Families Come First

Families Come First is a Child in Need service within Dudley Council providing support to children up to the age of 17, alongside their parents and/or carers. The service aims to keep families together, to repair or improve relationships at home and in the community, to connect families to their local communities, and to build upon each family’s existing strengths.

Families Come First provides support to the whole family and can create plans for parents and carers as well as children.

Our staff will always listen to your views. We will give you opportunity to lead parts of the meetings we hold with your family and will agree when and where those meetings take place with you. Our support will be provided through regular contact with your family for up to 18 weeks.

You will have a lead worker who will co-ordinate the support provided by the Families Come First team. We will listen to your concerns and will respond in a timely, professional way to protect your children. We will help your family build connections with your local community to ensure you have long-term support following your involvement with Families Come First.

The Families Come First team offers support from a mix of professionals with a wide range of skills and expertise.

Our team includes:

• Team Managers who will co-ordinate and oversee the service.

• Emotional Health & Well-Being staff will help families to understand their relationships by connecting thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.

• Intensive Family Support Workers will assist in co-ordinating and delivering support to families, building positive relationships.

• Money Mentors will help families to think about their household finances.

• Family Support Workers will work with parents or carers to build on existing parenting skills and strengths.

• Youth Mentors will help children to discover activities within their local communities.

• Independent Domestic Violence Advisor is a specialist professional who will work with survivors of domestic abuse to develop trusting relationships.

• Substance Misuse Workers will help families understand the impact of alcohol and drug use.

• Social Workers will coordinate and review the Child in Need plan.

• Our Admin team will contact families to gather their views, helping us understand what works for families.

We will value your family every step of the way. We will keep children and young people at the centre of what we do. We will help you repair, maintain, and build relationships. We will listen to you and will create plans with you that reflect your views. Families Come First!

Telephone: 01384 815676

Office Address:
Corbyn Road
Dudley
DY1 2JZ