Get support from the Supporting Families Team

The Supporting Families Team, (previously called Focus Family Team), are strengthening how we work with families who need extra help because we want Cumbria to be a great place for children and young people to grow up in. We do this by working closely in partnership with other services and agencies and jointly tackling all the different needs that are faced by the family as a whole and we call this the Think Family approach.

As part of the Think Family approach, Supporting Families can offer support in signposting professionals and families to other local service providers who would be able to offer them additional support.

How we can help

Employment advisors offer a full welfare benefit health check to make sure that the families are receiving all benefits that they are entitled to as well as other services including:

• attending Team Around the Family meetings, (TAFs)
• carrying out home visits alongside other professionals - reducing the need for families to visit the job centre as they are based within local community settings
• signposting to community food hubs and pantries and locally accessible grants and funding
• providing quilts for children and young people in need of comfort (Project Linus)
• signposting to services for families in need (including domestic abuse, poverty, SEND)
• welfare assistance and guidance for professionals to share with service users
• assist in getting white goods for households in need

For support regarding out of work benefits and barriers to employment, email us:

Email: Supporting.Families@cumberland.gov.uk

Focus Family Community Navigator, Ann Crook.

Email: Ann.Crook@cumbria.gov.uk