Family Network Approach

What is Family Network Approach? 

The Family Network Approach (FNA) ensures that everyone who is significant to a child or young person including immediate and extended family, friends, neighbours etc are identified and engaged with for planning for positive outcomes. 

Why is this area of work important? What do we need to know? 

Family led plans made are fundamental to 'working with' families rather than 'doing to' or 'doing for'. 

 Using this approach ensures that families, including children and young people are part of the planning and decision making for better outcomes. 

What is the National and Norfolk picture? 

The Family Network Approach is used across the world and works in conjunction with the world known Signs of Safety and Flourish initiative of Norfolk.  

How does it work? What are the principles? What are the benefits? Key functions? What might this mean in practice? What difference do the process or team hope to make? 

By using this approach, we promote these principles: 

• Every Child/Young person/Parent has a family and/or network, and they can be found if we try hard and work with families to bring them forward. 
• That family (maternal and paternal) and /or network will be involved in the planning and decision making for their child/young person.  
• A meaningful connection to their family or network helps a child/young person develop and maintain a sense of belonging.  
• The single factor most strongly connected with positive outcomes for any child/young person is a meaningful lifelong connection to their family and/or network.  

Who can benefit from the Family Network Approach? Signs to be aware of/Risk indicators. How prevalent is FNA among CYP?   

• All families can benefit from this approach to resolve such signs as communication breakdowns, separation of family units, mental health issues, DA and those bubbling under issues.  
• CYP are at the centre of this approach and their wishes and feelings are prevalent in the forward planning for them and it increases safety and wellbeing.  
• Using the FNA empowers resilience. 
• The opportunity for sustainable change is increased.  

How can you help CYP? What should schools/settings do? What should all partner agencies, Schools, settings and families do?  

• Having network conversations at first contact with families. 
• Arranging a meeting with the entire identified network, including a professional as an early and critical part of any assessment or intervention.  
• The family could be invited to a Family Network Meeting to help make a plan. 
• Wishes and feelings, genograms, eco maps and mobility mapping can be used to continue to gather information. 

What support is available locally and nationally? 

Families can refer themselves via the Just One Norfolk website - Family Networking (justonenorfolk.nhs.uk)   

Resources are available to gather further information - Words & Pictures Plans and Explanations pdf  

Further national information - NHS England » Idea #1 Mapping the family and support network 

If you are 11-19 you can text Just One Norfolk - ChatHealth on 07480 635060 for confidential advice from one of our team. 

How to refer 

Schools and agencies - can refer into our service by emailing - fna@norfolk.gov.uk  

• Family Network Plan template