A family centre provides help and support to parents, carers and children who are having difficulties in their family lives. Families attend for a variety of reasons.

Where families are experiencing problems managing their children’s behaviour.
Where there are relationship difficulties between family members.
Where a family has experienced loss or
Where children and/or parent’s have experienced or are experiencing some form of abuse in their lives.

The family centre offers different types of help and support depending on the needs of the family, but these might include

Family work, involving the whole family in sorting out problems.
Counselling for both adults and children to help them come to terms with their particular worries or concerns.
Guidance and assistance regarding child management and parenting.
Assessment work which involves a detailed look at both the strengths and problem areas within your family.

This information helps to ensure that any decisions which must be made your family are based on sound information.

Colin Family Centre is situated in Poleglass and provides a service to families living in the Dunmurry, Lisburn, Hillsborough and outlying areas.

Knocknashinna Family Centre is situated in Downpatrick and provides a service to families living in Downpatrick, Newcastle, Ballynahinch and outlying areas.

The service is available Monday – Thursday 9am – 5 pm and Friday 9 am – 4 pm.

The service can either be available at one of our two centres or at your local health centre if this is more convenient for your.

Families are referred to our centres by another professional who may be working with you or your child. If you feel you or your children would benefit from attending one of our family centres, please talk to your social worker, or the duty social worker at your local health centre or Social Services office. They will help decide if our service is right for your and can make a referral to us on your behalf.

For further information contact the Senior Social Worker or one of the social workers on the teams at:

Colin Family Centre Pembroke Loop Road Poleglass Dunmurry BT17 OPH	or	Knocknashinna Family Centre 37 Knocknashinna Road Downpatrick BT30 6RE
Tel No : 028 9030 1828		Tel No : 028 4461 5208