Trust Board Visit

On Tuesday, Trust Board members visited Smethwick Strengthening Families Team.

The visit highlighted the strong collaboration between the team and our partners, all working towards the same goal - protecting and empowering families through meaningful relationships and joined-up care.

One of the key themes was how the STAR practice model has helped bring services together to improve direct work with children. By strengthening partnerships, it has created a more responsive environment where families feel supported and children can thrive.

The conversation recognised the evolving landscape of family support, as our pilot prepares to test out new ways of working within a Family Help model. This is in line with national reforms and everyone agreed that this marks an exciting shift towards earlier support for children and families that will enable a more integrated approach to meeting children’s needs before they escalate.

Trust Board members heard about the challenges our families face - particularly around mental health. Staff shared stories of parents struggling with limited resources, and the impact this can have on family stability. Board members acknowledged the need for more accessible support pathways.