Support Available in York for Children, Young People and Families
We often get asked for details on the support that is available to families living in and around York; so we have put together this list of local *organisations which we hope you will find useful.
*Please note that this list is correct at the time of publishing and will be regularly checked and updated. Due to the current Covid-19 pandemic, some organisations may not be operating as normal.
Bereaved Children Support York
Bereaved Children Support York is a local charity that seeks to support children, young people and their families living in the York area, so they are better able to cope with the impact of bereavement on their lives. We do this by running a monthly peer support group which provides the opportunity to meet other children with similar experiences in a relaxed, fun and creative environment. We also offer one to one therapeutic support for those children who need it as well as arranging social trips and activities and running a regular daytime group for parents.
Bridge House
Bridge House offer free support and practical help for anyone in North Yorkshire who has experienced sexual violence and/or sexual abuse. Bridge House offers support and guidance, medical assessment and aftercare.
Bridge House SARC, 48 Bridge Road, Bishopthorpe, York, North Yorkshire, YO23 2RR
Tel:0330 223 0362
Family Fund
Family Fund is a grant awarding organisation where you can apply for financial assistance, support, equipment to help children with disabilities.
Family Early Help Assessment (FEHA)
A Family Early Help Assessment (FEHA) is a tool used by the Local Area Team to assess the needs of children, young people and families to determine the need for early help, and the actions to be taken to improve outcomes, based on a holistic view of the needs of the family. This tool takes you step-by-step through a clear process of information gathering, analysis and action planning.
The FEHA is not just a form; it's a process which allows practitioners to assess needs, identify service delivery requirements and check that needs are being addressed as part of a structured framework. A FEHA is voluntary and should only be undertaken with consent from the young person or family.
If you are considering completing a FEHA, please contact the Local Area Team on Tel: 01904 551900 or Email: lat@york.gov.uk
Healthy Child Service
Health visitors lead and deliver the Healthy Child Service for 0 to 5 year olds, offering support to all families in pregnancy and up to when children are aged five by:
helping to support the health and wellbeing of your whole family, from ante-natal visits until your child goes to school
providing advice on healthy choices (breastfeeding, weaning and healthy eating)
offering development reviews to ensure your child is reaching its full potential
supporting parents to feel confident in their parenting skills and to provide the best opportunities for their baby
working in partnership with Children’s Centres and specialist services to support families with additional needs
offering support and information to families experiencing specific difficulties such as postnatal depression, social isolation and domestic abuse.
The health visitors and school nurses can be called Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.00pm, at:
The Avenues children’s Centre: 01904 551760
Clifton Children’s Centre: 01904 552322
Hob Moor Children’s Centre: 01904 555475
Home Start
Home-Start is a local community network of trained volunteers and expert support helping families with young children through their challenging times.
Telephone: 01904 674764 Email: support@homestartyork.org.uk
Independent Domestic Abuse Services (IDAS)
IDAS offer non-judgmental, practical and emotional support to anyone affected by domestic abuse, sexual violence or sexual abuse in York, North Yorkshire, Sheffield and Barnsley. Their experienced workers will listen and explain the options available, including providing support through the criminal and civil justice system. They can also help to arrange emergency accommodation for people fleeing domestic abuse. They keep people safe and support them to make their own decisions.
Tel: 03000110110 Email: info@idas.org.uk
Kyra Womens Project
Kyra’s vision is to provide non-judgmental support and information to all women. Whatever their reason for seeking help we recognise that women face challenges in their lives that are distinct from those of men. Our services are tailored to support women to make the changes they need, at their own pace.
Lime Trees
CAMHS Lime Trees (outpatients) service, is the Child & Adolescent Mental Health Outpatients Service covering the York and Selby area. Tel: 01904 615300, 31 Shipton Road, York, YO30 5RE.
Reflect
Reflect is a free support service in North Yorkshire for anyone facing a Pregnancy Choice and for those struggling after experiencing Pregnancy Loss. We offer free one to one support for individuals or couples either face to face or via skype or telephone.
Reflect, The Gateway Centre, Front Street, Acomb YO24 3BZ. Tel: 01904 676710 Email: enquiry@reflectyork.co.uk
SENDIASS - Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service
SENDIASS provides free impartial, confidential and accurate information, advice and support about education, health and social care for children, young people and their parents on matters relating to special educational needs and disability. Phone: 01482 467540 Email: enquiries.yorkshire@kids.org.uk
The Island Mentoring Scheme
The Island is a well-established charity supporting some of our York’s disadvantaged, vulnerable and isolated children and young people to realise their potential through positive mentoring relationships and activities.
The School Wellbeing Service
The School Wellbeing Service (SWS) is a school based early intervention mental health (MH) support service. It is jointly funded by Health, Local Authority and Schools. The service is targeted at emerging and developing mental health needs. In particular, children who are presenting with mental health issues and concerns, that are below an intervention from specialist CAMHS and above what school pastoral structures can support.
Emotional and mental health issues that the service can provide support with:
Low self-esteem and poor resilience - Lacks confidence and may have developed a fixed mindset, where this is clearly impacting on their mental health.
Low Mood - Where this is impairing functioning at home and school. This may include issues with sleep and hygiene, lack of motivations and suicide ideation.
Emotional regulation - Managing emotions and distress, this may include anger, self harm, and behavioural issues that present at home/school.
Anxiety - Where there is a concern that anxiety may be impairing functioning at school / home. This might include generalised anxiety, panic attacks, emotional regulation, phobias and separation anxiety.
Trauma, loss and attachment difficulties - Where there are concerns that the cyp has experienced trauma, loss or attachment difficulties and this is impacting on their mental health.
Eating disorders - Sporadic and chaotic eating that is causing concern at school and home. Increased exercise and restricted diet.
Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and ADHD/ADD - Support with potential early identification and referral to specialist CAMHS for screening and support to school to implement helpful strategies.
The Snappy Trust
The Snappy Trust, formerly known as Snappy (Special Needs Activities and Play Provision for York), is a registered charity supporting children and young people with wide-ranging disabilities, from across the York area.
In 2018, they changed our name to The Snappy Trust to better reflect the work that they are doing in not only supporting those children, young people and families who use our services, but also the work we do in raising awareness about the importance of inclusion, acceptance and empowerment in disability.
Tel: 01904 640 562 Email: office@snappyyork.co.uk
Wilberforce Trust
Wilberforce Trust is one of York’s oldest charities. They care and support individuals with sight and hearing loss along with other disabilities. They have developed a service so that they can offer out of school support to children with visual impairment.
If you have a child with a visual impairment and your family would like to join Club Wilber then contact Samantha Scholey-Dyson at s.scholey@wilberforcetrust.org.uk or telephone: 01904 760037.
York Ausome Kids
York Ausome Kids is a support group for parents/carers of a young person with autism/aspergers/pathological demand avoidance in the York area. As a subgroup of York Inspirational Kids they aim to provide information and support for those with ASC/ASD specific needs. See their facebook page for more information.
York Down Syndrome Support Group
The York Down Syndrome Support Group is a parent led group, supporting families in and around York, whose worlds are enlivened by having a family member who has Down Syndrome. The overall aim of the group is to create and develop necessary provisions which will enable our children to attain their full potential.
They do this by:
· offering personal support to families with a prenatal or antenatal diagnosis
· hosting monthly sessions where families can come together to chat and play
· having regular social events for the whole family
· lending useful resources to families and professionals
· providing training for parents and professionals
· providing weekly speech and language groups
· promoting the awareness of Down syndrome
Tel: 07542428016 Email: support@ydssg.org
York Educational Psychology Services
The Educational Psychology Service (EPS) consults with staff, parents and carers to find the best ways of helping children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
York Family Information Service (York FIS)
The York Family Information Service is a free and impartial information service for mums, dads and carers of children and young people aged 0-19 (or up to 25 for disabled children). They are part of the Local Area Teams Information Service and Information Service for Young People.
Monday to Friday 10am - 4pm 01904 554444
Text Only: 07624 802244 Email: fis@york.gov.uk
York Families Wellbeing service
The York Families Wellbeing team, in partnership with Changing Lives, provides community-based support to families within the City of York.
The service helps families struggling with any issues which may affect their housing or have a negative impact on their children’s wellbeing. They work with families whose children are aged 0-19 years old, or 0-25 years old where the child has a disability. They welcome applications from people who may have mental health needs, autism or learning disabilities in their family.
The service can help with the following:
Preventing homelessness
Debt and budgeting problems
Anti-social behaviour
Accessing the correct benefits
Accessing training, education and employment
Social isolation
Accessing physical/mental health support
Accessing support around autism or learning disabilities
Tel: 07391868741 email: ginny.barker@commlinks.co.uk
York Inspirational Kids
York Inspirational Kids is a support group for families who have a child with a disability and/or additional need. The group offers activities, outings, training and general support for parent cares, disabled children and siblings. In addition to the main group there are sub groups of York Ausome Kids that supports families of children on the autistic spectrum, York Hemi Kids for families of children with hemiplegia.
Tel: 01904 780880
York Mind
York Mind offers counselling and online groups, support services and courses for young people. Mentoring may also be available.
York Racial Equality Network
York Racial Equality Network is a supportive environment in which people from diverse communities can develop new friendships and build links to the wider York community. Run by York Racial Equality Network, a voluntary organisation and registered charity. Email: info@yren.co.uk
Yorkey Dads
Yorkey Dads’ mission is to create a safe, engaging and supportive environment for dads, grandads, male carers and dads-to-be. Connecting Dads in and around the York area through meetups, activities, events and online support.
Yorqueer
Yorqueer is York’s LGBTQ youth group for ages 14-25 run by Yorkshire MESMAC.
The Workshop, Marygate Lane, York, YO30 7BJ Tel: 01904 620400 / 07710 099 033 Email: e.allenby@mesmac.co.uk.