Liverpool City Council has officially launched a new approach to working with children, young people, and their families. The innovative model, titled Our City, Our Children, Together, is a collaborative effort between staff and youth aimed at promoting long-term well-being through relationship-focused and strengths-based support. Central to this new approach is Family Safeguarding, a whole-family strategy that prioritizes the safety of vulnerable children while also striving to keep families intact and ensure their long-term security.
Incorporating services tailored to individual family needs, Family Safeguarding involves a multidisciplinary team including social workers, along with experts in substance misuse, mental health, and domestic abuse. The initiative, also known as the Hertfordshire Model, emphasizes sustainable change by empowering families through techniques like motivational interviewing. This approach, widely endorsed by social care professionals, has shown significant success in reducing the number of children placed in care and those requiring Child Protection Plans.
The rollout of Family Safeguarding in Liverpool represents a pivotal moment in the city’s efforts to enhance its children’s social care services. Following the recent introduction of the Family Drug and Alcohol Court, this new model aligns with Pillar 4 of the Council Plan, focusing on promoting healthier lives for both children and adults. With over 1,400 looked-after children in Liverpool, the implementation of Family Safeguarding is poised to have a transformative impact on families, fostering empowerment, resilience, and positive outcomes across the community
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