Camden Futures Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which families is Camden Futures aimed at helping?
All families living in Camden are eligible for the service, where the oldest child is aged between 5-10 years old. Families should not have a support worker or social worker in place at the time of referral. Eligible families will need help from more than one agency where both children and parents have support needs. Professionals should complete the Camden Futures Eligibility Checklist to see if families are eligible.
Am I eligible for the service if I have a child aged 18 or above?
Families are eligible to receive the service if the oldest child living at home is aged between 5-10 years old.
Am I eligible for the service if I have children under 5 years old?
Families are only eligible for the service if the oldest child living at home is aged between 5-10 years old. If this is the case Camden Futures can work with families to ensure support for all the children in a family but wherever possible we would seek to link with other appropriate services such as Children’s Centres Services if a family has children aged under 5 years old.
Where can I get support if I have children aged between 11-18 years old?
Unfortunately you will not be eligible to receive the Camden Futures service. You can access support from Families in Focus or Family Lives or contact LB Camden Safeguarding and Social Care on 020 7974 4444
Parents can also call the free, confidential Parentline Plus helpline on 0808 800 2222.
Childline offers a service for children on 0800 1111
Am I eligible for the service if I live outside Camden but my child attends a school in Camden?
Families must live in Camden in order to be eligible for the service. However families that are temporarily housed within Camden can access the service.
What does “multiple and complex needs” mean?
Camden Futures is aimed at families who have are experiencing longterm problems which are affecting children who are aged 5 – 10 years (and potentially other younger children in the family) or the ability of parents and carers to support children. We think that the families who will benefit most from Camden Futures are likely to need help from more than one part of the service or from other organisations as well. Families may have had social work support or support from another keyworker in the past but problems have re-occurred Because there will be more than one issue to deal with we expect that families will be involved with Camden Futures workers over several months.
In terms of the criteria used by LB Camden we expect that most families referred to Camden Futures will have Level 2 needs which are complex and likely to require longer term intervention from specialist services. Where appropriate the Camden Futures staff will work with families to link them with statutory services including social work and mental health support.
How does the service work?
All families that are eligible for the service will meet with a Camden Futures Worker who will listen to you to find out where they would like support. The worker will help families to identify which of the Camden Futures services could help, jointly produce an agreed action plan and identify if any other services in Camden could also provide support.
How long does the service last?
Families receiving family support services and creative therapies can receive up to 9 months support, if both the lead worker and the family think this is needed. Families receiving financial support will be worked with for as long as is necessary to complete the agreed actions.
How much does the service cost?
The service is free.
I would like to make a comment about the service or I have a suggestion for how it can be improved. How can I do this?
We are always interested to hear comments about the service and how it can be improved. Please email us at info@camdenfutures.org.uk and mark it Service Feedback. You can also ring us on 020 7424 1612.
When is it appropriate for Camden Futures to work with families where there are also children aged 0-5 years old?
Camden Futures Workers will undertake an initial assessment to ascertain the support needs of the family, and whether it will involve the parenting skills around both the child under 5 and over 5, and whether the needs of the children are similar. The Family Star tool will be used for this purpose.
If it is identified that Camden Futures can meet the needs of the family by working with them as a whole family, they will do so. If a child who is under 5 needs age appropriate support from elsewhere including from Children’s Centre services (CCS), a referral will be made.
How many families will Camden Futures work with in one year?
Camden Futures aims to work with approximately 250 families per year.
