Welcome to our latest newsletter

Dear partners and colleagues,

Welcome to the first newsletter for 2022 and already we have lots of useful information to share with you. 

This week Hertfordshire County Council’s Children’s Services have launched ‘Our Way Forward - Plan for Children and Young People 2021-26’ and you can read more about the ambitions and view the plan here 

With so many good professional newsletters available in Hertfordshire, sometimes it's difficult ensuring you are subscribed to the relevant news for your role. So don't forget we have a Partners News page that links up to all the current news publications that are sent our way. It's certainly a good central link to point any new starters to for signing up to receive news updates.

Again, in this edition, we are pleased to have a busy Learning and Development section with some good free training opportunities for partners including My Baby's Brain training dates along with fully funded Suicide intervention as well as training opportunities for you to share with families.

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.

Happy reading!

Kind regards 
The Development Team

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Launch of Our Way Forward – Plan for Children and Young People 2021-26

Hertfordshire County Council’s Children’s Services is pleased to announce the publication of ‘Our Way Forward - Plan for Children and Young People 2021-26’.  It sets out the ambitions to improve outcomes for children, young people and families within Hertfordshire to support them to get their lives back on track following the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.  It is supported by the Strategic Priorities, which will be updated annually, and will contribute to the achievement of the ambitions outlined within the plan.

The plan has five ambitions:

• To meet the needs of Hertfordshire’s children within their local community;
• To plan, commission and deliver trauma informed services that meet the individual needs of our citizens;
• To support children and young people get their lives and education back on track;
• To have a skilled workforce who are proud to work for Hertfordshire;
• To work in partnership to deliver early help and support to children, young people and families and build life chances.

To view the Plan, Strategic Priorities and an animation of the ambitions visit: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/planforcyp

Many of our strategies contained within this Plan and other key Children’s Services strategies are publicly available at: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/csstrategies

 

SEND Strategy 2022 - 2025

In addition to Plan for Children and Young People 2021-26 we also welcome a new SEND Strategy for Hertfordshire. Thank you to everyone who has been involved in developing the new SEND Strategy.  Now for the fun part: implementing it! 

It centres on 5 ambitions.  Many of them resonate with the Families First Partnership approach.  A key focus in the action plan is about improving how we intervene early when SEND needs emerge, so please do have a look at the strategy, discuss it in your team meetings and let us know about feedback or questions you have by emailing us SENDstrategy@hertfordshire.gov.uk

 The 5 ambitions are:

Tailoring – we will plan and deliver services that are flexible, respect individual wishes and meet individual needs.

Enabling – we will continue to develop a skilled, learning workforce that strives for excellence and staff are proud of their own achievements and celebrate those of others.

Supporting – we will provide sufficient and appropriate provision in Hertfordshire and within their community to meet children and young people's wishes and needs.

Collaborating – we will work in partnership with other organisations to deliver the right services at the right time to prevent problems escalating.

Succeeding- we will support all children and young people with SEND to achieve success in all areas of life, understand the impact of the pandemic and work to ensure our young people achieve their potential.

The strategy provides a strong platform for our next local area SEND Inspection by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC).  If you support children and young people with SEND, it worth familiarising yourself with the current guidance and framework, together with our key messages and Hertfordshire’s Professional Promise, as we prepare together with colleagues in health, education and social care, for this inspection.

BeeZee Bodies Families 2022 Programmes

We are very excited to be able to offer the BeeZee Families programme across many areas of Hertfordshire in 2022, including St Albans, Borehamwood, Cheshunt, Hemel Hempstead, Hertford, Stevenage, Watford and Welwyn.  

BeeZee Families is a free 12-week course run in the local community for 5 to 15 year olds and their families to learn about healthy eating, exercise, and wellbeing.

Courses will start a little later than planned due to the current Covid situation, commencing w/c 21^st  February, with spaces still available across all areas.

Please can I ask you to promote to your teams and share the attached flyers which provide further details and a link for referrals. 

If you have any questions about BeeZee Bodies programmes or making a referral, please don’t hesitate to contact us on number/email below.

Tel: 01707 248648, 07715 408824, Email: jodie@beezeebodies.co.uk

Download the flyers here:-

Full Programme

Harpenden BeeZee Bodies programme

Borehamwood BeeZee Bodies programme

Cheshunt BeeZee Bodies programme

Hemel Hempstead BeeZee Bodies programme

Hertford BeeZee Bodies programme

Stevenage BeeZee Bodies programme

Watford BeeZee Bodies programme

Welwyn BeeZee Bodies programme

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Relationship support available for parents – The Parenting Together Programme

This is FREE support available for parents living in or accessing services within Hertfordshire. If you are working with a family who is experiencing high levels of unresolved conflict in their co-parenting relationship, this could be a great programme for them to access and improve outcomes for themselves and their children.

We are keen to receive referrals as soon as you identify a parental need. This is so that we can process the referral and get parents participating in an intervention before the current Parenting Together programme closes in March 2022. The last date we can accept referrals is 16^th March 2022. Referrals sent to us in March will receive the relevant intervention and will progress as normal until their completion beyond March.

All details can be found on our website here including how to contact us with any questions you may have.

Email: Parentingtogether@hertfordshire.gov.uk

Keep up-to-date with online safety

The HfL 2022 spring term online safety newsletters for School Staff and the Parents and Carers edition both feature a range of guidance, news, links and updates about online safety for all phases, with particular reference to the current situation, recent developments and concerns.

Our newsletter for staff includes reviews and details about:

• Better Health’ Every Mind Matters - Every Mind Matters
• Reporting and removing abusive online videos - DfE advice for schools and colleges
• Report Harmful Content: Reporting button for websites - UK Safer Internet Safety Centre
• Make the most of Ollee: School Support Pack - Parent zone
• Inclusive Digital Safety hub - Internet matters
• Dates for your diary, including:-

Safer Internet Day 2022 – Tuesday 8th February

Fully funded anti-sexual abuse training courses for Secondary school staff in Hertfordshire.

New Hate Crime Awareness resources – available this spring for Hertfordshire schools

The 2022 HfL (cross-phase) Wellbeing Conference - Wednesday 15^th June 2022:

Building Futures: Growing pupil empowerment and agency

Our newsletter for parents and carers includes reviews and details about:

• #Ask the Awkward - Thinkyouknow
• New Internet matters resources
• ‘Squid Game - What Parents Need To Know’ -
• Online grooming and reporting online sexual abuse - Thinkuknow
• Keeping under 5’s safe online - The National Online Safety hub
• Inclusive Digital Safety hub - internetmatters

Please download and share these newsletter with your personal and professional networks as well as with your school or setting parent body where relevant

Online safety newsletters for School Staff

Online safety newsletters for Parents and Carers

For more information, advice and training about online safety across the curriculum and embedding this within a wider whole school approach to include mental health, positive relationships and safeguarding, please contact the Herts for Learning Wellbeing team at wellbeing@hertsforlearning.co.uk or visit Herts for Learning | Online Safety

 

Supporting Links - Free courses to promote to families

Once again Supporting Links are offering our Parenting Support Groups countywide and ONLINE for the SPRING TERM of 2022. 

We are pleased to bring you the details of 9 online courses starting in January and February.

Each course runs over 6 weekly sessions and is offered FREE of charge to parents thanks to funding from Herts County Council:

Talking Additional Needs (2 courses)

Talking Families (3 courses)

Talking Teens (2 course)

Talking Dads (2 courses) 

BOOKINGS FOR THESE COURSES ARE NOW OPEN

Further information on course content and suitability, along with details on dates and times, and how to refer a family to us, can be found in the attached flyers. We appreciate your help in ensuring that parents in need of targeted support are prioritised. 

These are County commissioned courses and we are not-for-profit organisation. 

Download a referral form

 

Please distribute these details far and wide within your organisations along with the referral form. Referrals can be made via email or phone to bookings@supportinglinks.co.uk 07512 709556. Like our FB page and find us on LINKEDIN for ongoing updates. 

Further online parenting courses can be found here:- Search results | Hertfordshire MarketPlace 

 

Could you support people with their Mental Health?

Mind in Mid Herts are working with local organisations to build a team of mental health peer supporters.

Mind in Mid Herts (MiMH) will train and support you and your organisations to embed Peer Support within your community. This will first involve attending a 2-day Peer Supporter training course. Then, we will facilitate a network for peer supporters by offering and running: de-briefing sessions, ongoing training/development and informal opportunities to collaborate, share resources and support one another.

If you are representing an organisation and are interested in this opportunity, please get in touch with the team to discuss further via:

training@mindinmidherts.org.uk

Or come along to the next information session date on Monday 7th February 5:30pm-6:30pm

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Every Mind Matters campaign

Most families have experienced upheaval in their daily lives during the pandemic. With children and young people now back at school or college, the new Public Health England (PHE) Better Health – Every Mind Matters campaign provides NHS-endorsed tips and advice to help children and young people’s mental wellbeing, and equip parents and carers with the knowledge to support them.

The new advice available on the Every Mind Matters website has been developed in partnership with leading children and young people’s mental health charities, including Young Minds, The Mix, Place2Be and The Anna Freud Centre. It is designed to help parents and carers spot the signs that children may be struggling with their mental health and support them, and also provides advice that can help maintain good mental wellbeing. The site also provides tools to help young people build resilience and equips them to look after their mental wellbeing.

We hope you find these resources useful in supporting the families you work with.

Wellbeing Drama for Young people - Aged 18 - 25? (Poster attached)

This FREE programme using theatre techniques is for those experiencing stress, anxiety, depression and anything else effecting their wellbeing. You don’t need any experience to take part, everyone is welcome from absolute beginners to the more experienced.  Starting Tuesday 1 February for 8 weeks 5.30 to 7.30pm at the Wellbeing Centre in Stevenage

Studies have shown that taking part in an arts activity has a positive influence on mental health and general wellbeing. It can increase self-esteem and confidence, reduce feelings of isolation and give those involved a sense of personal achievement.

The programme is being led by a professional Trestle artist and in partnership with Mind in Mid Herts. Each session will explore a combination of theatre and mask techniques.

Impact of COVID-19 on children’s physical development

The Early Intervention Foundation (EIF) has published a report reviewing existing research on the impact of the pandemic on children’s physical development in the early years (age 0–5). As UK research in this area is relatively scarce, many of the findings are taken from studies in other countries, and thus reflect a variety of national situations and responses. Overall, the evidence has shown that the physical development of children is likely to have been negatively impacted by the pandemic across a number of areas critical to early physical development, including decreases in physical activity and increases in sedentary behaviour (such as screen time), changes in diet (increases in processed foods, sweets and salty snacks) and increased risk of vitamin D deficiency.

My Baby’s Brain training – starting in February

You can now book onto upcoming My Baby’s Brain (MBB) training. MBB introduces practitioners, who work with children aged 0-3, to the key principals of neuroscience and how they can help parents, children and babies form strong attachments that will encourage healthy development.

My Baby’s Brain has been running in Hertfordshire since 2011. In that time, the challenges that families face have evolved, particularly because of the current pandemic. To ensure parents continue to be supported at the earliest opportunity, Early Help Commissioning have worked with partners KCA to refresh My Baby’s Brain training to allow for a greater depth of learning for professionals with additional focus on resilience and managing toxic stress. 

Now online, this training is a 3-stage learning programme combining webinars, e-learning and small group tutorials. 

Choose your learning strand A or B and click on the relevant link below to register:

Strand A – My Baby’s Brain Universal: for all professionals working with young families 0-3 years old.

1. Tuesday 22nd February at 10am (90 mins) - Webinar
2. Tuesday 29th March at 10am (90 mins) - Webinar
3. Tuesday 19th or Thursday 28th April at 10am (90 mins) - Tutorial

Strand A registration link

 

Strand B – My Baby’s Brain Targeted: for all professionals working with vulnerable and targeted families.

1. Tuesday 22nd February at 10am (90 mins) - Webinar
2. Wednesday 30th March at 10am (90 mins) - Webinar
3. Wednesday 20th or Tuesday 26th April at 10am (90 mins) - Tutorial

Strand B registration link

For more information and helpful resources, please see My baby's brain | Hertfordshire County Council. You can also find details on our MBB programme.

 

Fully funded Suicide Intervention Training

Hertfordshire County Council has commissioned Harmless to deliver a bespoke, CPD accredited Suicide Intervention course which is free for workers throughout Hertfordshire.

Harmless is a national user-led organisation that provides a range of services about self-harm and suicide prevention. The Suicide Intervention training session is taking place live online for professionals, frontline workers, and volunteers in Hertfordshire who are in contact with those at risk of suicide. 

Register & Book below the date that works for you. 

• 1^st February 2022
• 3^rd February 2022
• 4^th February 2022
• 8^th February 2022 
• 10^th February 2022
• 14^th February 2022
• 16^th February 2022
• 17^th February 2022

Step2Skills February Timetable

We would like to bring you updates from Step2Skills (formerly known as HAFLS).  Details of the February Timetable can be seen below and courses can be booked by following the link to our website here: Step2Skills adult learning (hertfordshire.gov.uk)

We are still continuing to promote English and maths qualifications and anyone within Hertfordshire who is looking to gain a qualification in either of these subjects can apply to do an assessment here: Looking for an English or Maths qualification and live in Hertfordshire?

Finally the second edition of our Step2Skills newsletter is now available here: View the Step2Skills newsletter here

Money Advice Unit - Online Training

There is still time to book onto the Money Advice training programme for Winter 2021. There is a maximum of 15 attendees per course and only 2 attendees from the same organisation are permitted. There are no fees for our online training and the courses are available to all. However priority will be given to those Organisations that reside in Hertfordshire.

Please use the electronic booking form attached; electronic signatures are accepted.

If you are a Training Manager booking on behalf of staff; please remember to still provide the attendee(s) direct email address as well as your own, as this is where the calendar invites will be sent to participants.

 

Brook Traffic Light Tool Training

Brook’s nationally recognised Sexual Behaviours Traffic Light Tool and training provides a highly visible, multi-agency response that helps professionals to identify, understand and respond appropriately to sexual behaviours in young people.

Aim:

The training and accompanying Tool equip professionals to make consistent and informed decisions that neither stigmatise nor criminalise young people. Participants will learn about healthy sexual development, understand key laws relating to sexual behaviour and gain knowledge on enabling robust and meaningful conversations around harmful sexual behaviours that cause concern. 

Audience:

The HSCP have purchased 200 licences, with the training being delivered by two partner agencies. Therefore, we will be limiting the number of licences allocated to partners.  Ideally, the delegates should be Safeguarding Leads within individual agencies who can support their colleagues/team when there is a need to use the Brook Traffic Light Tool. Once trained, delegates will receive a licence to access the Brook Traffic Light Tool, which they can use to support their colleagues/teams in identifying harmful sexual behaviours.

Joining:

As we are limiting the number of licences per agency, can Agency Leads please identify who in their agency they would like to put forward via email -hscpcourses@hertfordshire.gov.uk – giving their preferred date of training and a backup date. We will let the successful delegates know and will also keep a waiting list for any places that agencies do not require.  

The dates/times for the training are below – each training sessions is 3.5hrs.

8 Feb 2022	9am to 12:30pm	Facilitator: Claire Cooper
24 Feb 2022	9am to 12:30pm	Facilitator: Orla Burke
10 Mar 2022	1pm to 4:30pm	Facilitator: Claire Cooper
28 Mar 2022	9am to 12:30pm	Facilitator: Orla Burke
25 Apr 2022	1pm to 4:30pm	Facilitator: Claire Cooper
26 Apr 2022	9am to 12:30pm	Facilitator: Orla Burke
4 May 2022	9am to 12:30pm	Facilitator: Orla Burke
13 May 2022	1pm to 4:30pm	Facilitator: Claire Cooper

 

HSCP Learning & Development Programme

We use this regular page to give you some quick links through to the HSCP learning programmes:-

You can view the latest HSCP/HSAB Autumn 2021 Newsletter is now available on here – Newsletter Autumn 2021

Following the virtual launch of the Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership’s Neglect Strategy and Joint Campaign with the NSPCC, please see below a link to the Neglect Hub on the HSCP website. The resources available are as follows:

• Neglect Strategy 2021-24
• Practice Guidance
• Neglect Strategy Toolkit
• Link to the Graded Care Profile tool
• The presentations from the launch by Dez Holmes, NSPCC and Operations Director, Matt Ansell
• Posters

Neglect Hub Edge Browser

Neglect Hub Explore Browser

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To understand our thresholds a bit more, view the Continuum of needs (hertfordshire.gov.uk) 

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Year of Learning

Information for professionals and volunteers | Hertfordshire County Council

Dec 2021 - Medical Neglect

Nov 2021 - Management of Suspicious Bruises/Marks in Infants Under 6 Months Policy

Nov 2021 - Neglect

Sept 2021 - Child Sexual Abuse

June 2021 : Harmful Sexual Behaviours 7 minute briefing

May 2021: Female Genital Mutilation 7 minute briefing

Spot the Signs & Emotional Wellbeing - training for professionals

Spot the Signs & Emotional Wellbeing is a fully-funded programme offering training and workshops to children and young people (CYP), CYP’s parents/carers and professionals working with CYP.

The programme provides psychoeducation, emotional resilience and signposting support to empower young people and the adults around them to feel confident enough to manage their mental and emotional health.

All sessions can be delivered in-person or online upon your request.

You can find more information about the training available.

Workforce development

Families First - Performance Data Report

You may be interested to view our Families First Performance Data report for the period October 2020 - September 2021.

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.

 

Huge thank you from HABs Family Support

The HABS family support team would like to send a huge thank you to the local schools, community and business who have supported us with our festive appeal this year. Our festive appeal started 8 years ago when a child we were supporting told us he doesn't like Father Christmas because he forgets their house every year!!  This was down to financial pressures the family were under.

Each year our appeal has grown and this year we are pleased to say we have supported

• 106 Families supported 
• 312 Children were given sacks with multiple gifts in 
• £5,300 worth of vouchers for families to buy food during the festive period 
• £2,120 between families to use towards gas and electricity

In total we have been able to offer in excess of £44,000 of support.

Without the support of the local schools, community and businesses we would not be able to do this.

We have already received such lovely feedback, including:

I would just like to say a big thankyou for your support this year it means alot to my family. Your support has made sure that my home is warm & allowed me to make sure my kids have the Christmas they deserve. I would also like to thankyou for the presents for my kids they will love them.

East Herts, Broxbourne & Welwyn

Update from Broxbourne, East Herts & Welwyn Hatfield early help services:-

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Broxbourne Community Awards

The 2022 Broxbourne Community Awards will again recognise the achievements of the Broxbourne community, but will have particular focus on those members of the public who have made a significant contribution during the pandemic.

Fill out this form below to nominate your local heroes. Nominations close at midnight on 31 January 2022.

https://www.broxbourne.gov.uk/BOBawards

Services for Young People 

You can view the details of the Services for Young People projects, services and opportunities for young people, which will commence in January 2022 by downloading these leaflets:-

SfYP - Broxbourne 

SfYP - East Herts

SfYP - Welwyn Hatfield

View the latest Broxbourne & East Herts Bulletin here

View the latest Welwyn Hatfield Bulletin here

Full services can be viewed at- Services for Young People

A further project they will be delivering this term is the project for Young Parents and Young Parents to be.  Projects will be taking place across Hertfordshire.  In our area this will be delivered each Thursday 2-4pm, at our Waltham Cross Young People’s Centre Stanhope Road, Waltham Cross, EN8 7DJ

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The Job Smart team can help you improve your chances of securing a job by giving FREE support! Find out more here: 　Job Smart employability programme.

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CHEXS offers an award winning 30 week bespoke programme designed, tested and implemented to support children and young people's common mental-health concerns as well as their overall wellbeing.

The charity was founded by our CEO Pete Maiden 10 years ago following a career in the Navy, you can read more about this on our History of CHEXS.

CHEXS works by using a two stream approach, our Children an Young People team follow a structured programme of age-appropriate activities for learning and coaching outside of the classroom, which enables them to improve their wellbeing, succeed and build confidence.

All work is based upon protective behaviours, coaching and promoting positive mental health.

Our Family Support Team works in tandem with our Children and Young People team, offering inclusive parenting workshop groups sharing a wealth of experience, advice and guidance in a relaxed environment, coupled with our one to one support sessions for parents. Our team are on hand to help and regularly refer a child or parent into one another. Email admin@chexs.co.uk to self-refer to our team.

By working with this unique whole family approach, CHEXS helps parents build strong, positive relationships and trust with their child. In turn, the young people are coached and mentored through a variety of innovative projects designed to build self-esteem, teamwork, problem-solving and tangible skills. The projects instill a sense of purpose, meaning and aspirations for the future.

Our focus on resilience equips young people to face everyday challenges and achieve their potential for a better future.

**** EXCITING NEWS​​​ ****

• CHEXS has recently won a NATIONAL award from the Children & Young People Now Awards 2021 for their coveted 'Charity of the year' award. This is amazing recognition for the team who have worked tirelessly over the last year helping and supporting families during the most difficult of times.
• We have also won a Hertfordshire Inspire award from Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce for their 'Business of the year award' and we were also given a 'highly Commended' for our people development.  

 

If you feel we would be able to offer you support please get in contact with us on 07970 498 966 or you can visit our website at WWW.CHEXS.CO.UK or follow us on Facebook @CHEXS

Dacorum & St Albans

Update from Dacorum and St Albans early help services:-

Colourful Minds

Colourful Minds are delighted to announce that applications are now open for the next Colourful Minds creative therapy and wellbeing course, which will start in March and run for 24 weeks, plus a taster session.  The course is free for adults aged 18+ living in Dacorum with mild to moderate mental health conditions, such as anxiety and stress or due to isolation.

We have previously run successful 12 week courses on Zoom and we are now trialling a 24 week course. This aims to further improve wellbeing outcomes of those that attend and is in response to feedback and evaluation. The course is funded by Dacorum Borough Council, and delivered by a qualified Art Therapist from Herts Inclusive Theatre (HIT).

A taster session will be held on Zoom on Friday 4^th March from 10.30-12.30pm – a chance for applicants to find out if the course is right for them.

This will be followed by a 24 week course on Zoom, running from Friday 18^th March until Friday 14^th October.
(there will breaks for Easter holidays, the Jubilee bank holiday and the month of August).

The sessions will provide an opportunity to explore creative art in a supportive and confidential group setting. No experience is needed to take part and everyone is welcome. Applications are via referral from a GP, health professional or a support agency/worker.

Please contact kerry@hit-theatre.org.uk for an application and referral form. For details you can also visit www.dacorum.gov.uk/colourfulminds .

 

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Dacorum Healthy Hub

The Healthy Hub have a very useful newsletter - sign up to get your copy here:- Healthly Hub Sign Up - Dacorum Borough Council

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Workshops for young people this autumn – last year Dacorum District Council planned to run a Beatboxing Project for young people that had to be cancelled due to COVID. We are now looking at running a few workshops with the same artists this autumn, who run a very successful Beatboxing Academy in South London. The workshops may not be Beatboxing (the nature of this is not particularly COVID-safe due to the spitting involved!), however possibly rapping or music/performance related.  If you have a group of young people who may benefit from these workshops and working with these brilliant South London artists, please get in touch. We are also looking to deliver these as pilot workshops for a possible larger project at a later date, in consultation with the young people taking part: Email annie.smith@dacorum.gov.uk

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DSPL 8 run a number of courses for parents, carers and professionals. Click here to see a list of the current available courses, together with details of how to sign up. 

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Herts Mind Network

• Herts Mind Network are continuing to provide essential mental health support in Hertfordshire by adapting our services to best protect our clients, carers, volunteers and staff. Our Wellbeing Centres are open and staff teams are also providing support through phone, Skype and online provision. Please get in touch with us on 02037 273600 if you would like more information about our service provision or visit our websites (www.hertsmindnetwork.org and www.hertsmindnetworkcyp.org).
• Please note the Spot the Signs & Emotional Wellbeing project can also offer bespoke sessions that may have a cost to them. If the sessions on our Training & Workshops don’t meet your audiences need, get in touch and we can have a chat about how we can potentially meet the need you’ve identified in a particular school or area for example.
• The ‘Young people’s online hangout for YP aged 15+’ is currently no longer running as it was felt this met a need for young people who were unable to connect f2f during the lockdowns. Should a need for this service re-emerge, it’s likely we will reinstate this.

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Family Centre Service

You can view the Family Support Service leaflet for professionals here

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Watford, Three Rivers & Hertsmere

Update from Watford early help services:-

Employability Courses being run by Saracens Sports Foundation suitable for 16 - 25 year olds with learning difficulties and / or physical disabilities living in London & Hertfordshire.

Caring Dads (HACRO)

Caring Dads actively taking referrals for the next Caring Dads courses in Watford. The course start date – January / February 22 – depending on the number of successful referrals. For more info please contact Caring Dads - HACRO email: caringdads@hacro.org.uk and referral form can be found here

We are also taking referrals for Dedicated Dads - the 6 x 1 hour virtual 1:1 course. This is not a replacement for Caring Dads but, for some dads, is the only way they can engage. There is currently a 2 month waiting list.

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Youth Link

Youth Link aims to work with various sectors in our local community to create connections to relevant and safe provisions for Children and Young People.

Find out more in these downloadable leaflets:-

Youth Link Information Sheet - CYP

Youth Link Information Sheet - Partners

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North Herts & Stevenage

Update from North Herts/Stevenage early help services:-

Wellbeing Drama for Young people - Aged 18 - 25? 

This FREE programme using theatre techniques is for those experiencing stress, anxiety, depression and anything else effecting their wellbeing. You don’t need any experience to take part, everyone is welcome from absolute beginners to the more experienced.  Starting Tuesday 1 February for 8 weeks 5.30 to 7.30pm at the Wellbeing Centre in Stevenage

Studies have shown that taking part in an arts activity has a positive influence on mental health and general wellbeing. It can increase self-esteem and confidence, reduce feelings of isolation and give those involved a sense of personal achievement.

The programme is being led by a professional Trestle artist and in partnership with Mind in Mid Herts. Each session will explore a combination of theatre and mask techniques.

Move for Mind

Show yourself and your neighbours some love this winter by joining our 30 day exercise challenge. Swim, walk, skip, dance...it call counts!

Mind in Mid Herts are supporting 40% more people than in previous years!  Please help us fund vital mental health services by doing our January fitness challenge. https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/moveformindinmidherts

Mind in Mid Herts

Mind in Mid Herts are offering a mix of virtual and face-to-face support.  They offer one to one support, social support & friendship groups and active groups, including – Wellbeing group, Art group, Women’s group, football, Walk & Talk.  They have recently started Young People’s Counselling and a Befriending service.

Spectrum/CGL

Offer support for people with Drugs & Alcohol issues. 4 hubs – Stevenage & North Herts, Watford, Hatfield and Hertford.  Also have co-located teams that work across the county e.g. Young People’s team, Hidden Harm (young people effected by parental substance misuse), Criminal Justice team (working in prisons), Family Safeguarding team.  Back to face-to-face working with clients via groups and one-to-ones in the Hub.  For referrals Click here>

The For Baby’s Sake Trust

Trauma Insight Training will be rolled out from Monday 6^th December.  Two sessions will take place every month via the Safeguarding Children Partnership (lunch & learn events), this is supported by funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner to the Home Office domestic abuse perpetrator fund.  Funding has also been used to sustain and extend For Baby’s Sake services across Hertfordshire.

The Citizens Advice

The Stevenage Citizens Advice recently shared some data for Stevenage at the Families First Partnership Group and this presentation can be viewed here.

Please submit any updates to familiesfirst.support@hertfordshire.gov.uk