Family focused services should take a whole family approach to improving outcomes and be tailored to individual family circumstances being responsive adapting to family’s changing needs. The following should be considered when developing interventions:
Services should seek to empower families to take control of their lives, to give them an increased sense of ownership and investment in their outcomes.
pathways towards independence for the family but with a checking in mechanism building skills and coping mechanisms promote resilience co-production of plans and interventions services should always seek to provide long-term sustainable solutions. They should seek to address the root causes of problems and not just the symptoms to enable families to continue to progress after intervention has ceased. Ensure a joined-up and multi-agency response.
Services should be effectively coordinated and planned to ensure a seamless progression for families between different interventions and programmes.
A vigorous approach and relentless focus must be maintained which can adapt to families’ changing circumstances.
Services should address the needs of local communities and, where possible, seek opportunities to link in with other local programmes, including Flying Start and Supporting People.
Seek early identification of need and securing appropriate interventions in a timely way
From Families First Programme Guidance Welsh Government 2017, (Accessed 29/07/2019)
The provision of effective and timely support for parents is dependent on a range of key partners working together to identify those families who need help.
Key partners can include, but are not limited to:
Schools/school counsellors/pupil referral units/other education professionals.
These can play a key role in the early identification of need and can work with families to prevent problems from escalating. Primary schools tend to have regular contact with parents and children and are often well placed to notice the small changes in a child’s behaviour, appearance or attendance, which can be an indication of problems at home.
Midwifery services
Midwives are usually the first and main contact for families during pregnancy, throughout labour and the early postnatal period and are in a key position to identify and work with families who may be displaying signs of need. They can be vital link between parents and services and can be instrumental in ensuring referrals for early help services are made at the earliest opportunity.
Health visitors
Health visitors play a key frontline role in encouraging and supporting parents in their own home and play a valuable frontline role in engaging families as well as referring them for further support.
Other health agencies
Perinatal mental health services, GPs, CAMHS and other services can play a central role in helping to identify and support families who may have more complex needs. In addition, some families may require more specialised interventions from these health providers.
Housing services
Housing services, whether they are local authority services, housing associations or social landlords, have a valuable role to play in supporting families. Frontline housing workers are in a good position to identify families who may need support and can contribute to effective packages of support for parents.
Family Information Services (FIS)
FIS can play a key role in providing free and impartial, quality, up-to-date information, advice and assistance to families and can identify families in need of further support.
Police
Community Police services can help to identify families who may be in need of support and can also provide valuable advice on other influencing factors which may be affecting a family’s particular situation, for example, imprisonment, community tensions.
Third sector community youth services
Third sector community groups play a valuable role in supporting young people and are well placed to identify young people in families who may be in need of further support.
Other organisations providing specialist services. These may include services such as specialist domestic abuse support, substance misuse services, or other specialist support services. These services can help to identify families who may need other types of support and can also support families to seek the additional help they need.
Further information:
Families First Programme Guidance Welsh Government 2017, (Accessed 29/07/2019)
Local Government Association: The key enablers to establish an effective partnership-based early help offer, (Accessed 29/07/2019)