“The course helps to develop family resilience and promote positive parenting behaviours with the practitioner facilitating parent and child interaction through age-appropriate talk, play and reading activities”
“The Austin family were originally referred to the Children’s Centre in 2018 by their social worker. Mum had recently given birth to their baby son and there were concerns regarding the parents’ mental health, substance abuse and their ability to parent. Our Family Support Practitioner supported the family on a one to one basis to complete a Parents as First Teachers (PAFT) course for babies. The course helps to develop family resilience and promote positive parenting behaviours with the practitioner facilitating parent and child interaction through age-appropriate talk, play and reading activities. Further support was provided with a baby massage course and through attending our group sessions. The family’s case was closed in 2019 but they remained on a child protection plan with supportive professionals around them.
The Austin’s were referred back to us in 2021, this time to provide further help with parenting and to support the father as a victim of domestic abuse. The son was living with his father and having regular supervised contact with his mother. Our Family Support Practitioner completed PAFT 3-5 years with the father and supported the family with a housing referral. She also attended regular meetings with other social care professionals to ensure the family were well supported. Dad is now more confident in caring for his son and is looking forward to the future.”
“Although he is no longer being supported, he knows we are here for him if he needs us.”
