  Find out more here
  • Community Action Dacorum Spring term: Please contact Simeon Dunlop, email: simeon@communityactiondacorum.org.uk for information on 2024 courses.

  • Dacorum DSPL8 - Delivering Special Provision Locally:-The Spring 2024 Parenting Courses and Support Brochure for Dacorum is now available to be viewed or download from our website, via: 

    https://dacorumdspl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Dacorum-Parenting-Course-Brochure-Spring-2024.pdf

  • Community Action Dacorum are running a FREE Intermediate Excel Course:- 

    Venue: - 48 High Street, Hemel Hempstead, Herts HP1 3AF | Date: Wednesday 10th April – 15th May |Time: 10:00am – 1:00pm

    For further information please contact: Learning@communityactiondacorum.org.uk
    www.communityactiondacorum.org/traininganddevelopment  01442 253 935 

  • Dacorum Borough Council and Herts Inclusive Theatre (HIT) are delighted to present ‘Colourful Minds Community Art Exhibition’ in the Gallery at The Old Town Hall from 8th May – 4th June 2024. For details and times please visit: https://oldtownhall.co.uk/gallery

    The exhibition will feature the artwork created by participants from our Colourful Minds Art for Wellbeing course, which is for adults aged 18+ living in Dacorum. It is delivered in partnership with HIT at the South Hill Centre in Hemel Hempstead.  The aim of this social prescribing course is to harness the power of art to support emotional wellbeing, mental health and create connections, in a safe and supportive environment. During the weekly sessions, the participants explore different artists and styles of art from around the world. The course is for all levels and abilities and no art experience is necessary.   

    We hope you have an opportunity to visit the exhibition, which runs throughout May in support of Mental Health Awareness Week (13th -19th May) and Creativity and Wellbeing Week (20th -26th May).  It aims to raise awareness of creative wellbeing and celebrate the wonderful art created by our community.

    We are holding a special viewing and celebration evening on Wednesday 15th May from 6-8pm when you can join myself, HIT and the participants to view the exhibition and hear more about the Colourful Minds programme. Places are limited but if you would like to attend, please book via the following link (soft drinks and nibbles provided): Colourful Minds Art Exhibition Tickets, Wed, May 15, 2024 at 6:00 PM | Eventbrite

Watford & Three Rivers, Hertsmere and Welwyn Hatfield Local News

Updates from the local districts

Please use this page to promote any local events or webinars. Please send an email with the subject: FF News - Local News page with a link to your event and short description to familiesfirst.support@hertfordshire.gov.uk

  • Sustainability themed career fair comes to Three Rivers
    Three Rivers District Council, in partnership with the Hertfordshire Careers Hub have organised an exciting free event to highlight employment and training opportunities in the sustainability and green economy sectors to local people.

Date: Wednesday 27 March 2024, Time: 15:15 -17:00, Location: Watersmeet Theatre, High Street, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 1EH 
Learn more, and book your FREE place here: https://www.hopinto.co.uk/generation-careers-fair-hub/generation-three-rivers-sustainability-career-fair/

  • Services for Young People (SfYP) youth work projects enable young people to develop their personal and social skills and increase their confidence, self-esteem and resilience. Get details of SfYP projects and information, advice and support services in your area here:

  • Sensory Tennis - free sensory tennis sessions with Get Set 4 Tennis. Suitable for adults with complex disabilities and sensory impairments Sensory Tennis

  • Family Centre Service: The Family Support Service have translated their support leaflet into to the following languages (click to download):-

Bulgarian
Polish
Portuguese
Romanian
Tamil
Twi
Urdu


Welwyn Hatfield & Hertsmere

  • Services for Young People (SfYP) youth work projects enable young people to develop their personal and social skills and increase their confidence, self-esteem and resilience. Get details of SfYP projects and information, advice and support services in your area here:

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