Family Development Workers (FDWs) visit parents in their own home, offering one-to-one support. Visits are on a weekly basis and last one and a half hours for a minimum of six weeks and a maximum of a year. We work in partnership with the parent and other agencies or individuals such as health visitors, GPs, social workers etc.
The visits focus on the parent-child relationship and the needs of the whole family. We will ask the parent what is important to them and what changes they would like to make, and then make an agreement to support them on these issues. These could be looking at new ways to deal with a child’s sleeping or eating difficulties, or managing a child’s behaviour, or exploring situations which cause stress. FDWs can accompany the parent to appointments or meetings at the parent’s request.
FDWs only call at the request of the parent, so parents often refer themselves. Referrals from other relatives, friends, or other agencies must have the parent’s consent. For more information, ring 020 7424 1620/1622.