Advice for Parents & Carers

There are numerous organisations with websites that can be useful to parents and carers.

Please click on the drop-down menus to find more information.

Addiction Support (click to expand)

Rehab4Addiction offer a range of services, and help signpost to the most effective treatments. This includes alcohol rehab, drug rehab, detox services, intervention, aftercare and outpatient counselling.  Visit their website: https://www.rehab4addiction.co.uk/country-wide/drug-alcohol-rehab-chatham

Autism Resources (click to expand)

Autism Alert Cards

This card has been designed to enable those who carry it to identify themselves as Autistic and to alert the police and other emergency services when required.

Autistic individuals may present unusually to those without an understanding of autism.

This could cause unnecessary stress and difficulty both for the autistic individual and the person interacting with them.

The card highlights how the bearer may have difficulties in talking and listening and may show signs of unusual behaviour.

This will alert the emergency services that the card holder may have difficulty communicating and may appear anxious in unfamiliar surroundings or exhibit behaviour which, to the unaware, may seem strange and could be misinterpreted.

It also includes a named contact, who can offer their support to help police, fire, ambulance, hospital and other key public service professionals better understand autism and their approach. The card is likely to be of most benefit to those who access the community independently but could be helpful for those who usually have the support of a carer or parent particularly if they were lost. It is available to all ages, but the applicant needs to have a formal diagnosis to apply for the card.

Visit their website: https://www.katfamilysupport.co.uk/autism-alert-cards

Cancer Support (click to expand)

Fruitfly Collective is an approved programme which aims to help Parents/Carers who have received a diagnosis of cancer, helping them to navigate family life & to support their children after a cancer diagnosis.
 
Fruitfly Collective are a team of experts who are either living with cancer or providing cancer care or parenting support.

Cost of Living Support (click to expand)

FOODBANK

We are registered with Foodbank and are able to provide the vouchers needed to access this service. There is a limit as to how often they are able to support each family.

However, please do get in touch with us if you would like a referral or further detail. There are a number of foodbank schemes locally open on different days and times.

Visit this link to find your most local in Medway: https://medway.foodbank.org.uk/locations/

SECOND CHANCE MEDWAY

Second Chance Charity Medway has a food project where food can be purchased at a fraction of the supermarket

This project is available by appointment only Monday to Friday – phone 01634 408840

Visit their website: https://www.2ndchancemedway.org/

School Uniforms

BRADFIELDS ACADEMY

We offer second-hand school uniform items for a donation.  Please email kerry.cramer@fortistrust.co.uk or ria.simmons@fortistrust.co.uk

Government Benefits (click to expand)

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) + Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

You can apply for DLA if you are looking after a child who is under 16 who has difficulties walking or needs more looking after than a child of the same age.

Visit their website: www.gov.uk

You can get PIP if all of the following apply to you:

  • you’re 16 or over
  • you have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability
  • you have difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around
  • you expect the difficulties to last for at least 12 months from when they started

Visit their website: https://www.gov.uk/pip/eligibility

Healthy Living (click to expand)

Mental Health Services (click to expand)

  • Mind is a website providing expert advice and support related to mental health issues and learning disabilities.  Visit their website: www.mind.org.uk
  • Medway Primary Care Psychological Therapies, Tel: 01634 841524. Visit their website: https://www.kmpt.nhs.uk/
  • Kent and Medway Single Point of Access is a form to seek advice and support on appropriate services. This is also the number to call if a child or young person needs urgent mental health support – 0800 011 3474.  Visit their website: https://apps.nelft.nhs.uk/SPA-KentMedway-Support

  • Text the word “Medway” to 85258 – Shout crisis text line for people of all ages needing immediate mental health support.

  • Kooth is a mental health and wellbeing online platform for CYP aged 10-25 across Medway to access qualified counsellors.  Visit their website: www.kooth.com

  • Emerge – helpline for anxiety, self-harm or suicidal thoughts on 07983 136 215, available 7-11pm Monday to Friday evenings. Referral to: hellomedway@emergeadvocacy.com
  • Together All for those aged 16+ for anonymous support.  Visit their website: https://togetherall.com/en-gb
  • Parents Helpline: 0808 802 5544 (Monday to Friday 9.30am – 4pm, free for mobiles and landlines).  Visit the Young Minds website: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/
  • Childline – Call 0800 1111 access to live chats, toolkits and information and advice.  Visit their website: https://www.childline.org.uk/

Money Management (click to expand)

If you would like advice on managing your finances, please see the agencies below, who you can contact directly to seek support.

  • Christians Against Poverty – Visit their website: https://capuk.org
  • Step Change  – Free advice to manage your debt, including a debt management plan or voluntary repay arrangements.  Visit their website: www.stepchange.org
  • Foodbank – If you are experiencing difficulties with purchasing food then up to three vouchers can be provided for food parcels for your family, food parcels generally last approximately three days. Please contact the Parent and Carer Partnership Team for confidential support on 01634 683990

Online Safety (click to expand)

Practical Parenting Guides (click to expand)

Kooth have created the below practical guides and a video to help Parents & Carers.

  • Supporting your child during difficult times: a practical guide for parents and carers
  • How to talk to your children about their feelings
  • FAQ guide to Kooth for parents and carers

Below are joint NAHT and Family Action guides which are based on the latest research about what helps children to succeed at school

  • Giving your child a helping hand – This guide is to assist Parents & Carers help their child learn in and out of the home, at school etc.
  • Preparing for change at school – Change will happen throughout your child’s time at school; some will be easy and some harder. Change can affect both your child and the rest of the family. With the right support at home and school, you can help your child to succeed through these changes.
  • Ready to Learn – This guide is to assist Parents & Carers in helping their child get the most out of school.

Going out for the day or on holiday?

Parent & Carer Support Services (click to expand)

  • The Medway Parents and Carers Forum is a group formed to help bring together the parents, families and carers of children and young people with a variety of additional needs to have a voice within Medway.  Visit their website: https://medwaypcf.org.uk/
  • The Family and Childcare Trust is a website aiming to make the UK a better place for families, through research, campaigning and information provision, and working with government, employers and parents to reduce pressures on family life.  Visit their website: http://www.familyandchildcaretrust.org
  • Gingerbread is a website providing expert advice, practical support and campaigning for single parents.  Visit their website: www.gingerbread.org.uk
  • Carers First is a charity supporting adult and young Carers, a Carer being anyone who provides unpaid support to a loved one. Carers can be of any age and may be looking after a relative including husband or wife, friend or neighbour. We provide emotional and practical support, advice, information, guidance and offer statutory carers assessments, training, events, social groups, short break respite, activities trips and more.  Visit their website: www.carersfirst.org.uk
  • Kent Autistic Trust offers coffee mornings, emails, groups, telephone support, and help to apply for benefits and grants.  Visit their website: www.kentautistic.com
  • SEND Online Safety Hub – NSPCC have has launched a new SEND online safety hub to help support parents and carers who have children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. The hub has a range of practical tips and advice on topics such as talking to people online and wellbeing.  Visit their website: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/