The latest news
Check out Hertfordshire's Spring 25 Parenting and Relationship Courses
Please download the latest Parenting and Relationship Support Offer Newsletter which will provide you with information and details on Parenting Courses and Relationship Support offer. Please can you ensure you cascade to your teams. If you have any questions please email CSStrategic.Partnerships@hertfordshire.gov.uk .
We have listed a few of the current courses below, but please visit the Hertfordshire Directory for the full listing.
In addition, you can find out further information below:-
Family Lives offer a variety of on-line workshops, courses and advice articles such as Understanding Children's Behaviour (online workshop), Understanding the importance of communicating with teens (article), parenting courses (online), Bullying on social media (article), and online forums for parents and carers to connect and share experiences. Download the Summer programme here.
Families In Focus
Families in Focus offer fully funded Targeted Parenting evidence-based courses starting in September (all June courses are now fully booked).
All courses are interactive and online via Zoom.
Families in Focus e have over 30 years of experience of working alongside parents and families and are happy to answer questions or discuss course content, simply email us at bookings@familiesinfocus.co.uk
- A complete guide to parenting children with Autism and/or ADHD – inclusive of parents whose children are on assessment pathways. Fully funded and free for parents of children 2 to 11 years and living in Hertfordshire.
- Tuesday mornings from 9.30am to 11.30am September 7th, 14th & October 7th, 14th & November 4th, 11th, 18th
- Tuesday evenings from 6.30pm to 8.30pm September 7th, 14th & October 7th, 14th & November 4th, 11th, 18th
- Handling anger of children with Autism and/or ADHD - inclusive of parents whose children are on assessment pathways. Fully funded and free for parents of children 4 to 11 years and living in Hertfordshire.
- Wednesday mornings from 9.30am to 11.30am September 10th, 17th, 24th & October 1st, 8th, 15th
- Wednesday afternoons from 12.30pm to 2pm September 10th, 17th, 24th & October 1st, 8th, 15th
- Wednesday evenings from 6.30pm to 8.30pm September 10th, 17th, 24th & October 1st, 8th, 15th
Help us Shape the Future of Children’s Social Care in Hertfordshire!
We would like to ask for your help in encouraging the families you are supporting to complete this important questionnaire:-
We're inviting families across Hertfordshire to help shape the future of children's social care by completing a short questionnaire, you can share your experiences ideas and hopes for a system that truly supports every child and family.
This is your chance to co-design services that reflect your community's needs, because no one understands what works better than you. Whether you're a parent, carer or young person your insights are invaluable. Let's build a brighter, more supportive future together. 🏠💖
Please use the link or QR code below to complete a short questionnaire
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/wvHbv3t7qt
HAPpy camps are back this summer!
BOOKINGS OPEN 12:00 THURSDAY 26 JUNE
Hertfordshire County Council is once again launching its free summer activity camps for children and young people in Hertfordshire.
Fully funded holiday activity camps return for the summer break, providing eligible children and young people with the chance to meet friends, learn new skills and enjoy nutritious food.
The HAPpy programme is funded by Hertfordshire County Council and the Department of Education (DfE) via the government’s Holiday Activity and Food programme and coordinated by Herts Sport and Activity Partnership and the Hertfordshire Community Foundation.
Camps are running from 28 July – 29 August and places can be booked via the Herts Sports Partnership’s website: https://bit.ly/BookHAPpyIC
Ask your school office, if your child is eligible and you have not received your code.
Listen Up - Adultification within child safeguarding practice
Listen Up has published a report on adultification within child safeguarding practice in England. Adultification is a form of bias where children from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic communities are perceived as being more ‘streetwise’, more ‘grown up’ and less vulnerable than other children. The review finds growing awareness of adultification amongst safeguarding practitioners but highlights some concerns about the depth of understanding and commitment to addressing the issue, including resistance to recognising adultification as a form of racism. The report includes recommendations and examples of promising practice.
Download the report: Pushing forward – testing learning on adultification in child safeguarding practices in England
See also on NSPCC Learning
> Safeguarding children who come from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic communities
News from Services for Young People, June 2025
Positive Pathways summer activity programmes
The Services for Young People (SfYP) Positive Pathways summer activity programmes will be run by qualified SfYP Youth Workers and will focus on how young people can stay safe, learn new skills and make informed decisions. The programmes will involve fun activities and interactive workshops that will help young people to improve their confidence and social skills, be more resilient and able to overcome challenges in their lives.
Holiday Activity Programme
SfYP is also running an exciting programme of free holiday activities for young people aged 12-16 who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Young people will have the opportunity to take part in fun physical activities such as sports, dance and team games, get creative with arts and crafts, music production and cooking, meet and socialise with other young people and get free healthy food every day.
Get September Ready with Services for Young People
SfYP is offering ‘Get September Ready’ sessions throughout the summer to help Year 11 students feel more confident and prepared for their next steps after school. The free sessions are open to all young people who are finishing Year 11 who would benefit from support with the transition to their next step. Whether they are going into sixth form, college or don’t currently have anything in place for September, they can get individualised support from qualified SfYP Advisers. The informal sessions are particularly beneficial for young people who have been out of education, are home-educated, or have SEND, including those with social, emotional and mental health needs.
Free summer activities at Hudnall Park for young people with SEND
SfYP is offering a series of free exciting outdoor activities to young people aged 13-19 with SEND at Hudnall Park this summer. All activities develop social, emotional and physical skills in a safe and supportive environment. Young people can learn archery and compete in fun games, tackle a woodland balance course and explore nature in the beautiful woodlands.
Read more about the free summer activities for young people with SEND
View and share the latest Online Safety Newsletters
HFL would like to share two new summer term 2025 Online Safety Newsletters. One is for professionals and one for parents and carers.
Both editions can also be downloaded from the HFL website and the Grid.
The newsletters 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:
- Ofcom insights on AI use, algorithms, and social media in early years
- Teen slang, emojis, and hidden hashtags decoded
- Childline’s Behind the Screen resource on online sexual extortion
- Best practice for managing digital media on school websites
- Highlights from the “Children’s Wellbeing in a Digital World” report
Our newsletter for parents and carers includes reviews and details about:
- “Teens, Social Media & You” – a TikTok-supported guide for safe use
- Recognising and responding to tech-facilitated abuse
- Online safety support for LGBTQ+ children
- What to know about Kick streaming
- Tips for safer online gaming
- Decoding teen slang and emoji use
If you’d like any more information please contact our Wellbeing team at wellbeing@hfleducation.org or visit Online safety in schools | HFL Education
Free Emotional Based School Avoidance Support Group
Vista St Albans (Local School Partnership) are running EBSA coffee afternoon for parents and children to come along every Wednesday at The Pioneer Club in St Albans for families. (View leaflet).
Every Wednesday, 1pm-3pm, The Pioneer Youth Club, St Albans, AL3 5AY
There are activities for the young people to do whilst the parents have a coffee and chat and get some advice.
Its free to attend and parents are welcome to come without the young people if they struggle to get them out of the house.
It is open to the whole of Hertfordshire. Any questions please email: jackie.green@vistastalbans.org.uk
SEND summit announced
Councillor Mark Watkin, Executive Member for Education, SEND and Inclusion, announced that we will be holding a SEND summit in September to shape future SEND services across the county.
The Summit will be a pivotal moment in shaping the future of services for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), their families, the schools they attend, and the professionals who support them. It will help inform Hertfordshire’s new SEND Strategy for 2026–2031, which will be launched later this year.
We are pleased to launch an online survey and announce a series of in-person listening events across the county for people to share their experiences and ideas about SEND in Hertfordshire.
Find out more here:- Hertfordshire County Council | SEND summit announced – shaping future SEND provision in Hertfordshire
Update on Plan for Children & Young People
Hertfordshire County Council’s work on a new Plan for Children and Young People has continued through the spring. Feedback from the survey has been used to inform the draft document setting out the priorities for the work we do to support children and young people in the next five years.
We are grateful to all of you who took the time to share your views. The Vision has been updated; and Ambitions and Enablers have been included to describe what services will do to support children and young people achieve positive outcomes, and set out how effective systems will support this. The draft Plan will go through the political process over the next few months with a view to it being launched before the end of the year.
Watch this space!
HELP a child in need by becoming a foster carer
Hertfordshire County Council has launched an urgent HELP campaign to find more foster carers.
There is now an urgent need for more foster carers in Hertfordshire to help children stay in their local area, continue their education, and maintain connections with family and friends.
The county council runs a non-profit fostering service dedicated to providing children with a loving and supportive home. In Hertfordshire, there are approximately 1,000 children in care and more than 400 households fostering with their local council.
But the number of foster carers is declining, both locally and nationally. The council urgently needs more people to become foster carers, to make a difference to the lives of local children.
Could you provide stability, care and a family home for a local child?
You’ll receive training and support and, as a foster carer, you’ll receive a weekly payment for your skills, plus a weekly allowance for each child you look after.
Visit the website today to find out more about fostering in Hertfordshire: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/fosterHELP
Welcome to the Safe Space Mentoring Programme
Introduction
Mentoring has the potential to be a powerful personal development tool for young people. This guidance outlines for professionals the types of support needs which can best be met by mentoring, and how young people who present with these needs can be referred.
The Safe Space Mentoring Programme
Safe Space offers a mentoring programme which matches suitable young people aged 11 – 19 years in year 7 and up (up to 25 years with a LDD or for care leavers) with a mentor. The young person and the mentor meet on a regular basis (generally once per week) about the issues or problems which may be holding them back from achieving their full potential. The aim of the mentoring programme is to equip young people with the necessary skills to make informed and positive choices in their lives. The duration of mentoring support for an individual young person is approximately 6 months.
Mentors
All mentors are volunteers and are supported by two part time members of staff (covering Mon-Fri), the Safe Space Mentoring Co-ordinators.
Safe Space makes a concerted effort to recruit mentors from a wide variety of backgrounds, however professionals need to be aware that it is not always possible to meet a young person’s preference for a particular mentor. For example, a young person may wait longer to be matched with a mentor if they specify on the referral form that they would like to work with a male or female mentor rather than the ‘don’t mind’ option. Mentors come from a wide range of backgrounds and are chosen for their skills and ability to support young people.
Mentors undergo a robust recruitment procedure which includes a personal interview and an enhanced DBS check.
Once accepted to the programme mentors undertake 2 days of initial training. Training covers topics such as the role of a mentor, the stages of mentoring, safeguarding, professional boundaries, confidentiality, information sharing and equality and diversity.
It is important to remember that mentors are not qualified counsellors or social workers. Although mentors have been accepted to the programme because of the qualities they display, e.g. the ability to motivate and inspire, and the ability to communicate in a non-judgemental way, they do not have the full training or qualifications that would be needed to support young people with complex needs.
The Mentoring Relationship
A mentoring relationship is focused on assisting the young person to achieve specified and agreed goals. Mentors do not carry out home visits and they are not befrienders. All meetings with young people are in a public place, e.g. a café, school or library, and all meetings have the purpose of empowering the young person to make informed decisions for themselves by discussing the options available.
Mentees can expect the mentor to show a genuine interest in their lives and a commitment to helping them achieve their aims.
Referral Criteria
To ensure that mentoring is a beneficial experience for the young person, it is important that they are matched with a mentor who is able to support their needs. For this reason, professionals should assess the support needs of the young person prior to any referral. Referrals must only be submitted to the team once mentoring has been explained to the young person and they agree they’d like to take part in the programme.
As a general rule mentoring is most effective for those young people with low to mid level support needs. For example, confidence building, time management skills, personal skills to help make new friends, or assistance with job hunting. Mentoring is less likely to be suitable for those young people
with intensive or complex support needs, e.g. mental health concerns or diagnosis, or where there are child protection concerns. We are not able to accept referrals for young people on a CIN plan or for young people who are actively being seen by specialist CAMHS. Mentoring may involve participation
in an activity but the activity should be secondary to the mentoring and not the focus of the sessions.
The Safe Space mentoring programme is a voluntary programme so only those young people who have expressed an interest in being matched with a mentor should be referred. It is important to note that mentors generally work on their own, out in the community, on a one-to-one basis with young people. For health and safety reasons it will generally not be acceptable to refer a young person who has a history of violent or aggressive behaviour. Signed parental consent is required for referrals for young people under the age of 13.
Mentoring should not be used as a ‘stop gap’ whilst the young person is awaiting support from another service. Professionals should always consider any other referrals that have been made and how (or if) mentoring might fit with these. Referrals are not accepted from parents or carers, all referrals need to be initiated by a professional and agreed by the young person.
Please note that any one referrer or school/college may make a maximum of 2 referrals at any time free of charge, and any one district team/service may only make a maximum of 5 referrals at any time free of charge. Please contact the Mentoring Co-ordinators to discuss options for funding additional referrals if needed.
The Mentoring Co-ordinator’s decision to accept a referral or not is final.
Referral Process for Professionals
- Consider the level of support needs of the young person. Those with low to mid level support needs
can be referred. Those with complex or intensive support needs should be referred to the relevant
agency for professional support.
- Professionals should discuss with the young person the structure of the programme, the benefits
and boundaries of working with a mentor, and the commitment required. It is strongly advised that
referring professionals contact the Mentoring Co-ordinators to check suitability and availability in that
area before any guarantee is made to the young person; a referral form can then be requested from
the Mentoring Co-ordinators. The Mentoring Co-ordinators have the right to decline referrals which are
not considered appropriate for mentoring.
- The professional should support the young person to complete the referral form, outlining why they
would like to work with a mentor and completing a statement outlining any background information
and support needs that the mentor may need to be aware of.
- The referral form must be completed in one word or PDF format and returned to
mentoringmailbox@hertfordshire.gov.uk by the referring professional. Referrals sent to us by the
young person or parent or forms not sent in these formats will be returned to the referrer.
- Once the referral has been made the Mentoring Co-ordinators will consider the referral and match
suitable young people with a mentor.
Continuing Professional Involvement
It is the referrer’s responsibility to update the mentoring team if there are any changes to the young person’s circumstances that may impact on their support needs or if any safeguarding concerns are identified.
A referral to the mentoring programme does not necessarily mean that the referring professional will cease to work with that young person. Dependent on the support needs of each particular young person the level of continuing professional involvement will differ. In some cases, mentoring will be a tool used by a professional alongside the support they are already providing to that young person. In other cases it may be beneficial for the professional to contact the young person to check that they are benefiting from the mentoring relationship. All relevant feedback should be provided to the Mentoring Co-ordinators.
If you have any questions on this service please contact: 01992 588796, mentoringmailbox@hertfordshire.gov.uk
SAHWR (Specialist Domestic Abuse Service) launch new website
SAHWR provide specialist, trauma informed and holistic services to individuals and their families who are survivors of domestic abuse across Hertfordshire.
SAHWR – Our New Website has launched – visit www.sahwr.org.uk to take a look at our new site!
We have also launched our new central number – 0300 124 5095
Learning & development
Families First Dates for Your Diary!
There are many ways to stay updated with Families First News, including events, webinars, induction days, and partnership meetings. Discover what’s coming up here
Monthly Families First Keeping in Touch Sessions
These sessions are a short informal update on service news, training offers and parenting courses delivered by one of our service managers. Please email familiesfirst.support@hertfordshire.gov..uk if you would like an invitation to join.
- Thursday 10th July, 9am-9.30
- Thursday 4th September, 9am-9.30
- Thursday 2nd October, 9am-9.30
Join a Families First Induction day - ideal for new starters
We host Families First online Induction days 4 times per year, where various early help services give a 20 minute whistle-stop tour of their service and are attended by new internal CS staff and external partners. The next dates are:-
- Wednesday 25 June 2025 via Teams
- Wednesday 15 October 2025 via Teams
Please email: familiesfirst.support@hertfordshire.gov.uk if you have any questions on the above or would like an invite sent to you.
Families First quarterly district partnership meetings
In addition, many of you are regular attendees at our partnership meetings, which are a great way of keeping up to date with new services, updates and make connections. You can find out more about the groups here and email familiesfirst.support@hertfordshire.gov.uk if you would like to join.
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:-
Money Advice Unit Training Programme, Spring/Summer 2025
Please find attached the Money Advice Unit Training Programme and booking form for SPRING/SUMMER 2025.
All the courses are free of charge but please note we will only accept bookings from organisations in Hertfordshire. Due to demand, we only allow a maximum of two participants from each organisation per course.
Our courses are done both online and face to face. Please see programme to see which you would prefer to attend.
If you want to book for more than one person, please complete a separate booking form for each person.
Once you return the completed booking form(s) to us, the attendees will receive a booking confirmation email within 5 working days. Please check your junk folder as sometimes our emails go to the junk folder straight away.
Workforce Shadowing
The vision for Families First training and development is to create a skilled, confident and resilient multi-agency workforce that supports whole family working.
Workforce shadowing provides a great opportunity to find out more about other services, what they do and how they might be able to support you in your work. It also enhances communication across agencies and helps strengthen and develop professional relationships, building local networks.
If you would like to organise a workforce shadowing placement for either yourself or a team member please complete the form on this page stating the service you would like to shadow and the preferred district and we will match you to a shadowing opportunity.
The following services have offered to host shadowing opportunities in either in person or virtually:-
- Citizens Advice (Broxbourne/St Albans/North Herts)
- Childcare provision
- CGL (drug & alcohol support)
- District Council, ASB Team, Three Rivers
- District Council, Housing Support, Broxbourne
- Domestic Abuse Support
- DSPL (Delivering Special Provision Locally) - All areas
- Families First Panels Team
- Family Support Service, Family Centre
- Herts Mind Network
- Herts Sports Partnership
- Home-Start (Watford & Three Rivers)
- MIND in Mid Herts
- ASB Team, District Council, Three Rivers
- Housing Support, District Council
- Intensive Family Support Team (IFST)
- Local School Partnerships
- Police
- Public Health Nursing
- Re-Intergration, Virtual School
- Schools Early Years Provision
- Specialist Adolescent Services Hertfordshire (SASH)
- Services for Young People
- Supporting Families Practice Team
Additionally, if you would like to add your service to the above list, again please email us with your contact details, service and district.
Familesfirst.support@hertfordshire.gov.uk
Please take a look at the page, bookmark and share with teams, where appropriate.
Workforce development (hertfordshire.gov.uk)
View Courses from Step2Skills
Step2Skills - Find the latest on-line and in-person courses here: Step2Skills
Courses running such as Level 1 - Preparing to work in schools, Improving your skills in Microsoft excel, Level 1 in garment construction, Social media for business, Explore your sewing machine, Assertiveness and communication skills, Introduction to Microsoft PowerPoint, Online job search and applications, Interview skills to name but a few.
My Teen Brain Online Training
Strategic Partnerships Commissioning (formerly known as Family & Health Services Commissioning) are pleased to announce the next My Teen Brain Online Training course on Tuesday 24th June 2025 and Wednesday 9th July 2025.
This 1-day CPD course, from 10am – 3pm is for Hertfordshire practitioners working with parents of teenagers and/or working with teenagers or young people in Hertfordshire. It provides an opportunity to understand teenage brain development and the adolescent developmental process and consider both risk and resilience. It includes ideas and strategies for professionals working with teenagers and their parents to help them cope with challenging feelings and behaviour and to support young people in an emotionally healthy context. The day brings together the latest understanding from neuroscience and developmental psychology and the principles of The Nurturing Programme from The Centre For Emotional Health.
Please find below the booking link for you to reserve your place on to one of our summer term courses. This training is a very popular and is beneficial to all practitioners who work with Hertfordshire children and families.
If you are interested in booking on to the course, please ensure that you ONLY reserve your place if you have the capacity to attend the training on your preferred day and for the entire duration of the session, which is from 10am – 3pm.
9th July - My Teen Brain Online Training | Hertfordshire County Council
If you would like further information about the course or alternative dates, please email CSStrategic.Partnerships@hertfordshire.gov.uk
New Free Young Carers e-learning module
📢 Young Carers Are Everyone’s Business – New e-learning Module Now Live
To mark Carers Week (9–15th June), Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) has launched a new free, accessible e-learning module to help professionals across Hertfordshire better understand and support young carers.
👧 Who Are Young Carers?
A young carer is someone under 18 who helps care for someone with a physical illness, mental health condition, disability, or substance misuse issue.
❗ Why This Matters
The Carers Trust estimates that 1 in 5 school-aged children could be young carers. Yet in Hertfordshire:
- The January 2025 School Census:
- Found that 60% of schools reported no known young carers
- Identified only 1,483 young carers out of approx. 200,000 pupils
- The 2021 Census recorded just 2,525 young carers aged 5–17
These figures show many young carers remain hidden and unsupported.
💡 About the Module
This 30-minute course helps staff:
- Recognise signs a child may be a young carer
- Understand the impact of caring on their wellbeing
- Know how to signpost to support in Hertfordshire
👥 Who Should Complete It?
This module is for anyone working with children, families, or vulnerable adults—whether in adult care, libraries, youth services, health or education. Young carers are everyone’s business.
🔗 How to Access
Let’s all play our part—complete the e-learning today and help ensure young carers get the support they need to thrive!
Herts Mind Network
Herts Mind Network are excited to share our upcoming Online wellbeing groups for children and young people, designed to support emotional development, resilience, and mental wellbeing through engaging and age-appropriate groups.
Please see flyers attached. WithTOUth Online Group Support, Future YOUth Mentoring Service, CYP Workshops (costed training guide), CYP workshops (free training guide), Spot the Signs Suicide Prevention
💥 Anger Avengers (Ages 7–12) - Anger Avengers - WithYouth
Tuesdays, 5:00 PM | 24 June – 15 July 2025 (4 weeks)
Helping kids turn big feelings into super strengths.
This empowering group helps children understand and manage anger in healthy ways. Through interactive activities, we explore emotional triggers, conflict resolution, empathy, and practical coping tools – all with a fun and supportive approach.
🌿 The Calm Club (Ages 15+) - The Calm Club - WithYouth
Mondays, 7:00 PM | 7 July – 25 August 2025 (7 weeks)
Find your calm. Build your confidence.
A supportive space for teens to understand and manage anxiety, build self-awareness, and learn practical strategies for coping with school pressure, exam stress, and social anxiety. Activities include mindfulness, goal setting, and positive thinking exercises.
🎒 Road to Year 7 (For Year 6 students) - Road to Year 7 - WithYouth
Thursdays, 5:00 PM | 17 July – 18 September 2025 (10 weeks)
Starting secondary school can feel overwhelming – but they don’t have to face it alone.
This group provides a friendly and fun space to prepare for Year 7, meet others going through the same transition, and build confidence through games, helpful discussions, and practical tips on friendships, routines, and organisation.
🌈 Creative Minds - Creative Minds - WithYouth
Wednesdays, 5:00 PM | 11 June – 13 August 2025 (10 weeks)
A welcoming group for young people to explore their feelings through art, games, and writing.
No experience needed – just bring creativity and curiosity! A great way to build confidence, connect with peers, and express emotions in fun, supportive ways.
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 2024 - March 2025.
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.
Families First Case Studies
Following on from a programme of Celebrating Excellence in Early Help sessions run in Children’s Services, which aimed to highlight the Families First approach and also included contributions from some of our partners, we are sharing some of the recent case below:
Case Study 1 - Intensive Family Support / Local Borough Council
Scene Setting
The Intensive Family Support team (IFST) began supporting this family of nine in Spring 2021.
As support got underway the third youngest child Tia* was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour and the family are struggling coming to terms with Tia’s diagnosis and her life expectancy of one year. Tia is 11 years old.
On learning of Tia’s prognosis and following discussion with Keech Hospice an Occupational Therapist (OT) appointment was arranged for the family’s home. This assessment identified that the three-bedroom home was not suitable for end-of-life care and was not suitable for adaptation as the access was too narrow and steep for a ramp.
The Family Intervention Worker (FIW) made contact with the local Borough Council’s Aids and Adaptions Team for support.
READ MORE
Case Study 2 - Families First Assessment
Scene Setting
This case study provides some insight into the journey of Fran* and her family. Fran is an eight year old girl who worries about her mum, she knows mum is different when she is with her drinking friends. Fran’s Mum has a diagnosis of unstable personality disorder and has previously used drugs and alcohol as coping strategies, she has been in a cycle of poor mental health and whilst their wider family network have been supporting Fran and her mother they sought out some external support via a Families First Assessment.
READ MORE
Case Study 3 - Employment Adviser/IFST
Scene Setting:
This case study provides some insight into the support provided to Sanz* from one of our Employment Advisers. Our Intensive Family Support Teams include Employment Advisers who provide tailored support in areas such as employability; taking time to understand skills and experiences, any barriers or challenges preventing employment, identification of any training to support employability, preparation of supporting statements and CVs and job search support, including mock interviews.
Our Advisers can also provide guidance on how to navigate the benefits system, including benefit entitlements and claims, as well as how changes in circumstances impact benefits.
They work in parallel with Family Intervention Workers. This case study summarises support given to Sanz, the mother, to support with employability and benefits.
READ MORE
Case Study 4 - Local Schools Partnership
Case Study 5
This case study follows a mum who suffers from depression and anxiety. She was distrusting of professionals due to a negative experience with Children's Services in another local authority. Dad had recently moved out of the family home so she cares for her three children alone. Read more about the support the family received and the tools mum now takes forward in her parenting skills.
READ MORE
Please share anonymised case studies highlighting how early help and partnership working has provided support to local families with us at familiesfirst.support@hertfordshire.gov.uk. Please ensure you have consent from the family.
Local area news
Local News
Updates from the local districts
Please use this page to promote any local events or webinars. Please send an email with the subject: FF News - Local News page with a link to your event and short description to familiesfirst.support@hertfordshire.gov.uk
Broxbourne & East Herts
HABS BRINGS BACK THE 80s & 90s
Get ready to dust off those leg warmers, tease that hair, and grab your glow sticks — we’re turning back the clock for a night of pure retro fun.
Saturday, 12th July, 7:30 PM – 11:30 PM, Robert Barclay Academy
Tickets: £15
Expect iconic tunes, classic dance moves, and a night full of neon nostalgia — all while supporting a great cause.
To book tickets, please email:
events@habscharity.org.uk
- Community Alliance Summer Conference - Together for Tomorrow - Join us for our annual Summer Conference - 'Together for Tomorrow' on Friday, 27th June 2025, from 12 noon to 3pm at the Nigel Copping Community Building in Stanstead Abbotts.
Discover new opportunities for the voluntary sector to stay ahead of change. Explore modern methods to improve your fundraising and listen intently to how our core CVS offer can support you!
Grow your network and be part of the conversation on how we can grow and thrive together. Reserve your spot today! Email isobel@communityalliancebeh.org.uk to book your place. More details to follow!
Friday 27th June 2025
12pm to 3pm
Nigel Copping Community Building, Stanstead Abbotts, SG12 8GA
- Family Centre Service are running Parent Cafes, where local families can meet the team and other local families and find out about workshops, play activities and get information, advice and guidance. Session is a Seth Ward Community Centre, Buntingford 13:30-15:00 on 8/7/25
- Mens group: "Mens Collective" A talking group for men focusing on communication with families and at work but also a safe space for men to talk freely and be heard. 6.30-8pm 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at the Community Alliance Building, Fore Street, Hertford. Download the poster
Broxbourne Council has produced a simple Cost of Living guide for residents - Download the latest Cost of Living Directory
- Lots of really useful links for information on support for the cost of living is available on the Citizens Advice East Herts website https://citizensadviceeastherts.org.uk/ from Energy saving tips, Cost of Living payments, and Fuel bills. Also download the Citizens Advice leaflet which gives times/dates of their drop-in
- Services for Young People (SfYP) youth work projects enable young people to develop their personal and social skills and increase their confidence, self-esteem and resilience. Get details of SfYP projects and information, advice and support services in your area here:
SfYP East Herts Team projects
SfYP Broxbourne Team projects
- Healthy Hub East Herts are running drop-in sessions across the district for residents to pop in for FREE help and advice about anything they would like support with. A full list of dates and venues is on our website.
- The ParkPlay in Cedars Park, Cheshunt on Saturday morning offers a fantastic opportunity for families to engage in two hours of free community play, while remaining active and spending quality time with their loved ones. Additionally, it provides an excellent opportunity to connect with the local community
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ParkPlay is coming to Bishops Stortford! Parkplay is two hours of multi-sports for the whole family led by our Playleaders and volunteers, keeping our kids moving every Saturday morning from 10am-12pm. The best part is that it is completely FREE!
ParkPlay are currently looking for some volunteers to help us launch this great community initiative and get Bishops Stortford's children moving at our Thorley Gap parkplay. Together with Jordan, our playleader and youth worker with Thirst Cafe, you can be part of this amazing community focused event. Volunteering can be anything from signing in Parkplayers to helping our playleader set up the games. Volunteers do not need any experience in sport or physical activity and will receive free training, support and free access to the Parkplay app.
If you would like to help get our kids moving and bring your community together through the power of play please get in contact with Adam Nnochiri at adam.nnochiri@aitc.org.uk for more information on volunteering.
- Caudwell Youth Referrals : Caudwell Youth mentors at-risk young people aged 11-24 years into new futures. They have openings for referrals in East Herts areas. Parents and young people, as well as professionals can refer/self-refer if required.
Caudwell Youth - Please complete the online form. Application Form - Caudwell Youth
- Please remember to create a unique username for each young person you refer
- Add the young person's details not your own (it will feel like it’s asking for yours)
- Add as much risk information as possible
- Please complete all relevant questions
Each new referral will be triaged and placed on a short waiting list, before being assigned to a member of the team, if we require more information, the Area manager will contact you before we accept the referral.
- You're Invited! Waltham Cross Young People’s Centre – Open Afternoon
We are delighted to invite you to an Open Afternoon at the newly refurbished Waltham Cross Young People’s Centre.
Thanks to the support of the DCMS Youth Investment Fund we have refurbished our centre into a vibrant, welcoming space for young people in our community. The refurbishment, completed in December 2024, has been coproduced with young people and their energy and enthusiasm has been invaluable throughout the project. Young people not only helped design and oversee the refurbishment but also got hands-on experience in bricklaying, painting, and tiling working alongside our main contractors, Mulalley.
Join us to Celebrate the Completion of the Refurbishment:
- Welcome refreshments and viewing of presentations/displays
- Opening presentations from:
- County Cllr Mark Watkins, Executive member for Education, SEND and Inclusion
- Havanna Marshall Chair Broxbourne Youth Council and Broxbourne Youth Mayor
- Nathan Gould Broxbourne SEND Youth Council
- Tour the refurbished centre
- Meet the young people and Services for Young People staff
- Hear about the exciting projects and opportunities now available
Date: Friday 18th July
Time: 15:30
Location: Waltham Cross Young People’s Centre, Stanhope Road, EN8 7DJ
We look forward to welcoming you and sharing the incredible journey and achievements of the young people within our community.
RSVP to Paul.Ross@hertfordshire.gov.uk by Friday 11th July 2025
St Albans & Dacorum
- Dacorum Families SEND Information Fayre
For families of children with SEN or Disabilities | Thursday 26 June from 9.30am-12.30pm
At Warners End Community Centre, Hemel Hempstead HP1 3QG The fayre will have local provider information stands, activities for children and refreshments. Click on the flyer here for further information. Book your tickets here: Information Fayre https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dspl8-information-fayre-tickets-1394407804279?aff=oddtdtcreator but walk-ins are welcome.
- Communities First Conference
Volunteers are invited to the Communities 1st Conference for Local Charities, Groups & Volunteers — a day designed to inspire, connect, and empower.
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🗓 Date: Thursday, 26 June 2025
🕤 Time: 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Venue: The Vineyard, Unit 7 Brick Knoll Park, Ashley Rd, St Albans AL1 5UG
Join them for a motivational day packed with:
- Inspiring workshops on fundraising, partnership building, volunteer safety, the volunteer journey, impact measurement, and more!
- Expert speakers and 1:1 bookable sessions (first-come, first-served)
- Keynote by Tim Kidd OBE, former UK Chief Commissioner for The Scout Association
- Networking opportunities during registration and over a complimentary lunch
👉Check out the full agenda here and register now using this link!
We’d love to see as many volunteers as possible, so feel free to forward this invitation to anyone you know.
Mens Group Drop In - In Person:
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Our Intensive Family Support Team (IFST) for Dacorum and St. Albans are facilitating a group for dads and male carers. This men’s group is a space for male role models in children’s lives to come together and have a positive outlet for concerns and to share their thoughts with other men.
It will run on the first Monday of each month from 6.00 – 7.30pm at the IFST office, Dacorum & St. Albans, Greenhill Site, Tenzing Road, Hemel Hempstead HP2 4HS
- This group is a drop in and is not a course that way anyone can pop in on a monthly basis
- We are tapping into staff resources and will have a topic to discuss every month including support with challenging behaviour, Internet safety, parenting challenges and the Parenting when Separated Programme, domestic abuse from a male perspective including male and female perpetrators and understanding the LGBTQ+ community
- This is a safe space for men to come together in a positive and supportive way
Dates for 2025
July 7, September 1, October 6, November 3, December 1
- Mens group: "The Mr Programme" starts 4 June 2025, 6.30pm-8pm, (every Wednesday until 16 July). An online group exploring what a positive male role model looks like for children in today’s modern. Open to all dads/male carers. Book your place here:- MRProgramme Referral
- You can read the latest DSPL8 newsletter here
- Services for Young People (SfYP) youth work projects enable young people to develop their personal and social skills and increase their confidence, self-esteem and resilience. Get details of SfYP projects and information, advice and support services in your area here:
SfYP St Albans Team projects
SfYP Dacorum Team projects
North Herts & Stevenage
- Family Centre Service are running Parent Cafes, where local families can meet the team and other local families and find out about workshops, play activities and get information, advice and guidance. Sessions for North Herts are at Woolmer Green Village Hall 10:00 - 11:30 on 23/9/2025.
- The ParkPlay in Jackmans Park, Letchworth on Saturday morning offers a fantastic opportunity for families to engage in two hours of free community play, while remaining active and spending quality time with their loved ones. Additionally, it provides an excellent opportunity to connect with the local community
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No More Service is a youth service in Stevenage and North Herts, which offers support to young people aged 11-21 across Hertfordshire to address the impact alcohol, substance misuse and/or offending have on all areas of a client’s life and help them develop practical solutions to address these. Clients have to fulfil at least three of the relevant criteria to be accepted onto the Service, find out more here and download the referral form here.
- Services for Young People (SfYP) youth work projects enable young people to develop their personal and social skills and increase their confidence, self-esteem and resilience. Get details of SfYP projects and information, advice and support services in your area here:
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One of Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue's many community and youth engagement activities is their established Fire Cadet Programme aimed at young people aged 14-17 years and is free of charge to join.
Fire Cadets participate in practical and theoretical fire and rescue service activities, including hose drills, breathing apparatus procedures and fire safety awareness sessions. The scheme teaches young people essential life skills such as self-discipline, confidence and leadership.
We are currently recruiting for the new academic year (September 2025 intake) at our Royston Cadet unit based at the Royston Fire Station, Baldock Streeton, Royston, SG8 5BD, Wednesday evenings from 6.30pm – 8.30pm.
I have attached an information leaflet for any of your students who maybe interested in joining. There is an online application form on our service webpage which interested parents or children can complete Children and young people | Hertfordshire County Council
Welwyn Hatfield
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Hatfield Community Fair will be returning to White Lion Square for its fourth year! The community event will be taking place on Tuesday 12th August in White Lion Square, Hatfield, 11-3pm. This is a self-facilitating event, please provide your own gazebo, table, and chairs.
We would also like it if you were able to offer a free activity for children, this could be as simple as colouring sheets, seed planting, arts & crafts
if you do struggle for ideas please let me know and I can help you.
To sign up to have a stall please follow the link and select Hatfield Community Fair:
Register an activity or community space | Activity registration – Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council
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GALLERIA PROUD TO SUPPORT DRIVING AID TO UKRAINE
The Galleria, Hatfield is honoured to be partnering with Driving Aid to Ukraine, a not-for-profit organisation that helps deliver UK aid directly to Ukraine's borders.
Established charities often find it challenging to deliver and operate within conflict zones, so the organisation helps fill that gap, and The Galleria is proudly supplying storage for the donations they have received.
44 pallets are currently being stored at The Galleria. These predominantly contain children's clothing which will be distributed to orphanages, IDP individual families, children's hospitals, and care centres.
There is also 5 tons of disinfectant which will be distributed to hospitals, rehab units and IDP centres, with further medical equipment on its way.
13 million Ukrainians (30% of the population) are displaced; many have lost everything, including loved ones. There is an increase in single-parent families and orphans, so raising funds to pay for fuel to transport aid is a priority.
There are number of ways that support can be provided to Driving Aid to Ukraine. To donate to directly cover transport costs please visit https://drivingaidtoukraine.org/donate-now.
The organisation is also currently requiring volunteers with experience in gaining corporate donations, grant writing and general fundraising. If interested, please contact Michael at m.p.byrne1@icloud.com.
Anthony Greener, Retail Manager at The Galleria said “We are delighted that we are able to support Driving Aid to Ukraine by providing them with the storage they require. The work they are doing to coordinate donations being delivered to Ukraine is invaluable.”
For more information about the organisation and how you can help, please visit https://drivingaidtoukraine.org/
- ‘HERTS LOVES’ PRELOVED POP-UP SUMMER DATES AT THE GALLERIA The Galleria, Hatfield, is excited to announce the Summer opening dates for children’s preloved clothing pop-up Herts loves.
Herts loves will be trading at the scheme every Tuesday and Thursday 10am-2pm, throughout June until the end of August. To view the full list of dates visit https://thegalleria.co.uk/herts-loves-pre-loved-clothing-pop-up/
Herts loves offer invaluable support to families. They sell preloved items to support families as they navigate the journey of parenthood. Products include ‘starter’ kits for new parents, giving them all the items they need as they welcome their little bundle into the World, plus clothes, bedding and toys that have been donated and are looking for a new home in which they can be loved once again.
Herts loves is well-established within the local community, having run similar pop-ups locally in the past year alone. The partnership with The Galleria further supports the local community and giving back to families that may still be feeling the pinch of the cost-of-living crisis, as well as those who want to support such a fantastic initiative and give a new lease of life to preloved items once again, with all funds raised going back into the organisation to be used towards their future endeavours.
For more information about the pop-up visit https://thegalleria.co.uk/
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Services for Young People (SfYP) youth work projects enable young people to develop their personal and social skills and increase their confidence, self-esteem and resilience. Get details of SfYP projects and information, advice and support services in your area here:
- Caudwell Youth Referrals : Caudwell Youth mentors at-risk young people aged 11-24 years into new futures. They have openings for referrals in Welwyn/Hatfield areas. Parents and young people, as well as professionals can refer/self-refer if required.
Caudwell Youth - Please complete the online form. Application Form - Caudwell Youth
- Please remember to create a unique username for each young person you refer
- Add the young person's details not your own (it will feel like it’s asking for yours)
- Add as much risk information as possible
- Please complete all relevant questions
Each new referral will be triaged and placed on a short waiting list, before being assigned to a member of the team, if we require more information, the Area manager will contact you before we accept the referral.
If you have any questions, please get in touch.
Watford, Three Rivers Hertsmere
- Mission Impossible : Our employability training programme is for young people age 18-25 with learning disabilities. We run a Supported Internship programme in Chorleywood and are currently recruiting for September 2025.
Our mission is to provide the training and support that young, learning disabled people need, to gain paid employment and work with employers to help them create an inclusive workplace in which our graduates can thrive. Together with our employment partners & local community, we are changing the lives of those with learning disabilities, one person at a time, creating a more inclusive workforce for all. To date over 90% of our graduates have secured paid employment after completing their years employability training course at Mission EmployAble’s training centre at Cafe on The Common.
- Find out more about Home-Start in Watford, Three Rivers & Hertsmere -
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Services for Young People (SfYP) youth work projects enable young people to develop their personal and social skills and increase their confidence, self-esteem and resilience. Get details of SfYP projects and information, advice and support services in your area here:
- The ParkPlay in Aycliffe Park, Borehamwood on Saturday morning offers a fantastic opportunity for families to engage in two hours of free community play, while remaining active and spending quality time with their loved ones. Additionally, it provides an excellent opportunity to connect with the local community
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The Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service runs many community and youth engagement activities, one of which is an established Fire Cadet Programme, aimed at young people aged 14-17 years, and is free of charge to join.
Fire Cadets participate in practical and theoretical fire and rescue service activities, including hose drills, breathing apparatus procedures and fire safety awareness sessions. The scheme teaches young people essential life skills such as self-discipline, confidence and leadership.
We are currently recruiting for the new academic year (September 2025 intake) at our Watford Cadet Unit, which is based at our Watford Fire Station, WD17 2AG and at our Royston Cadet unit based at Royston Fire Station, SG8 5BD. Both units run on a Wednesday evening from 6.30pm – 8.30pm, term time only.
There is an online application form on our service webpage which interested parents or children can complete Children and young people | Hertfordshire County Council
If you have any enquiries about the Cadet Programme or any of the youth engagement activities, please do not hesitate to contact HFRS.youth@hertfordshire.gov.uk
Three Rivers