Help for your child
Are you worried about your child? Many children go through difficult times for all sorts of reasons. This can cause parents to be anxious about their children and unsure of how best to help them. Perhaps one of our Family Support Workers can help to:
- What problems can you help my child with?
- How is help given?
- Will you tell me what my child says to you?
- Who will help?
- Is there a charge?
- Have families found the help useful?
- I’d like support for my child. What do I do next?
What problems can you help my child with?
We can help with many issues your child might be struggling with, such as:
- Low self esteem
- Loss/bereavement
- Coping with divorce/separation
- Managing anger
- Relationships with other children
- Bullying
- Managing changes
- Affects of abuse/witnessing abuse
- Worries/anxiety
How is help given?
We can offer sessions to support your child with the difficulties they are having. We use different activities and resources, such as games, role-play and craft, but if they would prefer to just have a chat, that’s fine too. Help can take place at your child’s school, our office or at another agreed venue. Sessions take place weekly and usually last between 30 minutes and 1 hour. After 6 sessions, we review how things are going and decide with you and your child whether more sessions might be helpful. We can also support you in how you manage the difficulties your child is having.
Will you tell me what my child says to you?
Children have the same rights to confidentiality as our adult service users, and therefore, if they request that we do not share information, this must be respected, except in those cases where we feel there are safety concerns. However, communication with parents is very important and we understand that parents want to know how things are going with their child. We are happy to talk to you in general about this or in more detail, if agreed with the child.
Who will help?
We want you to feel confident that the person supporting your child is professional, approachable and, most importantly, safe for your children to be with. During the thorough recruitment process, all staff at Family Friends are reference checked and police checked through the Criminal Records Bureau.
We currently have two qualified Family Support Workers (meet the team) who have a great deal of experience in supporting families and working with both children and parents. The service they offer should not be confused with a counselling service. Although the work they do is often therapeutic, they are not therapists. As with all Family Friends staff, both paid and voluntary, they receive ongoing training to ensure the service they offer is the best that it can be. If the Family Support Workers do not feel that they can offer the right kind of support for your child, they will do their best to assist you in seeking support from a more appropriate service.
Is there a charge?
No, our support is free. However, as we are a charity, any donations are always gratefully received and help us to continue to support more families just like yours.
Have families found the help useful?
Yes! We’ve had some fantastic feedback from children and their parents about the difference our support has made to their family. Click here to read what parents say about our one-to-one support for children.
I’d like support for my child. What do I do next?
You can contact us by phone or e-mail, but if you are feeling a bit nervous, you can ask a professional such as a GP, health visitor, teacher or social worker to refer your child.
Not sure if we can help? We’re always happy to talk through your situation and if we can’t help we might be able to refer you on to someone who can.
Click here to read some examples of how we’ve helped other families.