LB Newham - Family Hubs Multi-Agency Training

Background

A series of specialist training sessions were delivered to practitioners working across children’s services to strengthen practice in response to increasing complexity, risk, and diverse family needs. The programmes included:

·         Working with Adolescents

·         Working with Risk and Complexity

·         Engaging and Working with Families – How to Have Conversations Around Need

·         Engagement with Fathers and Male Caregivers

·         Neurodiversity Awareness and Support

Each course addressed a specific area of practice, while collectively contributing to a more confident, reflective, and skilled workforce.

Aims of the Training Programme

Across the five sessions, the overarching aims were to:

·         Improve understanding of adolescent development, trauma, and risk

·         Strengthen practitioners’ ability to manage complexity and uncertainty

·         Enhance skills in engaging families in meaningful and sustainable ways

·         Increase confidence in working with fathers and male caregivers

·         Promote reflective, inclusive, and relationship-based practice

·         Recognise neurodiversity and develop strategies to support neurodivergent children and young people effectively

Overview of Training Content

Working with Adolescents
Focused on adolescent brain and social development, this programme explored:

·         Risk inside and outside the home

·         The role of technology in young people’s lives

·         Early indicators of trauma

·         Building effective, trusting relationships

Working with Risk and Complexity
This training supported practitioners to:

·         Understand and apply the Continuum of Needs

·         Recognise and respond to varying levels of risk

·         Use models such as Safe Uncertainty

·         Develop safety planning and risk management strategies

·         Work collaboratively with families through courageous conversations

Engaging and Working with Families – How to Have Conversations Around Need
This programme developed skills in:

·         Engaging families experiencing challenge and resistance

·         Keeping the child at the centre of practice

·         Managing difficult and emotionally charged conversations

·         Working across professional differences

·         Reflecting on emotional impact and practitioner responses

Engagement with Fathers and Male Caregivers
This course explored:

·         The importance of including fathers and male caregivers

·         Barriers to engagement and how to overcome them

·         Practical strategies for identifying and involving men in family work

·         Assessing both strengths and risks

·         Understanding men’s experiences of services

Neurodiversity Awareness and Support
This new addition aimed to:

·         Recognise neurodiversity and understand how neurodivergent children and young people navigate the world

·         Identify strategies to remove barriers and empower families

·         Understand pathways and support options for neurodivergent individuals

·         Assess needs confidently with sensitivity to language and communication styles

Impact on Practice

Evaluation across all five sessions demonstrated consistent and meaningful improvements in practitioner confidence, knowledge, and approach.

Increased Confidence in Practice.

Practitioners reported feeling more confident in managing complex situations, particularly around:

·         Risk assessment and safety planning

·         Difficult conversations with families

·         Working with adolescents presenting with multiple needs

·         Supporting neurodivergent children and young people

“I feel much more confident in my decision-making and in holding risk.”
“I now have a better understanding of neurodiversity and feel equipped to support these children better.”

Greater Openness to New Ways of Learning and Practice.

Staff described a shift towards more reflective and flexible practice, with increased willingness to:

·         Try new approaches

·         Challenge assumptions

·         Adapt communication styles

“The training helped me move away from a ‘one way’ approach and be more open to doing things differently.”

Improved Understanding of Marginalised Groups.

Participants reported gaining valuable insight into the lived experiences of marginalised children and families, leading to more inclusive practice. This included:

·         Greater awareness of bias

·         Increased focus on hearing underrepresented voices

·         More thoughtful, equitable decision-making

“It’s made me think more about the wider context of families and the barriers they face.”

Increased Knowledge of Key Concepts (Including Adultification).

One of the most impactful learning areas was increased awareness of adultification, particularly in relation to adolescents. Practitioners reported:

·         Rethinking how they interpret behaviour

·         Greater empathy in assessments

·         More developmentally appropriate responses

“Learning about adultification has really changed how I view and respond to young people.”

Stronger Family Engagement Skills.

Across programmes, staff reported improved ability to:

·         Build meaningful relationships with families

·         Engage more effectively in challenging conversations

·         Work in partnership to create sustainable change

“I feel more confident having honest conversations while still maintaining relationships.”

Improved Practice with Fathers and Male Caregivers.

The dedicated focus on engaging men resulted in:

·         Increased confidence in identifying and involving fathers

·         Greater recognition of their role in safeguarding and support

·         More balanced assessments of strengths and risks

“I now actively think about how to include fathers rather than seeing them as secondary.”

Enhanced Support for Neurodivergent Children.

Practitioners described improved understanding and confidence in supporting neurodivergent children and young people through:

·         Using tailored strategies to remove barriers

·         Collaborating with families and services more effectively

·         Applying sensitive and appropriate communication

“The neurodiversity session opened my eyes to how I can better support children who experience the world differently.”

Adoption of New Ways of Working.

Practitioners described implementing new approaches, including:

·         Relationship-based and strengths-focused practice

·         More structured approaches to risk and uncertainty

·         Greater collaboration with colleagues and partner agencies

·         Increased awareness of neurodiversity in assessment and support

“I’ve changed how I approach cases — it feels more collaborative and less reactive.”

Outcomes

As a result of the combined training programmes:

·         Staff confidence and competence increased significantly

·         Practice became more reflective, inclusive, and evidence-informed

·         Engagement with adolescents and families improved

·         Practitioners were better equipped to manage complexity and risk

·         Fathers and male caregivers were more consistently included in practice

·         Neurodivergent children and young people received more informed and sensitive support

Conclusion

Delivering a suite of targeted training sessions enabled a comprehensive uplift in practitioner skills across multiple areas of practice.

By addressing adolescents, risk, family engagement, the inclusion of fathers, and neurodiversity, the training supported a more holistic and effective approach to working with children and families.

The consistent feedback demonstrates that practitioners not only gained knowledge but also made meaningful changes to how they think, engage, and practice.