Family help and support

On this page:

Parenting Support Strategy

We have developed a Parenting Support Strategy that outlines how we aim to support parents, carers and guardians over the next 10 years.

Download our full Parenting Support Strategy for 2021 to 2031.

Download the abridged Parenting Support Strategy for 2021 to 2031.

Download our one-page Parenting Support Strategy for 2021 to 2031.

Local information and support services

There are many local and national organisations and services to help and support families with children and young people with SEND. 

Search for other information and support services in our Local Offer directory.

National information and support services

Search for other Local Offer national services.

Childcare 

Search our directory to find childcare providers such as childminders, nurseries and pre-schools in Medway. 

When making contact with a provider, parents and carers should check that staff are qualified to deliver specific services.

Settings should also have a recruitment policy which shows that they follow safe recruitment practice, including taking up references and staff having a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check in place where appropriate.  

Find childcare providers.

Family Solutions Parenting Support Service

Parents and carers must be referred for the service by a professional working in Health, Social Care or Education.

Complete a parenting support programme referral online.

NELFT talks

NELFT have shared recent talks they gave in Kent. The talks by Dr. Rachel Hussey are for families and children waiting for an autism assessment. 

You can watch the following talks on YouTube: 

Medway Emotional Support Teams (EST)

Medway EST provide support to all children in a number of Medway schools, and work together with everyone in the school community to promote a ‘whole school approach’ to emotional wellbeing and mental health. They also work with children and their parents or carers in group or 1:1 sessions to support with specific problems.

Support

Support includes:

  • individual support (8 to 12 sessions) for young people experiencing worries or low mood. As this is a low intensity approach, it’s most suitable for young people who are:
    • experiencing mild to moderate difficulties
    • feeling motivated to address any difficulties they may be experiencing
    • not receiving significant previous input from mental health services
  • parent work that is the primary offer of support for primary aged children who are experiencing mild to moderate difficulties with anxiety, low mood, or behavioural difficulties. The team can offer both digital and face-to-face support to parents, with the aim of equipping parents with the skills to support their child to overcome their difficulties
  • groups and workshops for young people on topics such as:
    • coping with exam stress
    • poor eating habits (not eating disorders)
    • sleep problems
    • how to look after your emotional wellbeing
  • groups and workshops for parents on topics such as:
    • understanding their child’s behaviour or anxiety
    • poor eating habits (not eating disorders)
    • sleep problems
    • supporting their child with exam stress
  • helping the school to develop a ‘whole school approach’ to emotional wellbeing and mental health.

The team work on other projects, which are freely available for all individuals to access including a project developing autism and sleep resources. They have worked closely with a researcher at University College London and a talented group of autistic young people to create a leaflet and animation about what helps autistic teenagers to get a good night’s sleep.

Find out if your child’s school is supported.

To find out more, speak to the school’s Emotional Support Practitioner or a member of staff at school. You can also contact ewtandestenquiries@nelft.nhs.uk.