The Family First Team aims to support families by providing a Family Help Lead Practitioner, for a maximum of 4 months, to help manage life confidently.
This guide shows how we can work together to share ideas and feedback, helping us provide the best possible support for children and families.
Hello and Welcome!
We are the Family First Team based at Community Vision Children and Family Centre. Our aim is to support your family towards a more positive life. We focus on resilience and independence, ensuring all our actions align with your consent and goals.
What does this mean for you?
You’ll have a dedicated person known as a ‘Family Help Lead Practitioner’ (FHLP) who will listen to your challenges and work with you to create a support plan that feels right for your family.
Support can happen in your home, at one of our Children and Family Centres or other locations in Bromley. It might include one-to-one sessions with a FHLP, or joining in with the fantastic activities and services we offer at our Children and Family Centres, or through Family Group Decision Meetings (FGDM)/ Team Around the Family meetings (TAF).
Your voice matters
We want to hear how things are going along the way. Your practitioner will share their contact details at your first meeting, so you can reach out at anytime.
If you need extra help and you are not able to get hold of your practitioner, you can contact one of the Team Managers, Marion Finn or Ibrahim Musah, by calling us on 0208 461 7259.
We are excited to work with you and your family. Working together can help to make a real difference; we want you to know you are not alone.
You should expect that your Practitioner (FHLP) will...
Contact you weekly to support the agreed plan.
Be professional, non-judgemental and respectful at all times.
Not use discriminative or offensive language/ behaviours.
Remain child focused in all work. Supportyour family by being open, trying new approaches, andmakingsustainable changes.
Deliver on their promises.
Provide useful information, including details about Children and Family Centre activities.
Our expectation is that you and your family will…
Work with your Practitioner for up to 4 months.
Treat your Practitioner with respect.
Not use discriminative or offensive language/ behaviours.
Consider and act on beneficial advice for your family. Explain why some advice may not help and to ask to explore alternative options.
Commit to meetings with your Practitioner.
Remain focused on your children.
Carry out the tasks you agree to do as part of your family’s plan.
The safety of all children is central to the Family First Team. In our work and in all our Children and Family Centres, we create and foster an environment in which children are safe, respected and valued.
Safeguarding is a very sensitive issue and it raises many questions and a range of emotions. If we are concerned that a child may be at risk, we must follow our procedures. Our policies are designed to keep children safe and as such, all staff and volunteers have a duty to report any obvious or suspected abuse or neglect, even when this is difficult.
We aim to always deal with this safely and supportively. We know as parents you too would want your children’s safety to be our first concern and we hope you understand that we are acting in your children’s best interests. We will do everything we can to support you in your role as parents and carers.
In almost all circumstances, we will discuss our concerns with parents and tell you if we feel it is necessary to raise our concerns with colleagues in Children’s Social Care so, if needed, additional support can be offered to keep your children safe.
There are Data Protection Laws in place (GPDR) to address the usage and storage of personal data. There is a form to complete at your initial appointment with your Practitioner.
We need to ensure that you are happy with whom information is shared and we do this with our Privacy Notice. Your Practitioner will use all of your contact information to stay in touch whilst you are receiving ongoing 1-2-1 support.
From time to time, we would also like to contact you with details of other services, events and activities we provide, including free courses and activities held at our Children & Family Centres and Youth Hubs. If you consent to us contacting you for this purpose, please tick on the form to say how you would like us to contact you. Reminders for courses are usually sent via text, or you may be contacted via telephone and where there are attachments, we would normally email.
It is really important that you let us know how you want us to contact you in relation to the other services, events and activities we provide. If you do not, for example, select ‘text message ’ , we are unable to text you. We do not send out letters in the post for all activities. You can pick more than one contact method, or all three: Phone/ Text/ Email.
Your Practitioner will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
The first appointment with your Practitioner is introductory, whilst the second kick starts the assessment. This session covers various life aspects (including family, relationships, health, your child's education etc..).
Being open and honest really does help shape the support we can offer and it can take a couple of hours, but it is worth it. We will ask you to consider how the challenges in your life could be impacting your child or children. Once the assessment is finished and approved by you, together we will create a plan outlining your goals to work on during our time together.
It is common practice for Practitioners to chat with all family members, including children, during assessments. Additionally, they may conduct individual sessions with each family member to provide tailored support.
Just remember, in order for us to assist you and your family effectively, it's really important that you trust us and openly express your true feelings. We are here to listen without judgement, ask questions, provide guidance, and encourage you to explore options that will support the changes you believe are necessary. We are with you every step of the way.
As part of our work, we feel it is important that we recognise the story held by each family. In some of our stories we might have faced ‘Adverse Childhood Experiences’, commonly referred to as ACEs.
These are things which happen during childhood, either one incident or issues taking place over time, which can potentially have a lasting impact into adulthood and affect mental and physical health as well as educational and social outcomes. Through our work the Practitioners will be mindful and make note of any ACEs which come up as you tell us your story. They will also note your ‘Resilience Factors’, which have helped you overcome some of the adverse experiences e.g. you may have grown up with domestic abuse in the home, or with an absent parent but found support through a local club, school, family member or friends.
This short animated film has been developed to raise awareness of ACEs.
It is important we are aware of any ACEs and also Resilience Factors that parents may have experienced, or that children are currently experiencing. This will help us understand your personal journey. When we are working together we will be able to focus with you on key areas of support. This will help us target our time together to help you achieve your ambitions for your family and sustain changes.
More information about ACEs can be found here or scan the QR code:
See ‘Forms’ section of this booklet for more information about how we store your data and our confidentiality policy.
What are Family Group Decision Making meetings?
Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) meetings are like a big family puzzle. Everyone brings their own special piece, and when we put them all together, we create a picture. These meetings help everyone feel important and respected. When families work together, children are happier and do better. It is like building a family’s puzzle where every piece matters!
Aims of FGDM
FGDM is a special way for families to come together and make important decisions, especially when it comes to taking care of children and supporting families. Here is what FGDM aims to do:
FGDM helps families take charge of making decisions instead of leaving it all to professionals. It recognises that families know their own lives best and can create safe and workable plans.
Promote Child Safety and Well-being
FGDM ensures that any plans made keep children safe while also respecting the family’s unity. It helps reduce parenting challenges by focusing on solutions that come from within the family.
FGDM helps involve extended family, friends and community members to build a strong support system. It encourages respect for different cultures and family values.
Achieve Stability
FGDM helps create plans that provide long-term stability for children, whether it is reuniting with family or finding other permanent options like guardianship or adoption.
Enhance Collaboration with Agencies
FGDM fosters a partnership between families and agencies, making sure everyone works together. It ensures that agency concerns are addressed while prioritising family-led solutions.
Reduce Trauma and Improve Outcomes
FGDM minimises disruption to children by involving familiar people in the planning process. It increases the chances of success because the plans are created and owned by the family.
Our Children and Family Centres are bursting with fantastic activities that cater to all aspects of life. Why not visit and talk to our friendly staff. Don’t forget, our online timetables are available here!
We offer a variety of free courses and activities for all our families. Additionally, as you are currently working with a Practitioner, we will do our best to give you priority access to courses and activities.
Assessing the quality of service for families plays a crucial role in providing the best possible experience. We aim to involve parents in shaping our service, and we achieve this through various methods:
Collecting comments from parents and carers attending our Learn and Play sessions.
Speaking with parents and carers at our Parent Forums. Asking for feedback during course attendance.
Asking parents and carers to complete an evaluation form at the end of an assessment or at the end of a Family Help Plan. Complaints,Compliments andSuggestions Procedure.
This may include the Team Manager of your Practitioner checking in with you to discuss your experience and feedback. We will reach out again for a brief update once your support has come to an end.
Jam-packed timetables...
