County Durham
Stronger Families Programme
Mentor Working Agreement
The following description outlines the scope of the Think Family Mentor support which will
be provided to the Lead Professional/ Key Worker through the County Durham Stronger
Families Programme.
1.0 Think Family Mentor Support
A nominated Think Family Mentor who is experienced in coordinating and delivering ‘whole
family’ services will provide mentor support to the Lead Professional/Key Worker to
facilitate the development of the ‘Think Family’ Approach.
1.1 Scope of Mentor Role
1.2 Support practitioners develop knowledge and skills in the Lead Profession/Key Worker
role;
Lead Professional Role is to:
Act as the first point of contact for the family, planning that contact flexibly to meet the
family needs;

Build a relationship with each family member based on trust and respect, modelling
effective communication and persistent support;

Coordinate the whole family assessment process;

Co-ordinate the multi-agency team around the family to participate in putting together a
plan with the family, clearly outlining the sanctions and rewards that are associated
with each goal;

Work with the family to support and challenge them towards reaching the support plan
goals;

Advocate for the family with other agencies;

Negotiate and build effective relations with other practitioners from across the Children,
Young People’s, Adults and Health Service workforce;

Understanding the roles and remits of other practitioners and agencies;

Regularly review progress and address barriers to progress in partnership with the
multi-agency team(TAF)including all family members;

Support the family to use universal services effectively gradually reducing the intensity
of involvement as the family functioning strengthens;

Plan an exit strategy with the family and TAF, ensuring ongoing support from relevant
services (as necessary) and build in post intervention contact.
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1.3 Support Lead Professional to progress Think Family intervention with the family as
outlined in Stronger Families Intervention Process and escalates where necessary;
1.4 Support the Lead Professional and the TAF members to identify solutions where there
is a lack of change in the family or outcomes are not being achieved;
1.5 Attend case discussions with the Lead Professional and the line manager where
requested to do so.
1.6 Ensure all appropriate monitoring and evaluation tools are utilised and completed
as required by the Stronger Families Programme Performance Framework;
1.7 Support opportunities for reflective practice including facilitating Think Family Learning
Networks across County Durham;
2.0 Record Keeping
The Think Family Mentor will keep a record of all discussions, advice and actions which
result from the mentor support. The notes will be recorded on a Contact Record Sheet
with a copy given to the Lead Professional /Key Worker for their own records.
3.0 Supervision, line management and accountability
3.1 Supervision and line management will continue to be provided through the Lead
Professionals/ Key Workers host organisation. Supervision is key to improving professional
practice and is integral to the whole system change required for all services to ‘Think
Family’. Ensuring effective supervision is available to all practitioners working in a Think
Family way does require a level commitment to making supervision a priority and providing
the resources this requires – particularly time and training.
3.2 All Lead Professionals/Key Workers should expect to receive appropriate case
management supervision regularly on a 4-6 weekly basis.
3.3 Accountability for the family casework will remain with the host organisation. The Think
Family Mentor and Lead Professional relationship will however be confidential subject to
Caldicott and Children and Adult Safeguarding policies and procedures.
4.0. Escalation Procedures
4.1 Any areas of concern or disagreement between the Think Family Mentor and Lead
Professional/Key Worker will be required in the first instance to be resolved between the
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two practitioners. A record of the discussion and resolution should be made. If a
satisfactory resolution is not achieved then both practitioners will need to bring the issue to
the attention of their own Line Manager.
4.2 To ensure the Stronger Families Programme supports families to meet intended
outcomes it is essential that the intervention takes place in a timely manner as outlined in
the Stronger Families Intervention Process chart. To support this, following procedure will
be followed in the event that timely intervention does not take place;
4.3 If within 10 working days of a Stronger Families case being allocated, arrangements
have not been made between the Think Family Mentor and the Lead Professional for the
initial planning meeting the Line Manager for the Lead Professional and Mentor Supervisor
(Karen Davison Tel 03000 268904) to be informed to expedite progress;
4.4 If at least one meeting has not occurred with the family within 10 working days of
allocation or consent has not been gained from the family for the work to commence the
Lead Professional and/or Mentor to alert both respective managers;
4.5 If plans are not in place at the end of the first month after allocation of the family onto
the Stronger Families Programme for a multi-agency meeting (within the next 2 weeks) –
Lead Professional or Think Family Mentor to escalate to both respective managers;
4.6 Where there are concerns that either the assessment and /or whole family support plan
will not be completed and ready to be shared at the first multi-agency meeting (within 6
weeks of allocation) – Lead Professional or Think Family Mentor to alert respective
managers;
4.7 Where there are concerns about the progress that families are making against the
intended outcomes and the multi-agency team is not able to effect some change in the
family within a 3 month period, case to be formally discussed within case supervision
arrangements by both Think Family Mentor and Lead Professional respectively to agree
next steps;
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4.8 Where agencies/services do not attend/do not send a report/do not send apologies for
the ‘Team around the Family’ meeting, the Lead Professional will inform their Line Manager
who will in turn contact the respective Line Manager.
5.0 Mentor Working Agreement
I have read and understand the terms of this agreement and agree to adhere to the
contents.
A Mentor Agreement is required to be signed by the Lead Professional, the Think
Family Mentor and their respective Line Managers for each family supported
through the County Durham Stronger Families Programme. A copy of the signed
agreement should be held in the family case file and by the Think Family Mentor.
Name of Lead Professional
Signature
Commencement Review
Date
Date
Name of Lead Professional
Line Manager
Signature
Commencement Review
Date
Date
Name of Think Family
Mentor
Signature
Commencement Review
Date
Date
Name of Think Family
Mentor Line Manager
Signature
Commencement Review
Date
Date
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