Children and young people's strategies

Family Help is Thurrock's approach to supporting children and families. It brings together support and services to help families overcome challenges, and ensure children are safe, healthy and thriving.

What is Family Help?

Family Help provides support for children, young people and families who may need extra help at different stages of their lives. We work alongside families to identify what support is needed and help them achieve positive outcomes.

What's changed?

Services previously known as PASS, Assessment and Family Support are now part of Family Help. This new approach means:

• you'll have one main worker who supports your family throughout your journey with us
• specialist professionals can become involved when additional expertise is needed
• support is better coordinated around the needs of your family

Our approach

We work in partnership with families and focus on building strengths and resilience. Our approach includes:

• creating a support plan that works for your family
• listening to your views because you know your family best
• recognising and building on your family's strengths
• involving family members and friends where it is helpful and appropriate
• supporting parents and carers to ensure children are safe and well cared for

How we support families

Family Help can provide support at different levels depending on the needs of the child and family.

• Targeted Early Help - Support for families who need some additional help to prevent difficulties escalating.
• Child in Need - Support for children who require additional services to help them develop safely and achieve their potential.
• Child Protection - Support for families where there are concerns about a child's safety and wellbeing, with plans in place to help keep children safe.

What can families expect?

You and your family will be supported by a dedicated Family Help worker throughout your involvement with Children's Services.

Together, we'll make sure the right support is in place. We'll help identify the people who are important to you and involve them in planning support where appropriate. This may include family members, friends, or professionals you already work with who can help you achieve your goals as a family.