Home Visits by Family Development Workers - Case Studies

Mrs H and Family

Mrs H is a single mum with three children. Her family were living in overcrowded conditions in temporary accommodation. Mrs H was separated from her partner due to domestic violence and the family was referred to Parents & Co from Social Services.

A Family Development Worker (FDW) from P&Co started to visit Mrs H, who was very depressed and emotional. At first, the FDW found it difficult to engage Mrs H, but over time the worker gained her trust and she became more confident and began to socialise more coming to Parents & Co drop-ins and making friends through this process.

The FDW helped Mrs H successfully bid for a three bedroom flat, through the Councils' bidding system and the relationship between Mrs H and her children began to improve. Mrs H now interacts much more with her children, helping with their homework etc and in general the family appears much happier.

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T and her Four Children

T was referred to P&Co by one of her relatives who picked up a leaflet by chance. T has four children ranging from four to thirteen years old. T was living in total isolation and has a history of depression. Recently, she had been diagnosed with a severely underactive thyroid, and was put on heavy medication. T had no energy for the children and spent a lot of time in bed, with the result that the eldest child took on T's role, doing the cooking, taking the younger siblings to school, and keeping them occupied generally.

People judged and criticised T's parenting and misunderstood her illness, but the FDW gave the family time, space and listened. The FDW saw that actually, despite all the difficulties, T had a very good relationship with all her children. The FDW helped and encouraged T to organise a daily routine and arranged for appropriate agencies to help T and the children. The situation improved greatly due to the right kind of support being provided and T and her children are now looking forward to a better future.

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