How the Family Networks Programme is changing lives

In April 2024, Wirral Council was selected as one of seven local authorities to deliver the Families First for Children (FFC) Pathfinder programme. Funded by the Department for Education, this initiative aims to provide support to families, helping more children remain in safe, loving homes while protecting vulnerable children when necessary.

A key part of this pilot is Family Networks, designed to support relatives and close family friends who provide care for children when parents are unable to do so. These relationships offer stability and continuity, but extended family members often need additional support to provide a safe and suitable home.

The new Family Network Support Packages from Wirral Council provide bespoke practical or financial support, such as funding for furniture, travel costs, or other essentials, ensuring children can stay with people they know and trust.

The Family Network Support Packages are managed by a dedicated team who process requests from lead practitioners and social workers involved with families who may need the additional support to help children stay within their family networks.

Here are some real examples of how these support packages have helped families overcome challenges and build brighter futures:

A Dad Creating a Safe Space

A father recently took on full-time care for his young child after the family went through a difficult period. The child’s mother had been experiencing significant stress due to family members being hospitalised and other pressures, which affected the home environment and made it difficult for her to manage. To ease the strain, the father stepped in to provide stability and care.

However, his home needed substantial improvements to make it a safe and comfortable environment for his child. The house was furnished with old and damaged furniture causing risk to the child.

Through the Family Network Support Packages, funding was provided to hire a skip clear out unsafe furniture from inside and outside the house. The improvements transformed the home into a more welcoming and secure space, allowing the child to remain with their father in familiar surroundings.

The dad shared that this support made a significant difference, giving him the tools he needed to build a stable future for his child. The social worker supporting the family noted how this timely assistance helped keep the family together and reduced the risk of the child needing to enter care. 

He added:

A Grandmother Offering a Loving Home

After her daughter faced challenges that meant she couldn’t care for her young child, a grandmother stepped in to provide a loving home. While she was committed to taking on the responsibility, the situation brought financial and practical challenges. The grandmother lived in a one bed flat which meant she had to sacrifice her bedroom and sleep on the couch to provide a comfortable place for the child. They eventually moved into a more suitable property to give her grandchild space to thrive, but it lacked essential furnishings, and the costs of setting up the new home were overwhelming.

The Family Network Support Package team stepped in with a help that funded new carpets for the child’s bedroom, stairs, and landing, as well as curtains to make the space warm and inviting. These small but vital changes created a welcoming home where the grandchild could feel secure and comfortable.

The grandmother explained how this assistance gave her the peace of mind to focus on her grandchild’s wellbeing and redirect funds towards groceries and bills. The child quickly adjusted to the new environment, and the family was able to move forward positively. The grandmother was pleased at how quickly the house began to feel like home, especially as the child began to relax and settle in the new home. The child’s tantrums had noticeably decreased as he was able to return to his usual routine.

The lead practitioner highlighted the importance of the support in keeping the child within their extended family and maintaining stability during a challenging time.

Reuniting a Family

A mother working hard to reunite with her children after a period of separation faced significant practical barriers. The children had been placed with extended family members for a time while she addressed personal challenges and created a more stable home environment. Although two younger children had returned, their older siblings couldn’t yet join them because the house wasn’t fully prepared for their needs.

The children’s bedrooms, while functional, were bare and lacked the warmth needed to help them feel at home. With help from the Family Network Support Packages, funding was used to install carpets in the children’s rooms. This simple addition transformed the space into a comfortable and cosy environment, making the home feel complete.

The mother shared how the support made it possible for her family to be together again, creating a fresh start for them all. For the children, having their own inviting space helped them feel settled and secure. This also meant that the older children had a comfortable space for their visits while they waited to be reunited in the near future.

Practitioners described the funding as pivotal in reuniting the family and ensuring a positive future: 

Family Networks is an integral part of the Families First for Children Pathfinder. By focusing on strengthening extended family support, the programme helps keep children in safe and familiar environments, avoiding the need for care placements. Practical assistance like furniture, travel costs, and essential home improvements ensures families can overcome challenges and create nurturing spaces where children can thrive.

These stories show how even small interventions can make a life-changing difference, helping families stay together and build a brighter future.