Coventry’s Family Support Service is opening its doors to other professionals to show it can help with caring for children in Coventry.

The Family east Support Team is holding an open day on Friday 9 October for professionals working within Coventry City Council, Coventry Health Authority, and for voluntary and community providers of care or services to families with young children.

The service, which also operates a team in the west of Coventry, was set up six months ago by Coventry City Council’s Social Services Department to provide support for children ‘in need’ under eight years of age and their families.

It works with youngsters from a range of backgrounds and for a range of reasons including children who have abused, children with disabilities, children whose families are at risk of breaking up and children who have experienced a trauma.

Councillor John Mutton, Chair of the council’s children and young people’s policy team, said:

"The Family Support Service provides an essential link with the community for families with young children who need extra support. The social services department has been aware for some time of a gap in provision, particularly for children aged 4-8 years, so we decided at the end of last year to invest £560,000 over a two year period into this innovative and vital project."

The open day will take place between 11am and 3pm at 57 Ribble Road, Stoke, where the Family Support East Team is based.

The Lord Mayor Councillor Mrs Maggie Rosher will be attending the open day and will be making a speech at approximately 12.15pm. You are invited to send a reporter / photographer along to the open day.