FSA recognise that undergoing an assessment can be a stressful and confusing experience for families. To minimise this disruption, our assessments are conducted in the familiar surroundings of the parents’ home. This approach allows us to gain a true reflection of family circumstances and dynamics, ensuring a more accurate and compassionate evaluation.
FSA Family Support Worker’s and Independent Social Worker’s are managed by our Consultant Social Worker, who has over 25 years’ experience working in safeguarding, child protection and with looked after children, including the supervision of social workers and parent support advisors and is a former CAFCASS children’s guardian. Our Consultant Social Worker is also responsible for reviewing all referrals and overseeing all Reverse Assessment placements, as well as providing training and development for FSA Family Support Workers.
All of our ISW’s are qualified and registered social workers, with extensive experience undertaking court directed assessments in both public and private law and with providing expert evidence in court.
FSA Family Support Workers have a wealth of experience working in settings such as nurseries, child and family centres and Early Help teams. They receive regular supervision and training in areas such as emergency and paediatric first aid, de-escalation & NVR techniques for working with children, young people and adults, child development, supporting children with learning difficulties and disabilities, LGBTQ+ awareness, autism awareness, identifying and supporting survivors of domestic abuse and coercive control, report writing and effective recording.
We prioritise creating enriching, fun, and social environments that foster positive play and interactive stimulation between parents and their babies, children and adolescents. Our mission is to strengthen the bond between babies/children/young people and their parents within the comfort and familiarity of their homes.
We believe that teaching through play is fundamental to child development, for all ages. Our programs are designed to encourage active participation, learning, and discovery in a playful and social context. By engaging in structured yet enjoyable activities, children and young people can develop essential skills, while parents learn effective ways to support their child’s growth.
For older children especially, it is crucial for fostering strong relationships and with guiding them through the challenges of adolescence.
Our Family Support Workers (FSWs) are extensively trained in understanding the nuances of newborn, child and adolescent development. They are skilled in recognising the developmental milestones and needs of babies, children and young people and they are equipped with strategies to foster those needs through meaningful bonding and parents-child/adolescent activities. Our FSWs provide parents with the knowledge and tools necessary to facilitate these interactions, ensuring that they can effectively support their child’s development.
Bonding sessions and family time are the cornerstones of our approach. These sessions are designed to promote secure attachment between parents and their children, crucial for children’s emotional and psychological development. Through consistent and nurturing interactions, parents and children build a foundation of trust and love that supports the child’s overall wellbeing.
These are also opportunities where children can feel listened to and valued and where parents can get to know their children’s individual needs, interests and any issues and concerns.
Sensory play is a vital component of our programs. We incorporate activities that stimulate the five senses, helping children explore and make sense of the world around them. These activities are not only fun but also critical for cognitive development, language skills, and motor coordination. Sensory time provides a rich, immersive experience that enhances learning and bonding.
Play and quality time between parents and adolescents, while potentially different from play with younger children, is still valuable for building and maintaining strong relationships, open communication and supporting adolescent development. Engaging in playful activities can help bridge the generation gap, reduce stress and create positive shared experiences.
Our playtime activities are designed to be interactive and developmentally appropriate, encouraging creativity, problem-solving, and social skills. Parents are guided on how to engage their children in play that is age-appropriate, enjoyable and educational, fostering a deeper connection and understanding between them.
Playtime is more than just fun; it is an essential part of learning. Our play time activities are designed to be interactive and developmentally appropriate, encouraging creativity, problem solving and helps with building social skills. Parents are guided on how to engage their children in play that is both enjoyable and educational, fostering a deeper connection and understanding between them all.
Our family assessment process is holistic and personalised. We take the time to understand each family’s unique needs and dynamics, ensuring that our programs are tailored to provide the most benefit. During the assessment, we identify areas where additional support may be needed and develop a comprehensive plan to address those needs. This process ensures that our interventions are effective and relevant to each family’s situation.
Our ultimate goal is to promote positive outcomes for children and their parents. By fostering strong, healthy bonds, we help children develop the confidence and security they need to thrive. Parents, in turn, gain the skills and confidence to support their child’s development effectively. Together, we create a nurturing environment where families can grow and flourish.
Through our focus on teaching, play, and family bonding, FSA is committed to making a meaningful impact on the lives of the families we serve. Our programs are designed to support and enhance the natural bond between parents and children, providing a solid foundation for a lifetime of love, learning, and growth.
At Family Safeguarding Assessments (FSA), we understand the importance of keeping families together while ensuring the safety and well-being of children.