Help, Support & Advice
Useful Information Coronavirus COVID-19
We have put together some helpful information and support that you may find helpful during the current Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic
These can be accessed on the dedicated page for Help and Information: Coronavirus COVID-19
Parent Carer Network – Halton SEND Carers Forum
Halton SEND Carers Forum is the peer support groups for Halton parents and carers of children and young people with SEND.
Forum members work together with the multi-agency partners in Halton Children’s Trust so that we are able to design, develop and improve local services for families; and also provide better support and information for children, young people and their families in Halton.
More details are available on the Forum’s website Halton SEND Carer Forum and Tel: 01928 716985
What is a Parent Carer Forum and what do they do - YouTube
Making a Difference Why should I join my local Parent Carer Forum - YouTube
Support Groups for children and young people
These are peer support groups for children and young people.
By working together with the children and young people in these groups, Halton Children’s Trust (all the multi-agency partners in the Borough are able to design, develop, improve services, support and better information that we have available for children, young people and their families in Halton. An example of this is working with us to improve this Halton Local Offer website
Bright Sparks
Bright Sparks support young people to be involved in decision making in Halton, we help young people with disabilities to have a say in the services provided for them
Halton Youth Cabinet (HYC)
HYC represents the voices of young people, we are supported by Halton Borough Council to act in a youth voice capacity across Runcorn and Widnes with the main aim of improving Halton
Children in Care Council (CICC)
The CICC provides an opportunity for you to work together to promote your views, values and opinions and is a way for you to be involved in the planning and decision making processes on matters that affect your life
Useful Information
Support
- Food Parcels/Gifts and Winter Warmth
- Citizen Advice Bureau wide range of support
- Contact for family with disabled children
- Ultimate Disability Living Allowance Guide produced by Contact
- Foodbank – Runcorn for Runcorn residents
- Foodbank – Widnes for Widnes residents
- Family Information Service Tel: 0151 511 7375
- Halton Borough Council Tel: 0303 333 4300 (Mon-Fri 8am to 6pm)
- Halton Carers Centre Help & Advice
- Halton Disability Partnership for people with a disability
- The Communication Trust links to national organisations
- Working Families for parents/carers of disabled children and young people
Money Matters
Halton SENDIASS
- Halton SENDIASS – free confidential/impartial information, advice and support for children, parents, carers and young people
- Tel 0151 511 7733, email [email protected]
- Easy Read Guides
Advocacy Support
- Halton Speak Out self-advocacy group
- Halton Healthwatch Advocacy Hub Tel: 0151 347 8183
- Advocacy First support adults living in the community
- NYAS – National Youth Advocacy Service for children and young people
- Always Heard and AdvoCat – Coram Voice
Scams and Cold Calling Alerts
- Halton Trading Standards
- iCAN is a free email alert service by Trading Standards
- No Cold Callers Window Card Hard copies available at
- Halton Direct Links
- Letterbox Sticker
- Telephone and Mail Prompt Card
Keeping Safe
- Halton Borough Council – Adult Social Care Tel: 0151 907 8306 or 0345 050 0148 (out of hours/weekends)
- Halton Borough Council – Children Social Care Tel: 0151 907 8305 or 0345 050 0148 (out of hours/weekends)
- Got Your Back Halton self-referral by you or your friends aged 18 or under if you have been a victim of crime. If a referral is made by a Professional/Agency, parental or guardian permission is required to pass the young person’s details on to the service. Tel: 0800 6406466, text GYBMentor 82228 or email [email protected]
Anti-Bullying and Hate Crime
- Childline is a private and confidential service for children and young people up to the age of 19
- Speak Up Not Down gives a voice for disabled young people in Halton with both learning and physical needs
- Anti-Bullying information – National Network of Parent Carer Forums
- Safe in Town Scheme – Look out for the sticker in shop windows if you feel afraid out in Halton
- Cheshire Police – Hate Crime explained, how to report, information and advice
- Safe in Town Scheme – Look out for the sticker in shop windows if you feel afraid out in Halton
- Prejudiced Incidents Guidance
Using the internet safely
- CEOP Reporting Centre for staying safe
- Child Exploitation and Online Protection
- Digital Parenting Guide
- Get Safe Online
- Guide to Keeping Safe Online
- Grooming – signs to spot it happening
- Internet Matters
- Internet Safety for Teens
- Keeping Kids Safe Online – O2/NSPCC
- Online Safety Resource Guide
- PACE – Parents Against Child Sexual Exploitation
- Sexting
- Thinkuknow – CEOP’s
- Underwear Rule
HBC Disabled Children Service Newsletters