Family Restoration Service Specification
A discreet service for families of 16-17yr old young people where strengthening communications
and relationships can avoid potential family breakdown and subsequent youth homelessness. The
project employs best-practice Triple P parenting strategies and innovative young –person led
initiatives helping families’ access appropriate advice and support services and enabling young
people stay where they should be – at home providing it’s a safe home.
Background
Comic Relief funded CAYSH’s ‘Before the Cracks’ research project 2007-2009 which identified the value of
early intervention with 14/15 year olds in reducing homelessness soon after. The project also piloted our
successful model for working with young people and their families to strengthen them. The pilot project was
picked up and funded by Croydon Council and has been running ever since. The service engages with
young people and their immediate/extended family.
Staff Model
There are two Advice and Support Officers delivering this project at present,
based at the Croydon Turnaround Centre and reporting to the DIZ Operations
Manager.
Support Worker’s Experience
The Advice and Support Officer manages a case load of young people and their
families, working with them, extended family and other agencies to address the
challenges causing family/communication/ breakdown.
Area Director
Operations
Manager Advice
Support
Worker
The Advice and Support Officer will assist the family to gain the necessary tools to manage the issues that
led to conflict and/or breakdown in the parent/teenager relationship.
This generally involves enabling parents and young person to employ problem solving skills to address
challenges that may cause family breakdown. Providing strategies and ways for them to resolve conflicting
needs, differences and ensuring the young person is going to be safe and well going forwards. The Advice
and Support Officer may provide direct support or advice to parents/carer independently of the young
person where this need impacts on their ability to parent their teenager. The Advice and Support Officer
may also engage parents in group training.
Specific Job Description Requirements
1.
To provide early intervention in order to prevent premature separation of young people from their
families.
2.
To provide family mediation and negotiation to assist conflict resolution.
3.
To work directly with young people and their families in the community in order to promote,
strengthen and sustain healthy family relationships
4.
To enable and empower families to identify and access to universal and targeted services as
required.
5.
To carry out Triple P group parenting training for parents to promote positive parenting strategies.
Service User Experience
Young people and their family receive weekly on-going one-to-one and/or group support to help them
communicate effectively with each other and access appropriate individual, family and parent peer groups
and support services. Service Users are helped to better understand why the differences in perspective
between young people and their families might exist. Both Service Users and family receive an action plan,
advice, support and access to training on how to deal with their issues.
CAYSH’s family restoration work is recognised by the DCLG as leading the way in helping young people
return home as quickly as possible. We anticipate expansion of this service in Croydon and surrounding
boroughs over the coming years.
The Future
CAYSH’s family restoration work is recognised by the DCLG as leading the way in helping young people
return home as quickly as possible. We anticipate expansion of this service in Croydon and surrounding
boroughs over the coming years.