Difference we're making

Families First - Performance Data Report

You may be interested to view our Families First Performance Data report for the period October 2023 - September 2024.

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.

International Men's Day

The St Albans & Dacorum IFST International Men's Day Networking Event, held from 1 to 3 PM, was a highly positive and impactful gathering. The event kicked off with an inspiring address from the IFST team, setting the stage for a series of insightful presentations from various esteemed organizations.

Speakers from Step2Skills, Mediation Herts, the Job Centre, and MIND followed, each contributing valuable perspectives and expertise. Step2Skills focused on opportunities for personal and professional growth, while Mediation Herts shared effective conflict resolution strategies. The Job Centre provided practical advice on employment and career progression, and MIND emphasized the critical importance of mental health and well-being.

The primary aim of the networking event was to highlight the positive impact of male carers and role models for children, aligning with the broader theme of Men's Mental Health Month. Attendees left feeling inspired and connected, having engaged in meaningful discussions and networking opportunities that underscored the importance of male role models and mental health awareness.

Supporting Home Start volunteers to reduce parental conflict

Family & Health Services Commissioning were proud to be invited to Home Start Watford & Three Rivers volunteer signposting event in October to present on Hertfordshire’s Relationship Support offer. In addition to raising awareness of the offer for parents and carers, resources were shared with volunteers to support dialogue around parental conflict and build confidence in identifying and supporting parents in conflict.

The relationship support offer aligned so well with the other presentations at the event including those on the Family Centre Service, Herts Mind Network, Citizens Advice Watford, Watford Women’s Centre and the SEND local offer. The networks across the Families First Partnership are integral for supporting this offer to reach those parents and carers in need. We want to ensure all partners feel confident to identify and support parents and carers in conflict and we can flex training and resources to meet the needs of all organisations.

We know that conflict between parents can affect multiple outcomes for children, including emotional, behavioural, social and academic development. Conflict within relationships is a result of how we manage stress and communicate with our support network. Often, we work with families to support the “stress” whether that be due to worklessness, housing or debt as examples but it is so important to ensure parents and carers have the skills and resilience to manage stress and communicate this effectively strengthening their support networks.

If you think you or someone you are working with would benefit from the Relationship Support offer take a look at the support available: Relationship support for parents | Hertfordshire County Council

If you would like to get in touch about how we can help your organisation to identify and support parents and carers in conflict contact Nicola Wilder at EHCommissioning@hertfordshire.gov.uk

Say NO to Domestic Abuse - Charity Walk

Watford and Three Rivers Intensive Family Support Team supported Three Rivers District Council’s walk to raise money for victims of domestic abuse which took place at Leavesden Country Park together with some of our parents on Wednesday 4 December to walk 409km to represent the 409 domestic abuse crimes reported to Police in Three Rivers during 2023.

Well done to all that took part!

Download the leaflet

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.

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.

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

Case Study 5

This case study follows a mum who suffers from depression and anxiety. She was distrusting of professionals due to a negative experience with Children's Services in another local authority. Dad had recently moved out of the family home so she cares for her three children alone. Read more about the support the family received and the tools mum now takes forward in her parenting skills.

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

December 2024