> top
Q. How do I find out the name and address of my Health Visitor/Midwife?
A. Contact your GP surgery and they will advise you who your Health Visitor or Midwife is.
Q. What do Sure Start Centres/Children's Centres do?
A. Children Centre's provide integrated childcare and education; health services; family
support; and access to Job Centre Plus. Contact the Families Information Service on 01429
284284 for further information
Q. How do I claim my maternity pack?
A. Your midwife will tell you how to claim your maternity pack.
Q. How do I claim Child Benefit?
A. If you telephone the Child Benefit helpline on 0845 3021444, they will tell you
how you can claim Child Benefit.
Q. What is the benefit enquiry helpline number?
A. The benefit enquiry helpline number is 0800 882200.
> top
Q. Can I claim Working Tax Credits if I only work 16 hours?
A. Working Tax Credit tops up the earnings of working people (employed or self-employed)
on low incomes, including those who do not have children. There is also additional financial
help with costs for qualifying childcare. For further information you can telephone
0845 300 3900.
Q. What is the contact number for Child Tax Credit helpline?
A. The telephone number for the Child Tax Credit helpline is 0845 300 3900.
Q. How do I contact Job Centre Plus?
A. Job Centre Plus can be contacted either by telephone on 0845 600 2808
or via their website: www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
Q. What Children's Activities are there in Hartlepool?
A. Details of the activities can be found by choosing:
Q. What Children's Activities are on in the school holidays?
A. Details of the activities can be found by choosing:
> top
Q. Do you know of any dance, drama or football schools available for children/youths?
A. Details of the activities can be found by choosing:
Q. Can my child attend any school that I choose?
A. Hartlepool Borough Council has a school admissions procedure, contact the School
Admissions Team for further details on 01429 266522.
Q. What are the catchment areas for schools?
A. School catchment areas can change from time to time. For the most up-to-date
information please contact the School Admissions Team on 01429 266522.
Q. What events are on in the libraries, e.g. read and rhyme?
A. Further information on the services / activities provided by the Library Service can
be found in the Children's, Young People's or Parent's/Carer's zones to find out more
please select 'Libraries' from any of the links provided.
Q. What do PATCH do?
A. PATCH offer support to families and young parents; loan home safety and baby
equipment to young parents; and also, parent and toddler groups. Contact PATCH
for further information on 01429 862727.
> top
Q. Do you have the contact details for local colleges?
A. Yes. Hartlepool has 3 main Further Education Colleges:
Q. I am 17 years old - can I have my childcare paid if I stay on at school or college?
A. If you are under 19, Care to Learn will pay for childcare costs while you learn, are
on placement, study or travel. Contact the Care to Learn helpline on 0845 600 2809
(local call rate) or visit their website: www.dfes.gov.uk/caretolearn
Q. How can I access training or attend college?
A. Contact your local connexions service on 01429 275501 or visit their
website: www.connexions-direct.com
Q. How do I go about adopting my step-daughter?
A. You will need to seek Independent legal advice and contact the local
authority Duty Team who will make a referral to the Fostering and Adoption
team for you. They can be reached on, 01429 523872.
Q. Am I too old to be a foster carer?
A. Foster parents of all ages are needed. More information on fostering can be
found on www.hartlepool.gov.uk/fostering or contact the Fostering and
Adoption team on 01429 523872.
> top
Q. How do I go about registering to foster children?
A. You can contact the Fostering and Adoption team on 01429 523872
or for more information on fostering visit the local authority
website www.hartlepool.gov.uk/fostering.
Q. Are there any counselling services for children aged 10 years old?
A. details on support services including counselling can be found
by choosing the 'Family Support or Support Groups' from the various
zones: Children's, Young people's, Parent/Carer's.
Q. How do I register my child's birth?
A. Contact the Hartlepool Register Office on 01429 236369.
Q. I want to send my child to Nursery, How do I go about it?
A. Contact the School directly, as they deal with their own admissions to Nursery School.
Q. How do I access the Nursery Education Grant?
A. The Nursery Education Grant is dealt with by your childcare provider.
Contact the Families Information Service on 01429 284284 for information on
providers offering the Nursery Education Grant or further information on how
the Nursery Education grant works.
> top
Q. Are there any support groups for young people, e.g. alcoholics, drug users, substance mis-use, etc.?
A. There are a number of organisations that can offer help and support
for more information visit the 'Support Group' section of the Young People's zone
or the 'Advice and Information' section Parent/Carer zone.
Q. Do Hartlepool Borough Council run any playschemes?
A. Hartlepool Borough Council run 4 holiday playschemes for 4 weeks of the
school summer holidays. For further information and an application pack contact
the Families Information Service on 01429 284284.
Q. How do I make a complaint about a registered childcare provider?
A. Contact Ofsted on 0845 6404040.
Q. How do I make a complaint about an unregistered childcare provider?
A. Complaints and concerns about unregistered child care providers can be
made to the Families Information Services on 01429 284284. During out of
office hours an answer phone service is provided.
Q. My child is disabled, is there any support available?
A. Details of support groups can be found in 'Family Support' section the Parent/Carer zone.
> top
Q. How do I deal with dyslexia?
A. To obtain further Information on support groups please select the 'Support Groups'
section in either the Children's Zone or the the Young people's Zone. If you
are a Parent / Carer it can be located by selecting the 'Family Support' section
in the Parent/Carer zone.
Q. My 10 year old is due to attend secondary school in September and I need some more information on available schools, will I have the option of an alternative school?
A. Hartlepool Borough Council have a school admissions procedure, contact the
School Admissions Team for further details on 01429 266522.
Q. My parents argue a lot. Last week I came home to find dad hitting mum. Where can I find help?
A. You can contact Childline on 0800 1111 for free confidential advice,
or find out more information through their website: www.childline.org.uk/Domesticviolence.asp
Or
There is local Outreach Service which can offer support. Further details on
this service can be found in the Support Groups/ Domestic Violence section
of the Young Peoples zone or the Children's Zone.
Q. I think my friend's parents are abusing him. Where can we I find help for him?
A. You can find helpful advise on the Childline website: www.childline.org.uk/childabuse.asp
Or
The NSPCC helpline offers help to anyone who is concerned about a child or young person.
You can also report abuse.
Helpline: 0800 800 5000
NSPCC Direct Services Assessment & Treatment Service
Offer services for families affected by sexual abuse.
Address: 31 Park Road South, Middlesbrough, TS5 6LE
Telephone: (01642) 856400
Helpline: 0800 800 5000
Email: teeside@nspcc.org.uk
Work to prevent children suffering harm and to aid their recovery from child abuse.
Appointment needed. Contact can be made by telephone or in writing. Self referral or
through a professional
OR
If the situation is urgent you can contact the local authority Duty Team on
01429 523872 or out of office hours there is an Emergency Duty Team who can be
reached on 08702 402994.
> top
Q. I am concerned about my child's development. Is there anyone I can talk to about my concerns?
A. If your concerns are about a young child you can always seek advice
from your Health Visitor.
If you no longer see your health visitor on a regular basis or prefer
there is A Parent Advice Service offered by qualified and experienced social
workers from the Acorn Therapeutic Team.
Any parent who has a concern about their child's behaviour, emotional
welfare, or any general parenting issues, can contact staff for an informal
and confidential discussion.
Advice and support is also available to parents who's child has special educational needs.
More detailed information on the services available visit the Hartlepool Borough Council website: www.hartlepool.gov.uk/site/parentadvice
Q. How can I get the bullies to leave me alone?
A. There are many things that can be done. Both the Children's Zone and Young People's Zone
hold information that can help you. Please select the 'Family Support'
sections in either zone to find out more.
Q. I've recently found out I'm adopted. How do I trace my birth parents?
A. After Adoption is an organisation who may be able to help. More information about
this organisation can be obtained by selecting the 'Support Group' section within the
Young People's Zone.