Kinship local offer

Support for children and young people

Children in kinship care can use the same services as other children and families.

Some children may need extra help. This can be because they have been through difficult experiences before moving to live with their kinship carer.

Contents 

Healthy Child Programme

The Healthy Child Programme helps children and young people stay healthy from birth to age 19.

You can get support with:

  • health checks
  • vaccinations
  • child development
  • healthy lifestyles
  • parenting advice

The programme is provided by Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT).

Find out more from the HDFT Children’s Health Service website.

You can also download the Growing Healthy app.

Speak to an E-School nurse

If you are worried about a child or young person's health or wellbeing, you can speak to an E-School Nurse.

The service is for:

  • parents
  • carers
  • professionals supporting children and young people aged 5 to 19

Appointments take place online through a private and secure video call. 

Book an appointment

Telephone 01228 603 973, 
between Monday to Friday, from 8am to 4pm.

Holiday Activities and Food programme

The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme offers free activities during school holidays.

You can use this service if:

  • your child gets free school meals
  • you are a kinship carer looking after a relative's or friend's child

Find out more about the HAF programme and how to book activities.

Stay safe online

New apps, games and social media can change quickly.

If you want help to keep your child safe online, visit the Westmorland and Furness Safeguarding Children Partnership website. 

Best Start Family Hubs

Best Start Family Hubs support families from pregnancy until children reach their teenage years.

You can get help with:

  • parenting
  • family wellbeing
  • money and benefits
  • Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) services
  • local activities and groups 

Find your nearest Best Start Family Hub on the Family Help website.

Contact the Family Hub team.

Kooth: online mental health support

Kooth is a free online service for young people aged 10 to 19.

It is confidential, which means what you say is kept private. You can also use it anonymously if you do not want to share your name.

Young people can:

  • get support for emotional wellbeing
  • read helpful articles
  • join discussion forums
  • chat with trained counsellors
  • book counselling sessions

Kooth

Specialist support

Find support for neurodiversity, SEND and emotional wellbeing in the next section of our guide: Specialist support.