Family Link Workers (Dorset)

Our Family Link Worker Service supports families with children up to 18 years old across six localities in Dorset. Funded by Dorset Council, this ‘Whole Family Working’ resource assists families eligible for support under the National Supporting Families Outcomes framework, known locally as Dorset Families Matter.
Referrals can be made by Lead Practitioners in schools, health services, family help teams, or social care. If you are a Lead Practitioner working with a family you believe may be eligible for support, please contact Jess Ledbury on 07436 157660.
We collaborate with families to address areas identified in their family plans. Our Family Link Workers provide targeted, intensive, short-term interventions tailored to each family’s needs over a 6-8 week period. Recognising that families often need support during challenging times, our service is available outside typical working hours, including early mornings, after school, and evenings.
Our goal is to equip families with the skills, strategies, and confidence to make and sustain positive changes, improving outcomes for all family members. Family Link Workers provide a range of interventions including:
• Parenting skills
• Improving morning / evening routines
• Budgeting / financial management
• Organising the family home and duties
• Improving attendance at school
• Supporting employment and training opportunities
• Support accessing other services or appointments
• Confidence building
• Positive activities, play and stimulation
• Cooking and healthy eating

Volunteering

 We have opportunities for volunteers to join the Family Link Worker Service. Our volunteers provide that extra bit of support that a family may need to help them sustain the changes they have made throughout the intervention with our Family Link Workers.
Volunteers can provide support with:
• Befriending / mentoring
• A listening ear
• Support with decluttering / home duties
• Joint support to a family with a Family Link Worker
• Light DIY tasks
    If you would like to support families in your local area by joining the Family Link Worker Service as a volunteer, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator Lin on 07759 853940 for an informal chat, or click THIS LINK to complete an expression of interest.
    Testimonials
     “The Family Link Worker has been a  breath of fresh air, fabulous with both my daughter and son, who have both engaged well. My son has participated in various activities, rock painting, art, card games. He seems a bit happier and it's been lovely to see him smile. My daughter too has engaged and been able to talk to the Family Link Worker and join in with games. I feel  like there is some hope for my son to continue through his anxiety journey to the other side.                              
    I would also like to add that I just can't express how amazing and wonderful my Family Link Worker has been and my words don't do it justice, it's been amazing.”
    “It's felt nice and supportive having someone on my side and seeing the Family Link Worker regularly.  It's been helpful having someone to talk through issues with. It's definitely helped to learn Mindfulness and it's opened up my eyes to those sorts of supports.  I listen to Mindfulness recordings online. I find it helpful when I get stressed when out and about and I've used it a few times.  I feel like my mind is just a bit more ordered and less scattered.  I'm more calm inside so I can think about things. It's helped with my communications and to be clear about what I'm saying or what's needed without getting angry or upset. Life at home is more positive. we are more relaxed and calmer generally.  I'm finding it easier to navigate difficulties.”

    “The Family Link Worker talked to me about the importance of consistency and 'parenting on the same page', which made me stop and think about what we are doing. Even after the first meeting it made a difference. She gave me a folder of information to look at and share with my family and gave me suggestions of ways to make car journeys easier, which have made a big difference. Things are so much better now. We are both being consistent and we can see the difference - we can see it working! We are listening to our son more and trying to understand what he needs. It feels like we are working together, which will be good for any other issues that might happen."