Integrated Family Support Team - Information For Families

About the team

The Integrated Family Support Team (IFST) works with families experiencing difficulties relating to parental/carer substance use, alcohol use, mental health and domestic abuse that may be affecting the safety, wellbeing and stability of family life.

Our aim is to help families make positive changes, build on their strengths and create a safer and more stable environment where children can thrive. Wherever possible, we support children and young people to remain safely at home with their families. We also support families where children are care experienced and intervention can support them to return home from care to their family networks.

Who We Are

The Integrated Family Support Team is part of Pembrokeshire County Council's Children's Services.

Our team consists of qualified, registered and experienced professionals who work with families facing complex challenges, including difficulties relating to substance use, alcohol use, mental health and domestic abuse alongside other issues that may impact upon the safety, wellbeing and welfare of children and young people.

We are committed to working alongside families in a respectful, strengths-based and solution-focused way to promote positive outcomes for children and their families.

How We Work with Families

We recognise that every family is unique. We will work alongside you to understand your family's strengths, challenges and goals.

Together, we will:

Explore what is working well within your family and identify existing strengths.
Talk about any difficulties or concerns that may be affecting family life.
Agree goals and identify the changes that you and your family would like to achieve.
Support you to develop new skills, strategies, and confidence.
Work collaboratively with all family members wherever appropriate.
Focus on practical, sustainable changes that can improve family wellbeing and safety.

Our support is intensive where we work flexibly with families and we aim to arrange appointments at times that best meet your needs.

Throughout our involvement, we will keep your child's social worker informed of progress and ensure that you receive copies of reports and assessments relating to the work we undertake together.

We welcome feedback and value your views on the support you receive to enable us to work with families collaboratively.

What Happens After the Intensive Support Period?

Following the initial intensive phase of work, we will continue to keep in touch and review progress for up to 12 months.

This follow-up support helps us:

Be present should families need further support whilst we monitor how things are progressing.
Celebrate successes and positive changes.
Identify any further support that may be needed.
Respond to any emerging concerns at an early stage.

Where appropriate, we can also help you access support from other services and community resources to ensure that positive changes can be maintained after our involvement ends.

Accessing Our Support

Referrals to the Integrated Family Support Team are made through your Children's Services Social Worker.

If you are currently working with a social worker, please speak to them about whether support from the Integrated Family Support Team may be appropriate for your family.

If you do not currently have a social worker but feel that you or your family may need support, please contact the Child Care Assessment Team on 01437 776444.

To speak directly with a member of the Integrated Family Support Team, please call 01437 764551.

Our Aim

Working alongside families to build on strengths, create positive change, and help children remain safe, healthy and supported within their family networks wherever possible.

Family Support Services