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Children and Young People

What MattersWe work with children and young people to ensure we deliver better initiatives for all. We deal with new facilities for children and young people including the upgrading and modernisation of existing play areas, which is set out in our Play Strategy, Play Matters.

 

For further information, and especially useful for Parish Councils, we have produced a  Working with Young People Pack and a Play Pack. We also co-ordinate the Ashford Youth Forum Trust and other neighbourhood forums so that we can better understand the needs of young people.

 

We have developed the What Matters website to address the issues raised in the What Matters Strategy.

 

A range of partners have produced an Ashford Youth Framework aimed at those interested in improving the quality of life for young people in the Borough.

 

We do not provide social care services for Children and Young People as this is the responsibility of Kent County Council.  Their website deals with services such as Adoption, Fostering, Child Protection and Looked after children.  Through the same site you can access Education and Learning and Youth and Social Care. You can also visit their website for young people, ToGoGo.

 

The Kent and Medway NHS website gives information about support groups which include Disabilities, Carers, Bereavement and Mental Wellbeing. They also offer advice on bullying, and Kent Safeguarding Children gives good advice for parents whilst the What Matters website gives advice for young people.

Childcare - Preschool / After School

The Kent Children and Families Information Service (CFIS) provide free, accurate and impartial advice and guidance on all aspects of childcare provision, early years education grants and advice on careers in childcare. Freephone 08000 32 32 30 or email

 

The Kent Early Years & Childcare Unit co-ordinates and develops pre-school and out-of-school provision for children up to the age of 14 (or 16 for children with Additional Education Needs). They also provide information and advice about early years and childcare provision.

 

OfSTED registers and inspects childminders, playgroups, non-maintained nurseries, out-of-school clubs and playschemes to ensure they provide a safe environment for young children. Freephone 08000 32 32 30.

For national and regional childcare searches visit the CFIS website.

Adoption and Fostering

Adoption services and enquiries within the borough are dealt with by Kent County Council's adoption unit.

 

Kent County Council are also responsible for all fostering services within the county.  Outlook Fostering in Ashford will provide good local support. 

Child Protection

Kent County Council have set up the Kent Safeguarding Children Board (KSCB) which provides information for everyone in Kent who is concerned about safeguarding children and meeting their needs. That particularly includes children, parents, and everyone in Kent whose work brings them into contact with children and families.

 

If you are not sure whether a child is suffering but are worried, or if you are concerned that a child has suffered harm, neglect or abuse in the past, please contact Kent Social Services, Kent Police or the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC):

 

Carelines

Childline is a free, 24-hour helpline for children in distress or danger, telephone 0800 1111.

Connexions offer advice for young people aged 13-19, telephone 01233 647862.

Children's Homes

Children's homes within the borough are maintained by Kent County Council Social Services. 

SureStart Children’s Centres

Children’s Centres are places that provide information and  offer access to services for families with young children aged 0 to 5 in local communities .  

 

There are currently five Children’s Centres open in the Ashford Borough, with 1 more planned to open in East Stour later this year. Access your local Children's Centre here. The current plan is to have 9 centres in Ashford as each centre shall endeavour to service approximately 800 children.

 

Each Centre  will offer a variety of services to cater for the needs of the community, but will include:

 

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This webpage was updated on 5/7/2010

 

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Ashford Borough Council, Civic Centre
Tannery Lane, Ashford TN23 1PL
Telephone: 01233 331111
Email: customer.care@ashford.gov.uk or view our contact us page.

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