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Care First offers professional counselling services to The Fostering Network household members, aged 16 and over.  It provides support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with access via their counselling helpline.  

 

When you connect to the helpline, the BACP accredited counsellor will provide ‘in the moment’ support to help with the issue you have contacted Care first for. Throughout the session the counsellor will assess your situation and what support is most appropriate for you.

There are a number of different possible outcomes the counsellor will consider; the examples below will give you an idea of how your call may be handled.  

  • Your initial call with the counsellor will provide you with the support you need ‘in the moment’  and no further support is required.  

 

  • It maybe that the reasons you have contacted us are better supported by one of our support partners or an  alternative support service. In this case, the counsellor may refer you to a charity or specialist organisation that work with the specific issue you called about or refer you on to another service that we know will offer you the most suitable support for what you are going through. This may include your GP or alternative NHS service.  

Rest assured, no matter what route you take you can still always use the helpline for any in the moment support you need at any time of the day. 

Reason for calling Care first

Relationship issues

"I had a huge argument with my other half and now they want to split up and I don’t. I keep losing my temper because of it."

  1. The counsellor will work with you in the moment to ensure you are ok and are coping.
  2. The counsellor will work with you to work out the next best course of action. This may also include a short assessment to establish the best route. 
  3. Depending on the above they  may sign post you to more suitable organisation that can provide specific support. They will offer advice on what to do and how to get there. At this point they will also give you advice in relation to what you are calling about for example coping mechanisms around the issue you have spoken about. E.g., anger management tips. It is very much about you regaining control of your situation and they will work on that with you. This can sometimes feel challenging.
  4. They will ensure that you know you can always use the helpline at any time following your call for in the moment support with a counsellor.

Financial concerns

"I have so many bills due in less than a week. I can't pay. I don't know what to do. I am stressed, worn out, angry and I just hate the world. I feel so lost."

  1. The counsellor will work with you in the moment to ensure you are ok and are coping.
  2. Once the counsellor has helped you in your situation and you have regained control. They may suggest that as well as talking to one of our counsellors it might help to speak to one of our Telephone Information Specialists as they can offer any practical advice on things like finances e.g., where you can get support from regarding paying the bills/ how to pay them in a suitable way. 
  3. They will assess if  on-going support would be beneficial. It may be that you just needed this one instance of support but if you would like to explore ongoing support, they can  sign post you suitably.
  4. They will ensure that you know you can always use the helpline at any time following your call for in the moment support with a counsellor.

Childcare

“I need some help and advice about how I can get childcare. What can I do?"

Our Telephone Information Specialists would be most suited for this call. They can offer you practical information about day-to-day issues whether they arise at home or at work. They can speak to you, find out that you need and the best way they can help and advise you with your query. E.g., they can help establish if you are entitled to any help with childcare and advise you how to get it.

Contact Care first on 01384 889 549

You will need to have your membership number to hand when contacting the Stress Support & Information Service

Alongside Counselling Service, Care First offers Information and Advice. Our expert advisors, trained by Citizens Advice, can provide comprehensive answers and assistance on a wide range of issues which affect daily life: 

 

 

  • Debt Credit, Debt, Banks, Loans, Bankruptcy, IVAs, Bailiffs 

  • Employment Rights of Employees, Bullying and Harassment, Discrimination, Disability, Transfer of Business, Maternity Rights/Pay, Sick Pay, Health and Safety at Work, Dismissal
     

  • Housing Buying and Selling a House, Mortgages, Renting, Tenancies, Evictions, Bailiffs, Homelessness, Neighbour Disputes, Residential Care, Nursing Homes
     

  • Family and Personal Relationships, Marriage, Civil Partnership, Divorce, Child Support, Domestic Violence, Childcare, Eldercare, Community Care, Changing a Name
     

  • Benefits Housing Benefit, Incapacity Benefits, Disability Benefits, Tax Credits, Maternity/Paternity Benefits, Pension Credits
     

  • Education Problems at School, Bullying, Student Grants/Loans
     

  • Health Patients’ Rights/Complaints, Health Costs, HIV/AIDS, Abortion, Infertility.
     

  • Taxes Income Tax, Council Tax, Inheritance Tax, National Insurance, PAYE, Fringe Benefits, Tax Rebates/Arrears, Working Tax Credits
     

  • Communication Problems Phones/Mobile Phones, Complaints about the Media, Television Licences, Unsolicited Mail
     

  • Travel, Transport and Holidays Holiday Problems/Complaints, Passports, Moving Overseas, Driving Licences, MOT 

  • Immigration and Nationality Citizenship Dual Nationality, Immigration and Working in the UK, Overstayers, Visa Nationals
     

  • Human Rights Voting Procedure, Access to Personal Records, Discrimination Acts, Lesbian & Gay Rights, Defamation of Character, Rape and Sexual Assault, Personal Injuries

  • Consumer Goods and Services, Consumer Problems, Problems with Second Hand Cars, Car Repairs, Insurance, Problems with Builders, Credit

  • Animals Owning a Pet, Animals and the Law, Animal Passports 

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