Early Help Offer
Central Bedfordshire’s Early Help Offer identifies the need for help for children and families as soon as problems start to emerge, or when there is a strong likelihood that problems will emerge in the future.

The Early Help Offer is not just for very young children as problems may also emerge at any point throughout childhood and adolescence. The Early Help Offer includes universal and targeted services designed to reduce or prevent specific problems from escalating or becoming entrenched.

Please speak to Mr Scoot or Mrs Waddington for further information.

• CAMHS provides outpatient assessments, support and treatment for children and young people up to the age of 18 experiencing moderate to severe mental health problems. The service works to provide them with a greater knowledge of their condition and improve coping techniques. Referrals can be made through your GP, health professional, social worker, teacher or youth worker, alternatively you are also able to make a self-referral.  Telephone: 01582 707635 (available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)

https://www.elft.nhs.uk/camhs/where-we-work/north-bedfordshire-camhs

• New website (March 2023) for young carers in Bedfordshire

https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/info/182/young_carers.

• https://advicecentral.org.uk/

  Open Door to Advice in Central Bedfordshire

  FREE & CONFIDENTIAL

  A single source of information on a vast range of topics including benefits, debt, disabilities, education, health, housing, immigration, employment & legal.

• What is happpening in Ukraine (Childnet)
  https://www.childnet.com/blog/supporting-your-child-with-upsetting-content/Children’s Occupational Therapy Service for children and young people who experience difficulties with everyday activities (please see the poster

 

• The Sleep Charity is run by a team of specialist trained sleep advisors. Although we cannot give medical advice, we can talk through your issues, offer you some practical strategies and recommend services that could help (please see the poster)

 

• Parentline – a secure and confidential text service for parents and carers of those aged 0-19. It offers advice and support on a range of issues such as weaning, sleep and emotional health or how to make an appointment with our team.
  Beds – Text 07507 331456 with your question to start the conversation (Monday – Friday 9am – 4.30pm, except bank holidays).
  Luton – Text 07507 331886 with your question to start the conversation (Monday – Friday 9am – 4.30pm, except bank holidays).

 

• Bedford Open Door: 01234 360 388  https://www.bedfordopendoor.org.uk/

 

• MIND is a national charity providing support and resources on a range of mental ill health conditions.

https://www.mind.org.uk/

• Sorted: 01582 891 435 http://www.sortedbedfordshire.org.uk

 

• Samaritans – 24 hour confidential listening and support for anyone who needs it. (Parents/carers included.) Email – jo@samaritans.org Phone 116 123 (24 hours)

 

• SIBS  Support and advice for for SEND families. https://www.sibs.org.uk/

 

• Relate www.relate.org.uk : 01234 356 350

If you are concerned about the immediate health or safety of a child you can contact

YOUNGMINDS Crisis Messenger

https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/

youngminds-crisis-messenger/

Call 111 Option 2 – 24/7 ALL AGES

Young people can talk to a CAMHS professional

directly who can arrange additional support.

0 – 18 CAMHS SINGLE POINT OF ENTRY

A CAMHS clinician will respond and they can also provide self- help resources and

psychoeducation. For enquiries, please call 01234 893362

More-Life – Weight management programme for children and families, information and self-referral form available via https://www.more-life.co.uk/what-we-do/our-services/in-your-area/bedford/

 

Wellbeing and self care

https://www.annafreud.org/resources/family-wellbeing/self-care-for-parents-and-carers/

https://www.annafreud.org/resources/family-wellbeing/advice-and-guidance-for-parents-and-carers-in-conflict-or-separating/

https://www.annafreud.org/resources/family-wellbeing/adoptive-parents-special-guardians-kinship-carers-and-foster-carers/

https://www.annafreud.org/resources/children-and-young-peoples-wellbeing/receiving-support/

 

 

 

 

 

Children’s Centres SEND Support Coffee Mornings
Leighton Buzzard Mencap Opportunity Group
Thursdays 10 – 11:30 (Term Time only)

Casual chat & play session for parents, carers & children with additional needs. Support for parents, carers & their children who have additional needs.
Ring 01525 384368 to book on.

SEND Stay and Play
Every Friday from 10:00 – 11:00 am
Dunstable Children’s Centre

If you would like to book a space please call 0300 300 8106/0300 300 8104

SEND Support coffee afternoon every second Monday of the month
1:30 – 2:30 pm
Shefford and Stotfold Children’s Centre

If you would like to book a space please call 0300 300 8112

SEND Support coffee afternoon every 4th Thursday of the month,
1:30 – 2:30 am
Flitwick Children’s Centre

If you would like to book a space please call 0300 300 8111

SEND Coffee morning, Stay and Play every first and third Friday of the month,
10:30 – 11:30 am
Houghton Regis Children’s Centre

If you would like to book a space please call 0300 300 8115

Support group for parents or carers with children who have SEND
Biggleswade Youth Centre – every other Wednesday, 1:30 – 2:30 pm

Fortnightly catch ups and support online and face-to-face. A chance to speak to professionals from the CDC, Early Years Support Team, Speech and Language plus more.

To book a free place contact Karen on 0300 300 6009 or email karen.burton@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk