Families first

‘Families First’ is a whole system, countywide multi-agency response to supporting family outcomes at a local level.  It brings together organisations that provide early help services under one umbrella of consistent practice and clear processes.  The ‘Families First Portal’ can be accessed through the link below.  Once on the website click on the ‘Public Area’ button where a comprehensive list of agencies/charities and resources available to parents in the Hertfordshire region can be found.  The ‘Public Area’ is split into six sections and covers a wide range of issues:

1. Parents and Children (childcare, children’s centres, family support and parenting courses).
2. Keeping Safe (domestic violence, bullying, crime and disorder).
3. Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) (activities and leisure, childcare, education and training, support and advice).
4. Health and Wellbeing (pregnancy, sexual health, carers, counselling and therapy, bereavement, drugs and alcohol).
5. Money and Housing (benefits and debt advice, food banks, housing support).
6. Education and Employment (apprenticeships, colleges, private tuition, employment advice, adult learning).

Click here to view the Hertfordshire Families First Portal

You can also find helpful advice about where to go if you are concerned about any aspect of your son or daughter’s wellbeing in this document.

Websites that students and parents/carers may find useful

Bereavement
https://www.childbereavementuk.org/
https://help2makesense.org/
http://stand-by-me.org.uk/
https://www.winstonswish.org/

Child Abuse
https://www.stopitnow.org.uk/

Crime
https://www.fearless.org/en

Children in Care
https://www.becomecharity.org.uk/for-young-people/

Domestic Abuse
https://www.hertssunflower.org/herts-sunflower.aspx
https://www.saferplaces.co.uk/

Drugs Information
https://www.hopeuk.org/
https://www.talktofrank.com/

Eating Disorders
https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/

Emotional and Mental Wellbeing
https://www.annafreud.org/
https://www.childline.org.uk/
https://www.ditchthelabel.org/
https://www.healthforteens.co.uk/hertfordshire/
https://www.mindful.org/
https://sandbox.mindler.co.uk/
https://www.themix.org.uk/
https://www.supportline.org.uk/
http://www.youngminds.org.uk/

Ethnic Groups Support
https://www.myh.org.uk/

Financial Support
https://capuk.org/

Gender Identity
http://genderedintelligence.co.uk/
https://www.mermaidsuk.org.uk/

Health
https://www.healthforteens.co.uk/
https://chathealth.nhs.uk/

Healthy Bodies
https://beezeebodies.com/programs/beezee-families/

Mental Health Concerns
https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/
https://www.changegrowlive.org/
https://www.getselfhelp.co.uk/
https://www.meandmymind.nhs.uk/about/downloadable-resources/ (if hearing voices)
https://www.mind.org.uk/
https://www.minded.org.uk/
https://nopanic.org.uk/
https://www.rethink.org/
https://www.selfharm.co.uk/
https://youngminds.org.uk/ (parent helpline)

Parental Support
http://www.thebutterflyroom.org/about.html

Screen Time: Helping Your Teen Find The Balance With Tech
https://www.mytutor.co.uk/blog/parents/the-screen-time-diet-helping-your-teen-find-the-balance-with-tech/

Self Harm
http://www.harmless.org.uk/
https://www.selfharm.co.uk

Services for Young People
https://www.servicesforyoungpeople.org/

Sexual Health
https://www.brook.org.uk/

Suicidal Thoughts
https://theolliefoundation.org/
https://papyrus-uk.org/
https://www.zerosuicidealliance.com/

Terminal Illness
http://www.hopesupport.org.uk/
https://www.rainbowtrust.org.uk/
http://www.rosiecranetrust.org/
https://www.togetherforshortlives.org.uk/

Victim Support
https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/

Websites with Online Chat/Counselling for Mental Health Concerns
https://www.childline.org.uk/
https://www.kooth.com/