The latest news
Families First Awards 2023 - Nominations Now Open !
We are delighted to announce that the nominations for our Families First Awards 2023 are now open!!!!!
These awards are a fantastic opportunity to showcase team and individual successes in Early Help that have made a significant impact to the lives of children, young people and families in Hertfordshire through their outstanding work and achievement of positive outcomes.
This year’s Awards will be held at the South Hill Centre in Hemel Hempstead on Wednesday 10 May at 2pm and all shortlisted candidates will be invited along for an afternoon of celebration and cake ?
There are 6 individual and 5 team categories (view list here) and we will be looking for teams and individuals that have excelled and gone above and beyond their job role. We will be looking for statement of no more than 500 words and you may want to consider the following:
- Personal qualities displayed
- A passion for outcome focused solutions for children, young people and families
- An enthusiasm for finding new ways to listen, capture and respond to the wishes and feelings of children and young people
- This year the judges will also be looking at how our Families First Pledges have been shown in the nominations.
There is also an optional button to add one piece of supporting evidence (e.g. quote, testimonial etc).
Closing date for nominations is Friday 31 March 2023.
MAKE YOUR NOMINATION HERE
Or by scanning the QR code below:
Please tell your teams and colleagues to ensure as many people as possible get the opportunity to make a nomination. (Due to data protection, please DO NOT send on to members of the public).
Call for Case Studies & Testimonials
As the Supporting Families Programme (formerly the Troubled Families) reaches its 10 year anniversary, we would like to recognise and celebrate all the great work that has taken place across the Families First partnership.
We are collating a selection of case studies, testimonials and photos from partners to showcase all the good work that has taken place.
If you would like to contribute please send any details to familiesfirst.support@hertfordshire.gov.uk
Helping Hertfordshire’s children have a HAPpy Easter!
After the success of the Christmas HAPpy camps we are delighted to be working in partnership once again with Herts Sports Partnership and Hertfordshire Community Foundation to run the HAPpy programme (Holiday Activities Programme), supporting local families at a time when they need it the most.
The programme is open to children and young people eligible for benefits-related free school meals. The aim is to help close the holiday experience gap that some families may face over this period to deliver healthy food alongside sport and physical activity in a fun and safe environment.
Hertfordshire schools will shortly be giving out codes (from w/c 20 February) to families of eligible children. Parents/carers who have not received the code should contact their school office or email haf@herts.ac.uk.
Booking opens on Monday 6 March for more than 14,000 places available at HAPpy camps running across Hertfordshire from 3 April – 14 April 2023 (not bank holidays).
We understand not all families in need meet the FSM criteria, and a small proportion of free places can be provided to families identified by those professionals working with them. A unique code can be issued only to those professionals to share with the family. Any services who work with vulnerable/eligible families and would like a code or wish to promote this further please email happy@hertfordshire.gov.uk for more information.
We will be sharing information about the HAPpy programme on our social media channels so please help us spread the work by sharing our posts.
Further details of the programme, the camps available and to book places can be found at: Holiday Activity Fund - Herts Sports Partnership (sportinherts.org.uk)
Men's Mental Health Awareness Survey
Can we please ask for your help in completing a short survey on men's mental health?
This survey forms part of the `Hertfordshire and West Essex Men’s Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Project. It aims to help identify men’s awareness of their mental health difficulties, where they can seek help and support and what would help or prevent them from doing that.
It is important that the experiences of men from all backgrounds is taken account of in development of future services. This survey gives you the chance to give voice to your experience. If you would like to contribute further and tell us more of your experiences or suggestions not covered by this survey, please email: Adam.Solomon@hertfordshire.gov.uk.
The information you provide will be treated in strictest confidence and none of your personal information will be shared with any other organisations or used to identify you personally based on the views you have shared.
Complete the survey here
The closing date for responding to this survey is 3rd March 2023.
Fostering Friendly Employer and Fostering Information Evening
Fostering Friendly Employer and Fostering Information Evening
We are pleased to announce that Hertfordshire County Council has been recognised as a Fostering Friendly employer. To gain accreditation, we have implemented policies that provide practical support to employees who foster, and guidance to those who wish to become or are already approved foster carers including an additional 5 days annual leave. For more information email Fosteringfriendlyemployer@hertfordshire.gov.uk
Members of staff and the public can also attend our next upcoming Fostering Recruitment Evening. Ask any questions you have about fostering at our in-person information evening, which gives anyone interested in fostering the opportunity to speak to our recruitment team. You can also hear from local foster carers. The event takes place on Tuesday 7 March from 7pm – 8.30pm at The Grove, Watford, WD3 4TG. Visit our website to book a place or call the recruitment team on 0800 917 0925
Positive body image campaign ‘Real Bodies in Herts’ has been launched by Just Talk
The Just Talk Network is working with Hertfordshire young people to celebrate the fact that we all have different bodies. They have recently launched the ‘Real Bodies in Herts’ campaign. This county-wide positive body image campaign will feature real young people from Hertfordshire speaking about their own views and experiences around body image.
Through the promotion of self-help tools and positive affirmations, the campaign will inspire young people to build skills and confidence to celebrate their own unique qualities as individuals. ‘Real Bodies in Herts’ will provide information and advice to help young people develop healthier, more positive attitudes towards the way they look. The campaign will also ensure that young people know where to go to find advice and support with their body image concerns, including access to a free body image helpline hosted by First Steps ED (08081 962228).
In addition, parents/carers will be able to sign up to a FREE webinar, delivered by Watford FC CSE Trust on 1 March (1-2pm and 6-7pm) to provide body image information, top tips, and useful guidance to help support young people. Places can be booked via the Just Talk website.
Just Talk is asking all professionals who work with young people/families to help promote this celebratory campaign through their channels. Resources will be available at www.justtalkherts.org/realbodies and shared across the @JustTalkHerts Facebook, Twitter and Instagram channels.
Visit the Just Talk website for regular updates on the campaign, and please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions: justtalk@hertfordshire.gov.uk
Headway : Support for children after brain injury
We are contacting you regarding a new Pilot Scheme that we are introducing across Hertfordshire in partnership with Headway Hertfordshire who are a member of the UK-wide charity that works to improve life after brain injury by providing vital support and information services to both those that have sustained the injury, their partners and families. Through the outstanding work that Headway Hertfordshire do, they have highlighted the implications that a brain injury can have for the whole family and the impact that this can have on children. From working together, we have identified that there appears to be limited support available to the children of those that have suffered a brain injury and little understanding around how the impact on these children can manifest in many different ways.
We are therefore asking you to consider and identify any children within your setting, who are living with a parent that has suffered a brain injury, be that from accidental injury, stroke or tumour, to contact Headway Hertfordshire or the Supporting Families Practice Team to highlight these children and their families for consideration of additional support. We would like to be able to offer a case discussion with you about the child and their family to identify if support can be implemented through Headway Hertfordshire or with support from Early Help Services to ensure that the whole family needs are considered and addressed to help them through such a difficult transition.
Please do take time to consider the information attached to this email and how you may be able to help a family receive much needed support. We will be happy to discuss any children and families that you may identify and work with you to provide them with support and services that can help.
You can find out more about Headway Hertfordshire on the website or make contact here: enquiries@headway-herts.org.uk
Or you can contact your District Senior Families First Coordinator who will further be able to support you.
Download the Headway Leaflet : Front / Back
HFL Education to host National Race Equity Conference: Time to Act
HFL Education will host their first National Race Equity Conference on Wednesday 15th March. Entitled “Time to Act”, school leaders, staff, EDI leads, governors and trustees keen to address racial inequity in their schools and settings will hear from nationally renowned speakers who will offer guidance, support and strategies to help create real change.
HFL Education is committed to promoting anti racism and race equity in the schools, settings and trusts with which we work. As a company, we recognise that:
- systemic race inequity exists in education, as well as society: in the progress and outcomes of learners from different ethnic groups, in the over-representation of certain groups in exclusions data, in the under-representation of people of colour in the curriculum and in books and resources in schools and settings.
- around 84% of educators in schools and settings are White, whilst a third of our pupils are children of colour.
- teachers have often not received any training on race equity.
The full programme can be viewed here and this one-day cross phase online event will include:
Keynote speakers
- Professor David Olusoga OBE, British-Nigerian Historian, BAFTA award winning producer, film maker and TV presenter and Professor of Public History at the University of Manchester. Author of ‘Black and British’.
- Reni Eddo Lodge, journalist podcaster and award-winning author of ‘Why I Am No Longer Talking To White People About Race’.
- Jeffrey Boakye, Educator, writer and broadcaster. Author of ‘’Black, Listed’, ‘I heard what you said’, ‘Hold Tight’ and ‘Musical Truth’.
- panel discussions and reflections on the presentations
- phase specific interactive workshops led by a range of national and local race equity leaders, considering
- how to diversify your Early Years / primary / secondary curriculum
- creating safe spaces to talk about race
- adopting a racially literate approach to behaviour
- supporting wellbeing of ethnically diverse students
- addressing the school exclusion problem
- recruiting and retaining staff of colour
- Practical advice and strategies from schools who are acting to improve race equity and anti-racism
- Opportunities to collaborate and build networks.
Rachel Macfarlane, Director of Education, HFL Education said: “This conference will help schools and settings across the country identify how to take meaningful action on race equity and anti-racism, within their wider equalities agenda.”
Online and with access to recordings for a further 28 days
We are holding this event online to enable delegates to attend this high quality CPD without the need to travel. This also enables us to give participants unlimited access to the recordings of all the sessions for a further 28 days after the live event on demand.
The HFL Education 2023 National Race Equity Conference: Time to Act
How to take meaningful action to achieve race equity in your school.
Wednesday 15th March 2023
To find out more and book, please visit hfleducation.org/events/2023-national-race-equity-conference-time-act
HFL Education – who are we?
HFL Education is a leading national provider of school improvement and business support services, training, and resources, which enable schools, educational settings and multi-academy trusts to deliver a great education. We support those we work with to achieve successful long-term outcomes for their children. We believe that every young person, through access to a great education, should be able to realise their potential, regardless of where they live, their background or circumstances.
Learn more about at: hfleducation.org
News from Services for Young People, February 2023
This month we’re featuring five examples of how Services for Young People works with schools and other organisations to make a difference to young people’s lives. Click on the links to read the full stories.
Youth Workers from the Services for Young People (SfYP) Hertsmere Team have been supporting the Hertswood Friday Night Project at Hertswood Academy in Borehamwood over the last two months. The young people have been keen to engage with the Youth Workers about issues such as sexual health and healthy relationships.
The Explore More! programme has been designed to raise aspirations, build confidence, break down barriers to success and encourage students to plan their future career paths.
The students meet with a dedicated SfYP Personal Adviser and can also receive additional support from an SfYP Youth Worker. A bespoke package of activities is designed for them that develops the skills and knowledge they need to make realistic and informed decisions about their future.
Young people at a new Services for Young People project are helping to spread the word about the NSPCC ‘Neglect Matters’ campaign. The SfYP NSPCC Neglect Matters Partnership Project is part of a series of countywide events and activities to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of neglect and highlight the support available if someone is worried about a child or young person.
Reducing young people’s attendance at emergency departments
Services for Young People (SfYP) Hospital Youth Workers work closely with the NHS to support young people in hospital and other healthcare settings in Hertfordshire. In 2022 the Hospital Youth Work Team supported 914 young people attending Lister and Watford Hospitals with their social and emotional wellbeing.
Parental Survey – Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership
Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership have asked if you can promote this survey with the families you work with:-
Are you a new parent/have young children? Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership would like your feedback on Safer Sleeping advice given by professionals. All new parents are given Safer Sleeping advice by professionals both in pregnancy and in the first few weeks and months of their baby’s life. This feedback can help us to improve the support and advice given and ensure that all new parents feel supported and educated in relation to safe sleeping. Your responses to the survey are anonymous.
The survey closes on Friday 24 March 2023.
Survey link: https://surveys.hertfordshire.gov.uk/s/safesleep/
Thank you!
Update for Professionals on the Targeted Parenting Courses 2023/24
We are pleased to inform you all that the Targeted Parenting Recommissioning has been successfully completed and we will be working with ADD-vance, SPACE, Families in Focus, Family Lives, Supporting Links and Families Feeling Safe to deliver targeted parenting courses on behalf of HCC to accommodate the following areas: SEN, Practical Parenting, Pre-teens/ Teens, DADS, Protective Behaviours, Autism and ADHD Workshops and Webinars. There will be a mixture of targeted and universal courses that families within Hertfordshire will be able to access.
This year families will be able to access a variety of workshops and webinars through some of the providers which will be an added benefit to the offer of the support for families across Hertfordshire.
Webinars is a new offer and will be developed further with Hertfordshire Development and Commissioning Officers working in partnership with providers and when this available further information will be shared across teams.
The targeted parenting courses and workshops on offer are commissioned to meet the demands according to the rising needs for families. We want to encourage you and your teams to make use of this valuable resource for families as we continue to work together to improve resident’s lives within Hertfordshire.
Further updates will follow next month
Learning & development
New dates for Introduction to the SEND Local Offer webinars
The Local Offer website lets parents, young people and professionals know what special educational needs and disabilities services are available in Hertfordshire, and who can access them. There is so much more than that, too.
A friendly face from the Local Offer team will take you through what’s on the website and how you can use it to find the right services and support.
www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/localoffer
(For professionals AND parent carers) Tuesday 18 April at 8pm - Click here to join the meeting
(For professionals) Thursday 20 April at 11am - Click here to join the meeting
(For professionals) Friday 21 April at 1pm - Click here to join the meeting
HSCP Learning & Development Programme
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:-
Free Suicide prevention training
Our Public Health team have commissioned Samaritans to deliver suicide prevention training. The course is aimed at frontline professionals and volunteers whose role may bring them into direct contact with people experiencing suicidal thoughts. The three-hour session is delivered via Zoom and will equip participants with practical skills to have a supportive, controlled, and effective conversations, assess and respond to risk and signpost to relevant support services. Please book a place using the links below or email SuicidePreventionHerts@hertfordshire.gov.uk for more information:
Next available dates:-
- Wednesday 1st March, 2pm
- Tuesday 7th March, 9.30am
- Friday 17th March, 9.30am
Book your place and view more dates here: Hertfordshire County Council | Eventbrite
News from Step2Skills
The sixth edition of Step2Skills News magazine is out now
The 6th edition of our Step2Skills News magazine has been published both in hard copy and online and is available to read!
Covering February to May, the edition is packed with news and information across our service, including;
✔️ Details from our new Multiply numbers programme
✔️ A tribute to the Hertfordshire community by Ukrainian learner, Yuliia
✔️ Upcoming courses from the Step2Skills network
✔️ How work experience can lead to paid work opportunities
✔️Building Better Opportunities: A lasting legacy
Read it here: http://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/Step2Skillsmagazine
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Count yourself in! Multiply project launches in Hertfordshire to help improve your relationship with numbers in everyday life
If you find dealing with numbers in everyday life a chore, Step2Skills is teaming up with organisations across Hertfordshire to offer a range of workshops and courses to help improve your maths skills.
If you would prefer to chat to someone first to understand the different ways in which the Multiply team at Step2Skills can help you, ‘Number Ninjas’ are stationed at four places across the county, contact details as follows;
Bedwell Community Centre, in Stevenage - Telephone: 01438 314839 - Email: admin@bedwellcc.co.uk - W: www.bedwellcommunitycentre.co.uk
Create Community Network, in Letchworth - Telephone: 01462 558802 - Email: admin@createnetwork.community - Web: www.createnetwork.community
Communities 1st, locations across Hertsmere - Telephone: 01727 649950 - Email: training@communities1st.org.uk - Website: www.communities1st.org.uk
South Hill Centre, in Hemel Hempstead - Telephone: 01442 234728 - Email: enquiries@southhillcentre.co.uk - Web: www.southhillcentre.co.uk
In the wider Multiply network, there’s courses, workshops and even this inter-district maths tournament with SPS to enter, so count yourself in and let Step2Skills help you make sense of numbers!
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Move up the career ladder with the help of Step2Skills’ Level 3 Diploma in Leadership & Management
In March, Step2Skills will be starting the next Level 3 Diploma in Leadership & Management course.
Are you a new or aspiring manager?
Do you have management responsibilities but no formal training?
Do you want to develop your leadership and management abilities, cement your experience and gain a recognised qualification?
If yes, this 21-week Level 3 Diploma in Leadership and Management qualification course accredited by the Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) is for you.
Suited to practising team leaders seeking to move up to the next level of management, and managers who need to lead people through organisational change, this course will help you gain a range of key management skills and build your leadership capabilities.
The units in this qualification fall into six broad areas.
- Core management skills – understanding how to organise and delegate
- Ability to perform management tasks –manage projects, lead meetings
- Team leadership – for example, how to motivate people to improve performance
- Change and innovation – plan and manage change, create a culture of innovation a full range of communications skills
- Managing people and relationships – negotiation, networking, building relationships
- Leadership – understand leadership, use action learning to develop your leadership capabilities
If you want to take the next step in your career, this is a great qualification to have. Take a look at our website for more detail on eligibility > Level 3 Diploma in Leadership & Management (hertfordshire.gov.uk)
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 below 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 (Brox/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)
WithYOUth - Young People's Digital Wellbeing Services
Please see email below forwarded from WithYOUth, Hertfordshire Mind Network’s service for children and young people.
In relation to feel good week, starting from next week (27th Feb) we will be running a series of online workshops for children and young people on how to use the internet safely while being kind online. During the workshops, we will be covering topics like cyberbullying and its effects on young people, how to connect with peers/family members/professionals online safely, and self-care. Please share them with children, young people and parents.
We will be running two workshops:
- Be Kind Online & Connecting Online
- Self-Kindness
For each workshop, we will be delivering three session: one for children aged 5-10 and parents, one for children and young people aged 11-14, and one for young people aged 15-18.
Leaflets are attached with details of some of the workshops and how to access them. It would be great if you could share these with young people. If someone is interested but they are unable to attend then the recordings will be available on our website at a later date. www.withyouth.org
Also, here is a link to details of the workshops and to directly book onto them (which is also on the leaflets) : https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/hertfordshire-mind-network-26443271185
Difference we're making
Families First - Performance Data Report
You may be interested to view our Families First Performance Data report for the period Oct 2021 - Sept 2022.
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.
The Families First Pledge
In Hertfordshire we have a shared vision that strong partnership working is a key component to our early help system. Our Early Help Strategy sets out the Pledge which explains Families First partners’ commitment to families and how we will work with them.
You can view or download a copy of our Families First Pledges here and use for discussion in your team meetings or display in your office etc.
Celebrating Excellence in Early Help
Following on from a programme of Celebrating Excellence in Early Help sessions run in Children’s Services last month, 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
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.