Support is coming for struggling families

Perth and Kinross Council is preparing to introduce a number of new support services for families struggling to care for kids.

The support will be provided by three newly-commissioned partner agencies and will focus on three specific areas - intensive family support, support for children living in substance misusing households and early years parenting support.

Aberlour Childcare Trust, together with Home-Start Perth and Barnardo’s, have been contracted by the local authority to provide“high quality, home-based”family support aimed at securing nurturing environments for children and young people.

Aberlour Childcare Trust will provide intensive support focusing on families with children aged five to 11 seven days a week. It will engage with parents to improve their capacity to care for their children, provide practical support and build their ability to engage with their community.

Meanwhile Barnardo’s will provide support for children living in substance misusing households. The service will respond to the needs of young people aged eight to 16 who have experience of parental substance misuse, poor parental mental health and may be living in households affected by domestic violence.

Lastly Home-Start Perth will provide the early years parenting support service which aims to use a volunteering approach to work alongside parents with an unborn baby or child(ren) under five where an early intervention or prevention approach is needed. The service will improve the capacity of parents to support their child(ren) and meet age appropriate developmental milestones to prepare them for school.

Jim Wallace, director of services at Aberlour Childcare Trust, commented: “We are extremely proud and thankful to have won this funding from PKC.

“Family issues and crises don’t wait until 9am on a Monday morning, which is why our service is so important to families - it’s personalised and flexible, delivered evenings and at weekends.”

Nicholas Morris from Home-Start Perth said:“Home-Start Perth is delighted to have been chosen to support young families in Perth and Kinross. We are looking forward to continuing to help families with young children deal with the challenges they face.”

Claire Wilson of Barnardo’s Scotland added:“Barnardo’s Scotland is delighted to be partnering with PKC and look forward to working with them in supporting families.”