Family Network support

Helping families thrive through trusted networks

When families face challenges, support from people they trust, like:

grandparents
aunts
uncles
friends
neighbours

or others, can make all the difference.

Family Network support helps coordinate and strengthen these support networks. It provides access to resources or funding that empower loved ones to step in and help.

Examples of support could be:

a car and car seats to help a grandmother take children to school each morning
a sofa bed so an uncle can stay over when a parent is unwell
mediation to improve communication between parents and grandparents. This could enable better childcare arrangements

A professional will refer a family to the network. This could be:

school staff
GP surgery
Family Hub staff

If you know a family that could benefit, you can submit a request through Dorset Families Matter.

What Is a Family Network?

A Family Network is a group of people. A family can identify them. They provide emotional, practical, or other forms of support.

A Family Network can include:

extended family members, such as grandparents, aunts, or uncles
friends or neighbours
representatives from the community or faith groups

We understand that not all families have an established network. We work to create connections for families who need extra support. We do this through Family Hubs and community partnerships.

Empowering families early

Using family networks early helps families take the lead in making decisions. We call this Family Group Decision Making. It ensures families feel supported and involved when addressing challenges.

Family Network meetings

Family Network meetings are family-led discussions. They should explore how a family’s support network can provide help. A registered charity called Daybreak will coordinate these meetings. It will support family-led problem-solving.

Daybreak is independent from Dorset Council. It ensures impartiality in facilitating these discussions. Following the meetings, they will provide feedback to the family’s lead practitioner. They assist in connecting the family with any agreed upon resources.

The resulting plan may include practical support from the family:

cooking meals
school pickups
providing a listening ear during tough times

A plan may also include a Family Network support package.