If you have information on your service area you would like to share in the next early help newsletter, please email Kate.Bentham@shropshire.gov.uk  or if you know of a colleague who would also like to receive this newsletter they can also email Kate to be added to the distribution list.  

‘By treating our children and young people with respect, love and trust and with the right amount of encouragement we can inspire them to dream big, build relationships and connections that matter and together with kindness and a sense of belonging we can do great things.’

Shropshire Council’s Children and Young People’s vision statement

From this website you can request help and support for children and families or report safeguarding concerns, so that children and families get the right help at the right time.

We want to make sure that you are kept up to date with the changes that are happening in Shropshire as we implement these transformation programmes. In this edition we want to share with you news about the Families First Partnership – Task & Finish Groups

Over the past month, colleagues from Early Help, Children’s Social Care, Health, Education, Police and the Voluntary & Community Sector have continued working together through the Families First Partnership Task & Finish Groups. These groups are helping shape how the national reforms will work locally in Shropshire, with a strong focus on earlier help, joined‑up working and better experiences for families.

Recent activity has included progress on the Family Help model, clarifying shared principles, the Lead Practitioner role and how services work together as one system.

The Multi‑Disciplinary Teams (MDT) group has been agreeing a clear, plain‑English purpose for MDTs, mapping local partners and using data and practitioner insight to shape how teams will work in practice.

Work has also progressed in the Multi-agency Child protection team (MACPT) Task & Finish Group, developing proposals to strengthen multi‑agency child protection responses, alongside continued development of the Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) approach to ensure families are meaningfully involved in decision‑making. We’ve created a short survey asking families for their views on Family Group Decision Making – Family Experience Survey, if you could please share with the families you support.

What’s coming next month: Finalising business cases, addressing identified gaps and preparing models for wider engagement and governance, supporting the move from design into delivery.

Colleagues can get involved by becoming a Change-Maker and getting involved with our Rapid Action Teams (RATs) – details and opportunities are available on the Children’s Transformation Padlet, which also gives you access to some of the key national and local documents. There’s also a section for you to ask a question. Have a look at the Children’s Services Change Programmes

The group meets once a week over 10 weeks, excl. half terms and bank holidays with the last session being on Tuesday 14^th July 2026.

The 10 week group aims to:

• Promote understanding of children’s behaviour within the context of developmental issues
• Promote the development of parent/child relationship
• Increase confidence and self-esteem in both parents and children
• Give parents a strategy for repair when things go wrong
• Promote reflective, sensitive and effective parenting

To book a place, email: parenting.team@shropshire.gov.uk or call: 01743 250950

These 5 week workshops cover:

• Recognising the role of sleep hygiene to improve sleep
• Identifying causes of sleep issues and appropriate practical strategies to try
• Completing sleep diaries and identifying potential sleep issues

For the dates and venues please see the Family Information Service Directory – Sleep Tight Workshop SEND

Call 01743 250950 Monday – Thursday, 9.30am – 4.30pm or Friday, 9.30am – 3.30pm or email: parenting.team@shropshire.gov.uk

You can get free Information, advice and support on all aspects of family life, at our Family Drop-Ins.  You can chat, have a cuppa and see how we can help you with:

• Family life
• Parenting support
• Domestic abuse support
• Money worries
• Housing support
• Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
• and much more

To find your local drop in please visit the Shropshire Family Information Service Directory.

Parent Carers can join us for an informal drop-in session where they can ask questions, get advice, and explore the support available to them within Shropshire. Speak to a range of professionals who can help with:

• Education, health, and Care Plans (EHCPs)
• School support and advocacy
• Health and Wellbeing for children with SEND
• Social care and family support
• Mental health and emotional wellbeing
• Advice for navigating SEND challenges

Each session will have different professionals available, but parent carers are encouraged to come along, have a chat, and find the help they need!

Visit the Family Information Service (FIS) directory for information on dates and venues.

They offer parents the chance to get their baby weighed but also to access information, advice and support on a range of topics, including:

• Infant feeding and breastfeeding advice
• Child development
• Emotional health and wellbeing
• Parenting and local support groups
• Behaviour
• Sleep

Please promote these great clinics to parents who may benefit from attending. Parents who would like support but are unable to get to a session, can also get help by calling 0333 358 3654 or texting the team on 07520 635212.

No diagnosis is needed to access their services. They support families with neurodiverse children, including those with ADHD and PDA.

They hold regular training sessions, coffee mornings and family events.

They aim to:

• Improve understanding of autism
• Share practical support strategies
• Enhance emotional wellbeing and quality of life

To access the service complete a self-referral form which can be found on their web page, it is a quick and easy form:  Shropshire Universal Autism Support Service – Kids   you will also find information of their up and coming training and events.  Once parent carers have completed a referral form they will be sent a link to book a telephone appointment.

You can also be part of their community by following them on Facebook:  Kids Shropshire Facebook Page

Helping to look after or ‘care’ for someone can be rewarding, but tiring too. It can affect schoolwork and seeing friends, and knowing who you can speak to is really important.

Young carers may:

• Feel lonely or not be able to join clubs or after school play dates
• Feel tired from having too much to do
• Worry about time to do homework
• Feel worried about fitting everything into the day – caring, school, homework
• Feel they don’t fit in – they feel different to other young people
• Being bullied at school

Young carers tell us they want to be treated like any other child or young person.

The Shropshire Young Carers service holds monthly young carer groups across the county and hosts various activities during school holidays. We aim for the young carers to have fun, do crafts and games, but also relax with other young people who will relate to their own situation. Our focus is respite and support for young carers.

You can find out more about the Young Carers service on the Early Help website.

To refer a young person to the Young Carers service, please gain agreement from the family and head to the children’s referral portal and through the Requesting Help and Support for Children/Families option. The Portal can be found on the SSCP website and the Safeguarding and Early Help pages of the Shropshire Council website Shropshire Council Early Help Portal

It’s been designed with a family’s needs at the heart of the process.

Having access to good quality information to help you understand the world of SEND is really important when making decisions about your child’s life. This is where websites such as the SEND Local Offer can really help.

The local offer has two main sections. The first is the information section, where systems and processes are explained, such as how to get extra help at nursery or school, or who to speak to if you’re worried about your child’s progress. This section will introduce you to services that might help your family, and help you to understand what support is available from a range of services across education, health and social care.

The second section is the service directory. This is a comprehensive list of services, clubs, support groups and businesses that might be of use to your family. It provides a brief introduction to what’s offered and contact details so that you can find out more. There’s also a feedback button for you to provide information about your experience of using a service, and a listing of events and activities that families supporting a young person with SEND might find of interest.

This video explains more about the SEND Local Offer.

Research shows that over 80% of children with additional needs also have a sleep issue and 40-80% of autistic children and young adults are also affected.

Lack of sleep can have a huge impact on a person’s mood, behaviour, and their ability to learn. Having a child in the family who does not sleep well can affect everyone.

There is a new page on Healthier Together website which looks at the causes of sleep difficulties, what might help, and local and national support services

Please share this information with families who may benefit.

Sleep difficulties in children and young people with SEND

Watch the videos: Domestic abuse in pregnancy: expert insight videos 

They also feature videos for use with children aged between 3- to 5-years-old, 5- to 7-years-old, and 7- to 11-years-old, as well as children who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and additional support needs (ASN) aged 4- to 11-years-old to help them understand Talk PANTS.

Access the resources: PANTS resources for schools and teachers

The Early Years Screen Time Advisory Group report draws on a review of scientific literature and discussions with parents, carers, children and professionals. It acknowledges that current research on the harms and benefits of screen use in young children is limited and often low quality.

Key findings and recommendations include: responsive interaction between parents and children when using screens can prevent harms and promote development for young children; time matters and parents should remain cautious about screen use in young children; and what children are viewing is important in determining whether screen use brings harms or benefits. New government guidance on screen time use by under 5s has also been published to help families shape healthy screen time habits.

Read the report: Screen use by children aged under 5   Access the guidance: Screen time guidance for under 5s

• Fiona – ‘There is nothing that could have been done better. It felt good to be listened to and taken seriously. Just to have someone to talk to who understands and doesn’t judge. The regular visits have been good and the course has really helped change the way I am with the children. They haven’t really changed and I don’t want them to….I love them just as they are…. but I’ve changed the way I am with them which has made a big difference.’
• Jo -‘ Jo has been kind, friendly, warm, understanding and very supportive. She has given lots of useful information, made referrals which has helped us a lot.  She has kept the other professionals in the loop at meetings who are giving ongoing support, she has gone out of her way to pick stuff up for us, to support us.  She is BRILLIANT with the children which has made visits a lot easier.’
• Jennifer – Mum told us  ‘Thank you very much for the support, the main benefit has been supporting with communication between home and school’ .  Dad told us: ‘It has been really helpful having support with communication with school. My son’s behaviour is better at home as I feel I am dealing with situations more confidently’.
• Fiona – The biggest thing for us is being encouraged to reflect. That has been really helpful when understanding our own backgrounds and how we are with the children. Understanding why the children may be behaving the way they are and remembering that we are rich! (having our children).’

Amazing feedback for Wendie, Family Support Worker in central area.

Honestly, from the bottom of my heart, there are no words that can truly express my gratitude to you and the entire Early Help team. When we lost XX, I couldn’t see a way forward and of course was in complete shock-our whole world came crashing down, and you all were truly our saviours.

Your dedication, understanding, and care for our family meant everything to us. Your response to our needs and wishes was outstanding, always allowing us to go at our own pace and showing such compassion and empathy, without any judgement, as we tried to navigate our way through. Your wealth of knowledge is incredible, and I am still amazed at how quickly everything came together, I had complete trust in you all and I dread to think where we would be without your guidance and support.

Not only did you offer practical help, but you also created a space where I could offload. You were always there to listen and gave me time when I needed someone who truly understood what we were going through. That helped me in so many ways, and I am so grateful.

Thank you again for everything you’ve done for us-I will never forget it. I will miss our chats and wish you all the very best

Some fantastic feedback for our EHAST team

• The amount of help, advice and signposting to other opportunities has been absolutely amazing.
• I feel the service and follow-up has been exceptional and I could not have wished or wanted for a better service.
• Julie has supported me and my son amazingly helped me find the best steps going forward to safeguard us both. The support has been wonderful, thank you Julie for listening and understanding my situation and pointing me in the right direction for my next steps.
• The support was holistic, it addressed the practical and emotional impact of the abuse. They helped me access relevant services and ensured that meetings and plans considered the psychological distress I was under. By supporting my mental health and resilience, she directly contributed to my capacity to parent effectively during an extremely challenging time.
• I was very satisfied with the support received. The communication was clear, the meetings were prompt and productive, and I always felt listened to. I am very grateful for the person centred approach.

This is being held at the Lantern – 9:30 to 1:30.

Our course is an introductory four-hour session to raise awareness of young people’s mental health.

By the end of this course you will be Mental Health Aware and will be able to:

• Define mental health and emotional wellbeing

• Relate to young peoples’ experiences

• Recognise some signs of mental health distress

• Start a supportive conversation about mental ill health

• Practice self-care

Learning takes place through a mix of presentations and group webinar chat. Everyone who completes the course gets:

• An MHFA manual to refer to whenever you need it

• A certificate of attendance to say you are Mental Health Youth Aware

Facilitator: Approved MHFA England instructor from Joint Training.

Audience: Individuals working with (or supporting) young people who may be in mental health distress.

It is free to attend – but please note there is a late cancellation/non-attendance charging policy in place.

Please use link below to book a place:

Mental Health First Aid (YOUTH) Aware | Shropshire Council

Child Exploitation Awareness

Monday 11^th May – The Lantern – 9.30 to 11.30

Thursday 9^th July – Teams – 13.30 to 15.30

Aims to: Enhance knowledge and practice for those working with children at risk of exploitation.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the signs, indicators and trends of modern exploitation.
• Understand Shropshire’s exploitation profile.
• Explore the impact of ACEs, trauma, grooming and drug/alcohol use.
• Consider use of appropriate and effective language with working young people.
• Accessing, referring or signposting to the right services when help is needed.

Face to Face Cost: Group 1 £0                               Group 2 £41.50                                Group 3 £0

Online Cost: Group 1 £0                            Group 2 £35                      Group 3

Agencies in Group 1 and Group 3 receive pre-funded places (so no cost)

Click here for further information and booking details

Child Exploitation Advanced

Tuesday 16^th June – The Lantern – 14.00 to 16.00

Aims to: Enhance knowledge and practice for those working with children at risk of exploitation.

Learning objectives:

• Today is not designed as an entry-level exploitation training (see information in audience section below).
• Explore practical methods of offering support and engaging in meaningful interventions with young people.
• Explore how to complete high-quality CE risk assessments.
• Understand latest themes & trends with child exploitation (especially evolving use of technology).
• Refresh knowledge of statutory safeguarding duties and the law.
• Understanding triage outcomes and how thresholds are met.
• Identify when, why and where to signpost or where to get support.

Cost: Group 1 £31.00   Group 2 £41.50                Group 3 £31.00

Shropshire Council staff only have pre-funded places (so no cost)

Click here for further information and booking details

Child Sexual Abuse and the Child Sexual Abuse Pathway

Wednesday 1^st July – The Lantern – 9.30 to 12.30

Course Aim:  To provide a greater understanding of Child Sexual Abuse and the Pathway to follow in Shropshire.

Learning Outcomes: 

• Have a greater understanding of Child Sexual Abuse
• Recognise signs and indicators of Child Sexual Abuse
• Gain an awareness of the National and Local statistics around Child Sexual Abuse
• Be introduced to the Child Sexual Abuse Pathway used in Shropshire and understand its purpose in guiding professionals
• Understand the importance of communicating concerns of Child Sexual Abuse and how to respond.

Cost: Group 1 £0                            Group 2 £59                      Group 3 £0

Agencies in Group 1 and Group 3 receive pre-funded places (so no cost)

Click here for further information and booking details

Coercive Control and Trauma Informed Practice

Friday 22^nd May – Lantern – 9.30 to 13.30

Thursday 2^nd July – The Guildhall – 9.30 to 13.30

Aims to: Increase your understanding around what coercive control is, the tactics that may be used by an abuser and how to adopt a trauma informed approach.

Learning outcomes: This training module will look at:-

• What is domestic abuse – recap
• What is coercive control
• What the legislation says
• The impacts on a person
• What is trauma and how it can impact a person
• How we can work in a trauma aware and informed way
• Support available to victims and perpetrators.

Cost: Group 1 £57                         Group 2 £76.50                Group 3 £57

Shropshire Council staff only have pre-funded places (so no cost)

Click here for further information and to book a place on this training.

Domestic Abuse and the Impact on Children

Thursday 16^th April – The Lantern – 9.30 to 13.30

Tuesday 23^rd June – The Guildhall – 9.30 to 13.30

Aims to: Increase your knowledge around the impact of domestic abuse on children and young people living within the household and outline support available for families.

Learning outcomes: This training module will look at:

• What is domestic abuse – recap
• What the legislation says
• The impact on children
• What is trauma
• Signs and behaviours shown
• How to support children and young people living through this
• Support available for children, young people and families.

Cost:    Group 1 £57                      Group 2 £76.50                Group 3 £57

Shropshire Council staff only have pre-funded places (so no cost)

Click here for further information and booking details

Domestic Abuse Confident Intervention: tools to safely support domestic abuse victims

Friday 17^th April – Guildhall – 9.30 to 13.30

Thursday 18^th June – The Guildhall – 9.30 to 13.30

Aims to: Increase your confidence in assessing and understanding the risk to victims of domestic abuse who you are working with and in helping to get the correct support in place.

Learning outcomes: This training module will look at:-

• What is domestic abuse – recap
• What is a DASH risk assessment
• How can a DASH be used in your roles
• What is MARAC
• Support available to victims and perpetrators
• Attendees will take away practical tools on best practice to complete and understand risks of Domestic abuse.

This session is delivered along with lived experience and provides an interactive real-life scenario between worker and Domestic abuse victim.

Cost: Group 1 £57                         Group 2 £76.50                Group 3 £57

Shropshire Council staff only have pre-funded places (so no cost)

Click here for further information and booking details

Introduction to Early Help & Thresholds

Tuesday 19^th May – The Lantern – 12.30 to 16.30

Thursday 13^th August – Teams – 10.00 to 12.00

Aims to:  Give an overview of the Early Help system in Shropshire Local Authority area.

Learning outcomes: Attendees will gain understanding of:

• The Early Help system in Shropshire Local Authority area.
• The roles of different services and professionals within the system.
• Where to find information on Early Help services and referral pathways.
• Where to find information around Thresholds for different levels of need.

Audience – Any professional working with children, young people or their parent(s) in Shropshire Local Authority area.

Cost: Group 1 £0                            Group 2 £0                         Group 3 £0

All agencies have pre-funded places (so no cost)

Click here for further information and booking details

Raising Awareness in Safeguarding Children & Young People

Tuesday 19^th May – The Guildhall – 12.30 to 16.30

Tuesday 7^th July – Teams – 9.30 to 13.30

Aims to:

• Increase your understanding of safeguarding children

Learning objectives:

• Recognise the different categories of child abuse and the possible signs and indicators
• Understand how child development may be impacted on by abuse
• Recognise own safeguarding roles and responsibilities
• Be clear about what to do if concerned about a child
• Be clear about how to respond to a child
• Understand the importance of safe working practice
• Recognise the role of different teams

Face to face cost: Group 1 £44                              Group 2 £59                      Group 3 £0

Online cost:  Group 1 £39                         Group 2 £52                      Group 3 £0

Shropshire Council staff, Shropshire Community Health Trust staff, Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin ICB and GP practices, volunteers working within social care of health with Shropshire Local Authority families have pre-funded places (so no cost)

Click here for further information and booking details

Schools and Early Years settings should book this training module through Education Department here

Substances Misuse and Young People

Tuesday 12^th May – The Lantern – 9.30 to 12.30

Monday 6^th July – The Lantern – 9.30 to 12.30

Course Aim: To provide an understanding of young people using substances, exploring addiction and potential risks that can be associated with substance use.

Learning Outcomes:

• To deepen knowledge around different substances and their effect
• Identify different signs and indicators of substance use in young people

• Consider ways of working with young people around substance use
• Think about risks that may be associated with substance use
• Know what services and resources are available and where to signpost people to.

Cost: Group 1 £44                         Group 2 £59                      Group 3 £0

Agencies in Group 3 only have pre-funded places (so no cost)

Click here for further information and booking details

Understanding and Working with Neglect in Children and Young People

Monday 8^th June – The Lantern – 9.30 to 12.30

Thursday 16^th July – The Lantern – 9.30 to 12.30

Course Aim: To enable front line practitioners and volunteers to recognise and respond to neglect in Shropshire.

Learning Outcomes: 

• Understand the term ‘Neglect’ and how it impacts Children and Young People.
• Identify the signs and indicators as well as the different areas of Neglect.
• Consider factors which may lead to Neglect.
• Be aware of tools and pathways to aide in the finding and reporting of Neglect in Shropshire.
• Learn from Local Safeguarding Practice Reviews.

Cost: Group 1 £0                            Group 2 £59                      Group 3 £0

All agencies in Group 1 and Group 3 have pre-funded places (so no cost)

Click here for further information and booking details

Click here for information on our Group pricing structures

Any queries regarding any of the courses above please email joint.training@shropshire.gov.uk

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Sign up to the Joint Training mailing list to receive our regular newsletter, updates on upcoming courses and other important information. To do this, simply click on this link:-  SIGN UP to Joint Training updates