Family support

All families will have difficulties at some time. Most can work through these on their own, but some need extra help and support.

Children and Young People's Services can provide Family Support services when children are assessed as being ‘in need’ for example because they are:

• getting involved in drug, solvent or alcohol misuse
• offending
• in need of protection
• young carers
• disabled

Children aged 0 – 18 can have very different and varied needs. All families are different in size and composition, all areas of Shropshire are unique in their own way.

To make sure we can help meet the diverse needs of children, young people and families right across the county, we have a wide range of different services, and different contacts to help find the right support for every individual.

Access to Family Support Services is through our District Social Work teams, who will assess every situation where it seems a child may be 'in need' and work with the family to agree what type of help would work best. Follow the Contact Us link for details.

Other services are provided by voluntary organisations like:

• Homestart, who befriend and support families with children under 5 years visit www.home-start.org.uk
• The Red Cross, who provide support to young carers visit www.redcross.org.uk
• Barnardo's, who manage the Family Support Workers in some Shropshire Schools visit www.barnardos.org.uk