Adult support
Once we receive your referral a member of the team will call you to discuss the support and services we will be able to offer you and to get a bit of background information. The 1-1 support that you will receive will be with a trained support worker, who will remain with you throughout.
All of our workers have an enhanced DBS check.
Our sessions will allow you the confidential space to talk about your loved one’s alcohol and/or drug use. We have safeguarding policies and procedures in place and these will be discussed with you at your first session. We provide up to 8 sessions and these are usually offered fortnightly, we have venues in both North and West Northamptonshire.
Each session will be 45 mins. Your first session will be slightly longer to allow for paperwork to be completed.
During the sessions we will use outcome measuring tools, these help us to offer you appropriate and targeted support, that focusses on the areas you and your worker will identify. At the end of each session your support worker will book in your next appointment with you.
We are unable to block book appointments due to the nature of the support we provide but your worker will try to accommodate your needs as far as practicable.
Frequently asked questions
My Support Worker
Following receipt of your referral you will be allocated a support worker within 5 working days where possible. They will contact you to arrange your first appointment.
Please provide a number on your referral where we can contact you on.
Your worker will work alongside you to deepen your knowledge of substance use, reduce feelings of isolation and explore practical coping strategies to help you manage day to day. we won’t tell you what to do but we will provide you with the support, information and space to make informed decisions that feel right for you.
We cannot offer a solution, but we can help you to survive each day.
Confidentiality - What if I know my support worker?
Family support link understand the importance of confidentiality. If you were to meet with a support worker that you may know from outside of Family support Link, this may prove a barrier for you accessing our support.
All of our support workers follow both internal and external legislation and policy surrounding data protection and confidentiality and your support worker will discuss this with you at your initial appointment.
If following this initial meeting you still see this as a barrier please contact our office on 01933 227078 and ask to speak to a manager.
Confidentiality - What happens if my support worker sees me outside of our appointment?
Family support Link understands that you may be concerned about encountering your support worker outside of your appointments. Your support worker would not acknowledge you outside of your appointment as we understand the importance of confidentiality.
Where will I be seen?
Our main office is based in Wellingborough and we have an office in Northampton and utilise satellite offices across the county to make the service accessible as possible.
We also offer walk and talk support sessions (weather permitting).
Face to face appointments are offered as standard but should you be unable to attend face to face appointments we can offer, Telephone and online options. Please let us know if you are unable to attend face to face appointments and we will discuss the available options with you.
How often will I be seen?
This is dependent on individual need and is something that you can discuss with your support worker. We will always strive to meet your needs with appointments where possible.
If you are unable to attend your appointment.
We understand that sometimes life gets in the way. However, as a small charity the cost of missed appointments has a huge impact. Every appointment that is not attended or cancelled at short notice has a financial cost to the charity and means we are unable to allocate the appointment to another person in need of support.
We ask that you provide at least 48 hours’ notice if you need to cancel your appointment by letting your support worker know or calling our main office on 01933 227078. Cancelling your appointment may mean that your support worker is unable to offer you another appointment within any time frame you request.
Thank you Family Support Link
I started getting support around 6 years ago. When I had the horrific experience of 2 family members with alcohol addiction. I got and I am still getting support from this lovely organisation. They are a great team helping me feel my self-worth and a very stronger person that I am now.
I was not alone
The 1:1 support enabled me to vent my feelings and helped me see the importance of looking after myself at the time of crisis. I think it prevented me from having a breakdown. The weekly group meetings let me know I was not alone in what I was going through.
Gain strength from my meetings
My support worker has been a rock, pointing out situations to me and showing me a clear vision of the directions which I may/may not take. The name Family Support couldn't be more precise, and I am grateful for each time I see her, knowing I must be strong with myself.
Grateful to have been referred to FSL
Just having someone to talk to who would listen and offer understanding and provide professional advice which was non-judgemental was a massive help as it helped me to see things a lot clearer. I am definitely in a much better place now than I was, to handle any difficulties that could arise in the future.
