Group work offer
Who is this page for?
This page is aimed at professionals and provides details of the Families First evidenced-based programmes and priority ‘needs-led’ groups that are operating across the county. They are accessible to all families where there is an identified level 2 or above targeted need and where a little extra support is required in managing the everyday role of being a parent.
All parents are welcomed with a smile and a friendly face. Not only will they learn some new tips and suggestions, they will be with other local parents who all have their own experiences and advice to share, so they may also make friends within their community; potentially building some positive social networks and strengthening their long term resilience.
What's happening?
This page shows what groups are running in each district, the venues and how to make a referral. Parents/adults or the referrer will need to make their own travel arrangements to and from the venues. Referrals are not restricted to one locality; they can be made to any of the district groups being run. We are unable to provide crèche facilities with the adult only groups.
Dates will be updated as they become available but most will run each term time, ideally with January, April, July and October start dates.
For further information please contact Debbie Fogg or your district local support team.
Reasons for referral
As part of your involvement with a family, you may identify parents ‘skills/wellbeing/confidence‘ as an area for development, whether that be via:
- an assessed need
- as a BRFC family
- a TAF
- CIN
- CP Plan
- Parenting/Court order
- or legal requirement
Our groups span a range of skills, including:
- understanding the needs of unborn children
- bonding and meeting the developmental milestones of babies/toddlers
- coping with difficult behaviours
- and maintaining consistent and constructive boundaries in the home
Our groups aim to encourage both parents and relevant adults to take part. We also encourage parents to attend even where they are not living with their child.
The facilitators do not hold case responsibility but our groups can form part of your existing plan of Intervention and where relevant attendance and feedback can be shared, particularly if required for court.
Referrals to the group
- Identified need: Where families have identified and acknowledged with the referrer that their skills, well-being or confidence, are impacting on their ability to improve outcomes for the child/ren.
- Co-working: Where parenting strategies/development is identified in your overall plan but you continue to maintain overall case management responsibility for the family.
- Exit Strategy: Your work with a family may have reached, or is reaching a positive outcome, however the family may benefit from further developing their parenting strategies and linking with other families in their locality to share advice and build confidence. Our programmes are ideal for empowering families and encouraging parents to work out their issues for themselves in a safe and friendly environment.
How to refer
To register for a group you will need the consent of the parent/adult and to complete our short referral form. These forms will need to be sent via email to the local Inboxes and organisers of the groups. The details of these are detailed in the ‘scheduled dates’ pages.
Induction to the programmes generally forms part of the first group session. In some cases however, the facilitator maybe able to meet the family beforehand, where possible with the referrer, to encourage participation. Please include specific requirements on the referral form or ring the relevant organiser for advice and guidance.
Programmes
Bump to Baby is an antenatal programme for both mum and dad to be, or even grandparent! The programme aims to decrease concerns and stress levels during pregnancy. It helps parents understand how to prepare babies for social interaction from birth and emphasises the importance of early interaction for babies’ brain development.
There are activities, practical skills and tips which promote stress reduction for both parents and babies, supports attachment and bonding; develops awareness of babies’ social capabilities and the value of early intervention.
Adult and baby course (0-12 months) which is suitable for adults who have not accessed other children’s activities and/or are wary of being in a group situation. The course encourages parent’s early attachment and to communicate and understand their babies cues. Every session has a focus around child development, safety, play and provides a safe, stimulating but calm environment which supports parents to interact and try a range of new sensory activities. Many opportunities to support parenting and develop adults confidence as parents.
This course can be used as part of a contact arrangement.
Adult and child course (mixed age sessions 0-4 years) which is suitable for adults who do not access other children’s activities and are wary of being in a group situation. The course strongly supports adults to interact and play with their child, to understand basic child development and encourage their child to make choices and explore new activities. Lots of support for adults to parent appropriately and manage their child’s emerging behaviours and develop realistic expectations of their child’s development while trying out lots of different activities. Many opportunities to support parenting and develop adults confidence as parents.
This course can be used as part of a contact arrangement.
Suitable for adults 19 years+ who are struggling with a child’s behaviour; mealtimes/ bedtimes/ lack understanding of how to talk and listen to their child, set fair, consistent boundaries, consequences and rewards. The course focuses on children’s behaviour aged between 2 and 10 years primarily. Many opportunities to support parenting and develop adults confidence as parents.
Adults do not have to be living with their child to access this course.
Family caring trust: Primary to teenage years (11+ years)
2 hour sessions over 6 weeks
Adult course.
The programme offers weekly sessions to help parents create positive boundaries and respect within the home; how to set limits and how they endeavour to keep their child safe. It is useful in reducing tensions, squabbling and fighting within the family and offers more constructive strategies for understanding and responding to the child’s behaviour. The course seeks to encourage parents to establish clearer parenting guidelines and encourages the group to build on their learned and shared experiences throughout the course. The programme can work with parents/adults of children within a specific age range or offer a more generic course covering 11-19 years, depending on local need and the referrals received.
Adults do not have to be living with their child to access this course.
Suitable for adults 19 years+ who have poor mental health, struggle to go out and about or meet new people, who do nothing for themselves because their family situation dominates their week. A low key course where adults can take their time to settle into the sessions, do a shorter session if necessary but offers opportunities to try new craft / food activities which can easily be reproduced at home.
The course aims to support adults to develop their wellbeing, gain confidence and learn to enjoy being in a learning environment/group situation.
Locally funded 'needs-led' programmes
Teen spirit (Lichfield, Tamworth and East Staffordshire districts)
2 hour sessions over 6 weeks
Positive Teens is a targeted programme delivered to vulnerable young people in participating schools. Schools identify and refer young people at risk of CSE, Pregnancy, Teen Parenthood and becoming NEET. During the 6 weeks we cover: self esteem, confidence, safety (including social media, onlinesafety), grooming, healthy/unhealthy relationships, sexual health (including distributing the C Card) and raising aspirations.
A partnership run program for year 6 pupils that looks to develop a young persons self esteem and confidence, provides opportunities to consider friendships and peer pressure.
Explores safe internet and social media use.
Programme information
Available programmes:
Bump to baby / antenatal club
Programs planned for January, April, July and October 2019 – Please contact the district for exact start dates.
- Staffordshire Moorlands children's centre
- Bishop Rawle School, Cheadle
- Newcastle Children's Centre
- East Staffs Childrens Centre, Burton
- Families First, Basin Lane
- This is run on a need-led basis in the district; please contact the duty for further information.
- Cannock Chase Children's Centre
- Western Springs Children's Centre, Rugeley
- Wombourne library
- Bilbrook fire station
- Silkmore Children's Centre
Peep: Simply play for babies
Programs planned for January, April, July and October 2019 – Please contact the district for exact start dates.
- Bishop Rawle School, Cheadle
- Newcastle Children's Centre and Home Start
- Glascote Children's Centre
- Charnwood Children's Centre
- Cannock Chase Children's Centre
- Landywood Children's Centre
- Silkmore Children's Centre
Peep: simply play
Programs planned for January, April, July and October 2019 – Please contact the district for exact start dates.
- Bishop Rawle School, Cheadle
- Staffordshire Moorlands children's centre
- Newcastle Children's Centre
- Glascote Children's Centre
- Charnwood Children's Centre
- Cannock Chase Children's Centre
- Landywood Children's Centre
- Silkmore Children's Centre
**courses will be run during term time dates and will not include half term breaks
Family caring trust: from pram to primary (0-10 years)
Programs planned for January, April, July and October 2019 – Please contact the district for exact start dates’
- Staffordshire Moorlands children's centre **Leek Fire Station**
- Newcastle Children's Centre
- Burton Children's Centre
- Uttoxeter Fire Station
- Glascote Children's Centre
- Charnwood Children's Centre
- Spark, Burntwood
- Cannock Chase Children's Centre
- Billbrook Fire Station
- Wombourne Library
- Silkmore Children's Centre
Family caring trust: from primary to teenage years (11+ years)
Programs planned for January, April, July and October 2019 – Please contact the district for exact start dates.
- Leek Fire Station
- Cheadle Fire Station
- Staffordshire Moorlands children's centre
- The Kings School, Kidsgrove***
- Newcastle Children's Centre
- Uttoxeter Fire Station
- East Staffs Children's Centre
- Glascote Children's Centre***
- Families First, Basin Lane
- Chase Terrace Community Fire Station**
- Bilbrook Fire Station, Codsall***
- Cannock Chase Children's Centre
- Cannock Chase Children's Centre
- Bilbrook Fire Station, Codsall***
**Lichfield District - this one particular group is aimed at females only
***Newcastle/Cannock/South Staffs/Tamworth - September programmes running alternative 6 weeks strengthening families group
Healthy lifestyles and wellbeing
Programs planned for January, April, July and October 2019 – Please contact the district for exact start dates.
- Bishop Rawle School, Cheadle
- Glascote Children's Centre
- Charnwood Children's Centre
- Cannock Chase Children's Center
- Landywood Children's Centre
- Silkmore Children's Centre
Needs-led programmes, delivered locally
Tweensafe
Programs planned for January, April, July and October 2019 – Please contact the district for exact start dates.
- Newcastle schools provide the venue for their year 6 pupils
Teen spirit project
Unless start dates are detailed below, groups will ideally start around September 2018, January, April and July 2019 during term time. The refferal contact for this is Teen spirit
- Venues: Tamworth - TEC/East Staffs Children's Centre/Lichfield - The Friary, Nether Stowe
Referral to: Teen spirit
- Venue: Tamworth - Rawlet x2 Groups
Referral to: Teen spirit
- Venue: East Staffs Children's Centre/Lichfield - Nether Stowe
Referral to: Teen spirit
- Venue: Cannock - Staffordshire University (**positive teens)
Referral to: Sam Aiton
- Venues: Schools to be confirmed for East Staffs Tamworth and Lichfield
Referral to: Teen spirit
- Venue: Cannock school to be confirmed
Referral to: Teen spirit
- Venues: Schools to be confirmed for East Staffs, Tamworth and Lichfield
Referral to: Teen spirit
- Venue: Cannock school to be confirmed
Referral to: Teen spirit
Contact us
For further details, information or advice about the groups please contact the relevant duty number: