Children and families

Concerns about a child

If you think a child may be in danger and in need of protection, find out how to raise your concern.

SEND Local Offer

Information for children and young people with additional educational needs.

Childcare

Find childminders, day nurseries, nursery schools, out of school care and other childcare services in your area.

Family Information Service

Providing information and advice on childcare, activities, entitlements and services for families with children aged 0 to 19 years (or 25 years if the young person has a disability or additional need) in Westmorland and Furness.

Family Help

Trusted information on everything from parenting and early years support to health, well-being, childcare and the SEND Local Offer.

Best Start Family Hubs

Best Start Family Hubs offer a range of services and activities to help families from pregnancy through to adulthood, making it easier to get the right help at the right time.

Help with childcare costs

Depending on how old your child is, you may be able to access between 15 and 30 hours government funded childcare. The help you can get also depends on whether you are working or receiving certain benefits.

15 and 30 hours childcare support

Below you can find details of the free childcare schemes. Each scheme has different eligibility rules so it’s important to check which is is right for you.

Become a foster carer

Get support if you're a foster carer of a child or young person, or thinking of fostering.

Youth homelessness

Information for young people, or other people trying to help a young person, at risk of homelessness.

Adoption

Becoming an adoptive parent and adoption support.