Help for parents and carers
Being a parent isn’t easy. You watch your children grow up, and help them learn to be independent, it is also really hard work. It can feel especially hard if your child's mood and behaviour seem different and you're not sure why, or what you can do to help. But you are not alone.
When a young person opens up to you about how they are feeling, or tells you about something they are struggling with, you might find the conversation tough and it can feel difficult to know what to say. This reaction is normal. It shows you care for that person and want to help them - it’s part of our nature to want to support others and this is something you should be proud of.
You might feel like it’s your responsibility alone to help them. But there are ways you can help and find people who can support you too so that you don’t feel overwhelmed and under pressure.
Regardless of your situation, tell someone you trust and ask for support, we are here
Local services working together: The bigger picture
Mersey Care is a provider of services to young people and families within the Cheshire and Merseyside NHS ‘Level Up’ project.
The partners are
- Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
- Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
Cygnet Health Care and Priory Healthcare.
Crisis Response Team
A 24 hour service for children and young people registered with a GP in Halton, Knowsley, St Helens and Warrington, up to age 18 years.
They provide advice, consultation and support, including emergency assessments and follow-ups.
Contact the team by calling NHS 111 and select the mental health option.
A mental health professional will listen to your concerns and develop a plan to best meet your needs. This could include a mental health assessment, referral for assessment, referral to a mental health service, referral to your local psychological therapy service or referrals for support with social care needs.
Accident and Emergency
The A&E Emergency Department is for serious immediate life threatening physical injuries which need hospital treatment.
For urgent medical help use NHS 111 online service or call 111.
Getting risk support
We are all responsible for the safety of the children and young people.
All those involved with a child or young person need to be part of their risk support plan so that everyone works together.
Speak to the person providing your support. This may be:
- Social workers
- Police
- Ambulance and fire services, Accident and Emergency
- School or college
- Response Team
- GP
- Community Nurses
- Safeguarding Team
- NHS 111
- Crisis Help Line
- Youth Workers.
These groups are for anyone using any of our children and young people’s mental health services. If you would like to come along, please speak to a member of staff at your appointment.
Anna Freud Centre
Provides lots of resources and information to help children, young people and families manage their mental health and wellbeing. Includes lots of self-help tools and strategies.
Autism central online support
A new website has been launched by NHS England to ensure autistic people, and their families and carers can access support when they need it.
This is a new, free education programme which aims to build knowledge and understanding of autism and empower families to advocate for autistic people to ensure they git the right care and support.
The website has information on topics such as diagnosis, employment, mental health and signposting to resources.
Website - www.autismcentral.org.uk
Axess
- Sexual health clinic for 19 and under
- Offer free sexual health advice and information.
- Offer clinic examination, testing and treatment for STIs
- Offer contraception and provide free condoms
- Offers free pregnancy testing.
** Butterfly – is a free and confidential sexual health clinic for trans and non-binary
Telephone – 0300 323 1300
Barnados
Offer support to LAC in Halton. Provide advice, guidance and practical support for young people and their parents/carers to help with mental wellbeing.
Butterflies
Support for young people who have suffered a bereavement
Catch 22
Social enterprise with services that build resilience and aspiration in young people.
Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP)
For worries about online sexual abuse or how someone is communication with you online, contact Child Protection Advisers safely and securely.
Early Intervention Foundation
Additional support for children and families, including mental health programmes, childcare and parenting support.
Family Link – The nurturing programme
The Nurturing Programme is a 10- week parenting programme that improves the emotional health of both adults and children and strengthens family relationships.
The programme is for parents of children of all ages. It works particularly well for the 3-12 year range, as we have other age-specific programmes. It also works very well with parents of children with additional needs and parents in prison. An adapted version incorporating Islamic values for Muslim parents is available.
They provide high quality training courses and resources for professionals working with families, parents and carers including foster carers and adoptive parents in a variety of settings.
Telephone – 01865 401 800
Email – info@familylinks.org.uk
Henry
Free programme for parents or carer of children aged 0 – 5 years old.
The Henry Healthy Families: Right from the start programme is running locally.
Offer parenting confidence, physical activities for little ones, advice on children's food groups, first foods and portions, and managing behaviours and ideas to help children develop and learn.
The programme covers 5 themes across 8 weeks.
Telephone – 01865 302973
Hollie Guard
Personal safety app – available on Apple store and Google play
If in danger you can tap or shake phone which activates Hollie Guard, alerting your nominated emergency contact with your location and video/audio evidence.
Will allow you to send a quick and instant check-in notification to your emergency contact to alert you have arrived at your destination.
It enables user to activate a discreet alarm to a police-approved 24/7 immediate response service.
Email – info
Mind
Resources for young people aged 11-18 years who are experiencing difficulties with their mental health. Website here.
Samaritans Access confidential emotional support at any time from Samaritans either by calling 116 123 or emailing jo
NHS Healthy Start
Helps young families on low incomes to access healthy food, milk and vitamins.
Pregnant or have children under the age of four can get payments every four weeks to spend on milk, frozen or tinned fruit and veg, formula milk and vitamins.
Can apply for the NHS health start scheme if your 10 weeks pregnant or have at least one child under the age four.
Telephone – 0300 330 7010
From Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
NSPCC
provide help for children who have experienced abuse and protect children at risk of harm. Provide support for children and young people through Childline. Also a Helpline is available for any adult who is concerned about a child.
Tools4change - The Gateway Programme
Promoting recovery and awareness among victims of domestic abuse
The Gateway Programme is built on the principle of respect and empowerment while raising awareness of the impact and dynamics of controlling relationships.
It’s an accredited and evidence-based programme.
Duration:
- Group course - 6 weeks - 2-hour sessions
- One-to-one - 5 weeks – 1.5 hour sessions
Courses are delivered online via Zoom
Email – admin
Telephone – 07516 738 703
