The aim of Families First is to prevent and limit any potential harm to children and young people who have parents and/or carers who misuse substances by providing a child and family focused service. Families First provides a service to: children and young people (aged 0-17) of parents and/or carers who misuse substances and are ordinarily resident in RCT, parents and/or carers who misuse substances, pregnant women and their partners who misuse substances.

The objective of the service is to offer support by providing individualised programmes of work as appropriate to:

• Assist children and young people in dealing with the effects of having a parent/carer who misuse substances
• Offer support and guidance to prevent/avoid family breakdown and build positive relationships to improve attachment between parent/carer and child/young person
• Build on and develop existing parenting skills
• Enhance coordination and communication between child and adult focused substance misuse services
• Reduce the likelihood of children and young people of parents/carers who misuse substances becoming adults who also misuse substances
• Combine the expertise and skills of both childcare and adult substance misuse services
• Promote understanding and awareness of childcare issues amongst professionals working with parents who misuse substances
• Promote a safe environment for each child or young person
• Offer advocacy where appropriate

In addition, Families First provides specialist training to all relevant agencies across Rhondda Cynon Taff as well as training, facilitation and consultation of the Strengthening Families Programme (SFP 10-14). This is an open referral family skills programme designed to strengthen family bonds, improve parenting and build on like skills for the young people. An optional four-week booster programme delivered six-twelve months later can also reinforce the seven-week programme. Transport, refreshments and childcare are also provided.

Families First
Engine House
Depot Rd
Aberdare
CF44 8DL
Tel: 01685 880097
Fax: 01685 880099
E-mail: families_firstproject@hotmail.com