The latest news
Working together in Early Help
Our ‘Working Together in Early Help’ learning events for people working with children, young people, parents and families took place in May. We had over 100 frontline workers from HCC and other organisations in attendance. It was great to be back holding events in person and a fantastic opportunity to hear all about Early Help in Hertfordshire.
We would like to say a big thank you to the following services who took part:
- Intensive Family Support Team
- Local School Partnerships
- For Baby’s Sake
- Family Support Services
- School Nursing
- Health Visiting Service
- Safer Places
- Citizens Advice
We will be holding more events later in the year, so please get in touch with the Families First Development team if your service would like to be involved - familiesfirst.support@hertfordshire.gov.uk
Your input is needed!
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DLUHC) has recently updated the Early Help System Guide (EHSG) to help local areas with their self-assessment to support the refresh of their early help strategies and their future plans for early help. All upper tier local authorities in England are required to work with their partners to complete the EHSG by 1 July to inform future plans alongside the revised Supporting Families framework.
To aid local areas in this process they have provided a template with a set of questions that need to be given consideration. The framework has been designed through consultation with local authorities and other partners. The DLUHC requires each area to provide a summary of its responses; however, the results of the assessment will be used locally to enable the further development of early help in Hertfordshire.
To help us with this assessment, we would be grateful if you could consider the questions in the below survey:
The information you provide us with will be analysed and used by the Families First programme Board to assess our three key priorities for the next 12 months. This is an opportunity for you to influence our future direction.
The survey will remain live until 13th June 2022.
We would like to thank you in advance for supporting this work.
Help to manage the cost of living
You may find this page useful when supporting families, it contains good resources which offer advice and practical help to manage finances and make savings and tips in managing the cost of living increases:-
Hertfordshire County Council | Help to manage the cost of living
Remember we also have a free online Universal Credit course available at www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/benefits
Also if families are struggling, they can get in touch with HertsHelp - trained friendly advisors are on hand to offer confidential assistance and can put you in touch with helpful services and support locally - call 0300 123 4044, email info@hertshelp.net or visit www.hertshelp.net
Building Life Chances Grant - deadline approaching
Building Life Chances is a multi-agency programme addressing the impact of Covid-19 on those Hertfordshire residents already vulnerable, whose life chances have worsened during the pandemic.
They are offering Grants of up to £5,000 to Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) groups that work with or support vulnerable adults who have been disproportionately affected by the COVID Pandemic. This is for groups working with the following groups:
- ethnic minorities including BAME, Gypsy & traveller communities and other groups
- harder to reach vulnerable adults with sensory or neurodiverse needs
- people with limited eligibility for public support such as refugees and asylum seekers.
The deadline is midnight on Monday 13th June 2022
Further details and application form can be found at https://www.hertscf.org.uk/blc
Arthur Labinjo-Hughes and Star Hobson: National review
The national Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel has published its review into the tragic deaths of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes and Star Hobson.
We have provided a link to the report here: National review into the murders of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes and Star Hobson - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
The report makes a number of local and national recommendations. It also contains a set of important practice issues that all Safeguarding Partners need to consider and assure themselves that they are being dealt with effectively in their local area. These are:
- Robust multi-agency strategy discussions are always being held whenever it is suspected a child may be at risk of suffering significant harm.
- Sufficient resources are in place from across all agencies to allow for the necessary multi-agency engagement in child protection processes e.g., strategy discussions, section 47 enquiries, Initial Child Protection Conferences.
- There are robust information sharing arrangements and protocols in place across the Partnership.
- Referrals are not deemed malicious without a full and thorough multi-agency assessment, including talking with the referrer, and agreement with the appropriate manager. Indeed, the Panel believes that the use of such language has many attendant risks and would therefore discourage its usage as a professional conclusion.
The Panel is organising three webinars to help disseminate learning and key messages from the national review.
The first of these webinars is for multi-agency safeguarding partners in local authorities, the police and health who are working at a senior-level and have accountability for child safeguarding. It is taking place on Weds 29th June, 2pm to 3pm. Please register your interest by using the link here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/webinar-for-multi-agency-safeguarding-partners-tickets-349596481487
The other two webinars will be for business managers and frontline practitioners respectively. Further details on each of these events will be shared in due course and we would appreciate it if you could cascade them to your networks.
Places for the webinars are limited in order to facilitate meaningful discussion, so please limit the number of representatives from your local area to ensure there is a balance across the statutory partners and across England.
De-normalising pornography
Dignify is working to help de-normalise the narrative that pornography is presenting to children and young people to help them thrive in healthy relationships. The challenge young people are facing is immense – and we are working to find fresh ways to help them. One way we can help young people is to empower their parents. So, with this in mind we have created a pilot series of podcasts for parents to help them in raising digitally resilient humans.
It is a pilot series and we’re keen to get some feedback to help us shape resources that are really helpful. More information can be found here:- www.dignify.org and Parents (dignify.org)
If you would like to be involved in reviewing the podcasts then please contact helen@dignify.org for more information
How to make the most of your local family centre
Updated leaflets explaining how the Family Centre Service can support professionals are now available online in the Family Centres professionals pages family-support-service-leaflet-for-professionals-2022.pdf (hertsfamilycentres.org)
A comprehensive leaflet outlines:
- what services are available to you and the families you work with
- how to sign up for partnership newsletters
- local telephone numbers for referrals
- available parent courses
and much more . . .
Also available online and printing if required, is the leaflet to find out “What’s on offer for families”
Both leaflets are also available on the Hertfordshire Grid
Or telephone 0300 123 7572 to speak to a family centre member.
Lots happening at Step 2 Skills
Lots of new Step2Skills short courses and workshops launched for Hertfordshire residents this summer, many of which are fully-funded and free to join.
Step2Skills has just added lots of new learning opportunities across the summer months, in the form of 2-hour taster sessions, 1 and 2-day workshops and short courses.
Highlights include:
- How to Write a Business Plan (2 hour taster session) - ONLINE – 20th July at 1pm or 27th July at 10am
- Explore your Sewing Machine (2-day workshop) – Borehamwood – 18th and 21st July at 10am
- Top Tips for Writing a CV (2 hour taster session) – Online on 1st June at 10am or in Stevenage on 27th July at 10am
- Healthy Living Made Easy (2-day workshop) – Online - 28th and 29th July at 10am
- Build Your Skills in Word & Excel (3 sessions of 3 hours) – Online – 12th, 13th and 14th July (£15 fee for this course)
- Tunisian Crochet – An introduction (A 2-day workshop) – Stevenage – 28th and 29th July
- Family Learning summer holiday workshop: Story Sacks – (2-day workshop) – Stevenage - 25th and 26th July
- Family Learning summer holiday workshop: Nailing Numbers – (2-day workshop) – Stevenage – 25th and 26th July
- Family Learning summer holiday workshop: Hertfordshire Hedgehogs – (2-day workshop) – Stevenage – 28th and 29th July
Browse and book Step2Skills short courses, workshops and tasters: Our courses (hertfordshire.gov.uk)
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A Step2Skills Supported Employment job fair is coming to Hoddesdon this July, part-funded by the European Social Fund Inclusive Employment project
Thanks to the European Social Fund, Step2Skills has secured part-funding for an Inclusive Employment project.
It’s an amazing service that can help someone with learning and physical disabilities, mental health conditions, sensory needs and neurodiversity into employment, education or training.
This July, the Supported Employment team will be holding a third Supported Employment job fair at the Spotlight Theatre in Hoddesdon.
Save the date of Friday 1st July in your calendar and we’ll see you there!
In the meantime, if you want to apply to join the Inclusive Employment project, please visit www.step2skills.org.uk/InclusiveEmployment
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Building Better Opportunities – Job support for Ukrainian arrivals – Please share
Please share this with anyone who is housing Ukrainian families in Hertfordshire.
The Building Better Opportunities project from Step2Skills is here for Ukrainian arrivals, thanks to the joint funding from The National Lottery Community Fund and European Social Fund.
The application system is always open for new participants so if you’re unemployed and would love the support of a mentor to help you tackle any barriers and help you back into employment, visit the website to apply or refer someone today.
Herts for Learning 2022 summer term online safety newsletters
HfL 2022 summer term online safety newsletters for school/setting staff and for parents/carers.
The Herts for Learning summer 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. We hope they will prove helpful and informative.
Please feel free to share them with your personal and / or professional networks and to your parent body.
Our newsletter for staff includes reviews and details about:
- Professionals Online Safety Helpline
- Harmful Sexual Behaviour Support Service
- Just a joke? – Childnet
- Be Internet Legends - Confident Explorers
- Moving on up! - Childnet
- Dove’s Selfie - Self Esteem campaign.
- Dates for your diary, including
- The 2022 Wellbeing Conference - Wednesday 15th June 2022
Building futures: Growing pupil empowerment and agency
Our newsletter for parents and carers includes reviews and details about:
- Talking to your child about online sexual harassment, Children’s Commissioner Guide
- What to do if something goes wrong – Childline
- NSPCC online safety hub
- Helping children cope with media coverage of traumatic events – Parent Zone
- What is ‘Genshin Impact’? – Parent Zone
- Search engines and what you need to know about safer searching – Parentzone
- Setting up parental controls – NSPCC
- What is Yubo? – Parent Zone
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 Wellbeing team at wellbeing@hertsforlearning.co.uk or visit Herts for Learning | Online Safety.
The Herts for Learning Early Years National Debate
Following the huge success of our national early years conference in March, the Herts for Learning Early Years team have invited some of the thought-provoking and inspirational speakers to return to lead a discussion on the status of play in the early years.
A convergence of minds about the status of play
- Is play being eroded from early childhood education?
- Is our education system driven by outcomes and taking away the playfulness of learning?
- How can we ensure that play maintains its value in curriculum implementation in the EYFS?
Our speakers will include:
- Tamsin Grimmer, Early Years Consultant
- Greg Bottrill, Author and childhood advocate
- Ben Kingston-Hughes, Managing Director, Inspired Children
- Shaddai Tembo, Lecturer, Doctoral student, writer for Critical Early Years.
Delegates will be able to gain a greater understanding of the key issues around the debate on the importance of learning through play in the EYFS, including practical suggestions and strategies for ensuring every practitioner finds a balance that works for their cohort of children.
“Play is critical because it helps children learn about themselves, the world and each other. It is naïve to think that we will aid children’s development with a focus on a structured approach to teaching alone, so how can you ensure there is a shared understanding about the importance of play as an integral approach to learning?“ Mireille MacRaild, Education Services Director - Early Years, Herts for Learning.
EYFS practitioners, teachers, leaders, and managers wishing to become advocates for play, are invited to join this lively and engaging online session and be part of the convergence of minds.
The Herts for Learning Early Years National Debate
A convergence of minds about the status of play
Friday 10th June 2022 online 1:00pm - 3:00pm.
All sessions will be recorded to allow delegates who are booked on to an event, to watch them for 28 days after the event, if they are unable to participate in some or all of the live event on the day.
Cost: £49 (excl. VAT)
For full details and how to book, please visit, hertsforlearning.co.uk/events/herts-learning-early-years-national-debate
JSNA Briefing: COVID-19 Pandemic
This JSNA Briefing aims to identify the causes and risk factors for COVID-19 and assess the impact of the pandemic locally. This will inform recommendations that will seek to prevent COVID-19 infections, hospitalisations and excess deaths whilst addressing health and wellbeing issues and health inequalities that have been exacerbated by the pandemic.
It contains some good information on Children and Young People so we thought it would be worth sharing:-
Full doc. is here covid19-pandemic-jsna-briefing-2022.pdf (hertfordshire.gov.uk)
On a page doc… es-covid19-pandemic-jsna.pdf (hertfordshire.gov.uk)
Learning & development
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:-
View the latest L&D Programme - May2022
View the HSCP Neglect Hub here:- Neglect Hub | Hertfordshire County Council
Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership - Learning Management System (event-booking.org.uk)
To understand our thresholds a bit more, view the Continuum of needs (hertfordshire.gov.uk)
Year of Learning May 2022_Escalations of Concerns and Professional Disagreements about Decisions
Please find below this month’s 7 Minute Briefing on Escalations of Concerns and Professional Disagreements about Decisions
This briefing can also be found on our website – Resources a Year of Learning. Please share at your Team Meetings and with our Partners Agencies.
Year of Learning May 2022_Escalations of Concerns and Professional Disagreements about Decisions
HSAB and HSCP training and resources | Hertfordshire County Council
Talking Teens Parent Course
We are pleased to be able to offer an additional TALKING TEENS 6 week parent course to parents and carers on 12-19 year olds living or being schooled in Hertfordshire.
This will be an online course delivered to them at home via Zoom, commencing Monday 6th June.
Please promote this courses amongst your colleagues and families.
Look out for our post on Facebook and please give it a share.
Parents can self refer, or be referred using the form attached
Mental Health Peer Supporter Training - NEW DATES!
Could you support people in your community with their mental health?
MIND in Mid Herts are running free online Mental Health Peer Supporter training for local organisations and communities in Hertfordshire, which may be of interest to you or those you work with.We have added additional course dates for this training – please see below:
- Monday 20th June, Tuesday 21st June, Wednesday 22nd June, Thursday 23rd June (4x half days 9am to 1pm)
- Tuesday 12th July, Wednesday 13th July (2x full days 9.30am to 4.30pm)
- Tuesday 26th July, Wednesday 27th July (2x full days 9.30am to 4.30pm)
- Tuesday 9th August, Wednesday 10th August, Thursday 11th August, Friday 12th August (4x half-days 9am to 1pm)
- Wednesday 17th August, Thursday 18th August (2x full days 9.30am to 4.30pm)
This training will give you the skills to support others with their mental health and wellbeing. Please see the attached info sheet for more details.
You can book onto a free course by clicking on the below link:
https://www.mindinmidherts.org.uk/product/building-stronger-communities-in-herts/
My Baby’s Brain & Teen Brain Training dates
My Teen Brain focuses on a key stage of brain development and highlights how changes in the adolescent brain, in conjunction with experience and environment, can affect emotions, relationships, behaviours, sleep and attitudes to risk. We are delighted to announce that My Teen Brain Summer term course dates have been released for practitioners to book on to.
The course will be delivered virtually on from 10am-3pm:
- Thursday 23rd June 2022
- Wednesday 20th July 2022
There is still a few spaces left for the course that is due to be delivered on Thursday 23rd June. Please click on the link below if you would like to book your place on to the course.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/family-services-commissioning-hertfordshire-county-council-18892532428
Alternatively, practitioners can book on to the course being delivered on Wednesday 20th July by clicking on to the link below.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/my-teen-brain-online-training-tickets-354563046617
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.
For more information and helpful resources, please see My baby's brain | Hertfordshire County Council. You can also find details on our MBB programme.
Money Advice Unit - FREE Online Training
The
Spring/Summer training programme from the Money Advice Unit.
We are pleased to be able to offer an increased number of courses in this programme. This is due to funding we have received from Building Life Chances and a number of these courses will be delivered on or behalf by The Benefits Training Company. The booking process remains the same though - please complete the booking form below and return to MAUtraining@hertfordshire.gov.uk.
Please note that places are restricted to two people, per course, per organisation and booking is on a first come, first served basis.
Please use the electronic booking form; electronic signatures are accepted.
If you are a Training Manager booking on behalf of staff; please remember to provide the attendee(s) direct email address as well as your own, as this is where the calendar invites will be sent to participants. If all details are not provided, your booking request will not be processed.
Remember we also have a free online Universal Credit course available at www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/benefits
Workforce development
The vision for Families First training and development is to create a skilled, confident and resilient multi-agency workforce that supports whole family working.
To support this, we have brought together training courses that are available to practitioners across Hertfordshire. We aim to add new resources to this page when available and we have recently added some resources on Trauma Informed practice.
Please take a look at the page, bookmark and share with teams, where appropriate.
Workforce development (hertfordshire.gov.uk)
Workforce Shadowing
Virtual working has, in some cases made shadowing easier to access, and we have opportunities to shadow Families First Triage, Specialist Adolescent Services Hertfordshire (SASH), Intensive Family Support Teams and YC Hertfordshire. In addition some partners are able to provide 1-1 overviews of their service on request.
If this is something you/or your team member feel would be of benefit, please email Familesfirst.support@hertfordshire.gov.uk stating the service you would like to shadow and the preferred district and we will do our best to facilitate a shadowing opportunity.
Difference we're making
Families First - Performance Data Report
You may be interested to view our Families First Performance Data report for the period April 2021 - March 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.
Amazing feedback received!
This page is going become a regular article to showcase snippets of feedback which show the great appreciation for the work we do to support families:-
Intensive Family Support Team - Broxbourne, East Herts & Welwyn
Bridget Gill has been supporting Southfield School with safeguarding and support for families. Bridget recently helped them organise a market place type morning of other agencies that could support their families.
Bridget received the following comments from the school:-
"Bridget from Families First came along to Southfield schools first ever information marketplace. She came with a variety of information for parents and carers and was happy to chat about the service and how they can support families. Parents said she was friendly and approachable. Other agencies that came and supported was SPACE, local food bank, Herts local offer, YMCA, Carers in Herts, and families in focus."
Intensive Family Support Team - Stevenage/North Herts
"My support worker Suzanne was amazing and was a great deal of help and really made a difference and worked hard to make our life safe and knowing that we had her on our side made me feel confident. From the beginning my support worker and her manager immediately identified us victims of domestic abuse and this made a big difference to my confidence as I feared no one would believe me. My support worker worked very hard to refer me to many different agencies to help support us and safeguard us. Suzanne was in regular contact with me and whenever we experienced any harassment or abuse Suzanne was always there to listen to me and offer constructive advice. Without this, things would have been a lot worse for my state of mental health. Furthermore, Suzanne worked hard to bring multiple agencies together to help them understand my situation and how best to help me. The outcome of this meeting was both helpful and constructive. As a result of that meeting everyone involved was able to see the whole picture and the steps taken as a result of that meeting dramatically reduced the amount of harassment and abuse that we have been receiving. Suzanne has made such a difference to our lives and I truly have felt blessed to have had her. I can't praise Suzanne and Childrens Services enough! Thank you! To add to this, both myself and my son’s mental health has dramatically improved because of work that has been done"
Intensive Family Support Team - Watford, Three Rivers & Hertsmere
"I'm not really sure where to begin, when trying to express my gratitude towards your services and Roisin.
Roisin was amazing, down to earth and just what my family needed. She called, messaged and emailed. Most importantly she was down to earth, norma and had our backs! We felt listened to, understood and Roisin stood up for us when it mattered.
She is a credit to your service! We'll miss her and her melted chocolate biscuits!"
HABs Family Support
"I would just like to say a big thank you for your support this year it means a lot 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 thank you for the presents for my kids they will love them."
Watch it Grow!
Our Intensive Family Support Team for North Herts & Stevenage have cleared an area behind their office as it was looking very neglected and not very welcoming.
So the team decided to give the area a makeover so it could become a pleasant area that families could use to have conversations with their support workers, or just take some time out to relax.
They started by clearing weeds and then the donations of plants and planters started coming in and a new ‘garden’ project began to form. So many ways to use the space with our families are being bandied about too!
They have taken a few photos of ......
Watch this space for further updates.
Local area news
East Herts, Broxbourne & Welwyn
Updates from Broxbourne, East Herts & Welwyn Hatfield early help services:-
Update from Community Development Team, Broxbourne BC
- The Kidz Klub holiday playscheme ran at Easter and Whitsun at the John Warner Sport Centre in Hoddesdon. It was sold out most days. It will run again through the summer holidays.
- The Council delivered the HAPpy programme at Holdbrook (Waltham Cross) and in Hoddesdon at Easter with 226 attendances. Funding has been secured to deliver the scheme at both sites for the Summer holidays.
- Youth Work - we currently have four Youth sessions running each week
Basketball Outreach in Waltham Cross on Mondays (starting 6 June)
Detached youth work in Cheshunt North / Turnford on Tuesdays – around the Cadmore Lane, Penton Fields area.
Detached youth work in North Hoddesdon on Thursdays
Youth Sport Night at the Laura Trott Leisure Centre on Fridays starting on 17 June.
- Lowewood Museum – current exhibition is Jubilations and Coronations, a look at how the Borough has celebrated Royal events over the past 120+ years, going back to Queen Victoria’s golden jubilee. Local youth charity The Gifted have also been running Jubilee themed workshops leading to a display in the museum. The next exhibition marks the 40th anniversary of the formation of the museum. The Museum’s Community Engagement Officer has been working with Herts Museums and Wormley Community Centre to deliver a creative project to support young people’s mental health.
- Events coming up include:
Sat 11 June – Celebrating our Community multi-cultural festival in Waltham Cross
Friday 8 July – Queen’s Baton Relay at the Lee Valley White Water Centre along with accompanying primary school sport festival
Saturday 9 July – Vintage and Classic Car Show in Hoddesdon Town Centre
Sunday 10 July- Veg Fest with CHEXS in Grundy Park
Saturday 23 to Sunday 24 July – Open Air Cinema in Waltham Cross Town Centre
Wednesday 3 August – National Playday in Cheshunt Park
Saturday 6 August – Classic Vehicle Show in Waltham Cross Town Centre
Sunday 14 August – Rock Around The Clock Tower in Hoddesdon Town Centre
CVS for Broxbourne and East Herts : Summer Conference
We have an exciting line-up of top speakers this year who will be at our in-person Summer Conference of 2022. See who will be delivering each speech below and have a look at what's to come out of this year's jam-packed summer conference, lots of knowledge is to be taken away! It is also with great pleasure to have keynote speakers Jim McManus – Director of Public Health of Hertfordshire County Council, and Cllr Richard Roberts – Leader of Hertfordshire County Council.
Book your free place now via email by contacting penny@cvsbeh.org.uk. Free lunch is provided!
Services for Young People
You can view the details of the Services for Young People projects, services and opportunities for young people, for the summer term 2022 below:-
SfYP - Broxbourne
SfYP - East Herts
SfYP - Welwyn Hatfield
Full services can be viewed at- Services for Young People
Find out more about Hearts Helping Herts Craft Cafe here
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.
CHEXS
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 and 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. 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 NATIONALaward from the Children & Young People Now Awards 2021 for their coveted 'Charity of the year' 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
The HABS Family Support Team provides a high-quality service for children, young people and their families in Wormley, Broxbourne, Turnford, Hoddesdon, Cheshunt and Watford. We are an organisation that works with school-aged children to address social and health issues that are barriers to learning; we play a significant role in the lives of many young people and their families.
We provide support for children and families at risk of breakdown, offering practical and emotional support, helping with a range of issues including bereavement, separation, bullying, domestic abuse, drug or alcohol use, additional educational needs, housing, debt and challenging behaviour.
If you feel we would be able to offer you or your family support please get in contact with us on 01992303331 (opt 5) or you can visit our website www.habsfamily.co.uk or follow us on Facebook @HABScommunity
***EXCITING NEWS***
The HABS family support team are pleased to welcome Warren Dell Primary school and Churchfield CE Academy to the partnership.
HABS are also now the proud managers of the Hertford, Ware Villages School Partnership.
Our Core Offer:
We offer advice and support to children, young people, and their families on a range of issues and concerns including:
Mental health, Emotional Wellbeing, Separation and divorce, Mediation, Bereavement and loss, Young carers, Housing and eviction, Debt management, Domestic abuse, Transition, Benefits advice and support, Confidence and Self esteem, Parenting support and advice
We also have an excellent working relationship with local teams, enabling us to signpost to many local activities, support groups, parenting programmes, and information services in our local community.
If you feel we would be able to offer you or your family support please get in contact with Hayley or Karen on 07745 374901 / 07545 501825 or you can visit the HABS website with a dedicated section for HWVSP www.habsfamily.co.uk or follow us on Facebook @HABScommunity
Herts Mind Network
The Community Support Service (CSS) is a mental health outreach service run by Herts Mind Network and in partnership with local councils. CSS currently operates in Watford, Three Rivers, Hertsmere and Broxbourne.
The service is for adults age 18 plus and delivers one to one holistic , practical and emotional support with a range of issues. These include coping strategies and developing emotional resilience. Support with housing, benefits and debt. Support around drug and alcohol abuse and supporting parents who may be on a child protection, child in need plan or family support plan. Mental health should be the primary need.
For any referral enquiries please contact css@hertsmindnetwork.org
Frontline
Is a user-friendly web-based referral system for local community health and wellbeing services. Organisations can refer/signpost to other providers via the up-to-date library of local services. All referrals are encrypted, consent driven and referrers can 'track' any referral they make. Currently, Frontline covers both East Herts and Broxbourne.
Citizens Advice East Herts - Service Update
Information about changes to the Citizens Advice Help to Claim service in Broxbourne
There has been an update about upcoming changes to the way people can access our Help to Claim service to get help applying for Universal Credit. You may already be aware that the DWP announced the recommissioning of the current service last year. Citizens Advice has been successful in securing this funding for 1 year starting from 1 April 2022.You can find out more about this on the DWP’s website at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/funding-boost-to-citizens-advice-to-deliver-help-to-claim-universal-credit-support
Access to Universal Credit advice in Broxbourne.
Citizens Advice delivers the current Help to Claim service which will run until 31 March 2022. The new service will start on 1 April so there will be no gap in support for the people who come to us for help. The service will continue to provide tailored support for people making a Universal Credit claim, up to their first successful payment. However, the DWP has provided funding for a digital service only, meaning telephone, webchat and video. There is no funding for face to face provision provided through this grant.
In Broxbourne, this will see changes to our service from now, and after the new service starts. There will be a reduction in the number of Citizens Advice offices delivering Help to Claim and we won’t be funded to deliver face to face Help to Claim appointments. Citizens Advice Broxbourne will not be delivering the Help to Claim service. However, we’ll always make sure clients know where they can go to get help and we’ll be signposting people to ways they can access advice about Universal Credit through Citizens Advice, as given below:
People can continue to access our help by:
Questions
We’ll continue to keep you updated about our service and how clients can continue to access Universal Credit advice. If you have any questions please email me at bromyard.m@citizensadvicebroxbourne.org
CVS for Broxbourne & East Herts latest e-bulletin can be viewed here
Hertford Wellbeing Hub
The Hertford Wellbeing Hub is a new community use building in the heart of the Sele Farm Estate.
We have developed a physical activity programme from the Hub but would love to add some new and different sessions in the new year.
Find out more by downloading the hub leaflet.
Dacorum & St Albans
Update from Dacorum and St Albans early help services:-
Services for Young People
You can view the details of the Services for Young People projects, services and opportunities for young people, for the summer term 2022 below:-
SfYP - Dacorum - district leaflet
SfYP - Dacorum - summer programme 2022
SfYP - St Albans - district leaflet
SfYP - St Albans - summer programme 2022
Full services can be viewed at- Services for Young People
DSPL Workshops and Courses For Parent/Carers
View the Summer 2022 Parenting Courses and Support Brochure for Dacorum.
Christians Against Poverty
We have a new FREE 4 week course facilitated by CAP (Christians Against Poverty). Please find a poster attached. This Life Skills course covers supporting people to make their money go further and budgeting skills. It is for families with children who are living in Hertsmere and St Albans.
Wednesday 8th, 15th, 29th June and 6th July 2022. (Please note not on 22nd June 2022), 10:00 – 12:00
Caledon Community Centre,
Caledon Road
London Colney
AL2 1PS
If anyone is interested please book a place here Life Skills, London Colney, 10:00 - 12:00, 08/06/2022 Tickets, Wed 8 Jun 2022 at 10:00 | Eventbrite T
Henry Programme
Please find attached the programme information for the HENRY Healthy Families service running in Herts Valley for June 2022.
We have programmes running in Watford, St Albans, Hemel and an online programme too.
You can also download the referral form and leaflet which gives families more information about how the programme works.
If you have any families you think would benefit from our free 8 week family programme please refer them using the form attached, Beezee Bodies website or by calling 01707 248648.
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
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.
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.
Family Centre Service
You can view the Family Support Service leaflet for professionals here
Watford, Three Rivers & Hertsmere
Update from Watford early help services:-
Coming soon: Free Community Event: Domestic Abuse awareness and support. Find out more here
The Intensive Family Support Team's Network meeting will be taking place at Otley Family Centre on Thursday 16th June, from 12pm till 2.30pm.
Please see the flyer for more details & RSVP if you are attending.
We are please to bring you the first edition of the Watford FC CSE Trust Health and Wellbeing Newsletter. This allows you to find out information about Watford FC Community programmes and how to refer in. Please share with your colleagues where necessary. If you require any further information on any of the programmes please don’t hesitate to contact the direct programme lead or email Healthadmin@Watfordfc.com.
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.
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
North Herts & Stevenage
Update from North Herts/Stevenage early help services:-
Services for Young People
We would like to announce that the Services for Young People (SfYP) ‘Norton Common Street Project’ is now being delivered from a venue.
Renamed ‘Letchworth Monday Night Project’ and still aimed at young people aged 13 – 16 (focusing on Positive Futures), the project is now being delivered at:
The Icknield Centre
Icknield Way
Letchworth Garden City
SG6 1EF
On Monday nights (term time) from 6:30pm – 8:30pm.
You can view the details of the Services for Young People projects, services and opportunities for young people, for the summer term 2022 below:-
SfYP - North Herts - district leaflet
SfYP - North Herts - summer programme 2022
SfYP - Stevenage - district leaflet
SfYP - Stevenage - summer programme 2022
To make a referral or for more information on our projects, services and opportunities, please visit the Services for Young People website.
No More Service Youth
The No More Service Youth offers complex needs support to individuals to tackle issues which negatively impact on their daily life. The Service comprises of 2 key support areas;
1. Youth Offenders support - Offering intensive support to prolific offenders and those associated with gang, knife crime, antisocial behaviour and county lines.
2. Drug and Alcohol support – offering intensive support to clients, assisting with substance misuse, offending, education and housing. This includes support from exploitation surrounding county lines
Supporting Links
Supporting Links are delighted to be offering a face to face Talking Additional Needs course in North Herts in June. It has been a long time since we met with parents in person and we cant wait!
We understand that some parents may not be ready to meet in person or may prefer an online course. However, for many, this is the best or only way that they can access this kind of support, and we really need your help to reach them. A referral form is also attached.
Mind in Mid Herts
Sopwell Peer Support (view poster)
This programme is part of Sopwell Wellbeing, a local initiative to help residents affected by the pandemic. We are offering a range of services to provide emotional, social and practical community- based support to strengthen wellbeing.
Please click on the link below to find out more or email training@mindinmidherts.org.uk:
www.mindinmidherts.org.uk/mental-health-training-and-workshops/building-stronger-communities/
Walking and being with nature holds many benefits for your mental health. Evidence shows that regular exercise helps improve your mood, get a better night’s sleep, reduces stress and anxiety, increases your energy, improves your confidence and self-esteem. Why not join our FREE Walk & Talk groups in St Albans (Mondays 1-2pm), Welwyn Garden City (Mondays 11am) and Baldock (Thursdays at 10.30am).
Happy Hour – Online talking group (view poster)
Happy memories; bring with you; pictures, items and memories from any time in your life, and tell us a story about it! Sing songs: Bring a song that has a positive memories or your favourite song and why, feel free to sing along. Talk about people or animals you have encountered in your life that have influenced how you think, feel and are. You can bring pictures along to help share your story. Every Thursday at 2pm. For more information contact tara.johnson@mindinmidherts.org.uk
LGBTQ plus group (View poster) – restarted after the pandemic
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.
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>
Trauma Insight Training will be rolled out from Monday 6th 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 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