Your Family’s Strengths and Needs assessment

If you are offered Family Help in Trafford, you may be asked to take part in an assessment called Your Family’s Strengths and Needs.

This is a simple way of looking at what is going well, what could be better, and what extra support might help.

Why we use it

Family Help is for the whole family — children, young people and adults. We know that when one person faces a challenge, it can affect everyone.

The Strengths and Needs assessment:

  • Builds on what your family already does well
  • Looks at the support networks around you
  • Brings together services that can help

How it works

The assessment has three steps:

  • Step 1: Listening and talking together

A lead practitioner will meet with you to talk about your family’s strengths, any challenges, and the kind of support you would like.

  • Step 2: Making a plan

You, your family and services such as schools, health or housing agree on a plan together. The plan says who will do what and when, including things your family will do.

  • Step 3: Checking progress

Everyone meets again to review the plan and see if it is helping.

Your lead professional

You will have one main contact, often called the lead professional. This is someone who already knows your family or will get to know you quickly. They will:

  • Coordinate the support
  • Keep you informed about what’s happening
  • Make sure your views are represented

Information sharing

Only workers who need to know about you will see your information. Sometimes information must be shared to:

  • Protect a child or young person at risk of harm
  • Protect an adult at risk of harm
  • Prevent or detect a serious crime

How to ask for an assessment

You can ask for a Strengths and Needs assessment yourself. Alternatively, a professional such as a health visitor, housing officer or teacher can suggest one.

You can also contact one of Trafford’s Family Hubs: