A pioneering new service that aims to make a difference to the lives of the most vulnerable children and families has been launched in Wrexham.
The Integrated Family Support Service (IFSS) brings together professionals from various backgrounds to provide intensive support, particularly giving parental support for adults and families where alcohol and substance misuse is a key risk factor.
The Service aims to keep families together and improve child welfare by bringing about family lifestyle changes.
Wrexham has received £1.8 million for the next three years to fund the Service and is one of only three authorities in Wales pioneering the multi agency approach to “whole” families.
Clare Field, Strategic Director with Children and Young People, said: The IFSS is a very creative and innovative way to support families and I believe that this service will make a real difference to the lives of the most vulnerable children and young people in Wrexham.
Cllr Aled Roberts, Leader of Wrexham Council, said:
“This is an exciting initiative which puts families at the forefront of everything that we do. Being selected for this pilot recognises the excellent work that we are currently doing in this area and also allows us to develop our services further.”
It is estimated that the Service will work with 100 families per year and will be delivered by spending up to 80 hours over four to six weeks, including evening and weekends to ensure whole family involvement. Each family will receive counselling using motivational techniques and solution focused therapy which will help improve family life for both parents and children. The overarching idea is to restore power back to the family so they feel enabled to make good decisions for themselves and their children and know where and how to access services that can continue to help them stay together.
The team will comprise of child and family social workers, child and adolescent mental health social worker, psychiatric nurse, substance misuse professional, parenting professional, health visitor, and an education welfare officer.
The Integrated Family Support Service supports the Council’s Corporate Priority of providing Better Education and Skills for Employment as many children have their schooling disrupted due to their family circumstances and will be in danger entering the Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEETs)category when they reach 16.
