Children and Family Centres provide advice and support for parents and carers.
The service is available from pregnancy to when your child goes into reception class at primary school.
Family centres
Family centres offer a place where you can:
- talk to a midwife or health visitor
- let your child play, learn and make friends
- get professional advice on health and family matters
- find out about training and job opportunities
- socialise
Family centres also offer:
- child and family health services
- breastfeeding support
- advice on parenting
- local childcare options
- advice on access to speech therapy, healthy eating advice and managing money
- help to find work or training opportunities
The services available to you will depend on your local area.
Children centres
At many children centres you can:
- see a dentist, dietician or physiotherapist
- visit the stop smoking clinic
- get faster access to expert advice, support and short-term breaks if your child has learning difficulties or disabilities
- talk to Citizens Advice
- take parenting classes
- improve your English, if it's not your first language, with someone from your own culture
Some centres offer childcare and early learning. Those that do not offer childcare can advise on local childcare options.
You'll have to pay for childcare services, unless you’re eligible for free entitlement.
Read more about free entitlement to early years childcare.
You may have to pay a small charge for some activities, like toddler groups and baby massage.
Get a full list of where you can find advice, guidance and activities to support you and your family from The Hub – 1st Place.
Contact our team.
