Children's Centre Services

Family support and parental outreach services

Each Children's Centre provides a range of family support and parental outreach services. These are listed below.

Children's Centres - A guide for parents, carers and families provides information about the other services that the Children's Centres offer.

Parenting and family advice and support at the centre, at home or at a local venue

Support can be given on family routines, budgeting, behaviour management, supporting a child's development or finding a job.

Children's Centres will offer direct support to parents and families either at the centre or in parent's own homes. Children's Centres will also be able to inform families of the best person to provide them with the support they need.

Also available drop-in sessions for general or specialist advice, parenting programmes on behaviour management and child development, parent support groups and support for parents whose children have additional needs.

All services will be developed based on the needs of local parents and families and will take into account individual circumstances.

Drop-in sessions for individual advice and guidance

All Children's Centres will hold drop-in sessions, whether they are informal drop-in sessions or tailored to specific needs.

Any parent can drop in to a Children's Centre at any time to ask for information and advice, or to ask to speak to a worker or other parents.

Parenting programmes on child development, behaviour management, play, communication and early learning

Parenting support on child development, behaviour management, play, communication and early learning will be available.

This may involve attendance at a parenting programme for a set number of weeks or a parent group that is available on a weekly basis.

The focus will always be to support parents develop positive relationships with their children and to develop the knowledge and skills to support their child's development and relationships within the family.

Parent support groups

Parent support groups for those who have a similar interest or need will be available. For example a group for parents who have just had their baby, a father's group or a young mother's group.

Support for Parents with Children with additional needs|

Support for children, parents and families with additional needs (for example, a disability)

Families will be offered support that is flexible and responds to the specific needs of the family and child.

This includes support for families who have children with additional or complex developmental needs, parents who have their own health or medical needs or where family circumstances are affecting the positive development of the child.

Contact

Toby Kinder

Group Manager - Children's Centres and Sure Start

3rd Floor

Bridge House

150 London Road

Barking

IG11 8BB

Tel: 020 8227 5047

Fax: 020 8227 5525

Email: eycs@lbbd.gov.uk|

Useful web links

Sure Start Children's Centres|

Lone Parent Support (Gingerbread)|

BBC Parent Support|

Government advice for children with Special Educational Needs (Under 5)|

Government Advice - Health and support for disabled people|