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Family and Childcare


Inspire  

Our Inspire Project has been set up to provide funding support to help young people that are facing challenges.  The fund helps young people to create new friendships, introduce them to healthy lifestyles through sport, and open new doors into work with opportunities to learn new skills.  

 The project can be used to pay a wide variety of things including a range of sports and educational activities. The project can also help pay towards equipment for the young person to do their activity. 

 To find out more, visit the link below.

 Inspire Project (dover.gov.uk) 

What is Healthy Start? 

If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk. If you’re eligible, you’ll be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that you can use in some UK shops. We’ll add your benefit onto this card every 4 weeks. 

You can use your card to buy: 

  • plain liquid cow’s milk 

  • fresh, frozen, and tinned fruit and vegetables 

  • fresh, dried, and tinned pulses 

  • infant formula milk based on cow’s milk 

You can also use your card to collect: 

  • Healthy Start vitamins – these support you during pregnancy and breastfeeding 

  • vitamin drops for babies and young children – these are suitable from birth to 4 years old 

 To find out more, visit the link below.

 Get help to buy food and milk (Healthy Start)

 

Supportive Services for Young People (aged 8-25)

                                                                 

Service  

Contact  

 Details 

 Reconnect 

  

If you have any questions, please contact the Reconnect team at the email address: reconnect.kentcyp@kent.gov.uk.  

  

Reconnect is a community-led programme designed to get Kent’s children and young people back to enjoying the activities and opportunities they took part in before COVID-19 – as well as the chance to try new things along the way. 

  

After a year of staying in, it's time to get out there and Reconnect with the things you've missed over the past 12 months. There are lots of fun activities and events going on across the county, so find something that interests you and have fun! 

https://local.kent.gov.uk/kb5/kent/directory/whats_on.page 

  

See the Reconnect: Kent children and young people website. We have also created a Reconnect Facebook page 

  

KCC Youth Services: 

  

Dover Youth Hub (Linwood Youth Centre) 

Park Avenue 

Deal 

Kent 

Postcode 

CT14 9UU 

  

Commissioned Services: 

Pie Factory 

  

Youth Hub Delivery Manager: 

Erin Bell 

03000 418019 
Erin.Bell@kent.gov.uk 

  

03000 420008 

LinwoodYC@kent.gov.uk 

https://www.facebook.com/Linwoodyouthhub/ 

  

(01843) 596777 

(01843) 596998 

info@piefactorymusic.com 

piefactorymusic.com 

  

Providing a range of support services including: 

  • Building relationships 

  • Group work 

  • 1:1 support 

  • Peer groups and friendships 

  • Online/virtual, centre based, outreach and detached youth work 

  • Partnership work with the community, faith groups and uniform organisations 

  • School based youth work 

  • Holiday programs 

  • Accredited programs including Duke of Edinburgh award, ASDAN & Arts Award 

  

https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/young-people/youth-hubs 

  

The Young Lives Foundation 

  

https://ylf.org.uk/ 

01622 693459 

  

The Young Lives Foundation (YLF) is an award-winning children’s charity in the South East of England with expertise in Advocacy, Mentoring, Befriending and Activity Programmes. 

  

Kent Children & Young People’s Mental Health Service CYPMHS (NELFT) 

  

https://www.nelft.nhs.uk/services-kent-children-young-peoples-mental-health 

0800 0113474 

  

Kent CYPMHS South Kent Coast 

Castleside, Dover Health Centre, Maison Dieu Road, Dover, Kent, CT16 1RH 

                                      

Resources - https://mindfresh.nelft.nhs.uk/ 

  

The Children and Young People's Mental Health Service (CYPMHS) provides emotional wellbeing and mental health advice and support for young people and their families across Kent. 

This service is available to young people from the age of 0-18 (up until their 19th birthday) and up until the age of 25 for young people with special educational needs or as part of a wider network of support for children and young people in the care of the Local Authority. 

CYPMHS offers advice and support for stress, low mood and depression, anxiety, self-harm or difficult to manage behaviors and support for neurodevelopmental difficulties such as ADHD or ASD. 

Live Well Kent (Emotional and Mental Health Services for Adults) 

  

https://livewellkent.org.uk/ 

0800 567 7699 

info@livewellkent.org.uk 

  

Live Well Kent we can help improve mental and physical health and wellbeing. It is a free service for anyone over 17. 

Dover Counselling Service 

  

01304 204123 

https://dovercc.org.uk/ 

To support those who might be feeling anxious or depressed for a variety of reasons. Offering support and a safe place to talk about how you are feeling, in confidence, and without being judged.  

Children's Health and Wellbeing Navigation 

Chloe Bunnett 

Children’s Health and Wellbeing Navigator 

chloe.bunnett@involvekent.org.uk 

  

Lydden Surgery        

114 Canterbury Road, Lydden Dover       

CT15 7ET 

  

Whitecliffs Medical Centre 

Mill Lane, 

Dover 

CT15 7QQ 

  

https://www.involvekent.org.uk/copy-of-social-prescribing 

  

A hybrid role combining the functions of social prescribing, care navigation and care coordination 

  

  • Support families to identify what matters most to them, set goals with a holistic action plan, and connect to peer support, groups, services and apps to build resilience 

  • Collate and provide information and signposting ensuring access to support from statutory services, community resources and inclusive activities. 

  • Ensure children, young people and their families know what to do and who to contact if problems escalate or in crisis 

  • Engage with children and their families to build an active profile of their clinical and social journey 

  • Become an Information centre for the patient, their family and colleagues across multiple organisations to ensure a seamless, holistic approach to their personalised plan 

  

Kent Resilience Hub  

  

https://kentresiliencehub.org.uk/ 

  

Targeted support available for young people attending HeadStart Kent schools and some universal services and resources available. 

Talents and interests grants: https://kentresiliencehub.org.uk/schools-and-communities/grants/ 

Pay it forward grants:https://kentresiliencehub.org.uk/schools-and-communities/grants/ 

Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust (KMPT) 

  

https://www.kmpt.nhs.uk/services/ 

searchable directory of local services 

  

0800 0113474 (single point of access number) 

  

Referral email: nem-tr.kentchildrenandyoungpeoplehealthservices@nhs.net 

  

Single point of Access (SPA) referral line for Mental Health Services 

Mental health services for people aged over 14 living in Kent and Medway. Services are more specialised than services provided by your GP. Most of the mental health services are more provided through: 

  • Community based teams 

  • Outpatient clinics 

  • Inpatient units 

North East London Foundation Trust - NELFT 

www.nelft.nhs.uk 

NELFT are the provider of all age eating disorder services and child and adolescent mental health services across Kent and Medway. 

School Health Services 

https://www.kentcht.nhs.uk/service/school-health/ 

0800 0113474 kchft.schoolhealth@nhs.net 

The teams are led by school nurses who are qualified nurses, with specialist training in public health. They are supported by school staff nurses, assistant practitioners, public health assistants and an administration team. 

They work closely with health visitors, community paediatricians, schools, and other services from local communities in a range of locations, including mainstream schools and special schools and outreach services. 

Salus Group  

Children and young people: 

https://salusgroup.org.uk/service-type/children-young-people/ 

  

Family Support: 

https://salusgroup.org.uk/service-type/families/ 

Salus offer a diverse range of programmes to support the needs of children and young people. This can be in school, the community or at home. 

  

Salus delivers a range of support to families with a focus on emotional health, well-being, and practical support. 

We are With You (formally Addaction) 

https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/ 

01795 500881 

Support for young people 

We are continuing to take referrals into 1:1/Specialist Treatment service for young people wanting to address their substance use or make changes. Appointments are held via video chat or telephone due to the current situation. 

Parents and families 

Our Parent Partnership Programme has never been busier, and we are supporting lots of families across Kent during this concerning time. Families can call for 'drop in' style support or refer for scheduled sessions 

We Are With You also have a webchat where YP or families can get help and advice online  support instantly if they are worried about their own or someone else's drinking or drug use or their mental health. 

Porchlight 

https://www.porchlight.org.uk/ 

0800 567 7699 

Working across the South East to help vulnerable and isolated people get support, for ages 17 and over 

Health and wellbeing services – Mental Health, Primary Care community link service, Aspirations, Community Inclusion and Mentoring, Jobs, education and training 

Housing Services – Routh Sleeper Service, adult support accommodation, Specialist supported housing, homelessness prevention. 

Kent Young Carers 

https://www.imago.community/Children-and-Young-People/Kent-Young-Carers 

0300 111 1110 

Support for children who have caring duties.  Kent Young Carers is the countywide service for Young Carers aged 5-18 across Kent.  Young Carers are taking on caring responsibilities for a family member with a long-term illness, disability, mental health or substance misuse issue.  

The BeYou Project 

https://thebeyouproject.co.uk/ 

beyou@porchlight.org.uk 

The BeYou Project, offered by Porchlight, connects young people in Kent who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or unsure of their sexual orientation and / or gender identity. 

BeYou offers a safe, welcoming and non-judgemental space where young LGBT+ people can meet to socialise, have fun and help each other. 

Everyturn  

  

https://www.everyturn.org/talking-therapies/locations/kent/ 

  

0300 555 5555 

  

kent@everyturn.org 

  

Our Kent counselling and talking therapies service is free and available to anyone aged 17.5+ and registered with a GP in East Kent, Dartford, Gravesham, Swanley, or Swale. 

KOOTH Counselling 

To create an account any young person can go to: www.kooth.com and enter some basic information. 

  

Email kent@xenzone.com to find out more. 

Kooth, from XenZone, is an online counselling and emotional well-being platform for children and young people 10 -16 years, accessible virtually free at the point of use. Young people can access text-based chats with a counsellor safely, anonymously and for free. There is also a range of self-help resources including a magazine, forums and an activity hub. results.  

Kooth staff can also provide resources and training for free to anyone in Kent that works with young people.  

Mary Dolly Foundation  

020 8315 0595 

info@marydollyfoundation.org.uk 

The Mary Dolly Foundation | Counselling & Therapeutic Facilities Bromley 

In collaboration with Kent Violence Reduction Unit, The Mary Dolly Foundation is offering one to one remote counselling support delivered by qualified and experienced practitioners. Young people from the ages of 16-25 can access weekly remotely delivered sessions and engage with neutral individual to simply talk about their feelings, goals and aims. Their role will be able to plan on how to achieve these. 

Kent Community Health Trust – Chat Heath  

https://www.kentcht.nhs.uk/service/school-health/counselling-and-emotional-health/ 

Chat on 07520 618850 

Chat Health is a text service for 11-19 years. Young people can text with a member of their team about any physical or emotional health concerns they have. This service is available Monday to Friday, 9am. This service is confidential and anonymous. 

Kent Community Health Trust – CYP Counselling Services  

https://www.kentcht.nhs.uk/forms/school-health-service-referral-form/ 

Up to six counselling sessions are available for young people aged 11-19. These sessions can help a young person gain understanding and develop strategies to help them feel better. For primary school aged children, the child can have six sessions with a counsellor, or if more appropriate, parents can have six weekly sessions with advice on practical, easy to use strategies. The services are also extended to include bereavement counselling for those aged 4-19 who have been bereaved as a result of the Coronavirus. These sessions can be offered via video link, phone or in person.   

Dandelion Time 

http://www.dandeliontime.org.uk 

Dandelion Time can only accept referrals from professionals such as Early Help, Social Workers, GP, Schools, or other professional agencies. If you are a parent seeking support, please ask a professional who knows your child/children best to contact us regarding a possible referral.  Dandelion Time is most suited to children/young people aged 6 – 13 with past experiences of trauma. 

Kent Skills and Employability Team 

https://www.kelsi.org.uk/skills-and-employability 

A range of support services for 14 – 25-year olds into employment, education and training.  

The Education People 

https://www.theeducationpeople.org/our-expertise/specialist-employment/ 

Delivered by Kent Supported Employment, their Specialist Employment service provides a range of services from school employability and work experience programs to supporting students and adult jobseekers into work experience, supported internships, supported apprenticeships, self-employment and paid employment.  They hold specialist knowledge and experience of services for SEND students, other vulnerable learner groups and adults with a disability or disadvantage. 

CXK 

https://www.cxk.org 

Inspiring people to thrive.  Providing training courses, development programme and emotional support, advice and guidance to young people to develop the skills and confidence to take their next steps. 

Inspire Project 

Inspire Project (dover.gov.uk) 

 The Inspire project is open to young people aged 4-18 who have a lack of oppertunity or challenging circumstance. The activity pays for them to do an activity of their choice for up to 24 weeks. 

Dover Smart Project 

01304 790223 

mail@doversmartproject.co.uk 

Dover Smart Project – LOCAL CHARITY TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH ART & CREATIVITY 

Young Carers Club every Saturday in Smart Gallery, 3 Waterloo Crescent, Dover.  

For carers aged 5 to 18 years old. 

  

 

Support for both Children & Families 

 

Service  

Contact 

Details  

Reconnect 

  

If you have any questions, please contact the Reconnect team at the email address: reconnect.kentcyp@kent.gov.uk.  

  

Reconnect is a community-led programme designed to get Kent’s children and young people back to enjoying the activities and opportunities they took part in before COVID-19 – as well as the chance to try new things along the way. 

  

After a year of staying in, it's time to get out there and Reconnect with the things you've missed over the past 12 months. There are lots of fun activities and events going on across the county, so find something that interests you and have fun! 

https://local.kent.gov.uk/kb5/kent/directory/whats_on.page  

See the Reconnect: Kent children and young people website. We have also created a Reconnect Facebook page 

Dover Children’s Centres 

  

www.facebook.com/doverdistrictcc 

  

For any Children’s Centre query, please call the Dover Early Help number 03000 422998 

  

Each centre offers different services, including: 

  • childcare 

  • early education 

  • training or finding a new job 

  • antenatal classes 

  • baby clinics 

  • support with breastfeeding 

  • support with parenting and speech and language 

  • drop-in sessions for parents and children 

  • services for children with special needs and disabilities 

  • opportunities for families to get involved with volunteering and designing services 

  

Please check with your local children's centre and for their virtual offer. 

https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/childcare-and-pre-school/childrens-centres 

Children's Health and Wellbeing Navigation 

  

Chloe Bunnett 

Children’s Health and Wellbeing Navigator 

chloe.bunnett@involvekent.org.uk 

  

  

Lydden Surgery        

114 Canterbury Road, Lydden Dover       

CT15 7ET 

  

Whitecliffs Medical Centre 

Mill Lane, 

Dover 

CT15 7QQ 

  

https://www.involvekent.org.uk/copy-of-social-prescribing 

  

A hybrid role combining the functions of social prescribing, care navigation and care coordination 

  

  • Support families to identify what matters most to them, set goals with a holistic action plan, and connect to peer support, groups, services and apps to build resilience 

  • Collate and provide information and signposting ensuring access to support from statutory services, community resources and inclusive activities. 

  • Ensure children, young people and their families know what to do and who to contact if problems escalate or in crisis 

  • Engage with children and their families to build an active profile of their clinical and social journey 

  • Become an Information centre for the patient, their family and colleagues across multiple organisations to ensure a seamless, holistic approach to their personalised plan 

Home-start Dover District 

 http://www.home-startdoverdistrict.org.uk/ 

  

Home-Start Dover District is a voluntary organisation that is committed to promoting the welfare of families with at least one child under five years of age. Volunteers offer regular support, friendship and practical help to families under stress in their own homes helping to prevent family crisis and breakdown. 

North East London Foundation Trust - NELFT 

  

www.nelft.nhs.uk 

NELFT are the provider of all age eating disorder services and child and adolescent mental health services across Kent and Medway. 

School Health Services 

  

https://www.kentcht.nhs.uk/service/school-health/ 

0800 0113474 

kchft.schoolhealth@nhs.net 

  

The teams are led by school nurses who are qualified nurses, with specialist training in public health. They are supported by school staff nurses, assistant practitioners, public health assistants and an administration team. 

They work closely with health visitors, community paediatricians, schools and other services from local communities in a range of locations, including mainstream schools and special schools and outreach services. 

Salus Group  

  

Children and young people: 

https://salusgroup.org.uk/service-type/children-young-people/ 

Family Support: 

https://salusgroup.org.uk/service-type/families/ 

 
 

Salus offer a diverse range of programmes to support the needs of children and young people. This can be in school, the community or at home. 

Salus delivers a range of support to families with a focus on emotional health, well-being and practical support. 

Kent Young Carers 

  

https://www.imago.community/Children-and-Young-People/Kent-Young-Carers 

0300 111 1110 

  

Support for children who have caring duties.  Kent Young Carers is the countywide service for Young Carers aged 5-18 across Kent.  Young Carers are taking on caring responsibilities for a family member with a long-term illness, disability, mental health, or substance misuse issue.  

Dandelion Time 

 http://www.dandeliontime.org.uk 

  

Dandelion Time can only accept referrals from professionals such as Early Help, Social Workers, GP, Schools, or other professional agencies. If you are a parent seeking support, please ask a professional who knows your child/children best to contact us regarding a possible referral.  Dandelion Time is most suited to children/young people aged 6 – 13 with past experiences of trauma. 

Kent Adult Education – Family Learning  

businesssupportteam@kent.gov.uk 

 03000 415888 

Courses include a variety of FREE Family Learning Courses: as well as other payable courses

BeChange 

Ackholt Road, Aylesham, Kent CT3 3AJ, UK 

01304 840134 

enquiries@bechange.org.uk 

BeChange – Bechange works with adults, families and young people who need support to make lasting change to reach positive futures 

  

Bechange works with communities throughout the Dover District, providing support with: Skills and employment, Finance and housing and Families and relationships. Bechange’s Support Workers provide individual and group support, listening to all the needs of a client and addressing those needs, not just focusing on one area of their life. 

Inspire Project 

Inspire Project (dover.gov.uk) 

  

  

The Inspire project is open to young people aged 4-18 who have a lack of oppertunity or challenging circumstance. The activity pays for them to do an activity of their choice for up to 24 weeks. 

Healthy Start  

Healthy Start - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 

If you are pregnant or have a child under 4, the Healthy Start scheme can help you buy basic foods like milk or fruit. For more information and how to claim, visit the website.  

United Families UK  

United Families UK 

United Families UK support families that have separated as well as providing support for school uniforms, food banks and fuel poverty. 

Free School Meals  

Free school meals - Kent County Council 

If your child is under 19 and in full-time education, you may be able to get free school meals for them. The quickest and easiest way to apply for school meals is to apply online. 

Dover Smart Project  

 01304 790223  

mail@doversmartproject.co.uk

Dover Smart Project – LOCAL CHARITY TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH ART & CREATIVITY 

Young Carers Club every Saturday in Smart Gallery, 3 Waterloo Crescent, Dover.  

For carers aged 5 to 18 years old. 

  

 

 

Special Educational Needs & Disabilities 

 

Service  

Contact  

 Details 

Information, Advice and Support Kent (IASK) 

  

https://www.iask.org.uk/ 

03000 41 3000 

iask@kent.gov.uk 

  

Supporting families of children and young people (0-25) with special educational needs or disabilities with advice re the Statutory Assessment process and annual reviews.   

Kent Autistic Trust 

  

https://www.kentautistictrust.org/ 

01634 405168 

  

Services include: 

  • Domiciliary Care/ Support Living 

  • Day/Resource Centres 

  • Outreach 

  • Respite 

  • Family Support 

  • Family support groups 

  • Children support groups 

  • Social Skills Groups 

Special Educational Needs  

  

https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/special-educational-needs 

  

https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/special-educational-needs/what-to-do-if-you-think-your-child-has-send 

  

The SEND Local Offer tells families what support is available for children and young people with SEND. Kent’s Local Offer is being reviewed and updated as a part of the SEND Improvement Programme. One of the improvements is an online tool called, Explore your options. This handy online tool helps families explore what are the right options for them if they think their child may have SEND and depending on the answers given offers a range of options for support 

  

Here is the link for the ASD page which has links to other organisations on it: 

Autism spectrum condition - Kent County Council 

  

And here is the link to the page which has the Kent ASD handbook: 

Information for families about autism and ADHD - Kent County Council 

Cygnet Parenting Support Programme 

 www.barnardos-parenting.org.uk 

  

A parenting programme for parents and carers of children and young people aged 5-18 with an autistic spectrum condition. 

Includes Us 2 

Family Support Partnership Service 

 www.facebook.com/IncludesUs2 

Call 07525589321  

Or email: familysupport@includesus2.org.uk 

  

  

The Family Support Partnership is a new service specifically for parents/carers of children with a disability or SEN by providing a tailored package of support for up to 12 weeks. The project is funded by the National Lottery and delivered in partnership with the charities Includes Us 2, For Us Too and Space 2 Be Me.  The service is being offered across Includes Us 2: Ashford, Folkestone & Hythe, Dover. 

The Education People 

 https://www.theeducationpeople.org/our-expertise/specialist-employment/ 

  

Delivered by Kent Supported Employment, their Specialist Employment service provides a range of services from school employability and work experience programs to supporting students and adult jobseekers into work experience, supported internships, supported apprenticeships, self-employment and paid employment.  They hold specialist knowledge and experience of services for SEND students, other vulnerable learner groups and adults with a disability or disadvantage. 

Shaw Trust  

Home - Shaw Trust 

Provides support and high quality employability programmes and complementary services for people with complex needs, challenging life circumstances or other barriers that impact on access to work.  

Bright Shadow's Zest Groups  

01227 467272 

info@brightshadow.org.uk 

https://brightshadow.org.uk/zestsessions/zest-community-groups/ 

Offer two-hour per week creative sessions for people living with and affected by dementia, providing stimulation, companionship and support in four warm community venues. 

SignHealth  

Text: 078600 33214 
Email: info@signhealth.org.uk 
Call: 020 3947 2600 

Or to call via SignVideo visit their webpage:  

Contact SignHealth - SignHealth 

Supporting deaf people with psychological therapy, domestic abuse support, social care, advocacy, young people and campaigns.