What we do

We work in partnership with parents to:

• enable children to reach a reasonable standard of health and development
• support parents and carers to meet the developmental needs of their children
• support parents and carers to keep their children safe
• enable children to remain safely within their family networks
• support children who have experienced trauma or abuse to recover from their experiences
• provide families with opportunities to take part in social/cultural activities and events.

1. Universal services

For families with children up to age 11

Stay and play: This group offers parents a chance to get to know other parents at their own pace. The children can play and have fun in the well-equipped play room, run by our crèche workers. We have regular talks about children’s health and development, eg behaviour management, when to call the doctor, diet. We have healthy drinks and snacks together and 'social events' at special times. It is free to anyone who lives locally who is caring for a child under five years of age.

Multi-agency workshops: These run occasionally in response to issues parents raise about bringing up their children, eg understanding toddler behaviour, caring for a child with disabilities, keeping children safe.

Social events: These might include summer outings and play days for children and families to have fun and social activity. Other examples might be sessions to help parents to manage stress, eg massage and relaxation.

Dads in touch: Dads and male carers meet  with their children on Saturdays for play sessions organised by staff and volunteers.

Advice and support for families: Families can be advised by project staff and if appropriate directed to other local services, eg Citizens Advice Bureau, housing, health visitors, speech and language.

2. Targeted services

Targeted Groups

Family first: A support group for families caring for a child with a disability or illness. This group meets monthly for discussions, speakers, activities and informal support.

Domestic abuse programme: This programme aims to raise children and young people's awareness about safe and healthy relationships.

3. Intensive services

Family work and one-to-one work with children and parents and carers

These are planned, time limited pieces of work focusing on aims agreed at the outset between the family and the project worker. This might be for you as a parent, couple or for an individual child or with all family members involved.

Here are some examples of work we can offer:

• assessing parents strengths and particular areas needing support
• helping parents to manage their child’s behaviour better
• helping parents to understand what their baby needs as they develop and grow
• counselling parents and/or children if they have had difficult and damaging experiences
• helping parents to enjoy and be involved with their child/ren
• helping children to make sense of their past through life story work
• working towards reunification with parents of young children who are in care or accommodated.

Pathways Counselling

Pathways is a confidential counselling service for adults who are caring for children. Counsellors offer parents or carers time to talk about issues that are relevant to them.