In Practice: Case study - There to help parents, not to judge

Objectives A recent report from the National Evaluation of Sure Starthighlighted the value of outreach family support services for those whohave children with disabilities or complex needs. Riversley ParkChildren's Centre in Nuneaton has a well-established family supportservice, which was set up for families who needed extra one-to-one help,including parents with disabled children. "They weren't families incrisis but were in need of something more than just coming to one of ourgroups," says family support and early years manager Naomi Bradley. Thatcould also include families struggling to manage a child's behaviour oraffected by drug and alcohol abuse.

What was done The children's centre is led by children's charity NCH andgrew out of a Sure Start local programme. It has a team of four familysupport workers, who are each assigned a caseload. Families can bereferred by local organisations and professionals such as socialworkers, health visitors and housing officers. They can also referthemselves. The workers visit families in their own homes and make anassessment of their needs working with parents to agree goals.