Caring for Medway

If you or someone in your family is having difficulty coping, the first step to getting help may be to contact Medway Council using the details at the bottom of this page.

Services for adults

The council helps people to remain independent at home with schemes like the Blue Badge disabled parking scheme.

If you need full-time care because you are elderly, disabled or unwell, the information about council residential care may be a good place to start. The Commission for Social Care Inspection has information about the alternatives to council care, including inspection reports.

Help the Aged also provides advice and information on all issues affecting older people and their carers and services that help older people to feel safe in their own homes, get out and about easier and integrate with their communities (www.helptheaged.org.uk).

If you care for someone

If you care for someone with a long-term illness or disability, respite care may be available. There is also government advice for carers at www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/EmploymentInteractiveTools/DG_10016779.

Services for children and young people

An alphabetical list of services for children and young people in Medway is available on this website, together with guidance about when and how to refer to Medway Council's children's social care service using the eligibility criteria. If you are worried about a child, call Medway Council or the NSPCC (www.nspcc.org.uk) helpline on 0808 800 5000.

Round-the-clock services

Out-of-hours emergency requests for a social worker are dealt with under an arrangement with Kent County Council. Phone 0845 7626777.

If Medway Council cannot offer a service, it can give information and advice about where else to turn to for help, including voluntary organisations.

Every dad matters

Dads are really important to their children and can be a massive force for good in their children’s lives, whether biological dads, step-dads or other father figures. Equally, negative parenting by dads can cause a lot of damage. Find out more.

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