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Children and Young People

Mersham Play Area We deliver a range of services and activities with other agencies for children and young people and are committed to  safeguarding and promoting their well-being.  We work in partnership with the Local Children's Trust to support the development of new facilities and services for children and young people. 

 

We work to upgrade and modernise existing play areas, as well as plan for new play spaces.  Our Play Strategy, Play Matters, explains how we will provide and develop play for children and their families throughout the borough.  This strategy is currently under review.

 

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 support Parish Councils in delivering their own Youth Forums so that we can better understand the needs of young people.

 

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):

 

  • Social Services - County Duty Service, telephone 0845 330 2967
  • Kent Police - ask to speak to someone in the Child Protection Unit, telephone 01622 690690
  • NSPCC - telephone 0808 800 5000

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 seven Children’s Centres open in the Ashford Borough, including the recent opening of Waterside Children's Centre in South Willesborough. Access your local Children's Centre here. 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:

  • High quality early education and childcare for children aged 0 to 5, available in hours to suit working parents
  • Drop-in sessions for parents and children
  • Ante-natal classes and baby clinics
  • Information and advice about breastfeeding, parenting and speech & language
  • Services for children with special needs and disabilities
  • Links to local schools and holiday playschemes
  • Encouragement and support for parents thinking about training or finding a new job
  • Links to a childminder network
  • Support from Kent Children and Families Information Service to provide a range of information about childcare and related issues for families  
  • Links with voluntary agencies
  • Links with schools 

This webpage was updated on 6/8/2011

 

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.
Ashford Borough Council Ashford, Best Placed in Britain

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