Children and Families Newcastle
Extra support may be needed at any point in a child or young person’s life, and we know that this may be needed particularly when parents are caring for a child or young person with additional needs. Being a parent can be a tough job and sometimes we all need a bit of help. Our Family Help services will work with you and your family, to start working together to make things better for your family. Whether you’re looking to tackle an ongoing problem or prevent one from happening, Family Help can support your family to stay on track. Once you reach out, we will work together with you and your family to decide what steps are next. We will listen to what you say and discuss the resources and contacts available.
If your family and our team decide there is need for extra support, we can link you with a Family Partner. They can find local support for a range of things parents and carers may be struggling with, such as supporting a child with further needs, money problems or teenage depression and anxiety.
Family hubs are vibrant social spaces that offer a range of practical, educational and wellbeing activities for babies, children, young people, and families. Activities offered in each local area are shaped by their local communities.
The community hubs offer a range of services including:
- support for your family
- community midwifery
- mental health support
- children’s therapies
- childcare
- services for youth groups aged up to 18
- training opportunities and employability services
- health visiting
To find your closest hub and what is going on in your area, visit Children and Families hubs in Newcastle.
For more general enquiries, contact Children and Families Newcastle by calling 0191 211 5805.
We’ll help you build on the good things in your life, so we’ll talk with your children and other family members, if that helps.
Children and Families Newcastle
Most children and young people, including those with disabilities, have their needs effectively met and fulfil their potential through accessing universal services. These are services available to all children and families, such as schools and colleges, health services, youth services, children’s centres, voluntary services and community services.
For children and young people aged 0 to 17 who need additional support to achieve their full potential, Children and Families Newcastle provide a range of help and support, including to their families and carers. This can include support via the Community Family Offer, SEND Local Offer or Community Short Breaks Offer, which are available without the need for an assessment.
The Community Family Offer is a free support service providing safe spaces, activities, and resources to families with children aged 0 to 19 (or up to 25 with SEND).
The SEND Local Offer offers a range of information and support services, including related to education, health and fun things to do. Within this, the Community Short Breaks Offer includes a range of activities and opportunities for children to engage in organised activities where they can make friends, develop new skills and interests and have fun, without their parent or carer necessarily having to remain with them.
How to get help
Where a child or young person with a disability, or their family are experiencing some additional needs, they may be able to access additional support by contacting Children and Families Newcastle Connect who can help identify the most appropriate support pathway. You can self-refer online, by phoning Children and Families Newcastle Connect on 0191 277 2500, or a professional can make an online referral on your behalf; or you can access support in person at one of our Family Hubs.
Children and Families Newcastle Family Help assessment process
Any child or young person with a disability is entitled to an assessment of need. In Newcastle, this is called a Family Help Assessment. This assessment will help us understand more about your family, your needs and your own support networks, and may identify services and supports to help with those needs. The child’s carers’ needs will also be considered as part of this assessment, which can also include a Parent Carer Needs Assessment (PCNA) if this would be helpful.
A Family Help Assessment will be completed by a Family Help lead practitioner (a dedicated worker allocated to the young person and their family) within the Family Help service. When a referral is received, the child or young person’s level of need will determine which team is responsible for completing this assessment (either a locality Family Help team, or the Family Help Additional Support Needs team). Many children and families with additional needs will have those needs met via support from a locality Family Help team. For those children and young people with the most complex needs, support may be offered by the Additional Support Needs team, a specific team within the Family Help Service.