Gemma is the mother of two children, May (11 years) and Jack (5 years). The family were referred by their Local Authority for early help support due to concerns around safety, emotional wellbeing and parenting pressures. May and Jack have different biological fathers. Jack has contact with his father, Grant, while May’s father, Steve, was in prison at the time of referral and due for release. Gemma had recently been diagnosed with ADHD and was beginning medication, while managing high levels of anxiety and stress.
There was a history of domestic abuse from Steve towards Gemma, and his upcoming release raised significant concerns for both Gemma and May. During his imprisonment, May’s paternal grandfather maintained contact, which Gemma described as controlling and emotionally harmful, leaving May feeling pressured. Both Gemma and May felt strongly that any future contact with Steve should take place in a supervised setting. Despite previous incidents of forced entry, there was insufficient evidence to secure a non‑molestation order, increasing Gemma’s fear due to Steve knowing her address. Housing options were explored, but the immediate focus was on improving safety within the current home.
There were also challenges around Jack’s contact with his father and his father’s partner, particularly around boundaries, routines and respect for Jack’s wishes. Gemma felt undermined in her parenting and worried that Jack was not being listened to when he expressed discomfort.
Support focused on helping the family feel safer and more confident. Gemma engaged in one‑to‑one parenting sessions to strengthen boundaries and respond to her children’s emotional needs. May received individual support to explore her feelings about contact and accessed emotional resilience sessions at school. Gemma was supported to have open conversations with May about her father’s release, and received guidance around co‑parenting communication with Jack’s father.
Multi‑agency work took place involving the school, housing provider and probation. A sanctuary scheme assessment was completed to improve home safety, and probation conditions were put in place requiring any contact from Steve to be pre‑arranged. Gemma was supported to assert boundaries with May’s grandfather and accessed counselling through a Welcare referral.
As a result, Gemma feels more confident in her parenting and reassured in her decisions. Family routines are now established, May feels safer and more protected, and Jack’s relationship with his father better reflects his needs.
“I feel that me and my family have been able to grow, learn and gain much more stability. I can now see a happy future. My children have a better mummy. My daughter is now safe in relation to her father and has a clearer understanding of boundaries with him. Thanks to the support from the family support worker, I can see that it’s okay to put routines in place, and this has made a real difference for us. I have gained the support I needed to be the best mum I can be.”
*all names have been changed and stock images used.
