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
HSCF Annual General Meeting (AGM) 31.3.2021 @ 1-2.30pm via Zoom
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 Speak Out
Brookvale Community Centre Runcorn
Tel: 01928 713 877
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
Family, caring and housing support
- Citizen Advice Bureau wide range of support
- Foodbank – Runcorn and Foodbank – Widnes
- Food Parcels/Gifts – Winter Warmth
- Family Information Service Tel: 0151 511 7375
- Halton Borough Council Tel: 0303 333 4300 (Mon-Fri 8am to 6pm)
- Halton Carers Centre
- Halton Speak Out
- Housing and Adaptations e.g. Halton Housing for Halton Property Pool Plus (PPP) service
Disability support - families, children and young people with SEND
Moving from Benefits to Work
Provides help and advice on moving from benefits to work, work experience/volunteering, starting your own business and support available when you start working.
- NEW DWP Benefit Checker provides a quick idea of what you may be able to claim
- Benefit Calculator gives a more detailed picture of what you may be entitled to
- Understanding Universal Credit – making a new claim is another way to access the Benefit Checker
Money matters
- Contact for families with disabled children – benefits and money
- NEW DWP Benefit Checker provides a quick idea of what you may be able to claim
- Benefit Calculator gives a more detailed picture of what you may be entitled to
- Understanding Universal Credit – making a new claim is another way to access the Benefit Checker
- Council Tax and Benefits
- GOV.uk
- Family Fund
- Family Fund – you may be eligible to apply for a grant
- Money Saving Expert
- Entitled To
- Ultimate Disability Living Allowance Guide
- From Child to Adult
- Citizens Advice Bureau
- Christians Against Poverty
- Money Advice Service
- Runcorn Debt Centre
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
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
- 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
Dealing with scams and cold callers
- Halton Trading Standards
- iCAN is a free email alert service by Trading Standards
- No cold callers window card and Letterbox sticker are available to collect at Halton Direct Links
- Telephone and mail prompt card for dealing with scam phone calls and doorstop callers
Advocacy support
- Halton Healthwatch Advocacy Hub Tel: 0151 347 8183
- Advocacy First support adults living in the community
- NYAS Advocacy Care Leavers Leaflet
- NYAS – National Youth Advocacy Service for children and young people
- Always Heard and AdvoCat – Coram Voice