Parental Support Services
Walsall Family Hubs provide a welcoming space where children, young people aged 0-19 and up to 25 with additional needs and their families can go to get advice and support when they need it.
Our Family Hubs are in the heart of local communities where services have come together providing one ‘front door’ access to get help and to talk to someone in a safe space about sensitive things that maybe worrying them.
https://www.walsallfamilyhubs.co.uk/
What is the Holiday Activity and Food programme (HAF)?
HAF is a free programme for children and young people. It runs over Easter, Summer and Christmas school holidays. Your child is eligible if they are:
- aged 5 to 16
- eligible for benefit-related free school meals
You can find out more about eligibility for the HAF programme in our short video.
Register for HAF below:
School Nursing Service
The School Nursing Service works with children, young people and families to support health and wellbeing both in school and the wider community.
The service is available to all children from Reception age up to 19 years, including those who are Educated at Home. Every school in Walsall has access to a named School Nurse, with contact details displayed in school.
School Nurses work closely with schools, families, GPs, Social Care, Community Paediatricians and other health professionals to ensure children’s health needs are met. The service is nurse-led, part of the NHS, and based in community health centres.
Support and Services Offered
The School Nursing Service provides advice and support on:
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Emotional health and wellbeing
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Relationships and sexual health
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Healthy weight, exercise and lifestyles
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Behaviour management for parents
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Self-esteem and confidence building for children and young people
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Safeguarding and support for families needing additional help
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Continence support, including bedwetting (enuresis) clinics
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Support for children with medical or additional needs
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National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP)
Digital support includes:
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ChatHealth texting service for young people aged 11+
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ChatHealth texting service for parents and carers
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Health for Kids and Health for Teens websites
Parent and Carer Virtual Workshops
Workshops offer advice on:
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Toilet training and toileting issues
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Bedwetting
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Fussy eating
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Healthy lifestyles
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Sleep awareness
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Understanding children’s behaviour and emotions
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Follow the School Nursing Service on Twitter for updates and information.
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How to access this service
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The service accept referrals from parents and carers for children and young people aged 5 to 19 years, or up to 25 years for young people with additional health needs or special educational needs.
Young people can also access confidential advice by texting a School Nurse on 07480 635 363.
Parents, carers, young people and professionals can contact the School Nursing Service through our Single Point of Access.
Telephone: 01922 423349
Email (administration): schoolnursingadmin.walsall@nhs.net
Email (Single Point of Access): schoolnursingduty.walsall@nhs.netPost:
School Nursing Service
Harden Health Centre
Harden Road
Walsall
WS3 1ET
Health Visiting Service
All parents and carers of pre-school babies and children can access the Health Visiting Service.
The service is led by Health Visitors, who are qualified nurses and/or midwives with additional training in community public health nursing. They are supported by staff nurses, nursery nurses, support workers and administrative staff. Together, the team provides a universal service for families from 28 weeks of pregnancy until a child starts full-time school.
Parents are offered five contacts during the first two and a half years of a child’s life. These contacts may take place through digital appointments, telephone calls, clinics or home visits. Some families may need extra support at certain stages, for health or developmental reasons. Health Visitors can provide individual assessments and short-term support where needed.
Further information about the role of a Health Visitor is available in a short film produced by the Institute of Health Visiting.
The information on this page is written, published and updated by Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust.
ChatHealth Text Messaging Service
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust also provides a confidential and secure text messaging service called ChatHealth for parents and carers of children aged 0–5 years.
The service operates Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm, excluding bank holidays. Messages are answered by a Health Visitor within 24 hours. If you text outside of service hours, you will receive an automated reply and your message will be responded to when the service reopens.
To contact the Walsall Health Visiting Service via ChatHealth, text 07520 634 909.