External Advice and Guidance
External information, guidance and support services available:
Check if this service is available in your area
Growth and Nutrition
Dental
- NHS Guidance – Children’s teeth
- W: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/taking-care-of-childrens-teeth/
Eating Disorders
Growth
Healthy Lifestyles
- NHS Guidance. W: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/
- Freederm – Teen Body Image And Self-esteem – A Practical Guide For Parents
- Change for Life – Fun ideas to help kids stay healthy
- W: https://www.nhs.uk/change4life
Healthy Start
- NHS Guidance – Helps you give your family the best start in life through financial support with milk, infant formula, fruit/vegetables and vitamins.
- W: https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/healthy-start-vouchers/how-to-apply/
Nutrition
- British Dietetic Association
- W: https://www.bda.uk.com/
- Change for Life
- W: https://www.nhs.uk/change4life/about-change4life
- NHS Eatwell
- W: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/the-eatwell-guide/
Suport and Information for Parents and Carers
Baby and Toddler groups
- HOOP
- W: https://hoop.co.uk/features/
Bereavement
- Child Bereavement UK
- W: https://childbereavementuk.org/
- Cruse
- W: https://www.cruse.org.uk/
- Winston Wish
- W: https://www.winstonswish.org/
- Public Health
- W: https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/publications/birth-five
Bottle feeding
- NHS Guidance
- W: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/bottle-feeding-advice/
- W: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/combining-breast-and-bottle/
- W: https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/baby/breastfeeding/expressing-and-bottle-feeding/bottle-feeding/
Breastfeeding
- UNICEF
- W: https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2010/11/otbs_leaflet.pdf
- NHS Start4Life
- W: https://dct.azureedge.net/assets/uploads/file/42e0f13e-345c-4074-94b6-b9dbfc736986.pdf
Choking
- NHS Guidance
- W: https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/accidents-first-aid-and-treatments/what-should-i-do-if-someone-is-choking/
Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy
- NHS Guidance
- W: https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/childrens-health/what-should-i-do-if-i-think-my-baby-is-allergic-or-intolerant-to-cows-milk/
Early Childhood Connect
First Aid
- There are free apps available for download to give lifesaving advice
- St Johns
- W: http://www.sja.org.uk/sja/first-aid-advice/free-mobile-first-aid-app.aspx
- British Red Cross
- W: https://www.nhs.uk/apps-library/baby-and-child-first-aid/
Fostering
- Essex County Council
- W: http://www.essexadoptionandfostering.co.uk/fostering
Immunisations
- GOV UK
- W: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/immunisation
- W: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-quick-guide-to-childhood-immunisation-for-the-parents-of-premature-babies
- W:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/790822/Immunisations_up_to_one_year_A5_booklet_2019.pdf
New Birth
Perinatal Mental Health
- NE Essex CCG
- W: https://neessexccg.nhs.uk/perinatalmentalhealth
Pregnancy and Antenatal
- NHS Guidance
- W: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/
- W: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/antenatal-midwife-care-pregnant/
Shaken Baby
SIDS
- Lullaby Trust
- W: https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-advice/what-is-sids/
Slings
- Lullaby Trust
- W: https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-advice/swaddling-slings/
- Suffolk Babies (North Quadrant)
- W: https://suffolkbabies.co.uk/ipswich-colchester-sling-library/
- Chelmsford Sling Library (Mid Quadrant)
- W: https://www.facebook.com/chelmsfordslinglibrary
TLC – Talk Listen and Cuddle
- An Essex campaign helping parents, carers and families give their young children the best start in life – developing their communication skills through playful learning at home.
- W: https://www.tlc-essex.info/
Health Information and Guidance
Acne
- NHS Guidance
- W: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/acne/
Asthma
- NHS Guidance
- W: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/asthma/
Anaphylaxis
- NHS Guidance
- W: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/anaphylaxis/
Breast Examination (from puberty)
- NHS Guidance
- W: https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/womens-health/how-should-i-check-my-breasts/
- Coppafeel
- W: https://coppafeel.org/our-charity/
Eczema
ERIC
Glasses/Vision
- NHS – Eye tests for Children
- W: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/eye-tests-in-children/
Guide to NHS Services
Illness
- NE Essex CCG
- W: https://neessexccg.nhs.uk/childhood
- Basildon and Brentwood CCG
- W: https://basildonandbrentwoodccg.nhs.uk/your-health/conditions/childhood-illnesses
- Mid Essex CCG
- W: https://midessexccg.nhs.uk/livewell/information-guides/start-well/high-impact-pathways
- 0-4 Southend Child Health
- W: http://www.0-4.southendchildhealth.co.uk/childhood-illnesses.html
- Public Health
- W: https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/publications/birth-five
Medical Conditions
- All conditions
- W: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/
- Anaphylaxis campaign
- W: https://www.anaphylaxis.org.uk
- Asthma UK
- W: www.asthma.org.uk
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- W: https://www.adhdfoundation.org.uk/
- Autism ECC: Who to speak to if you think your child may have autism and support available
- W: https://www.essex.gov.uk/special-educational-needs-and-disabilities
- Children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND): Who to speak to if you think your child may have SEND and support available
- W: https://www.essex.gov.uk/special-educational-needs-and-disabilities
- Essex County Council: Who to speak to if you think your child may have ADHD and support available
- W: https://www.essex.gov.uk/special-educational-needs-and-disabilities
- ECFWS: Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service
- W: https://essexfamilywellbeing.co.uk/service/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd-service/about-attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/#what-should-i-do-if-i-think-my-child-has-adhd
Sexual Health
- Brook
- W: https://www.brook.org.uk/
- eC-Card Scheme:
- W: https://www.essexsexualhealthservice.org.uk/contraception/
- Essex Sexual Health Service
- W: https://www.essexsexualhealthservice.org.uk/for-professionals/
- LGBTQ:
- W: http://www.outhouseeast.org.uk/
Testicular Examination (from puberty)
- Macmillan
- W: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/information-and-support/testicular-cancer/understanding-cancer/testicular-self-examination.html
Sleep Bereavement
- Children’s Sleep Charity
- W: http://www.thechildrenssleepcharity.org.uk/
- Millpond
- W: https://millpondsleepclinic.com/
- Sleep Council
- W: https://sleepcouncil.org.uk/
Behaviour Support Services
Alcohol and Drugs
- Children’s Society
- W: www.childrenssocietyeast.org.uk/eypdas
Behaviour Management
CARA – Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse
- Victims and Survivors of Sexual Violence and Child Sexual Abuse
- W: https://www.essexeffectivesupport.org.uk/media/1077/directory-of-services-200818.pdf
Crime
- Essex Victim Support Services: For anybody affected by crime
- W: https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/help-and-support/get-help/support-near-you/east-england/essex
Domestic Abuse
- Compass: To make a referral, use COMPASS 24/7 Helpline
- W: www.essexcompass.org.uk
- T: 0330 333 7444
- Next Chapter: Provides support services for those experiencing domestic abuse (use COMPASS for referral pathway)
- W: www.thenextchapter.org.uk
- The Hide Out: Women’s Aid have created this space to help children and young people to understand domestic abuse, and how to take positive action if it’s happening to you.
- W: http://thehideout.org.uk/
Gangs
Homelessness
- Living Well Essex – Advice and support for those at risk of being homeless
- W: https://www.livingwellessex.org/at-home/finding-somewhere-to-live/homelessness/
Knife Crime
- Metropolitan Police
- W: https://safe.met.police.uk/knife_crime_and_gun_crime/other_help_and_advice.html
- Childline
- W: https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/crime-law/gun-knife-crime/
Smoking Cessation
- NHS Smoke Free: Consider local support services
- W: www.nhs.uk/smokefree
Vaping
Child and Parent Support Services
Applying for School Places
- Essex County Council – Information for parents and carers on finding a school, applying for a school place and moving schools
- W: https://www.essex.gov.uk/topic/admissions
Benefits
- Living Well Essex – Advice on how to budget, manage debt and claim benefits
- W: https://www.livingwellessex.org/money-and-legal/managing-your-money/
Childcare
- Essex County Council – Help to find a childcare provider and information about support with costs
- W: https://www.essex.gov.uk/topic/early-years-and-childcare
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
- ‘What to expect when’ guide for parents with young children
- W: https://www.actionforchildren.org.uk/resources-and-publications/information-guides/what-to-expect-when-a-parents-guide/
Essex Effective Support
- Directory to help find Support Services in Essex
- W: https://caraessex.org.uk/
Extended Child Entitlement
- Essex County Council – Information about entitlement to 30 hours of free childcare for families with 3 and 4 year olds
- W: https://eycp.essex.gov.uk/funding/30-hours-extended-entitlement/
Freecycle
- Request and offer goods for free
- W: https://www.freecycle.org/
Free Early Education for Two Year Olds
- Essex County Council – Information about entitlement to free early education for some two year olds
- W: https://www.essex.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs
Grants, White goods and Furniture
- Turn 2 Us – Charity providing links to local providers of grants, white goods and furniture
- W: www.turn2us.org.uk
Headlice
- NHS Guidance
- W: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/head-lice-and-nits/
Homestart
- Essex Homestart – Homestart volunteers work alongside families with children aged 0-5 years, to give confidential and compassionate support.
- Mid, West and South
- W: https://home-startessex.org.uk/
- North Essex Homestart
- W: https://www.homestartcolchester.org.uk/
Legal Advice
- Living Well Essex – Help and advice on dealing with local issues, plus places to go for further support
- W: https://www.livingwellessex.org/money-and-legal/legal/
LGBTQ
- Essex Pride – Information and links to further support organisations
- W: https://www.essexpride.org/support/
Managing Money
- Living Well Essex – Advice on how to budget, manage debt and claim benefits
- W: https://www.livingwellessex.org/money-and-legal/managing-your-money/
Returning to work
- Living Well Essex – Provides help and support to get you ready for work, as well as links to local jobcentre
- W: https://www.livingwellessex.org/work-and-learning/finding-work/
School Readiness
- ECFWS – Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service
- W: https://essexfamilywellbeing.co.uk/service/school-readiness/
Youth Enquiry Service (YES)
- Confidential Service – For young people aged 11-25 within Colchester and Tendring, who are facing difficulties in their lives.
- W: https://www.yesyouthenquiryservice.org/
Emotional and Mental Health Support
Emotional Health Websites
- Anxiety UK: Advice and information on all anxiety conditions
- W: www.anxietyuk.org.uk
- T: 0344 4775 774
- Text Line: 07537 416905
- Big White Wall: Big White Wall provides a safe, anonymous online community where young people can talk about what they’re going through, and share experiences with people who feel the same as them. There is also a library of articles, tips and courses to help young people understand how they are feeling. Trained counsellors called Wall Guides are online 24/7 to keep the service safe.
- W: www.bigwhitewall.com
- Childline: Trained counsellors who can talk to anyone aged under 19 about any issue they are going through.
- W: www.childline.org.uk/
- T: 0800 1111
- Kooth: XenZone is a provider of online mental health services for children, young people and adults. Kooth, from XenZone, is an online counselling and emotional well-being platform for children and young people, accessible through mobile, tablet and desktop and free at the point of use.
- W: https://www.kooth.com/
- Mind: Provides advice and support to anyone experiencing mental health problems.
- W: www.mind.org.uk
Positive Mental Health
- Rethink: A national mental health charity offering information, advice and support about mental health issues.
- W: www.rethink.org
- Young Minds: Young Minds is a national charity working towards improving wellbeing and mental health of children and young people. Colourful, easy to use and resourceful.
- W: www.youngminds.org.uk
- T: 0808 802 5544 (Mon-Fri, 9:30am-4pm)
Self-Harm
- Harmless: A national voluntary organisation for those who self-harm, their families and professionals.
- W: www.harmless.org.uk
- Lifesigns: An online, user-led voluntary organisation, which aids understanding of self-injury and provides information and support to people of all ages affected by self-injury.
W: www.lifesigns.org.uk
- SelfHarm: SelfharmUK is a project dedicated to supporting young people impacted by self-harm. It provides a space to talk, ask any questions and be honest about what’s going on in their life.
- W: www.selfharm.co.uk
Suicide
- Papyrus Helpline: A national UK strategy aimed at the prevention of young suicide
W: www.papyrus-uk.org - T: 0800 068 41 41 HOPElineUK