Support for Families

With lots of uncertainty at the moment we’re working hard to ensure we can support as many children, young people and families as possible. Below we are sharing links to useful support services offering tips and advice.

The Household Support Fund

The Household Support Fund is used to support households most in need with:

Food
Gas and electricity (billed and pre-paid)
Water bills

This scheme will be in place until the end of August 2024, unless funding is exhausted before this date.

Access this support through: leicester.gov.uk/householdsupportfund

Residents who are digitally excluded can be supported by Citizens Advice who can be contacted on Citizens Advice

Help and support for families

help/support	Name of Service	Description	Phone Number	Website
Health and wellbeing support for parents of pre-school children.	Health Visitors	Management of children's behaviour problems (for children under 5 years old).	Contact your local doctors surgery or text: 07520 615381 (City) 07520 615382 (County)	N/A
Health and wellbeing support for parents of school-aged children.	School Nursing Service	Emotional and behavioural difficulties (including bedwetting) in school-aged children.	Contact via children’s school or text : 07520615386 (City) 07520615387 (County)	N/A
Leicester City support directory	Leicester City Children’s Centres & Family Support Services	Advice, Information and Support to Parents/Carers regarding Behavioural and Emotional Difficulties at home.		https://mychoice.leicester.gov.uk/
Leicestershire support directory	Leicestershire County Council Family Information Directory	Links with all relevant agencies		www.leicestershire.gov.uk/education-and-children/social-care-and-supporting-families/family-information-directory
Early intervention help within Leicester City	Leicester City Early Help (at Children Centres)		Tel: 0116 4541004	www.leicester.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/support-for-children-and-young-people/early-help/referral-for-early-help-support/
Early intervention help within Leicestershire	Leicestershire County Council Children & Family Wellbeing Service	A range of services are available for all age groups.	Tel: 0116 3058727	https://resources.leicestershire.gov.uk/education-and-children/child-protection-and-safeguarding/early-help
Support and Advice to Parents with children with complex care needs	Parent Carer Forum		Tel: 07592869050 (County)	www.leicestershirepcf.org.uk
Young People and Families Mediation Service (ages 11-19)	Talk2Sort - The Bridge	Only available in the County (Not in Leicester City)		www.thebridge-eastmidlands.org.uk/talk2sort
Counselling for Young People	KOOTH	On-line Counselling available free of charge to young people		www.kooth.com
Young Carers Support	Barnardos - Care Free - Young Carers Service	Support for Children and Young People caring for parents with a physical or mental health problem.	Tel: 0116 2867182	www.barnardos.org.uk/carefree
Youth Work	The YES Project	The YES Project team is a partnership of seven youth organisation and charities from across Leicester and Leicestershire.		www.yesproject.org
Youth Work	Engage	Helps young people to re-engage in education or find work		www.engage.org/
Youth Work	Love4Life (Twenty Twenty)	Working with 11-19 year old females to build confidence & make positive choices in their relationships, health & education		www.twentytwenty.org.uk
Youth Work	Young Leicestershire	The biggest provider of open-access clubs for young people in Leicester and Leicestershire with over 27,639 members now attending our network of affiliated groups.	Tel: 0116 2750489	www.youngleicestershire.org.uk
Sexual abuse - post sexual abuse intervention for children.	Family Action	Based at Fosse Neighbourhood Centre, Mantle Road, Leicester, they offer post sexual abuse intervention for children, and also, input provided for carers of these children.	Tel: 0116 2168334	N/A
School attendance problems	Education Welfare Service	For help and support contact through the school.	Tel: 0116 2703176	www.lancaster.leicester.sch.uk
Emotional/ Behaviour problems in school (Including School Anxiety)	Behaviour Support Team & Educational Psychology Service	For help and support contact through the school.	Tel: 0116 2703176	www.lancaster.leicester.sch.uk
Bereavement issues	The Laura Centre	For help and support for any child affected by bereavement.	Tel: 0116 2544341	www.thelauracentre.org.uk
Protecting Children from becoming involved in anti-social behaviour	Leicestershire Police	Police advice to keep you safe and help you understand the law.		www.leics.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information
Youth Support Services	Early Help (Leicester City)	Targeted youth support - aims to respond better to young people's needs, particularly when extra support is needed.	Tel: 0116 4541694	www.leicester.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/support-for-children-and-young-people/youth-services/targeted-youth-support
Aims to prevent and reduce children and young people reoffending and promoting safer communities.	County Youth Offending (YOS) (Leicestershire)	The Leicestershire Youth Offending (YOS) is a multi-agency partnership which includes, the Local Authority Police, the Probation Service, the NHS and Youth Services, all of whom jointly resource a multi-disciplinary team.	Tel: 0116 3050030	https://www.leicestershire.gov.uk/popular-now/directories/information-and-support-directory/leicestershire-youth-offending-service
Aims to prevent and reduce children and young people reoffending and promoting safer communities.	Leicester City Youth Offending (YOS)	Work with young people aged 10 to 17 years who are convicted of criminal offences.	Tel: 0116 4544600	https://www.leicester.gov.uk/your-council/policies-plans-and-strategies/public-health/data-reports-and-strategies/jsna/cyp-jsna/youth-offenders/
Support to Families affected by ADHD	ADHD Solutions	Support groups and training	Tel: 0116 2610711	www.adhdsolutions.org.uk
Victim Support	Victim First	Coping with the effects of crime	Tel: 0800 9539595	www.catch-22.org.uk/services/victim-first
Combating Fire Setting - Preventative work with children involved in fire setting	Fire Care Leicestershire Fire Service	Early intervention for children setting fires.	Tel: 0116 2872241	www.leics-fire.gov.uk/your-safety/kids-youth
If you care for a child with special educational needs, these can ensure you have the information you need.	SENDIASS	SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs and Disability Information, Advice and Support Service)	Tel: 0116 4820870	https://sendiassleicester.org.uk/
Drug and Alcohol Advice	Turning Point	Support for Young People (18 years and younger)	Tel: 0330 3036000	www.wellbeing.turning-point.co.uk/leicestershire
Support for Parents/Carers	The Centre for Fun and Families	Support though short courses/groups:	Tel: 0116 2234254	www.cffcharity.org.uk
Information on Services, Activities and Support for Disabled Children	Local Offer LEICESTER	Read information and guidance that can support children and young people with SEND, aged 0 to 25, in Leicester.	N/A	https://families.leicester.gov.uk/send-local-offer/
Information on Services, Activities and Support for Disabled Children	Local Offer LEICESTERSHIRE	Gives children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) and their families information about help and services in Leicestershire.	N/A	www.leicestershire.gov.uk/education-and-children/special-educational-needs-and-disability/about-the-local-offer
Support for families with Children on the Autistic Spectrum	Leicestershire Autistic Society	Provides support, information and advice to families and professionals dealing with autism.	Tel: 0116 2916958	www.leicestershireautism.org.uk
Advice and support for single parents.	Gingerbread	The leading national charity working with single parent families. providing expert advice and practical support for single mums and dads.	Tel: 0800 8020925	www.gingerbread.org.uk
Help and support for children and young people's mental health	Young Minds	National Service offering advice to parents on concerns relating to their children’s mental health.	Tel: 0800 0182138	www.youngminds.org.uk
Early intervention and crisis support to families who are struggling.	Family Lives	The issues we support families with include family breakdown, challenging relationships and behaviour, debt, and emotional and mental wellbeing.	Tel: 0808 8002222	www.familylives.org.uk
Careers advice for young people.	Connexions (Leicester City)	If you are a young person who is not in education, employment or training, or you are in year 11, 12 or 13 and unsure what you will be doing from September, you can get support from Connexions.	Tel: 0116 4541770	www.leicesteremploymenthub.co.uk/job-seekers/connexions-for-young-people/
Health information for children (11-18 years)	NHS - Health for Teens	Covers a range of issues including mental health Love your body, love yourself, #lovehealth		www.healthforteens.co.uk
Health information for children (5-11 years)	NHS - Health for Kids	Information to support you during a child’s primary school years. Easy to understand kids and parent sections.		www.healthforkids.co.uk
Support for children on the phone or online.	Childline	Childline is a FREE, private and confidential service where young people can talk about anything.	Tel: 0800 1111	www.childline.org.uk
Free 24 hour service for anyone concerned about a child at risk of ill treatment or abuse.	NSPCC	The services help children who’ve been abused, protect children at risk and find the best ways to prevent child abuse from ever happening.	Tel: 0808 8005000	www.nspcc.org.uk
Support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.	Leicester Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Centre	Advice, Support and a Youth Club facility.	Tel: 0116 2547412	www.leicesterlgbtcentre.org

In some situations where parents have concerns about children’s behaviour, the most useful first intervention is to ensure parent’s own needs are met.

Below are some useful sources of support:

Domestic Violence Helpline for women and children

Refuge

Advice/ Support available to people affected by abusive or intimidating relationship.

Tel: 0808 2000247

www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/

Support and advice to anyone affected by an abusive relationship

UAVA - United against Violence & Abuse

UAVA provides support for anyone who has been affected by Domestic Abuse and / or Sexual Violence living in Leicester, Leicestershire or Rutland.

Tel: 0808 8020028

www.uava.org.uk/

Alcohol abuse support

Free from Violence and Abuse

Work with perpetrators of abuse to help them address their behaviour. Also support to victims and training to professionals

Tel: 0808 8020028

www.freeva.org.uk

Sexual abuse helpline

Respect

Working to end domestic abuse. Leading the development of safe, effective work with perpetrators, male victims and young people using violence and abuse

Tel: 0808 8024040

www.respect.uk.net

Young People's Drug & Alcohol service

Turning Point Leicester

Turning Point provides the integrated substance misuse service for Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland. Work with anyone who is affected by drugs or alcohol.

Tel: 0330 3036000

www.wellbeing.turning-point.co.uk/leicestershire

Counselling

Leicester Counselling Centre

Offers individual counselling

(aged 16 years and above)

Tel: 0116 2558801

www.leicestercounsellingcentre.co.uk

Support for families

Home-Start Horizons

Home-Start’s volunteers work alongside families to give compassionate and confidential support. Helping people to regain the confidence to be the parents they want to be.

Tel: 0116 2495062

homestarthorizons.org.uk/

Relationship Counselling (for couples and individuals)

Relate Leicestershire

High quality relationship counselling services to adults, children and families at their time of need.

Tel: 0116 2543011

https://www.relateleicestershire.org.uk/

Coping with cancer

Sue Young Cancer Support

Empower people to help themselves, by actively promoting self-help, mutual support and equal access to all cancer and care services.

Tel: 0116 2230055

https://sueyoungcancersupport.org.uk/