Relate and Collaborative Law Pod

Mary and Beth recently attended a Bedfordshire Collaborative Law Pod meeting which was attended by two guest speakers from Relate (formerly the Marriage Guidance Council). They explained how Relate in Bedfordshire and Luton have expanded their services to meet a whole range of family problems. Traditionally Relate has offered relationship counselling; Relate also offers psychotherapeutic counselling in relation to sexual difficulties within relationships.

 

More recently Relate has extended its services and now offers counselling to young people. Although Relate charge a modest fee for many of their services, services to children and young people are free if the referral is made via the local authority. They are currently piloting a project in Luton where they work in conjunction with community centres, schools and health services.

All appointments are made via the Bedford Booking Centre but are available at a range of venues across the county.

Often family difficulties encompass the whole family not simple the parents or the children and Relate Family Counselling offers a flexible approach to sorting out problems. Extra counselling hours have been provided in Luton which has reduced the waiting list and services are delivered quickly in Bedford and other parts of Bedfordshire.

 

Relate are part of a multiagency panel encompassing children and young peoples services, schools, GPs and others with an interest in delivering services to families and young people. The multiagency panels meet regularly to ensure services are being delivered appropriately.

 

There is no limit to the number of times couples, individuals and families can use Relate services, although sessions tend to be offered in blocks of 6; the needs of the client are then reviewed and it may be that further sessions will required or referrals to other agencies. However any school can approach Relate to provide services either to individuals or to the schools and Relate explained they have helped some state and private schools to recruit counsellors.

Relate has also been working effectively with Resolution (formerly the Solicitor’s Family Law Association) on issues concerning Parenting after Parting. Currently these services are offered in Milton Keynes, but are likely to be extended to Luton and Bedford.

 

Relate can be contacted on 01234 356350 or by e mail at relate.beds_luton@btopenworld.com