A new “Family Help” strategy for Westmorland and Furness has been approved by the council’s cabinet this week.
The strategy sets out the council’s ambitions for the next four years and describes how the local authority aims to provide help and support for families at the earliest opportunity, while promoting positive outcomes for children and families.
The council says it has adopted the phrase “Family Help” to encompass Early Help, Early Intervention and Prevention, with the new Family Help offer implementing a partnership model of delivery, which includes Health partners, Police, Education, Local Authority, Voluntary and Community sectors working together to identify needs within families as early as possible.
The cabinet report, available now on the council’s website, describes the Family Help Model in more detail and sets out their six overarching priorities and their approach to delivering them:
- Enhance collaboration and partnership working among local agencies.
- Embed a culture of ‘Family Help’ across services.
- Strengthen family resilience and promote positive parenting.
- Improve Family Help experience.
- Improve the educational outcomes and life chances of children and
- young people.
- Improve our use of data and quality processes to drive improvements.
A new Family Help Partnership Board (FHPG) will oversee the delivery of the strategy, and ensure sufficient progress is being made.
Cllr Janet Battye, Lead Member for Children’s Services at Westmorland and Furness Council, said:
“Our vision for Early Help in Westmorland and Furness is for every child and young person to have the best start in life, to grow, to thrive, and to be prepared for a successful adult life.
“I particularly welcome this new strategy being based around Family Hubs across Westmorland and Furness, building on the successful start we’ve made in Barrow and Dalton, so that children, young people, and families can get help local to where they live. I’m also pleased that we are now looking again at developing youth work with and for our young people.
“We’re committed to working with partners, as well as children, young people and families to improve the family help experience.”
Milorad Vasic, Director of Children’s Services at Westmorland and Furness Council, added:
“Targeted Family Help is where families have not been able to effect positive change with the support of universal services and they need additional support. This may be an enhanced, more intensive and/or specialist support.
“It might include parenting intervention, mental health and emotional wellbeing support, targeted youth support, youth justice services, and specific housing services. Targeted Family Help can support children and families who have multiple needs, or whose circumstances might make them more vulnerable.
“Our ultimate aim with this new strategy is to ensure children, young people and families have access to the help and support they need, in the right place, at the right time by the right service.”