LB Croydon, Family Hub Workforce: Building Skills, Confidence and Collaboration
As part of the London Borough of Croydon's Family Hub transformation programme, Interface designed and developed a bespoke four-day induction programme for the Family Hub workforce. Drawing on our extensive experience of supporting Family Hub development nationally, we created a practitioner-focused programme that reflects current policy, relationship-based practice and the realities of delivering integrated early intervention services.
The programme brings together practitioners from across the partnership to learn alongside one another, helping to build shared understanding, practical skills and the professional relationships needed to deliver a consistent Family Hub approach. By training as a multi-agency workforce, participants gain a greater appreciation of each other's roles, strengthen collaborative working and build the connections that support better outcomes for children and families.
Key themes included:
- understanding the Family Hub vision and what it means for day-to-day practice
- creating welcoming, inclusive environments where every contact counts
- building trusting relationships with children, families and partner agencies
- trauma-informed and relationship-based practice
- communication, engagement and motivational approaches
- holistic family assessment and planning
- hearing the voice of the child
- information sharing, safeguarding and recognising risk
- supporting families towards greater resilience, independence and positive outcomes.
Throughout the programme, practitioners worked together across organisational boundaries, sharing perspectives, learning about each other's roles and developing the relationships needed to provide seamless support for families.
Impact
One of the greatest strengths of the programme has been the opportunity for practitioners from different agencies to learn together rather than in isolation.
By creating shared learning experiences, the programme has helped to:
- strengthen understanding of each partner's role and contribution
- develop trusted professional relationships across the Family Hub network
- build confidence in joint working and collaborative decision making
- establish a shared language and common values
- reinforce a consistent, relationship-based approach to supporting children and families.
Participants leave with practical tools they can apply immediately, greater confidence in their role and stronger relationships across the partnership—helping to create a more connected, confident and effective Family Hub workforce.