Families First Awards - Nominations Open!!!

We are delighted to announce that the nominations for our Families First Awards 2025 are now open!!!!!

These awards are a fantastic opportunity to showcase team and individual successes in Early Help that have made a significant impact to the lives of children, young people and families in Hertfordshire through their outstanding work and achievement of positive outcomes.

This year’s Awards will be held at the South Hill Centre in Hemel Hempstead on Wednesday 12 November at 2pm and all shortlisted candidates will be invited along for an afternoon of celebration and cake!

There are 6 individual and 5 team categories (view list here) and we will be looking for teams and individuals that have excelled and gone above and beyond their job role. We will be looking for statement of no more than 500 words and you may want to consider the following:

• Personal qualities displayed
• A passion for outcome focused solutions for children, young people and families
• An enthusiasm for finding new ways to listen, capture and respond to the wishes and feelings of children and young people
• This year the judges will also be looking at how our Families First Pledges have been shown in the nominations.

There is also an optional button to add one piece of supporting evidence (e.g. quote, testimonial etc).

Closing date for nominations is Wednesday 15th October 2025, 5pm

MAKE YOUR NOMINATION HERE

Or by scanning the QR code below:

Working Together in Early Help Events - book now!

Join us this Autumn for our Working Together in Early Help learning event, which will focus on children and young people’s health and wellbeing. We will have presentations from The Ollie Foundation, First Steps Ed, BeeZee Families and the HCC’s Emotional and Mental Wellbeing in Education (EMWIE) Team and is a great networking opportunity.

This event welcomes internal staff and professionals from partner agencies involved in supporting children, young people, parents, and families

Event locations, dates and times

• Monday 3^rd November, 2pm-4:30pm, Three Rivers District Council, Three Rivers House, Northway, Rickmansworth WD3 1RL Book here
• Tuesday 18^th November, 10am-12:30, VENUE: Broxbourne Borough Council, Bishops’ College, Churchgate, Cheshunt, EN8 9XQ Book here
• Tuesday 25^th November, 10am-12:30, Bowes Lyons Young People's Centre, Stevenage, SG1 1XY Book here
• Thursday 27^th November, 10am-12:30, The DSPL Hub, Fleetville School St Albans, AL1 4LW Book here

Launch of Herts Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Survey

Hertfordshire County Council and Police are undertaking a survey to understand people's views and experiences of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in Hertfordshire. The results from this survey will be used to inform and shape Hertfordshire's new Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy and help us understand what more can be done to prevent these forms of abuse by listening to lived experiences.

Everyone that lives in, works in or visits Hertfordshire are invited to take part in this survey. Although the survey uses the term ‘Violence Against Women and Girls’ throughout, responses are welcome from everyone regardless of their gender identity, age, sexuality, ethnicity or background.

The survey can be accessed here, or by scanning the QR code below.

The survey is now open and will close on Friday 19th September. Please note that translation options will be available starting next week for the following languages: Gujarati, Polish, Punjabi, Romanian, Ukrainian, and Urdu.

If you have any questions about the survey or would like to request a print version of the survey, please email CCSU@hertfordshire.gov.uk.

 

Hertfordshire’s Turnaround Programme - Extension

Turnaround is an early intervention programme led by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). The programme works with children aged 10-17 years old on the cusp of entering the youth justice system to address areas of need and ultimately reduce the likelihood of further offending.

The programme had been due to end 31 March 2025 as an extension of MoJ funding was unconfirmed however, we are pleased to be able to share that we have been allocated some ongoing, albeit reduced, funding to deliver Turnaround until 31 March 2026.

We have two Turnaround Intervention Workers (TIW) in place covering the county along with an operational manager.

Robert Samuel (Youth Justice)	YJ Service Manager with operational oversight of Turnaround
Angela Collins (North)	North Herts, Stevenage, Welwyn & Hatfield, East Herts and Broxbourne
Juliet Martin (West)	St Albans, Dacorum, Three Rivers, Watford and Hertsmere

 

The programme has been developed with the Supporting Families model of early intervention in mind and therefore takes a whole family approach with the following principles:

 Eligibility

The programme has a specific eligibility criterion which can be found in Appendix A, below.

Referrals should only be made using the Turnaround Referral Web Form and will not be accepted if received via direct email.

Turnaround is a voluntary programme and will require consent. This will be sought by the Turnaround Intervention Worker at point of initial contact however referrers should make referrals with the knowledge of the child and their parent/carer.

If you have any queries, aren’t sure if a child is eligible or would like to arrange for one of our TIWs to have an informal chat with a child and their family, please contact a member of the team via Turnaround@hertfordshire.gov.uk

How does it work?

TIWs undertake a needs assessment (Prevention and Diversion Assessment) to holistically assess the needs and environment of the child and their wider family, from which a plan is co-produced, with the focus on preventing future contact with the youth justice system by meeting unmet needs.

Interventions will:

• promote children’s individual strengths and capacities to develop their pro-social identity for positive outcomes and change.
• encourage children’s active participation and engagement through meaningful collaboration with children and families.
• minimise criminogenic stigma from contact with the criminal justice system or underlining any pro-offending identity.
• add value to what is already being delivered locally; and
• ensure resources, including suitable trained practitioners, are available

The TIW leads and coordinates delivery of support and interventions with other agencies, ensuring the family plan is met. Support includes Team Around the Family (TAF) type meetings which are meetings between a child, their family and professionals who are also supporting them. The purpose is to share information and to create a solution focussed plan that supports the needs of the child and their family. 

It is expected that the average length of support will be around 3 months although this will be managed on an individual basis depending on the needs.

Due to limited staffing resource, we may have to operate a waiting list but wherever possible we will seek to support as many children as we can over the next financial year.

Resources

Visit our dedicated webpage Turnaround Programme | Hertfordshire County Council.

We have prepared some Turnaround resources which are available in digital formats:

• Turnaround Poster for Professionals – this is an internal facing poster which briefly outlines the eligibility criteria and contains a QR code which links directly to the referral form.
• Turnaround Information Leaflet – this is designed to be shared with children and their families at the point of referral. It contains an overview of the programme including the sort of support they may receive. The digital nature means it can be sent via email, text, WhatsApp etc.

 

Appendix A – Turnaround Eligibility Criteria

Turnaround is open to young people aged 10 – 17 years old.

One of the following must have been met for a child or young person, in the last three months, for them to meet eligibility for Turnaround.

• Subject to No Further Action (NFA) decision
• Interviewed under caution following arrest or subject to a criminal investigation attending a voluntary interview
• Subject to a Community Resolution
• Received a first-time youth caution (not a conditional caution)
• Released Under Investigation (RUI) or subject to Pre-Charge Bail (PCB)
• Discharged by a court
• Acquitted at court
• Fined by court
• Those who have come to notice of agencies with enforcement powers for repeated involvement in anti-social behaviour
• Those involved in anti-social behaviour who have received:
  • Community Protection Warning/Notice (CPW/N)
  • Acceptable Behaviour Contract (ABC)
  • Civil Order for ASB

Who is not eligible for Turnaround?

The following children are not eligible for Turnaround:

• Care Leavers
• Those who have a current or have had a previous Youth Justice or Turnaround intervention (regardless of the length of time since the child was open)

We are listening - SEND Summit

The SEND Summit livestream will be taking place on Monday 15 September. The event will be attended by councillors, representatives from health education and social care, and parent carer representatives. Parent carers will make up about one third of the attendees, and our Experts by Experience (young people with SEND) will represent children and young people.

The Summit will use all of the listening, and improvement work that has come before, to decide on the key areas and approach to SEND, which will be laid out in the new SEND Strategy 2026 - 31.

Can I attend the Summit?

The SEND Summit will be live streamed from 10am - 12.15pm with a BSL interpreter. You are able to join this livestream through MS Teams. This will allow you to hear from:

• Hero Slinn, Director of Inclusion and Skills
• Executive Member for Education Councillor Mark Watkin
• Angie Ridgwell, Chief Executive of Hertfordshire County Council
• Dame Christine Lenehan, independent Chair and Department for Education

Joining details

The livestream will take place from 10am - 12.15pm and you can join at any time.

To access: save this link: Join the meeting now

Or dial in to MS Teams using these details:

Meeting ID: 367 431 247 851 8
Passcode: jX3Zv9dk

We are listening - SEND Summit

Dads, Let’s Talk – Join the Working Dad’s Summit

Parenting Out Loud are hosting a webinar for working dads - please share the below details with dads - open to all!

Whether you are juggling nappies and meetings or simply want to be more present at home, the Working Dad’s Summit is for you.

📅 Tuesday 23rd September | 1pm to 5pm

💻Free Online Event

Hosted by Parenting Out Loud and backed by Universal Music Group UK, this event explores what it really means to be a working dad today. Expect powerful stories, practical advice, and a keynote from a leading MP. There will also be a live recording of the To Be A Boy podcast.

Let’s break the silence around fatherhood and workplace culture. It is time to show up, speak out, and support each other.

👉 Register here

This event is proudly supported by the Together4Men network, which encourages open conversations and connection among colleagues on topics that matter, including fatherhood, wellbeing and identity.

The Hertfordshire Directory - consultation with people with a learning disability

Are you aware of the Hertfordshire Directory, Hertfordshire County Council's Directory of Services, which promotes all sorts of groups and services across the county, including many for people with a learning disability.

We're trying to improve the Directory and make it more useful for people with a learning disability and their family and carers. If we can make the Directory better for them, it will be better for everyone else too!

We also know people with a learning disability can experience isolation and we'd like to help them find safe and supported activities and groups near where they live. 

We've created a short survey (see below) and we would really appreciate your views. It can be completed by someone with a learning disability or a family member or support worker.

Hertfordshire Directory consultation for people with a learning disability | Hertfordshire County Council

Thanks very much for your help.

Hertfordshire Community Sport Audit 2025

Hertfordshire Sports Partnership (HSP) and Hertfordshire Police Community Sport  want to hear from organisations / clubs working in any sector across the Hertfordshire Policing area, which regularly deliver sport and/or physical activity for children and young people aged 10-25 years old. They’re looking for responses from all providers across the three tiers of delivery – primary, secondary and tertiary – who are delivering regular weekly provision that will be delivered to Children and Young People (CYP) from 1st September 2025 onwards.

*** The survey is now live - Hertfordshire Community Sport Audit 2025 ***

Who should take part in this survey?  

Organisations working in any sector across Hertfordshire, regularly delivering sport and/or physical activity in a community setting, on behalf of, or for the benefit of children and young people aged 10-25 years old, who are more likely to be deemed vulnerable to exploitation and at an increased risk of becoming involved in crime. This is often a result of a wide range of individual, relationship, community, or society level factors. These risk factors are varied in nature and can affect children and young people at primary (universal, open access), secondary (early intervention, targeted work for those at risk), and tertiary (CYP currently offending or at risk of reoffending) levels of practice.  NOTE: Please do not include any Department of Education funded programmes i.e. HAF provision.

Why is this needed?

Every response to the survey will help map current provision for young people across Hertfordshire. This intelligence will then be used to look at how more community-led sport initiatives can be used to prevent and tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.

More details can be found on the survey link.

Thanks in advance for your ongoing support with the Hertfordshire Crime Reduction through Sport work area, it is much appreciated.

News from Services for Young People, September 2025

Celebrating the transformation of the Waltham Cross Young People’s Centre

Thanks to a grant from the DCMS Youth Investment Fund, the Services for Young People (SfYP) Waltham Cross Young People’s Centre has now been transformed into a vibrant, welcoming space for young people in the community. To celebrate the completion of the refurbishment, an event was held for partner agencies to come together and view the completed centre. Some of the young people who played a crucial role in the transformation also attended, and talked about their involvement and the difference the improvements and new facilities has made to them and other young people in the area.

• Read the full story with quotes and photos of the speakers and new facilities

Supportive employer “truly made a difference” to care leaver achieving his qualification

SfYP provides a range of support for care leavers and separated migrant young people up to the age of 25, helping them make a successful transition into adulthood. Alamin, who is 21 and studying for his Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Plumbing, was recently referred to SfYP by the HCC Care Leaver Service. He was allocated a dedicated SfYP Employment and Training Adviser who helped him secure an extended work experience placement which was a requirement of his qualification. Alamin made a great success of his work experience opportunity and got some fantastic feedback.

• Read Alamin’s story and see the feedback he received from the employer

An inspirational day learning about exciting careers in television and film production gets young people thinking about their future

As part of the SfYP Dacorum and St Albans Team 2025 summer Holiday Activity Programme, young people had the opportunity to visit Sky Up Academy Studios in Elstree. They got to take part in an inspiring, hands-on experience that immersed them in the exciting world of film and television. Working with a team of experts, they took on real media roles and created their own short film using the latest digital technology. They learnt about a wide range of careers in the industry and developed many new skills.

• Read the full story with quotes from young people

SfYP forms new partnership with training provider First Rung

The provision of accessible, local training by an experienced training provider working in collaboration with supportive and professionally qualified SfYP practitioners will maximise young people’s chances of making a successful transition into further education or employment. The training programme will be tailored to the young people’s individual learning needs and progression goals, and will help them overcome any barriers to success.

• Read the full story and how young people can sign up

ICON Week 2025

ICON is a powerful, evidence-based programme supporting anyone who cares for babies to cope with crying and prevent abusive head trauma.

ICON Week runs 22–26 September, and in our third year since rollout began in Hertfordshire, we’re spotlighting emotional regulation: recognising overwhelm and calming yourself before responding to a crying baby.

🧠 Join one of four expert-led sessions throughout the week each hosted by our brilliant system partners.
📅 Full details can be found on this flyer and sign-up is done via this link:  https://hscb.event-booking.org.uk
📧 Booking questions? Email: HSCPcourses@hertfordshire.gov.uk

 

New Resource to support Diversity, Inclusion & Wellbeing - Cultural Card

The HCC Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing team are delighted to share the updated ‘Understanding Religion and Belief in Hertfordshire’ Cultural Card, which is now ready for wider circulation. We have attached it to this email.

This resource has been developed with input from our Faith and Interfaith community contacts, staff network groups and the Diversity and Inclusion Managers, and shaped by feedback from across the organisation. It now includes 11 religious and belief systems, offering a concise and accessible overview to support inclusive practice, particularly for front-line colleagues.

The card is a useful reminder about the need to apply Social Graces in our work, with families and with partners who are supporting families: When working with the family around their identity and family culture ask “what about “Social GRACES?”  An idea developed by John Burnham and Alison Roper- a reminder of the areas to explore:

G- Gender, Geography

R- Race, religion

A- Age, Appearance, Accent, Ability

C- Class, Culture

E- Ethnicity, Education, Employment

S- Sexuality, Spirituality, Sexual orientation

Check out Hertfordshire's Autumn 25 Parenting and Relationship Courses

You can view the Autumn 2025 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.

WithYOUth Wellbeing Groups - Spaces Available Now!

We’re excited to share that our wellbeing groups are now open for referrals again!

These groups are designed to support young people in building resilience, managing emotions, and finding positive ways to express themselves.

Through fun activities and guided discussions, young people will connect with others in a safe, supportive space.

Our current groups:

🦸 Anger Avengers (ages 7–12)
A group designed to help children understand and manage big feelings like anger in creative and positive ways.

🌿 The Calm Club (ages 15+)
A supportive space for young people to explore strategies for reducing stress, managing emotions, and finding calm.

🎨 Creative Minds (ages 11–16)
A group using art, creativity, and self-expression to explore emotions and boost wellbeing.

These groups are free to access and run by our experienced wellbeing team.

👉 To find out more or to make a referral, please visit: www.withyouth.org