Close-up of the lower legs and feet of four people standing on a wooden floor, wearing jeans, colorful socks, and sneakers.

Family Services

Support for Families

Affected by Substance Misuse

Early Break offers two award-winning programmes designed to support families affected by substance misuse

Holding Families and Holding Families+.

While both services focus on improving relationships, communication, and wellbeing within families, each programme has a specific focus based on the family's circumstances.

So, What’s the Difference?

Holding Families

This is our core whole-family support programme for families where a parent or carer is using drugs or alcohol. It includes one-to-one sessions, family meetings, and group support, helping families rebuild trust, safety and communication. This service is available to families across Bury, Rochdale, Oldham, Salford, Trafford, Bolton, and Blackburn with Darwen.

Learn more about Holding Families ↓

Holding Families+

This enhanced service is for families affected by parental substance use combined with involvement in the criminal justice system. We work with parents on community orders or in prison, like HMP Styal, and provide support before and after release, helping strengthen bonds with children and reduce intergenerational harm.

Find out about Holding Families+ →

Each programme puts children’s voices at the heart of everything we do and offers practical, emotional, and tailored support for all family members.

Use the tabs below to see how we work with children & young people, parents & carers, and professionals.

Holding Families Programme

Get Whole Family Support for Substance Misuse Today

Holding Families FAQ’s

  • Holding Families is a whole-family support programme for families affected by parental substance misuse. It offers individual and group support for children, parents and carers, with a focus on improving communication, reducing harm, and strengthening family relationships.

  • We support families where:

    • A parent or carer is using or has used drugs or alcohol

    • There is at least one child under 18 living in the home or the parent is pregnant

    • The family lives in Bury, Rochdale, Oldham, Salford, Bolton, Trafford, or Blackburn with Darwen

    • Holding Families: Our core programme, for families affected by parental substance use at any stage of recovery.

    • Holding Families+: An enhanced service for families where the parent is also involved in the criminal justice system (e.g. prison or probation), offering both community and prison-based support.

    • One-to-one sessions for children and young people

    • One-to-one and group sessions for parents

    • Family meetings where children’s voices are prioritised

    • Access to practical support around housing, emotional health and wellbeing, finances, and more

    • A Celebration Day at the end of the programme to reflect on progress

  • The programme typically runs for around six months, depending on the family’s individual needs. We also provide ongoing follow-up support where needed.

  • Yes. We handle all information in line with GDPR and safeguarding protocols. Children and parents each have their own worker and space to talk. We only share information if there is a serious risk of harm—and we aim to speak with you first wherever possible.

  • Yes. Families can self-refer, or any professional working with the family (e.g., social workers, schools, treatment services) can make a referral.

    Make a referral →

  • No. Holding Families is a free service, funded through local authority commissioning.

  • No. We support families at any stage of recovery, including those where a parent is no longer actively using but where substance misuse has impacted the family dynamic.

  • You can stay connected to Early Break in various ways listed below:

  • If you or someone you know needs urgent help, you can access our list of emergency and useful helpline numbers by clicking the Get Help Now. This will open a quick-reference popup with 24/7 services and support lines for mental health, safeguarding, substance use, and crisis care.

From the Blog

Here’s a selection of articles from the blog related to our Holding Families services.