‘Think Family Work Family’ puts children’s needs at the heart of the city

People who work with children and families across the city are being reminded to ‘Think Family’ to help improve the lives of children in Leeds.

The Leeds Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB), Safer Leeds and the Leeds Adult Safeguarding Board (LASB) are working together to embed the Think Family Work Family approach across Leeds. Think Family Work Family is an approach whereby in their day to day roles, all practitioners working with adults or children should identify, consider and respond to the needs of all family members. This could be by signposting, referring to agencies or doing the work themselves.

The new approach means that anybody who works with children or adults in any role will be working holistically and identifying needs that any family member may have and getting them the right support. This will be done by practitioners coordinating their efforts with other family members’ workers, sharing information and becoming part of a “team around the family”.

Diane Hampshire, acting chair of the Leeds Safeguarding Children Board said:

“In Leeds we want children to have the best start to life so that they can enjoy growing up and look forward to a bright future.

“A proportion of children grow up in houses where domestic violence, alcohol and substance use, mental health and learning difficulties have an effect on their lives and outcomes. We realise that in order to safeguard and support children, we also need to support their parents.

“We know that in order to improve the lives of the most vulnerable children we also need to concentrate on identifying and supporting their family’s needs.”

In order to make sure all practitioners are aware of the new approach, the LSCB will be holding ‘Think Family, Work Family’ briefings, across the city, where attendees will be able to ask any questions and book onto a specially designed training course.

For more information on Think Family, Work Family visit: www.thinkfamilyworkfamily.org.uk