Family Link Plus

There are many families in Gloucestershire caring full time for their disabled children and young people, many of these families are in real need of a short break. This time allows them to relax, spend time with other members of their family, or to complete necessary tasks like the weekly shop; tasks that can be really challenging as a full-time carer.

The children and young people also benefit hugely from the support offered, it gives them the opportunity to make friendships and participate in new activities with people outside their family, activities that are commonplace for most children. While using our service, children and young people can learn new skills and become more confident in developing independent and life skills as they become teenagers and mature into adults.

Services offered by foster carers and family support workers:

• Day-time care for disabled children in both their own homes and in their local communities; including befriending, cooking/arts and craft, support at mealtimes and bedtimes, transporting to and from a range of activities and places of interest, sibling support.
• Overnight short breaks where children and young people benefit from remaining with their Family Link Plus Foster Carer in their home overnight.  This often means the child and their family benefit from the short break.
• Support to enable disabled children and young people to participate in educational and recreational activities in the community, where they may not otherwise be able to access whilst with their parents.
• One to one support – children and young people known to the service are provided with individual support, so they benefit from the nurture and attention of carers during their short break.

Where we are based

The team cover the county of Gloucestershire and staff work in a hybrid manner, with an office base in Shire Hall, Gloucester, Block 6, 2nd Floor.

As with all teams we can work in an agile way, working from other locality offices where needed or required. 

Who we are

The Family Link Plus Team is made up of a group of highly skilled individuals who work to ensure that children and young people with disabilities and their families can benefit from the day care and short breaks needed.  

This team is made up of a team manager, three social workers, one senior family support worker, two family support workers and one specialist nurse practitioner. 

Skills you'll need

The team work with some of the most vulnerable and unique children and young people within Gloucestershire and to be part of the team you will need the following experience/knowledge and skills

• Ability to work as a team
• Effective communication skills
• Good knowledge/experience/skills of the Disability Act 2010 & supporting children and young people with profound learning disabilities and complex healthcare needs 
• Good knowledge of short breaks statutory guidance on how to safeguard and promote the welfare of disabled children using short breaks – 2010 
• Comprehensive written & assessment skills
• Knowledge of the Fostering Regulations & National Minimum Standards 2011
• Knowledge of the Equality Act 2010 and how this is applied in principle to your work with children, young people and their families and the wider organisation 
• Knowledge of the Children’s Act 1989
• Sound knowledge of systemic and relational approaches to social work 
• Skills to carry out motivational Interviewing
• Ability to use the tools available to build relationships with neurotypical children and young people who are non-verbal for example “Picture exchange cards symbols” (PECS), Makaton, flash cards
• Sound knowledge of a wide range of approaches for children with sensory needs or/and on the autism spectrum. 

Why you should join us

Feedback from children and young people and their families through consultation reports, tells us that they are happy with our service and in some circumstances, families say they really do not know where they would be if it was not for Family Link Plus.  They tell us the service is vital to them being able to remain together as one family unit.

 We pride ourselves on delivering the very best standard of service and recognise that children and their families thrive and achieve to the best of their abilities, with improved outcomes.

Here's what some of our parents, staff and carers say:  

"It has been amazing. The short breaks are helpful and W…. likes going. We go with the flow. Very flexible and C will try hard to fit W in as I know they are a busy family too. C and D are really getting to know him and his needs. They are very in tune with him. I feel like he is part of their family too which is lovely. C and D have been amazing who are truly loveable people."

"W part of their family. It works so well. W may be a bit hesitant at times on going, but the short breaks have helped us all as a family. It gives me free time to relax and spend time with my other son and take on activities that we could not do with W like bowling. It has helped W's social skills improve and experience different things. W has been on about staying the night which is a big thing for him as he won’t stay anywhere and it's a compliment to C and D."

“Everyone benefits from Family Link Plus short breaks - the children, the families and the carers”.
(Fiona FLP Champion/Foster Carer)

“The Support from the FLP Team and the rest of the Fostering Service has been brilliant”
(Louise FLP Champion/Foster Carer)

 “The most rewarding part of my role is matching a child with a foster carer and seeing that child happy!”
(Tracey, Senior Support Worker FLP)

We are a small and inclusive team; we are available and willing to meet with you face to face or have a discussion by phone or teams call.  We respond to email enquiries about our service and would encourage you to contact us if you have any queries about our service.

How to get in touch

We'd love to tell you more!

To contact the team:
✉ Email: FamilyLinkDuty@gloucestershire.gov.uk
📞Tel: 01452 426860.

Alternatively please email: ✉ cswrecruitment@gloucestershire.gov.uk