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Family Community Work Coaches information

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Family Community Work Coaches information

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Safeguarding young people with autism from extremist ideologies

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Safeguarding young people with autism from extremist ideologies

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Rainbow Trust - Support for families with seriously ill child.

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Rainbow Trust - Support for families with seriously ill child.

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Rainbow Trust Children's Charity provides emotional and practical support to families who have a child with life-threatening or terminal illness.

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Rainbow Trust - Support for families with seriously ill child.

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Rainbow Trust - Support for families with seriously ill child.

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Rainbow Trust Children's Charity provides emotional and practical support to families who have a child with life-threatening or terminal illness.

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At Josephine's Star, we offer s upport to children and their families in Somerset when someone special has died.

We are small charity; formed by a group of professionals who know how important it is for children to have the opportunity of help and support in their grief. We provide one-to-one support, based around six, one-hour support sessions. In each session we work with the child to explore their grief and help them to develop coping strategies. All of our work is done in conjunction with the families, carers and schools to ensure the most positive outcome for the children and young people.

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Josephine's Star | Supporting Grieving Children | Somerset

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Josephine's Star is a bereavement charity offering support to children and families in Somerset when someone special has died. We also offer Grief First Aid training to schools to enable them to support and mentor grieving children.

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Grief can be overwhelming - you don’t have to deal with it alone. Cruse Bereavement Support is here. Call our helpline or chat online.

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Bereavement support without the wait

Our expert bereavement team are available to speak with right away. No appointments or waiting lists, just real-life support. Start a conversation now. You can speak with us between 8am and 8pm, Monday to Friday (except bank holidays). You must be 13 or older to receive support via text or WhatsApp. If you need to speak to us in a language other than English, we can use interpreters over the phone, and we can use the Relay UK app if you have hearing or speech difficulties. For urgent support in a crisis , please call 999.

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Winston's Wish is the UK's childhood bereavement charity, dedicated to providing bereavement support for children and young people.

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Introduction
Are you struggling with bills? Support is available
The Household Support Fund is designed to provide short-term urgent financial help to Somerset residents who are struggling to afford household essentials such as buying food and paying for prepayment meter energy bills.

Funding provided from the  Department for work and Pensions

How to apply
To apply, you must:

Live in the county of Somerset - if you live in North Somerset, help is available from North Somerset Council

Be over the age of 16 and living independently of parents/carers

Not have sufficient money to pay for essentials

Provide the following documents when you apply

Proof of your identity

Proof of your address

Proof of income

Proof of Additional Criteria or letter from support worker to confirm this element

You can apply if you:

Are temporarily out of work

Are unable to work due to illness

Are long term unemployed and unable to retrain due to multiple reasons such as poor health

Have a chronic illness

Have a severe learning or physical disability that affects your day-to-day life

Are in receipt of pension credit

Currently use a mental health service, or a member of your household does

Are a carer

Are pregnant

Have a child that requires a specialist diet

Have a child with a chronic illness

Have a child with a severe learning or physical disability that affects their day-to-day life

Are or have been a child in care (Child looked after)

Are a care leaver

Receive support from Somerset Council Childrens Social Care

Are fleeing domestic abuse

Are homeless and have been placed in temporary accommodation

Are a refugee

Are a foster carer, kinship carer or special guardian who cares for a Somerset child and can demonstrate a need for immediate or short-term support, which could not be reasonably paid for from any allowance you may receive

Receive support from Somerset Council Adults Social Care

You or your family currently have a Social Worker and are on a Child in Need Plan or on a Child Protection Plan

You can  register for the fund here. To create an account, select 'Create Individual Account'.
You are unable to apply if you:

have savings over the value of £2000

If you do not qualify for this funding and are a Somerset resident there may be other help available. Please  use this link for more information

What the fund will cover
Examples of what the Household Support Fund can pay for

Supermarket food vouchers

Standard divan beds and mattresses

Energy Top Up Vouchers (for use with pre-payment meters)

Contribution towards essentials such as basic clothing, non-branded school uniform and baby items

White goods

The fund will not cover:

Debt repayments

Cash payments

Rent or housing costs

Phone bills

Non-urgent items such as televisions and some furniture

Local and national support

You can go to a library and use one of their public computers to complete an online application or take in your own device and use their Wi-Fi for free. You can also find a list of additional household help and support here

Cost of living website  - The government is offering help for households. See what cost of living support you could be eligible for.

Cost of living payment  - GOV.UK guidance on getting an extra payment to help with the cost of living if you are entitled to certain benefits or tax credits.
GOV.UK Cost of living fact sheet GOV.UK Benefits calculators GOV.UK Pension Credit calculator Understanding Universal Credit
Your questions answered

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Are you struggling with bills? Support is available The Household Support Fund is designed to provide short-term urgent financial help to Somerset residents who are struggling to afford household essentials such as buying food and paying for prepayment meter energy bills.

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Our grant rounds support children from birth up to and including 18 years of age who are vulnerable, come from disadvantaged backgrounds or are living with an illness or disability. We also provide a lifeline to many other charities, organisations and community groups, funding much-needed services and life-changing equipment.

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General Grants

Our grant rounds support children from birth up to and including 18 years of age who are vulnerable, come from disadvantaged backgrounds or are living with an illness or disability. We also provide a lifeline to many other charities, organisations and community groups, funding much-needed services and life-changing equipment.

The value of a grant is typically from £1,000 to £3,000 but we will happily consider applications for larger amounts.
Click here or view the map below to find out about the difference we've already made near you.
How to Apply

All applications must be made via our online system. Choose your local station below to access the application form and eligibility criteria (available at the top of the form) - please be sure to read these carefully before applying.

Our granting depends on donations from the public, and as such the application forms may not be available for all areas all of the time. We're always actively fundraising for our next grant round, so if your area isn't currently available please get in touch or check back soon.

We may also run additional grant rounds in some areas for specific types of need, so for the latest granting information or for any questions about making an application please visit your local Cash for Kids website. Details can be found on our locations page.

Cost-of-Living Grants

In response to the crisis hitting so many families right now we've launched Cost-of-Living Grants, to provide emergency essentials that support the physical and mental well-being of children who are struggling.

These could include food, clothing and household energy costs, but we'll also consider anything that helps meet children's most basic needs.
Grants are £50 per child per household, and we aim to get the funds to families as soon as possible.
Find out more

Area Covered

Grant applications can only be made to support children living in the UK, or registered charities that help children from the UK.

If you are unsure whether you can apply please contact the Cash for Kids team at info@cashforkids.uk.com.

Important Information

Meetings are dependent on the donations we receive, and as such the dates may change.

Additional funding rounds may also be made available for specific campaigns - these will be detailed on our website.

All decisions made by the board are final, and all applications will receive a response once a decision has been made at the meetings detailed above.

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Make an application for support with a Cash for Kids grant.

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We know that by giving a small grant when it’s needed the most, we can remove immediate financial barriers. This helps families to work through the bigger issues they’re facing such as fleeing abuse or keeping their children in school. Welfare & Educational Grants.

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WE HAVE RECENTLY BEEN MADE AWARE OF A SCAM THAT REFERENCES THE FAMILY ACTION GRANTS SERVICE IN AN EFFORT TO GAIN MONEY OR PERSONAL INFORMATION .

THE FAMILY ACTION GRANTS TEAM WILL NEVER CONTACT YOU THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA, NOR WILL THEY REQUEST PERSONAL INFORMATION BE SENT VIA ANY SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS.

PLEASE ONLY FOLLOW THE FAMILY ACTION GRANTS APPLICATION PROCESS AS OUTLINED ON OUR WEBSITE.

Family Action has been distributing grants to help people and families in need since we were founded in 1869.

We know that by giving a small grant when it's needed the most, we can remove immediate financial barriers. This helps families to work through the bigger issues they're facing such as fleeing abuse or keeping their children in school.

Our grants programmes complement our aim to strengthen families and communities, build skills and resilience and improve the life chances of everyone we work with.

Making a small financial investment can make a big difference to the lives of families like Sarah's. Read her story to find out how £150 made a difference.

Our small grants programmes focuses on the two areas of Welfare and Education. We believe these to be two of the key areas in which we can really make a difference to support families, both those facing an immediate domestic need and those seeking to improve their educational and employment prospects.

If you or someone you know would like to apply for a grant, visit these links to read the criteria and find out how to apply.
With regret we are unable to acknowledge or respond to postal enquiries. Any enquiries about welfare or educational grants should be made via the email addresses provided in the above links.
What does living in poverty mean?

Living in poverty is a very real issue for thousands of families in the UK; as many as 1 in 3 children grow up living in poverty, despite the UK being the seventh richest country in the world.

Living in poverty means only ever wearing hand me downs and having to choose between putting on the heating or eating dinner at night. 36% of the population are just one large heating bill or a broken washing machine away from hardship.

Other Grants Programmes

Open Doors

Family Action, supported by our corporate partner NewDay, also delivers the Open Doors Grants Programme. Read more here.

Family Action Grenfell Grants Service

After the tragic Grenfell Tower Fire in 2017, Family Action disbursed funds raised through our own Justgiving appeal, and the Haley Yearwood Crowdfunder. We established a grants scheme to disburse £750,000 of the money Haley raised, and over £348,000 donated directly. The rest of the money raised will fund a long term responsive service providing practical and emotional support to the Grenfell community. Please see our full press release for more information.

This grants scheme will run in addition to the Grenfell Tower Grants service set up by Family Action in the days after the fire.

Read Yasmin's story to see how poverty affected her and her children

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Family Action's Grants Service: Financial support since 1869

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WE HAVE RECENTLY BEEN MADE AWARE OF A SCAM THAT REFERENCES THE FAMILY ACTION GRANTS SERVICE IN AN EFFORT TO GAIN MONEY OR PERSONAL INFORMATION . THE FAMILY ACTION GRANTS TEAM WILL NEVER CONTACT YOU THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA, NOR WILL THEY REQUEST PERSONAL INFORMATION BE SENT VIA ANY SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS.

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Our grants are available for families on a low income who are raising a child or young person with a long-term disability, disabling condition or life-limiting illness. Please note that our grants also depend on available funding.

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Family Fund deliver grants for families raising a disabled or seriously ill child or young people on a low income across the UK

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A not-for profit Social Enterprise whose work is dedicated to the improvement of health and wellbeing through restoring access to green spaces for individuals and communities who need it most.

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Thank you to our funders and supporters

With inflation running at 10%, those on low incomes and benefits are further punished by the Poverty Premium, the extra costs people on low incomes and in financial distress pay for essential products and services.
With the help of grants from some local organisations we are able to help those who are going through difficult financial times.

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With inflation running at 10%, those on low incomes and benefits are further punished by the Poverty Premium, the extra costs people on low incomes and in financial distress pay for essential products and services. With the help of grants from some local organisations we are able to help those who are going through difficult financial times.

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Diversity Voice is a registered charity in Somerset. We champion intercultural understanding and provide support and services to prevent marginalisation and work towards equality for all.

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Skip to content

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking "Accept All", you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.

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We champion intercultural understanding and provide support and services to benefit migrants and other minority cultural communities in Somerset.

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Delivering inspirational mentoring for Somerset’s most vulnerable, disaffected and disadvantaged young people

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17th Feb - 25th Feb - 4th Mar - 10th Mar
21st Apr -29th April - 5th May - 12th May
30th June - 8th July - 15th July - 21st July
14th - 17th August
8th Sep - 16th Sept - 23rd Sept - 29th Sept
17th Nov - 25th Nov - 2 Dec - 8 Dec

To find out more go to the Mentoring page
There is a young person in Somerset who desperately needs your help
Click on PROMISE works logo at the top of any page to return to this Homepage

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17th Feb - 25th Feb - 4th Mar - 10th Mar21st Apr -29th April - 5th May - 12th May30th June - 8th July - 15th July - 21st July14th - 17th August8th Sep - 16th Sept - 23rd Sept - 29th Sept17th Nov - 25th Nov - 2 Dec - 8 Dec To find out more go to the Mentoring page There is a young person in Somerset who desperately needs your help Click on PROMISE works logo at the top of any page to return to this Homepage

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SCC provides a safe space to talk to a skilled counsellor, who will listen and help you understand how past experiences, worries about the future, or lack of self-confidence may be affecting your life. We offer flexibility; providing counselling in-person, online and over the phone.

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means tested local counselling sessions for young people and families.

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to the following generous organisations who support our work in Somerset:

FCT Somerset are looking for experienced and compassionate child & family counsellors to join our team. If you are a Level 4 qualified counsellor, with 150+ post qualifying hours and a L5 Child & Young Persons qualification, we want to hear from you.

We offer a competitive rate per session as well as ongoing support & CPD. Please get in touch for more info.

Family Counselling Trust is fully funded by generous donors and funders. Can you help us continue to deliver mental health support to children and families in Somerset by making a donation?

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Low cost counselling, therapy & mental health support for chidren, young people (4-18yrs) & families in Somerset.

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Paragon - SIDAS - Somerset Integrated Domestic Abuse Service 

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Paragon - SIDAS - Somerset Integrated Domestic Abuse Service 

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Our teams work across Somerset and offer practical and emotional support.

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We have been commissioned by Somerset Council to deliver the Somerset Domestic Abuse Service. Julian House will be providing the refuge and safe accommodation and we will be joined by a counselling team in 2024.

Our team offer targeted support for victims, children, and people causing harm in their intimate relationships.

We are also been funded and commissioned by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and National Government.
Download a referral form for children and young people

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Somerset - Paragon Team - SIDAS - Domestic abuse services

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We have been commissioned by Somerset Council to deliver their Integrated Domestic Abuse Services known locally as SIDAS.

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The Child Autism UK helpline is a vital resource for parents when they first get a diagnosis of autism for their child.
Phone: 01344 882248.

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The Child Autism UK helpline is a vital resource for parents when they first get a diagnosis of autism for their child.

Calls to the Helpline vary considerably from day to day. Categories of calls include:

To call the autism helpline
phone: 01344 882248.

One of the most valuable aspects of the Helpline is that parents can be put in contact with other parents in their area who have faced the same issues.

Child Autism UK also runs a confidential helpline for tutors which gives advice on contractual matters and ethics.

To call the tutor helpline phone 01344 882248
(2 pm - 4 pm weekdays)

Help us to support parents

It is only through the help of generous donations given by people like you that we can help parents unlock the potential of their child and give families hope.

Read Guy's story to see what a difference your donation can make.

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Autism Helpline - Child Autism UK - releasing potential

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The Child Autism UK helpline is a vital resource for parents when they first get a diagnosis of autism for their child. Calls to the Helpline vary considerably from day to day. Categories of calls include: One of the most valuable aspects of the Helpline is that parents can be put in contact with other parents in their area who have faced the same issues.

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Somerset Parent Carer Forum CIC runs an online virtual support group. Any parent carer of a child or young person who has Special Educational Needs and /or          Disabilities (SEND) is welcome to join this. You can join the group Finding Your Way group here to ensure the group remains secure you will be asked to answer a  couple of questions before  entering the group, please check your others box in messenger.

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Somerset Parent Carer Forum CIC Ltd (not for profit) company no. 10227489

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Pluss supports thousands of people with disabilities and other disadvantages move into employment each year.

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An Award-Winning Community Interest Company

We support thousands of people each year to achieve a career and fulfil their true potential.

Our employment operations help jobseekers who need the most specialist support to find work. Our enterprise operations run alongside to create direct employment opportunities in a wide range of job roles.

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An Award-Winning Community Interest Company We support thousands of people each year to achieve a career and fulfil their true potential. Our employment operations help jobseekers who need the most specialist support to find work. Our enterprise operations run alongside to create direct employment opportunities in a wide range of job roles.

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Second Step - Adult Mental Health & Wellbeing

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Second Step - Adult Mental Health & Wellbeing

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We’re a leading mental health charity that’s been putting mental health first for people in Bristol and the South West for over 30 years. We believe that with the right support, everyone can take control of their life and make their future their own. Our services can be found in Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Somerset.

Our mission is to promote mental health and wellbeing by supporting people and communities to build brighter futures. Working hand-in-hand with the NHS and local authorities, we offer practical help and emotional support tailored to each individual and their recovery.

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A 24/7 phoneline available to support people of all ages offering a listening and advice service for wellbeing. You can call Mindline on 01823 27689.

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Mind in Somerset | For better mental health

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Welcome to Mind in Somerset!

We are here to make sure anyone with a mental health problem has somewhere to turn for advice and support. Our core purpose is to provide services and support to anyone affected by mental illness, improving their quality of life and wellbeing

Through our 24/7 Mindline service, Peer support groups, Garden, Art therapy and much more there is a way in for everyone and a service for everyone. We have an open door and treat everyone as individual, ensuring the right support, at the right time in the right way.

We have offices in Taunton, Yeovil, Bridgwater, Minehead and Shepton Mallet as well as groups and services across the county.

If you need support please
call Mindline on 01823 276 892
or email
[email protected]

Mindline

You can give Mindline a call 24 hours/day, 7 days/week.
No one should face poor mental health alone.

We are here.

Our Crisis Safe Space service is now running 7 days a week
6-10:00pm for drop in and appointments
in both our Yeovil and Taunton office
as well as Saturday and Sunday daytime.
To book please call Mindline on 01823 276 892

How can we help you today?

Our Services

Mindline Trans +

0300 330 5468

Mindline Trans+ is a confidential emotional, mental health support helpline and signposting service for people who identify as Trans, A Gender, Gender Fluid, Non-binary. Find out more

Mindline

0800 138 1692
or 01823 276 892

Our Mindline Emotional support and mental health helpline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Find out more

Live Chat

Our Emotional support and mental health helpline is now available as a live webchat !
Available every day from 8-11pm.

Find out more

We are grateful for support from:

Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of

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Ups and Downs is a charity that supports individual family members and/or families as a whole, who have a child with Down Syndrome and require some of our happy and optimistic information. The family   support team are available Monday to Thursday 9:30 am – 3:00 pm on 01278 691100 or via email info@upsanddowns.net.

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Ups and Downs Southwest - Families, Parents and Children support with Down Syndrome

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CCS Village & Community Agents      provide confidential, practical         community-based solutions for you, wherever you are in Somerset.

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Village Agents | Somerset Village & Community Agents

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Somerset Village and Community agents are part of CCS & dedicated to supporting & helping people to thrive – often helping when others won’t, don’t or can’t.

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Somerset Parent Carer Forum CIC runs an online virtual support group. Any parent carer of a child or young person who has Special Educational Needs and /or          Disabilities (SEND) is welcome to join this. You can join the group Finding Your Way group here to ensure the group remains secure you will be asked to answer a  couple of questions before  entering the group, please check your others box in messenger.

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Somerset Parent Carer Forum CIC Ltd (not for profit) company no. 10227489

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A local food pantry buys and collects surplus food and sells it to members at low cost - £3.50 each week for approx    8-12 items. It reduces food waste and provides good value food. There are 5 established pantries in Somerset listed below,

East Bridgwater (Sydenham) Local Patry:  Weds afternoon at Sydenham    Community  Hub, EastBridgwater.Pantry@gmail.com

South Bridgwater (Hamp) Local           Pantry: Weds afternoons at 2-3 Grenville House,        thepantry.southbridgwater@gmail.com

Highbridge and Burnham-on-Sea Local Pantry: Friday afternoons at Morland     Community Hub, hbos@gmail.com

Minehead Area Local Pantry: Tuesday     afternoons at Parish Church of St          Michael the Archangel,

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The Local Pantry, East Bridgwater, was developed by Homes in Sedgemoor customers Lewis and Pauline Hayes with the aim to stop food going to waste, while providing low-cost shopping for members for only £3.50 a visit.

Deborah, a user of the Pantry, said:
"The pantry really supports my family and the people here are great; I can't speak highly enough of them all. The food is affordable, and my children enjoy it and get to try new foods."

Lewis, Pauline, and the other volunteers at the Pantry wanted to give back to their community and help those in need of food and various supplies. The pantry began 18 months ago and started with 30 people registered to receive food parcels. This has now increased to 50.

Everyone at the pantry is really pleased to see how it has progressed to offering other services and information to support people during and following the pandemic.

There is a monthly cooking demonstration using the food from the bags, and COVID-19 vaccinations and the Citizens Advice Bureau attend every first Wednesday of the month. The Pantry is also looking to work with local PCSOs to attend more regularly.

The couple spends most of their week ensuring their community in Sydenham can receive fair packages of food by collecting food from local Co-op stores, working with the Morrison's community champion, organising a weekly raffle or tombola, texting registered customers weekly to remind them to collect their food at The Pantry, and managing the waiting and emergency supplies lists.

Lewis said:
"We will never turn anybody away and The Pantry has provided food for people in a crisis for up to 18 months now."

The Sydenham Pantry work with local Foodbank as they refer local customers to each other. They have also established great working connections with the Foodbank and have joined the Food Resilience Group.

The Pantry now has 14 other local volunteers who have pulled together and handed out food to many people in their community.

If you are struggling and would like to learn more about The Local Pantry Sydenham, please contact them today by sending them a direct message to their Facebook page.

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The Local Pantry, East Bridgwater, was developed by Homes in Sedgemoor customers Lewis and Pauline Hayes with the aim to stop food going to waste, while providing low-cost shopping for members for only £3.50 a visit. Deborah, a user of the Pantry, said: "The pantry really supports my family and the people here are great; I can't speak highly enough of them all.

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The Mental Health Support Team (MHST) provides assessment and     support for children and young people experiencing mild-moderate mental health and emotional wellbeing       difficulties, This is for both primary and secondary age children, and they also offer some parent/carer interventions.

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Mental Health Support Team (MHST) - CAMHS

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The Mental Health Support Team (MHST) in Somerset is a collaboration between Somerset NHS Foundation Trust's (SFTs) CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) , and Young Somerset (a charity providing various Tier 2 services), as well as Somerset's Education Psychology and Public Health teams and Exeter University.

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Mencap provide a range of information on their website which maybe useful. They
have an online Community. In addition they have a helpline available from 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday. You can ring 0808 808 1111

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Learning Disability - Autism - Down's Syndrome

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Mencap is a UK charity for people with a learning disability. We support their families and carers, too. We want the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.

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Contact - For families with disabled children

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Contact - For families with disabled children

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Contact run a free helpline for parents and  carers in any part of the UK with a disabled child aged from birth to 25. Your child can have any kind of disability or additional need, and you do not need to have a diagnosis. Call them on 0808 808 3555 9.30am-5pm, Monday-Friday, free from UK landlines and UK mobiles. Press 1, to speak to an education adviser, press 2 for all other helpline enquires.

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Contact - for families with disabled children | Contact

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We are Contact, the charity for families with disabled children. We support families, bring families together and help families take action for others.

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Tel: 0808 800 4104

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Useful links to key information such as urgent help, advice and guidance, Autism Services Directory, branches and our online community.

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Phone: 0808 800 3333.
Email: helpline@scope.org.uk.
Textphone: dial 18001 then 0808 800 3333.

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To speak to an adviser about issues connected to disability. Call or email Scope’s helpline, we provide free independent and impartial advice.

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call:01278 434636  or 07804 119273

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We rely on the support of our local community for food donations, volunteering and finances. Can you help us stop UK hunger?

Get Help

Bridgwater Foodbank has joined with the Grace Advocacy Team who help clients work through the labyrinth of application forms.

Our foodbank works using a voucher referral system. Find out more about how we work.

Food donations since 2013

In the last 5 years, 321,752 metric tonnes of food was donated and 308,878 tonnes was distributed. The remainder is on our shelves to be given out on the three days per week that the Foodbank is open.

Church Leaders Forum Report

Bridgwater Church Leaders Forum was first to recognise the need for a Foodbank in Bridgwater and their support has been excellent ever since.

Where we are
Get directions & opening times

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Bridgwater Foodbank | Helping Local People in Crisis

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We rely on the support of our local community for food donations, volunteering and finances. Can you help us stop UK hunger? Bridgwater Foodbank has joined with the Grace Advocacy Team who help clients work through the labyrinth of application forms. Our foodbank works using a voucher referral system.

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Link to the sharepoint folder with Tuning In resources

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Buttle Trust: Chances for Children - Grants

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Buttle Trust: Chances for Children - Grants

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Our Chances for Children grants are targeted at those living in financial hardship, and dealing with multiple challenging social issues.

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Buttle UK is a charity dedicated to helping children and young people in the UK who have experienced crisis.

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Understanding your teen & Emotion Coaching

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Understanding your teen & Emotion Coaching

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Family Information Session DDR Sedgemoor  Understanding your Teen Session

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Welcome to an introduction to Understanding your teen and the benefits of Emotion Coaching & Emotional Intelligence Based on ' Tuning into Teens" Apps By David Drew Aims: Aims: brief session we aim to explore: Helping you to understand the teenage brain Look at strategies for What

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NEW: Discovery Journal - a self-harm management workbook for 10-17 year-olds

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Are you between 10 and 17 years old?

Do you do things that cause your body and mind harm (including not eating properly)?

Would you like to change all or some parts of this behaviour?

Would you like to find ways to manage self-harm and your life without having to hurt yourself?

​Do you live in the UK?

If you answered yes to these questions, you can request the Discovery Journal for free (see below). It will be posted out to you in a discreet padded envelope with no mention of Battle Scars or self-harm.

​ Check out the PDF before ordering to see if you this could be useful to you. Feel free to leave us feedback.

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Are you between 10 and 17 years old? Do you do things that cause your body and mind harm (including not eating properly)? Would you like to change all or some parts of this behaviour? Would you like...

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Primary Prezi - Introduction to Emotion Coaching & Tuning in

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Primary Prezi - Introduction to Emotion Coaching & Tuning in

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Primary School version Nov 22 with teacher secion

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Welcome to an introduction to Emotion Coaching and 'Tuning in' By David Drew - TAS & PFSA coordinator Sedgemoor, Burnham & Highbridge Aims SessionAims In this brief session we aim to explore: Typical parenting approaches and how this information differs The brain and how you can

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Learning Objectives An Introduction to Early Help & TAS Hello & Welcome About me: I am David Drew - TAS & PFSA Coordinator in Sedgemoor TAS = Team Around the School Welcome & Introductions PFSA = Parent & Family Support Advisor I line manage a number of the PFSA's and coordinate

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Cambridgeshire County Council SEND Service 0-25

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Cambridgeshire County Council's video 'Why I am rude' - a poem about our perception of 'behaviour'.

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The power of everyday heroes | Jaz Ampaw-Farr | TEDxNorwichED

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How every child can thrive by five - TED talk by Molly Wright (7 years old)

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How every child can thrive by five - TED talk by Molly Wright (7 years old)

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How Every Child Can Thrive by Five | Molly Wright | TED

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Was Not Heard - Voices of the Young People

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To anyone who feels different- you NEED to watch this!

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Childhood Trauma and the Brain | UK Trauma Council

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Children's Commissioner - Persistent Absence Inquiry - Feb 2023

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Children's Commissioner - Persistent Absence Inquiry - Feb 2023

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Somerset - Designated Safeguarding Lead - Briefing Dates - Summer 2023

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Somerset - Designated Safeguarding Lead - Briefing Dates - Summer 2023

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The Designated Safeguarding Lead Briefings for the summer term will be taking place on Monday 3rd July 2023 and Thursday 6th July 2023 via Teams.

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DSL Briefing Dates Summer Term 2023 | Support Services for Education

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Designated Safeguarding Lead Briefings, Monday 3rd July and Thursday 6th July 2023

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Addressing Risks Outside the Family or home is an approach to understanding, and responding to, young people’s experiences of significant harm beyond their families.

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Risks Outside the Home

Addressing Risks Outside the Family or home is an approach to understanding, and responding to, young people's experiences of significant harm beyond their families. It recognises that the different relationships that young people form in their neighbourhoods, schools and online can feature violence and abuse. Parents and carers have little influence over these contexts, and young people's experiences of extra-familial abuse can undermine parent/child relationships

Practitioners should engage with individuals and sectors who do have influence over within extra familial contexts, and recognise that assessment of, and intervention with, these spaces are a critical part of safeguarding practices. Risks outside the family or home therefore, expand the objectives of child protection systems in recognition that young people are vulnerable to abuse in a range of social contexts. For more on Risks Outside the Family - also known as Contextual Safeguarding

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Risks Outside the Home - Somerset Safeguarding Children Partnership

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Addressing Risks Outside the Family or home is an approach to understanding, and responding to, young people's experiences of significant harm beyond their families. It recognises that the different relationships that young people form in their neighbourhoods, schools and online can feature violence and abuse.

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County lines is not a new thing. You may have heard about it on the news or in TV shows like Hollyoaks. But beyond the headlines and scripts, it's a stark reality for many young people. Here we unpack the truth about county lines and how we work to restore the hopes of children being forced to carry drugs across the country.

What does county lines mean?

County lines is a form of criminal exploitation. It is when criminals befriend children, either online of offline, and then manipulate them into drug dealing. The 'lines' refer to mobile phones that are used to control a young person who is delivering drugs, often to towns outside their home county.
Here are some things you might not know about county lines exploitation:

County lines is everywhere

County lines facts

of English police forces have seen county lines activity in their area and the violence is getting worse.

parents are worried about county lines in their local area.

county lines is everywhere

We work with children from London, Birmingham and Greater Manchester who have been trafficked all over the country to other big cities as well as smaller towns. We also work with professionals across various counties.

In Northumberland, our Prevention Team highlighted how easy it was to find the details of children in residential care. Exploiters could easily identify potential victims with a simple online search, putting many children at risk. This is now changing. Public information is being reviewed and more children are being safeguarded.

Children are not the problem

This may sound obvious but only recently has there been some recognition of the fact that a child caught up in county lines is a victim of exploitation. Often they are treated as criminals, not victims. Fortunately, attitudes are changing. However, gender, age, ethnicity and background can still affect how professionals respond to children.

We work hard so any child affected by county lines gets the support they need to escape a life of exploitation. We train police, social workers and other professionals so they can better respond to children and make them feel safe rather than criminalised.

County lines is visible

County lines operations are often hard to spot, but the signs are visible. We could all be in a position to stop it.

You might notice a child has multiple mobiles, comes home with unexplained injuries or bruising, suddenly has new trainers they can't afford. These could all be indicators that a young person is in trouble. We encourage everyone to learn the signs of exploitation and how to report it if worried.
Young people can and should live a life free of exploitation. Together we can help them break free from their abusers and face their future with confidence.

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County lines is a form of exploitation in which criminals groom and manipulate children into drug dealing. It's big in the UK. Find out more.

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Somerset Mental Health & Wellbeing Resources

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Somerset Mental Health & Wellbeing Resources

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Links to resources and the Wellbeing Framework- Mental Health Toolkit:

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The emotional well-being of children is just as important as their physical health. Good mental health allows children and young people to develop the resilience to cope with whatever life presents them and grow into well-rounded, healthy adults. Abuse, insecurity and anxiety in the early years can be hugely detrimental to a child's development. Promoting good mental health and wellbeing is the first building block to building emotional resilience to help with such challenging life events.

Things that can help promote emotional wellbeing in children and young people include:

Being in good physical health, eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise

Having time and the freedom to play, indoors and outdoors

Being part of a family that gets along well most of the time

Going to a school that looks after the well-being of all its pupils

Taking part in local activities for young people.

Feeling loved, trusted, understood, valued and safe

Being able to learn and having opportunities to succeed

Accepting who they are and recognising what they are good at

If a child is experiencing mental ill health, they may need additional support from their school, CAMHS or specialist services.
Wellbeing Framework- Mental Health Toolkit:

Somerset Children and Young People's Health & Wellbeing website provides information and support about mental health and emotional health & wellbeing.
> Find out more about Somerset Children and Young People's Health & Wellbeing Mental Health Toolkit
CAMHS Single Point of Access:

CAMHS Single Point of Access team receives all Somerset CAMHS referrals. The CAMHS SPA team triages the referrals and assesses the presenting mental health needs of the young person. Based on the information received, the team will support/signpost the young people to the most appropriate CAMHS or third-party services, according to each individual case

> Find out more about Somerset CAMHS Single Point of Access (SPA) - including CAMHS referral form and Eligibility Criteria

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Mental Health & Emotional Wellbeing - Somerset Safeguarding Children Partnership

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The emotional well-being of children is just as important as their physical health. Good mental health allows children and young people to develop the resilience to cope with whatever life presents them and grow into well-rounded, healthy adults. Abuse, insecurity and anxiety in the early years can be hugely detrimental to a child's development.

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SSE Somerset - School Bulletin Sign-Up link

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SSE Somerset - School Bulletin Sign-Up link

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The Somerset Schools' Bulletin | Support Services for Education

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To find out the latest school news and information in Somerset, sign up to receive the weekly SCC Schools' Bulletin during term time.

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School Community Tool Kit | Autism Speaks

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Click here to download the Autism Speaks School Community Tool Kit - a Tool Kit to assist members of the school community in understanding and supporting students with autism.

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Are you a young adult aged 16-25 living in Somerset who feels you could benefit from some support with your mental health?
We've Got Thisis here to support you to feel more positive about yourself, through providing you with fun, safe and purposeful environments to feel more empowered about your mental health and your life in general.

We will support you with a peer mentor who can;

help you to talk about what you are feeling and experiencing

introduce you to ideas and approaches that other have found helpful

reassure you that you're not alone in how you are feeling

help you to connect with others and give you a sense of belonging

encourage you to value your strengths

build your self-esteem and confidence

help you to feel more hopeful about the future.

Our peer mentors have been where you are now and use their own experiences to offer you support to help you feel better about yourself, recognise your self-worth, as well as help you build positive social networks through community groups. Each peer mentor has their own areas of interest and we aim to match you up with a mentor who shares a similar interest to you.

Funded by Open Mental Health, the following organisations: FUSE Performance, Young Somerset, 2BU, Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership (SASP), Minehead Eye and Conquest Centre provide peer mentors and offer a wide range of support and activity.

Meet the Mentors Video - click here

If you would like to give our peer mentor support a go please click below to fill out a very simple form and we will then be in touch.

Latest

Do you have a passion for promoting excellence in evidence-based clinical practice? Are you a proactive, enthusiastic multi-tasker and networker, looking ahead to the next challenge? Young Somerset is seeking to recruit a Qualified Clinical Supervisor

Are you a Qualified CWP looking for a new challenge? Are you inspiring, collaborative, willing to go further and always putting young people first? These are our values- If you share them we want to hear from you.

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We've Got This - Peer Mentor Support for 16-25 year olds

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Are you a young adult aged 16-25 living in Somerset who feels you could benefit from some support with your mental health? We've Got This is here to support you to feel more positive about yourself, through providing you with fun, safe and purposeful environments to feel more empowered about your mental health and your life in general.

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CASPAR - Sign up for regular NSPCC safeguarding updates

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CASPAR - Sign up for regular NSPCC safeguarding updates

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All fields are mandatory. We will only use your email address to send you CASPAR emails and your location for measuring and reporting our reach in Together for Childhood areas. We will not pass your details to any other organisation. You may unsubscribe at any time. View our privacy policy for full details.

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All fields are mandatory. We will only use your email address to send you CASPAR emails and your location for measuring and reporting our reach in Together for Childhood areas. We will not pass your details to any other organisation. You may unsubscribe at any time. View our privacy policy for full details.

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Working alongside professionals and supporting children, young people and families affected by sexual abuse.

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"Thank you so much for your invaluable and life-changing work that you have done with 'P'. As a result of your care, skill and commitment, 'P' can continue to inspire others as the truly exceptional young lady and learner that she always has been. She has grown in confidence, around adults in class and her peers, since working with you; she is appropriately assertive in a way that was less evident before your sessions. 'P' seems more confident, not only externally, but in themselves. Throughout Year 6, 'P' has developed their identity, esteem and ability to celebrate successes more deeply, truly giving 'P' skills that they will retain throughout their life as a learner and as a person."

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"Thank you so much for your invaluable and life-changing work that you have done with 'P'. As a result of your care, skill and commitment, 'P' can continue to inspire others as the truly exceptional young lady and learner that she always has been.

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Interactive Tools: Effective Support, Strengths & Needs, Child Sexual Exploitation Screening.

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Interactive Tools: Effective Support, Strengths & Needs, Child Sexual Exploitation Screening.

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Interactive Tools - Somerset Safeguarding Children Partnership

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Find out answers to: What are the responsibilities of a TAF member? What are the responsibilities of the Lead Practitioner? How can people positively participate in a TAF meeting?, and top tips for running a TAF meeting.

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Team Around the Family (TAF) guide - Somerset Safeguarding Children Partnership

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Somerset multi-agency guide to Team Around the Family (TAF) meetings. Find out answers to: What are the responsibilities of a TAF member? What are the responsibilities of the Lead Practitioner? How can people positively participate in a TAF meeting?, and top tips for running a TAF meeting.

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NSPCC - Talk Relationships - Free Online Learning

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NSPCC - Talk Relationships - Free Online Learning

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Updates are added regularly and topics currently include: Guide to non-statutory review process. Top Tips for Lead Practitioners – guidance to assist staff working as a Lead Practitioner & Somerset multi-agency guide to Team Around the Family (TAF) meetings.

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Bite Size Briefing Archives - Somerset Safeguarding Children Partnership

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Somerset multi-agency guide to Team Around the Family (TAF) meetings. Find out answers to: What are the responsibilities of a TAF member? What are the responsibilities of the Lead Practitioner? How can people positively participate in a TAF meeting?, and top tips for running a TAF meeting.

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10 minute NSPCC safeguarding refresher course

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Our free, 10-minute digital training will help you know what to do if a child needs help, or if you need support yourself.

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Winston's Wish Bereavement Training for Teachers

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Winston's Wish Bereavement Training for Teachers

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This course explains some of the ways you can help children and young adults suffering from a bereavement. Aimed at both primary and secondary school teachers.

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We send a monthly e-newsletter along with occasional updates on our news, fundraising, training, events, merchandise and volunteering - please opt in below to receive these updates. If you don't opt in, we will only contact you with information specifically relating to this e-learning course.

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We send a monthly e-newsletter along with occasional updates on our news, fundraising, training, events, merchandise and volunteering - please opt in below to receive these updates. If you don't opt in, we will only contact you with information specifically relating to this e-learning course.

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Our course explores the basics of sensory processing disorder and sensory integration.  It is designed for teachers, parents and professionals who want an introduction to sensory processing disorder.

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Free online sensory processing course for teachers, assistants and parents

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GriffinOT's free sensory course gives an introduction to the senses and sensory processing. It helps educators and parents to understand sensory behaviours.

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Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE) Sept 2022 - Part A

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Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE) Sept 2022 - Part A

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For all School and College Staff.

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Adverse Childhood Experience's

Offers a 50 minute online course to introduce you to ACE's, Brain development, impact of child adversity, Social, Health and Community Impacts of ACEs Early Trauma.

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Latest Government Prevent Duty Training Courses

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Latest Government Prevent Duty Training Courses

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Access training courses on the Prevent duty, the threat from terrorism and extremism in the UK and how to support people vulnerable to radicalisation.

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Access training courses on the Prevent duty, the threat from terrorism and extremism in the UK and how to support people susceptible to radicalisation.

Prevent is one part of the government's overall counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST. The aim of Prevent is to:

tackle the ideological causes of terrorism

intervene early to support people susceptible to radicalisation

enable those who have already engaged in terrorism to disengage and rehabilitate

This training is for people working in sectors covered by the Prevent duty, such as:

education

health

local authorities

police

criminal justice agencies (prisons, probation and youth justice)

Other sectors that are not covered by the Prevent duty may also complete this training.

Prevent duty courses

In these training courses, you will learn about:

the Prevent duty

different forms of extremism and terrorism

the risk around radicalisation and your supportive role

making a Prevent referral that is both informed and made with good intention

the interventions and support available

If you experience any issues with the service or our site, refer to our help section.

This service is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

If you have started a course and would like to complete it, use your reference number to resume your course

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Access training courses on the Prevent duty, the threat from terrorism and extremism in the UK and how to support people susceptible to radicalisation.

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Somerset Safeguarding Children Partnership - Training Portal

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Somerset Safeguarding Children Partnership - Training Portal

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Somerset Safeguarding Children Partnership - Learning Management System

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Somerset DASH - Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Harassment and Honour Based Violence Assessment

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Somerset DASH - Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Harassment and Honour Based Violence Assessment

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Somerset MARAC - Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference - Referral Form

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Somerset MARAC - Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference - Referral Form

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A MARAC, or multi-agency risk assessment conference, is a meeting where information is shared on the highest risk domestic abuse cases between representatives of local police, probation, health, child protection, housing practitioners, Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) and other specialists from the statutory and voluntary sectors.

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Somerset Family Strengths and Needs Toolkit

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Somerset Family Strengths and Needs Toolkit

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Assessment of a families current level of need.

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The Somerset Safeguarding Children Partnership (SSCP) are the partnership responsible for safeguarding children in Somerset.

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Everything you ever wanted to know!

Latest Publications
View All

Subscribe to our learning bulletin & newsletter!

We will keep you up to date with the latest policies, research, knowledge, and best practice in child protection.

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Everything you ever wanted to know! View All We will keep you up to date with the latest policies, research, knowledge, and best practice in child protection.

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Information and training links for Harmful Sexual Behaviour.

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All children and young people will enter a process of sexual development throughout their childhood and adolescence, and much of this will form a healthy and necessary part of growing up. However, for some, their behaviours will not be developmentally appropriate and, at times, may be harmful.

The context of the behaviour, level of understanding, cultural and peer norms as well as the reaction of the perceived victims are all important factors to consider when assessing how concerned we should be about sexual behaviour displayed by children and young people.

The Brook Sexual Behaviours Traffic Light Tool complements organisational safeguarding procedures by supporting professionals to identify, understand and respond appropriately to sexual behaviours.

> Further training and information about the Brook Traffic Light Tool, contact: SSCPtraining@somerset.gov.uk

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Harmful Sexual Behaviour - Somerset Safeguarding Children Partnership

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All children and young people will enter a process of sexual development throughout their childhood and adolescence, and much of this will form a healthy and necessary part of growing up. However, for some, their behaviours will not be developmentally appropriate and, at times, may be harmful.

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Somerset SEND Effective Support Document 

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Somerset SEND Effective Support Document 

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Effective Support for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and their families in Somerset – multi-agency guidance.

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SEND Effective Support - Somerset Safeguarding Children Partnership

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Effective Support for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and their families in Somerset - multi-agency guidance. Somerset Council and partners produced the SEND Effective Support Working Guideline for practitioners who are working with children and young people with SEND and their Families.

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Somerset Effective Support for Children and Families Document

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Somerset Effective Support for Children and Families Document

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Guidance for all who work with children and families.

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Somerset Early Help & The Early Help Assessment (EHA)

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Somerset Early Help & The Early Help Assessment (EHA)

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A link to everything Early Help and the EHA form.

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Providing help as soon as a problem emerges, at any stage of a child or young person's life, stops that problem from escalating and is much more effective than reacting to it later on.

Early Help means providing support as soon as the problem emerges, at any point in the child's life from the foundation years through to the teenage years. Working Together to Safeguard Children - 2018

Everyone knows that a little bit of help at the right time can make all the difference. Early help is all about providing that help to families who, for whatever reason, find that they're struggling. It's important that families know that it's ok to ask for help.

An effective early help offer is the responsibility of all partners. We want children, families, communities and agencies to work together so that families are assisted to help themselves and are supported as soon as a need arises, thereby improving the overall wellbeing and quality of life of all Somerset children, young people and their families.

Early help services can be delivered to parents, children or whole families, but their main focus is to improve outcomes for children. For example, services may help parents who are living in challenging circumstances provide a safe and loving environment for their child. Or, if a child is displaying risk-taking behaviour, early help practitioners can work with the child and their parents to find out the reasons for the child's behaviour and put strategies in place to help keep them safe.

Providing timely support is vital. Addressing a child or family's needs early on can reduce risk factors and increase protective factors in a child's life (Early Intervention Foundation (EIF), 2021).

Protective factors can reduce risk to a child's wellbeing. They include:

developing strong social and emotional skills

having a strong social support network for the family - including support

for good parental mental health

income support, benefits and advice

good community services and facilities

(EIF, 2021; Cleaver, Unell and Aldgate, 2011).
> Find out more about Early Help in Somerset here
Early Help Assessment (EHA) documentation is shared across all the agencies, meaning that people shouldn't have to tell their stories more than once. The whole process starts with a conversation that aims to capture what's going well, what could be going better, and what issues are most important to the child / young person and their family.

The resulting Early Help plan should be coordinated across all those involved and help families and communities develop the capabilities to prevent and resolve problems themselves.

If you require any advice or support with completing an Early Help Assessment, please contact The Early Help Advice Hub on 01823 355803

You can find out more about Early Help Assessments and supporting documentation via the link below:
> Early Help Assessment and supporting documents can be accessed here If a child or young person reveals they are at risk of suffering actual or likely significant harm, follow the local safeguarding process immediately.

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Early Help - Somerset Safeguarding Children Partnership

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Providing help as soon as a problem emerges, at any stage of a child or young person's life, stops that problem from escalating and is much more effective than reacting to it later on. Early Help means providing support as soon as the problem emerges, at any point in the child's life from the foundation years through to the teenage years.

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Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018)

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Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018)

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Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE) Sept 2022 - Full Document

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Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE) Sept 2022 - Full Document

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10 minute NSPCC safeguarding refresher course

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Our free, 10-minute digital training will help you know what to do if a child needs help, or if you need support yourself.

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An Act to make provision about education, training and childcare.

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Dr. Dan Siegel's Hand Model of the Brain