Westmorland and Furness Council has announced it is one of six local authorities taking part in a national pilot programme, commissioned by the Department for Education, to work with families who need therapeutic support. The pilot programme has been running over 2025 and has led to the development of the Family Matters service in Penrith. The service is open to families from Monday 13 October 2025.
Based at the Family Hub at Penrith, the Family Matters service offers a safe space for families to speak alongside a family therapist-in-training, about any topic that’s important to them. This could include worries about going to school, work, sleep, anxiety, behavioural concerns or maybe something different that affects their family.
Families can contact the Family Hub in Penrith, or go for an initial chat about what they need, and then a session will be arranged with one of the therapists-in-training. Everyone is welcome - children, parents, carers, grandparents & stepparents – (groups of up to 4 people.) Sessions last up to an hour and follow-ups are available if needed.
So far, over 55 Family Help practitioners have attended a five-day systemic training programme and nine people are about to complete a further 10-day training which is equivalent to the foundation year of a four-year master’s programme in systemic therapy.
Councillor Janet Battye, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills at Westmorland and Furness Council, said: “Our staff teams have already reported back that learning to work systemically allows them to see the wider context of a family’s challenges rather than focusing on individual problems. This means they can then help families to explore and implement change together”.
Milorad Vasic, Director of Children’s Services at Westmorland and Furness Council added: “The Family Matters service is unique as it anticipates that families will only work with a therapist-in-training for one session. It’s based on Single Session Family Therapy that has been pioneered in Australia and Italy. We’re fortunate to have this opportunity to access it Westmorland and Furness and is already starting to make a difference for our families.”
To enquire about the Family Matters service, visit the Family Hub at The Regent, Old London Road, Penrith or
E: edenfamilyhubs@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
T: 01768 899 901
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