Help shape family problem-solving support for the Armed Forces community
Summary - see below for more detail
We have 25 years experience of working alongside families. Our work helps families engage with their support network, ask for help and plan a way forward from challenges. Families we help often have difficulties due to mental health, substance misuse, difficulties at school, bereavements, relationship breakdowns, or domestic abuse, amongst others.
As part of our aims, we are exploring how to tailor our support to different communities. One of these communities is the Armed Forces. We recognise that regular moves can impact how easy it is to get help from those around them; be it friends, wider family or colleagues. We are exploring how to adapt to suit the needs of the Armed Forces community. We need your help!
We are keen to hear from the whole Armed Forces community. In particular, we'd like to hear from those recently or currently based in Wiltshire. This will help us to explore funding opportunities and (hopefully) launch services in the near future.
If you’d be happy to spare a few moments, please read on, listen to an audio-described version - below - or download a condensed infographic.
Our ideas
For families preparing to move, we would offer - what is formally called - a Family Group Conference or FGC. This process is about working with a family, and enabling positive conversation to plan a way forward.
Who is it for?
This support could be ideal where a move may create or exacerbate challenges for adults and/or children. This could be due to mental health, SEND, domestic violence, complex needs, bereavement, long-term separation, and/or relationship breakdowns. It may also be that someone needs help and needs support to access it.
For example, this could be those who:
Have never moved before
Have experienced challenges when moving previously
Have additional needs, challenges or risk factors that be exacerbated by moving, e.g. SEND, disability or injury, history of domestic violence
Are in receipt of ongoing support that will end or transition in response to a move
Are moving with limited existing support
Are moving overseas
What sort of support is being offered?
Support would be voluntary, family-led, and at the earliest available point in preparing for a move.
Our Coordinators would be impartial – i.e. not directly connected to the Service or community. We offer impartiality to reduce any potential barriers around stigma or confidentiality.
We would offer services to those leaving the designated base or area to prepare for a move. Families would be able to self-refer, or be referred from their workplace or Welfare organisations.
We would work face-to-face where possible. However, we recognise the challenges this may create so we would be flexible and creative!
What is involved?
Working with a Coordinator, you would identify who you would like to invite. This might include friends, family, colleagues, or professional support services such as a child’s teacher
The Coordinator would talk to these people. They would explain the process and invite them to a meeting or Conference
The Coordinator would make sure everyone felt prepared. They would speak to any children to help them share their voices and get ready. Children are invited as their views are kept central to the decision-making process.
The group would meet for the Conference, which is in three parts
To begin, everyone would share information so that the group understands the challenges being faced. Children would have the opportunity to share their views. Any professional support services would also share what support they could offer.
The family group – without the Coordinator – would spend time together to create a plan of action. They would discuss what reliable practical, emotional or safety support they could offer.
The family group would share the plan with the Coordinator. They would work with the group to make sure it was a strong, robust and sustainable plan.
Someone in the group is nominated as a ‘monitor’ to help keep an eye on the plan
On occasion, we bring everyone back together 3-6 months later. This is to check in, celebrate and adapt where needed.
What would you get from it?
We would aim to enable the following outcomes:
A defined and dedicated support network, committed to supporting the family before, during, and after a move
Identify and find solutions to challenges that might arise in response to a move
Clear and sustainable plan of action, providing tangible ways a support network can help alleviate challenges
Identify and/or engage with community services that may support the family in the new area
We’d welcome your feedback on this idea. To share your feedback, we have a number of options:
Complete this short survey
Join a focus group - email marketing@daybreakfgc.org.uk to get involved and receive an (optional) £10 voucher as a thank you. Places are limited.
Email your feedback to marketing@daybreakfgc.org.uk
Thank you for your time!