Birmingham Pathfinder

We are developing and promoting a relationship-first approach to providing sustained, trusted support to families who are facing adversity. We believe that the best way to strengthen families and communities is through sustained, trusted relationships, so we don't close cases. We are value-led: everything else follows from this. We work through schools - utilising the relationships and position that schools already have in the lives of children and families - extending support to the whole family around the child, with whatever they need, for as long as they need. We are a community interest company, but supported by Birmingham Children's Trust, connecting the statutory and third sectors in family support. We are a network, not an institution - we believe in building a stronger and stronger ecosystem of statutory, third sector and community resources in our locality, that we connect our families into. We believe in shared authority: that with the right support our families can and do take responsibility for what matters to them. Our model has been operating in the Northfield District of Birmingham since 2016, and we continue to develop and deepen our work in this locality. We are keen to connect with potential partners, both within our Northfield ecosystem; and also in other localities who are interested in how our approach might work for them.