The latest news
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.
Have you heard about Fit, Fed and Read Holiday Camps?
These are FREE multi-activity holiday camp for children aged 8 – 11 in need of somewhere safe and fun to go in the Half Term, and there is a camp running in the community near you! Fit, Fed & Read aims to reduce the inequalities that children within disadvantaged communities face, such as social isolation, physical inactivity and holiday hunger. Our camps work on a professional referral basis, so we look for schools and professionals to signpost this provision to the children and families most in need, this may be because they are particularly deprived families and cannot afford provision, or the child may be vulnerable during the holidays. Please contact us on fitfedandread@herts.ac.uk to request a booking code.
Camps are running between Monday 13th February and February 17th February 2023 - from 10am to 3pm and spaces will go fast!
Children will get to experience the perfect blend of activities to keep them active and entertained during the holidays. Our camps provide high quality sport, entertaining enrichment activities, as well as a nutritious hot meal.
Please contact us on fitfedandread@herts.ac.uk to request a booking code.
Reducing Parental Conflict survey
We have been asked to share this survey with our Families First partners, it’s aim is to capture information around what interventions/support is already being offered to reduce the impact of parental conflict and identify any gaps that Hertfordshire County Council may be able to support with.
What should be included?
The survey should be completed for all interventions that are available in your area which aim to reduce the impact of parental conflict on children; whether directly working with couples, individual parents, children or family groups or indirectly through training practitioners for instance.
What we will be using the short survey responses for:
Hertfordshire County Council will use your responses to these questions to map out the interventions in the Reducing Parental Conflict project and identify the offer for families in Hertfordshire. We will then use this in our future planning to support families with healthy relationships and reduce parental conflict.
The Closing date: 27/1/23
Please complete the survey here and share with your teams.
Talking with families about parental relationships
Practical tips and guiding questions from the Early Intervention Foundation
Parental conflict can be a sensitive topic for families. We know that conflict between parents is a normal part of relationships, and seeing conflict resolved in a loving or constructive way is important for children’s understanding of relationships. However, parents who are experiencing relationship difficulties can find it difficult to ask for help when they need it, because they feel ashamed and are worried about being misunderstood or judged.
This guide provides practitioners and leads in local areas with practical tips on how to talk to parents about parental conflict, and how to alleviate negative feelings about relationship support. Ultimately, the aim is to increase families’ engagement with support and reduce the risk of parental conflict negatively impacting child outcomes.
READ MORE
Key links to help manage the cost of living
Hertfordshire County Council have set up a central webpage that offers advice and practical help to manage finances and make savings and contains many useful links to help you support families, including money advice, energy and heating support, food support, holiday activities for kids along with information for professionals.
Below are some other very useful resources for professionals to use in supporting and signposting families:-
Listen Up, Speak Up!
Campaign line
Listen up, Speak up aims to get adults from across the UK and Channel Islands to take our 10-minute digital training called 'Connect the DOTS’.
Campaign paragraph
Half a million children suffer abuse and neglect in the UK a year. But there's something we can all do to change that.
We're empowering adults to know what to do if a child needs help, and where to go if they , or someone they know, need some support. That way, all of us can play a part in preventing child abuse.
So let's all Listen up and Speak up. Because a little bit of knowledge can help keep a lot of children safe.
Find out more here
News from Services for Young People, January 2023
Services for Young People projects have now restarted for the spring term
Services for Young People projects enable young people in all districts of Hertfordshire to develop their personal and social skills and increase their confidence, self-esteem and resilience.
Young people can get involved in exciting activities and discussions, learn new skills and get support from our Youth Workers on any concerns they may have.
Full details of the 2023 spring term projects for young people are now online.
See the projects in your district here: Projects for young people in your area Professionals, parents/carers or young people themselves can contact their local team to join a project or make a referral.
At Services for Young People (SfYP) projects qualified Youth Workers deliver curriculum programmes to support young people:
SfYP also delivers weekly street projects and Friday night projects in all districts and provides a range of support for care experienced young people up to the age of 24.
Young people can also get confidential one-to-one support at their local Access Point Project.
More news from Services for Young People
Services for Young People’s 2023-24 traded offer to schools and colleges is now available to purchase
Services for Young People improves outcomes for young people educated at home
Services for Young People’s “helpful and motivating” Pathways to Success programme exceeds targets
Changes in the Intensive Families Support Teams (IFST)
Within IFST we have been working to return our frontline teams to a double district approach, recognising the need to deliver localised support to our partners and families. We are delighted to inform you that this is almost complete and the Welwyn, Hatfield and Hertsmere IFST will become operational as of 30th January.
Following a period of internal team development, the team will be reaching out to local partners to re-establish key links and partnership approaches, with plans for networking events later in the year.
Until this date, please continue to link in with your local managers covering the quadrants or directly with CS for those families needing support.
The IFST team structure will return to the following as of 30th January 2023:
- Stevenage and North Herts – Team Manager: Sally Lee
- Watford and Three Rivers – Team Manager: Debbie Stone
- East Herts and Broxbourne – Team Manager: Janine Culpin
- St Albans and Dacorum – Team Manager: Penny Smith
- Welwyn Hatfield and Hertsmere – Team Manager: Ruth Coleman (Welwyn and Hatfield will be covered by Janine and Hertsmere by Debbie Stone until January 30th)
Contact details for the Welwyn, Hatfield and Hertsmere Team (as of 30th January) will be:
The Old Courthouse, St Albans Road East, Hatfield, AL10 0ES | 01438 845400
Please do not hesitate to contact familiesfirst.support@hertfordshire.gov.uk if you have any questions in the meantime.
The 2023 spring term HFL Education Online Safety Newsletters
HFL Education 2023 spring term online safety newsletters for school/setting staff and for parents/carers.
The HFL Education 2023 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:
- Safer internet day 2023
- Project evolve – new online bullying resources
- Teaching about cybercrime – free cybercrime awareness training for schools
- The national crime agency: cyber choices
- Not just flirting
- Technology assisted sexual abuse
Our newsletter for parents and carers includes reviews and details about:
- Live streaming
- Jessie and friends: online safety education for 4-7 year old children
- Reporting to social media sites
- What’s the problem?
- Lucy Faithfull Foundation
- Conversations with your child about online / technology-assisted harm
Please download and share these newsletters with your personal and professional networks as well as with your school or setting parent body where relevant.
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 HFL Education Wellbeing team at wellbeing@hfleducation.org or visit Herts for Learning | Online Safety