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The Council’s Social Work committee (2 December) will consider a report outlining the early and effective intervention in family support work.
Committee members will be asked to note:
- the progress and achievements of the Family Support Service since the service began in November 2020, and
- planned development and actions for the next 12 months.
In July 2020, members agreed support for investment in early and effective intervention to deliver on a transformation change programme.
An investment of £1,815,000 was agreed, representing £535,000 a year for 3 years, to support early and effective intervention family support work along with an investment of
£70,000 a year for 3 years to increase the commissioned service with Third Sector providers.
The Family Support Team was formed to lead and deliver on early and effective intervention, wide-ranging skills in the team.
Since the team was formed, the number of children supported is 195 with a total of 125 families supported.
The team works with families across Dumfries and Galloway, including collaborating with the Children and Families Social Work Services Area Teams and partners and third sector organisations, including NHS Drugs and Alcohol Service.
Reasons for referral to the service include: neglect, poor home conditions and poverty, physical abuse, sexual abuse, poor parental mental health, domestic abuse, drug/alcohol misuse, parenting capacity, help with routines and boundaries, and managing challenging behaviour.
Some children have been referred because of poor school attendance, children`s mental health and isolation.
The team also works with some families from pre-birth, offering support with early parenting.
Key successes include children remaining in their families and communities, and a reduction in children needing a statutory social work involvement.
Working with more families on a voluntary basis means that social work intervention can come to an end earlier in a planned timescale when family safety and support plans have been achieved.
Planned developments and actions for the next 12 months include focusing on mapping all family support activity available across Dumfries and Galloway from the local authority, third sector organisations, and in each community.
Councillor Stephen Thompson, chair of the Social Work Services committee, said: “I’m very pleased that our commitment to a policy of early intervention in family support really is making a difference and improving outcomes for some of our most vulnerable young people.”
Councillor David McKie, vice chair, said: “The statistics show that our early intervention approach is significantly improving the life chances for families throughout the region.”
