Family Support
At The Children's Society the heart of our work is a commitment to supporting families facing complex challenges. Our Family Support services offer a safe, inclusive space where families can connect, learn and grow together.
We deliver family support groups and one-to-one support for families affected by issues such as substance use, mental health, self-harm or trauma. These families often experience isolation, stigma, and a lack of accessible support. Our work aims to break down these barriers by fostering connection, understanding and empowerment.
We offer support to any family who have a young person accessing a service of The Children's Society in Essex, either one to one or in a group.
What can families expect?
What can families expect?
Our Family Support Groups are designed, but not limited to:
- Provide peer support and a safe space for open conversation.
- Offer education around addiction, mental health, communication, and healthy relationships.
- Promote awareness and reduce stigma.
- Empower families to find solutions and build resilience.
- Explore all individual family dynamics, inclusive of all backgrounds.
We can offer support with issues such as:
- Communication
- Building confidence
- Validation
- Boundaries
- Parenting techniques
- Housing
- Benefits
- Resilience building
How can our Substance Use Family Support Group (FSG) support you?
The groups are led by a facilitator who will provide information, education and support on addiction, and the physical, mental and emotional effects of drug and alcohol misuse. We aim to empower those who live with another's addiction, either by giving them tools to support that person or helping them to create a plan that allows the individual and their family to have clear objectives and an overview of a healthy relationship.
Our groups consist of a eight-week programme covering:
- Boundaries and consequences
- Positive behaviour
- Drug awareness education
- Appropriate support of users
- Addiction information
FSG referrals are also accepted from families where the young person using substances is not engaged with support services themselves.
Family support group quote
At the end of it everything’s going to be all right At the end of it everything’s going to be all right
How do I access the groups?
Groups run during the day and in the evening. Sessions are delivered both virtually and face to face. Our groups are led by trained facilitators, who provide attendees with information on addiction, self-harm, support with behavioural issues, non-violent resistance and exploitation. We offer one-to-one support, family sessions and tailored care plans as well as providing access to any relevant resources and signposting referrals to appropriate services .
Substance Use Family Support Group is accessed through referral form and can be completed yourself or by a professional.
You can send us your completed referral forms to us via email.
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Get in touch
We are always learning and aiming to improve wherever we can. Do you have a comment or question about our services? Email us or call on 01245 493 311.
The Children's Society East
114 Springfield Road
Chelmsford
CM2 6LF
Phone: 01245 493 311
Family support resources
For more information about family support, here are some resources recommended by those who attended the sessions:
