Frequently asked questions

Questions

1. How do we refer to an Early Intervention Family Support Worker (EIFSW)?
2. What issues can we refer to EIFS?
3. How much do you cost?
4. Do we need to get parents' permission to refer?
5. Why do we have to complete a referral form?
6. How long does support last for the parents/can you stay longer?
7. How long do families have to wait? (Once a referral has been made).
8. Do you work with the family in their home?
9. Can you work with a family more than once?
10. Do you need a private room to work with young people?
11. Can you liaise between home and school?
12. Can you signpost parents to other agencies or work alongside other professionals?
13. Can you initiate CAFs? And be the Lead Professional?
14. Can you attend parent's evenings/open days/school events?
15. Can you support parents with meetings?
16. Can you hold drop-ins, parenting programmes, small groups and workshops?
17. Can I have details of your home visits?

Answers

1. Q. How do we refer to an Early Intervention Family Support Worker (EIFSW)?
   A. Referrals are made through the completion of a referral form, which can be completed on paper or electronically.  This can be handed to your EIFSW or sent either by post or via email to the area Team Co-ordinator/Project Assistant
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2. Q. What issues can we refer to EIFS?
   A. Any issue that is having an impact on a child either at home or school that is not a child protection/social care issue or already being supported through another specialist service.

   If we can't support the family ourselves we may well know of other agencies who are best placed to support them instead.
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3. Q. How much do you cost?
   A. Schools agreed to the funding arrangements for 2011/12 so schools are free to use the service as often as required without any cost implication.
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4. Q. Do we need to get parents' permission to refer?
   A. Yes. It is important that parents consent to receiving our support before we arrange to meet with them.
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5. Q. Why do we have to complete a referral form?
   A. It provides information to us, so we can make a decision on the best option for the family. It also allows parents to consent to working with us. Schools generally know families best and we rely on you to provide as much detail as is relevant.
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6. Q. How long does support last for the parents/can you stay longer?
   A. We aim for between 6 to 12 weeks, which ensures that the support we provide remains focussed. This is negotiated with parents, management and school and reviewed regularly, so if support is needed for longer we are able to provide this. We are not able to provide on-going support with no end date. In this case another agency may be better placed to offer this kind of support. 
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7. Q. How long do families have to wait? (Once a referral has been made)
   A. We have a waiting list, but phone contact, drop in sessions or parenting programmes are available to the family if they want this while they wait.
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8. Q. Do you work with the family in their home?
   A. Yes, we work with the family wherever they feel most comfortable.
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9. Q. Can you work with a family more than once?
   A. Yes, as children grow and develop issues may change, so families may require additional guidance or support. Sometimes families can struggle to maintain changes and they may need some quick support to get back on track.
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10. Q. Do you need a private room to work with young people?
    A. Yes please, our work is often confidential and we require a private space to allow young people to feel able to share concerns or open up to us.
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11. Q. Can you liaise between home and school?
    A. Yes, one of our main priorities is to encourage and support a positive working relationship between parents and school.
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12. Q. Can you signpost parents to other agencies or work alongside other professionals?
    A. As part of our core service we will signpost parents to other agencies if there is anyone other than us best placed to support the family, either instead of or alongside us.
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13. Q. Can you initiate CAFs? And be the Lead Professional?
    A. Yes we can. We are involved in many CAFs all across the county and are the lead professional when it is appropriate to do so.  We can also provide information about the CAF process and signpost you to your area CAF Co-ordinator.
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14. Q. Can you attend parent's evenings/open days/school events?
    A. Yes, if there is an event at school that incorporates parents being involved then we can attend to raise EIFS profile and answer any questions.
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15. Q. Can you support parents with meetings?
    A. Yes, if parents would feel more comfortable with an EIFSW present.
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16. Q. Can you hold drop-ins, parenting programmes, small groups and workshops?
    A. Yes, if either through our work within your communities or if schools can demonstrate that there is a need for any of the above we will deliver them. you can find out more on the Parenting Programmes page.
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17. Q. Can I have details of your home visits?
    A. No it is confidential between the worker and the parent/child. If families consent we will share information with other agencies to ensure that the family are receiving the best support available to them.  At the end of our package of support you will receive a summary of the work that has been completed.
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