Support
There is a lot of support available for families and children who need additional help.
If a child is in immediate danger then you should always call 999.
Help and advice can be found on the Southampton Safeguarding Children Partnership (SSCP) website here. Concerns about a child can also be reported directly to Southampton's Childrens' Resource Service here.
Children and Families First
A lot of support is available through Southampton City Council and their Children and Families First service.
Children and Families First is not just aimed at preventing abuse or neglect but at ensuring the best start and improving the life chances of all children and young people, by working with their families. Southampton has Family Hubs including three integrated Children and Families First Teams based across three localities – East, Central and West - who can provide advice and support for the whole family on issues such as:
- Parenting and behaviour management
- Emotional wellbeing
- Substance misuse
- Domestic abuse
- Financial advice and support, housing and progression to work
- Staying safe - outdoors and online
In Southampton, the early help system is made up of service users, community resources, universal service providers and targeted services working together to enable families to manage their own dilemmas and solve their own problems, making whatever changes are necessary to secure the well-being of their children, enabling appropriate risk management in the community and a proportionate response to risk and need.
More information about this service can be found here.
A family hub is a place for children and families to enjoy stay and play sessions, find a quiet space to breastfeed babies, get advice on infant feeding, get healthcare support and much more. Staff within the hubs can help you find the information you need from employment to healthcare support. There are seven family hub locations across Southampton each providing a range of sessions and support for local families. These services can be viewed online here.