Keeping You
Informed
Bulletin 17
March 2015
Family Solutions: www.essex.gov.uk/familysolutions or http://essexpartnership.org/node/140
Early Help and Advice Hub: early.help@essex.gov.uk or earlyhelp@essex.gscx.gov.uk
Communications Team: FSComms@essex.gov.uk
Working Together in Essex: https://ecclms.co.uk/goecclms.asp
Essex Safeguarding Children’s Board: www.escb.co.uk
Family Operations Hub
‘Goes Live’
At half term the Initial Response Team & the Early help & Advice Hub merged
into the Family Operations Hub, providing a single point of contact for all those
requiring support from Children`s Social Care, Family Solutions and advice &
guidance for needs at level 2/3. The aim of merging & redesigning the Early Help
& Advice Hub & the Initial Response Team will:
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Enhance the customer journey;
Increase capacity to ensure that timescales are met;
Reduce call waiting times;
Provide advice and guidance to those seeking support at levels 2 and 3
to the appropriate place.
Today the Family Operations Hub was officially opened by Helen Lincoln
Executive Director for People Operations and Nicky O’Shaughnessy Director of
Local Delivery for Children, Young People and Families in North Essex.
Helen Lincoln and Nicky O’Shaughnessy at the Family Operations Hub
Future Developments
Over the coming months we will be continuing to share with colleagues and
professionals how this will look in order to raise awareness as well as share
more with about how it will function and provide a better experience for those
looking to support families across Essex.
Documentation such as the ‘Effective Support for Children and Families in Essex’
will be updated to reflect these operational changes. The Pathway Process Map
has been updated and can be located by clicking here.
Please contact either Vivienne Wright or Alison Duguid for further information.
Ian Davidson
Chief Executive
Tendring District Council
Chief Executive from
Tendring District Council
visits Family Solutions
Ian Davidson, Chief Executive of Tendring District Council recently visited
Tendring Family Solutions to meet a family that had been supported by the
Family Solutions Worker.
Ian really enjoyed the time that he spent at Green Lodge and felt that the team
is doing a great job working with partners to change the lives of many of the
families they are engaged with. He also had an opportunity to meet young
people attending the GOAL programme.
The Family Solutions Team was appreciative of his visit, and it was commented
that Family Solutions is a real success story in relation to partnership working.
The joint working arrangements between the County and District are providing
valuable support and assistance for families within Tendring.
GOALS training for Young People in Tendring
Six young people completed the GOALS training programme with Tendring
Family Solutions during February half -term.
GOALS (Gaining Opportunities and Living Skills) for Young People is a
motivational training programme that challenges young people to think and
behave differently and help them to develop self- belief and determination.
During the two days the young
people covered subjects such
as:
 30 Days to change a
habit, power of the
brain,
 what is
success?/personal
success,
 self-esteem and
responsibility,
 building resilience,
 personal strengths,
 clarify your visions and values.
The highlight was seeing all the young people present to each other and to their
Family Workers what they had learnt and were taking away from the course.
Outcomes they identified included:
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Gained confidence;
Found out more about myself;
Realised consequences of my actions;
A better understand of my relationships and behaviour;
Developed skills for jobs and work; Learnt more about teamwork;
A better understanding of people who are different from me;
Meet and Greet in Castle Point and Rochford
The CPR Family Solutions Team have arranged a Meet and Greet session for
partners to gain a greater understanding of how Family Solutions works with
families to make sustainable changes to their lives. The session is on Tuesday
17th March at Rayleigh Youth Centre from 4pm-6pm.
Rayleigh Youth Centre
Fitzwimarc School
72 Hockley Road
Rayleigh
SS6 8EB
If you wish to attend please contact: jo.shea@essex.gov.uk
New Colchester
Manager
Family
Solutions
Team
Colchester Family Solutions Team has a new manager.
Susan Kelly has joined the team and will be bringing experience from her
previous role Probation to the Colchester Team dynamic. Welcome to the team!
Young People’s Firebreak in Tendring
During the week beginning Monday 2 Feb 2015, young people supported by
Tendring Family Solutions attended Fire Break in Clacton.
These young people learnt about communication, team work and motivation
which were all very evident in the Pass Out Parade on the Friday afternoon.
Parents, Teachers, Family Workers and friends watched an amazing display from
the young people, heard about all they had achieved and watched as our young
people received certificates and recognition for all their hard work.
Since the course each young person has received feedback from Karl Amoss
(Lead Youth Instructor), highlighting the great behaviour, enthusiasm and team
work displayed during the week.
Case Study - NVR
This month’s case study shows how Family Solutions have been developing the
use of NVR to support a family whilst working with a variety of
professionals/stakeholders. It can be located in our Case Studies section on our
website but here is a link straight to it (click here)
Working Together Training Opportunities
Working Together in Essex has a new training programme available for partners
to access. To find what is available please click on the link to access their
website.
Working Together in Essex Website
And Finally…..
Remember to check out our website for information on:
 How to make a Request For Support to Family Solutions
 Shared Family Assessments – How to find out if one exists or register
one.
 Case Studies
 The Family Operations Hub
 Contact Details
 And more…….!