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Communication

Age 13

Information and advice on language development and what to expect around the age of 13

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By age 18

Information and advice on language development and what to expect around the age of 18

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Speech, language and communication development

Information about the development of speech, language and communication – what to expect:

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Speech, language and communication needs (SLCN)

The most fundamental life skill is the ability to communicate. Speech, language and communication needs is the term used to describe difficulties with:

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What is Makaton? SEND Local Offer

Makaton is a unique language programme that uses symbols, signs and speech to enable people to communicate. It supports the development of essential communication skills such as attention and listening, comprehension, memory, recall and organisation of language and expression. Find out more about Makaton here.

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Elective Home Education

Elective Home Education (EHE) SEND Local Offer

Information for families Electively Home Educating in Torbay

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South Devon College - Elective Home Education Scheme SEND Local Offer

At South Devon College we run a very successful and popular Elective Home Education programme, which is designed to meet the needs of the home educating community in South Devon.

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Home education useful websites SEND Local Offer

Home Learning is for everyone, whatever your age or your stage.  Whether you are at school or are Electively Home Educated, we hope the following information is helpful.

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EHE Information and Guidance on External Candidate Examination Entry SEND Local Offer

If you decide to enter your child into private examinations, you will hopefully find the following guidance helpful.

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Thing to consider when choosing external centres for examinations - EHE SEND Local Offer

It is important to discuss any arrangements with the chosen examination centre at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment.

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External centres for examinations EHE families in Torbay, have used SEND Local Offer

When considering the use of external centres for examinations, you may find it useful to look at this list that includes centres for examinations that EHE families have used.

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EHE and work experience or employment SEND Local Offer

It is important to be aware of the following legislation when it comes to your child being involved in any employment, work placed learning or vocational experiences that may take place in work environments:

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Elective Home Education (EHE) Newsletter July 2024 SEND Local Offer

Health (Teen)

Big Brush Club SEND Local Offer

Big Brush Club are working with schools and early years settings to offer supervised toothbrushing for children every day. They equip staff with all the tools they need to run toothbrushing sessions, as well as provide expert guidance and ongoing support help parents and carers to understand the importance of oral hygiene by providing lots of support and resources for families.

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Eczema SEND Local Offer

Find out about the different types of eczema, treatments and triggers, and download our booklets and factsheets. 

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My health Devon asthma resources SEND Local Offer

Asthma is the most common long-term medical condition in children in the UK, with around 1 in 11 children and young people living with asthma. The UK has some of the highest prevalence, emergency admissions and death rates for childhood asthma in Europe. Outcomes are worse for children and young people living in the most deprived areas.

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Your 0 to 19 Torbay School Nurse Team SEND Local Offer

School nurses are the key people linking education and health and take over from the health visitor when children start school, and are there to support them until they leave school at 19.

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Support from your school nurse team for children aged 10 – 11

For children in year 6 we will take your child’s weight and height in line with the National Child Measurement Programme. This will take place in your child’s school and you will receive information about it.

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Acne

Acne is a common skin condition that affects most people at some point. It causes spots, oily skin and sometimes skin that’s hot or painful to touch. Find out more about the symptoms and what you can try

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Eye health

Information from the NHS about why eye checks are important and how to spot eye problems in children.

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British Allergy Foundation

Information and support to sufferers and their families. Leaflets, fact sheets and regular newsletters are available. In addition they run a help line and support groups throughout the country.

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Bladder and bowel concerns

Advice and information for teenagers and young people living with bowel and bladder conditions.

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Hearing

Routine hearing tests are offered to newborn babies and children to identify any problems early on in their development.

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Allergies

The four most common allergies in children are food allergy, eczema, asthma, and hay fever. Find out information and advice from Allergy UK

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Better health, healthier families

Children's weight

“How much should my child weigh?” is a common question for parents. Children are weighed regularly as babies, but as children grow and develop at different rates it’s not always easy to tell if they are a healthy weight. Find some great advice here.

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Headlice

Head lice and nits are very common in young children and their families. They do not have anything to do with dirty hair and are picked up by head-to-head contact.

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Oral Health

An attractive and healthy smile is important when meeting people and making friends. And it can boost your confidence and help you feel good about yourself. Find out more here

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Oral health

An attractive and healthy smile is important when meeting people and making friends. And it can boost your confidence and help you feel good about yourself.

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Puberty SEND Local Offer

What does puberty mean?Puberty is when a child begins to grow and develop into an adult.

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Periods

Find out more about periods and what to expect

personal hygiene

Personal hygiene SEND Local Offer

Alongside daily hygiene habits such as washing your hands, brushing your teeth and generally keeping clean to reduce spreading germs and infection, there is also a social aspect to personal hygiene. This is around body odour and dental hygiene.As a young person, your body might already be going through a number of changes, or it soon will, so maintaining good personal hygiene and establishing daily routines are important, especially as some of these changes can be a source of anxiety for some people.Here are some hygiene basics to help you stay healthy and clean, so that you don’t have to worry about smelly underarms or feet.

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NHS sleep self-assessment

Most people experience problems with sleep in their life. In fact, it’s thought that a third of Brits will have episodes of insomnia at some point. This short test from Sleepio will give you a ‘sleep score’ plus practical tips and advice for improving your sleep.

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Sleep

The one stop shop for all you need to know about sleep. If you’re looking for advice on how to sleep better, would like tips on tweaking your routine or help to understand the science behind your sleep patterns, you’ll find it all here at the Teen Sleep Hub

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Teen sleep hub SEND Local Offer

The one stop shop for all you need to know about sleep. Great resources and videos to share.

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Parent talk, sleep advice

Advice on things like helping your teenager get a better nights sleep. Get sleep advice from our parenting coaches.

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Information and advice from your 0 to 19 Torbay school nurse team

Useful information and advice you can download.

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Is my child too ill for school?

It can be tricky deciding whether or not to keep your child off school, nursery or playgroup when they're unwell. Here's a guide from the NHS showing common childhood illnesses and advice for when you should keep your child off nursery or school.

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Handi app

Handy App

Devon parents/carers can download a free locally developed app to help them manage some of the common childhood illnesses, with advice from child health professionals at their fingertips.

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Information and support with understanding vaccinations SEND Local Offer

Childhood vaccinations – or jabs have been around for over 200 years starting with the first smallpox vaccine.  Different vaccinations are given out at different times across childhood.  But don’t worry if you or your child has missed out you can catch-up.  Vaccines work by teaching your immune system how to create antibodies that protect you from diseases.  Think of antibodies as your body’s defence system.  It’s much safer for your immune system to learn this through vaccination than by catching the diseases and treating them.  Once your immune system knows how to fight a disease, it can often protect you for many years.

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Information about school

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Access Arrangements (help in exams) SEND Local Offer

Extra help or adjustments to exams are called 'Access Arrangements'.

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HAF - Healthy Holiday, Food & Activities Programme SEND Local Offer

Free holiday provision available to children and young people aged 5 to 16 who are eligible for benefit related Free School Meals (FSM) or are Electively Home Educated (EHE).

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Home education useful websites SEND Local Offer

Home Learning is for everyone, whatever your age or your stage.  Whether you are at school or are Electively Home Educated, we hope the following information is helpful.

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Find before and after school holiday clubs SEND Local Offer

Childcare is available in Torbay through a variety of providers including childminders, pre-schools and out of school care such as breakfast clubs, afterschool clubs and holiday play schemes.

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School admissions (secondary)

Find out how to apply for a new secondary school year 7 place for  in Torbay. The online application system is now closed. If you still need to make an application for your child to start school in September please call 01803 208908 or email pupil.services@torbay.gov.uk to get an application form.

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CSW Group - Careers Advice SEND Local Offer

CSW Group provides free information, advice, guidance and support to people of all ages to help them to enter work and learning.

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School attendance SEND Local Offer

Help and advice for parents and carers on the attendance of their children at school.

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Home to school transport SEND Local Offer

Find out if your child is eligible for help with the cost of home to school transport.

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Free school meals (pupil premium) SEND Local Offer

All children in reception, year 1 and year 2 automatically get free school meals but you should still register your child to receive free school meals if you are eligible. By doing this your child’s entitlement can be checked on a regular basis so that their school can receive valuable additional funding for every child receiving a free school meal.

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Learning & development

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Teenage Brain development

Children’s brains have a massive growth spurt when they’re very young. By the time they’re six, their brains are already about 90-95% of adult size. The early years are a critical time for brain development, but the brain still needs a lot of remodelling before it can function as an adult brain.

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Teenage brain development - YouTube SEND Local Offer

Check out YouTube for videos around teenage brain development.

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Understanding Teenage Brain Development

There are two courses about teenagers’ brains. One for parents and one for teenagers. Both are fully funded, just use the access code TAMAR in you live in Torbay

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Understanding behaviour

Teenagers’ behaviour can be baffling, stressful, hurtful and often worrying. But in most cases it does not mean there is anything more serious going on than the natural process of becoming an adult. Advice from the NHS

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Behaviour advice and information from Parent Tak

Setting boundaries with your child, using rules and rewards, and coping with challenging behaviour.

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Advice and support on your teenagers development from Parent Talk

Support and advice on a range of issues such as talking about relationships, gender identity, dealing with emotions or body image.

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BBC Bitesize – Starting secondary school

Lots of advice and information on starting secondary school from support if you are worried about the size of the school and getting lost to making new friends.

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Speech & Language UK

Language development at this stage is a gradual process.  Changes still take place but they are harder to see. Children need to learn to develop relationships and join in social activities on their own. This is a guide to how children develop their talking and understanding of words between 11-17 years.

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Paignton Library Code Club

A global network of free coding clubs for 9–13 year olds

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BBC Own It

Welcome to Own It! We are here to help kids boss their online lives. Whatever you need – help and advice, skills or inspiration – we have it covered.That does Own It have to offer? The Basics covers different parts of the online world, whether that’s social media, gaming, vlogging or getting to know your device. Take Control is all about owning your digital life – help and advice on how to look after your wellbeing. It’s Personal is full of tips on how to handle your friendships and relationships online. We’ve got plenty of advice on how to deal with trolls, being kind online and even handling parents. Don’t Panic is where to head if you are in need of help with anything online. It has tips for dealing with tricky situations and links to organisations that can offer urgent help.

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Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing (Teen)

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Anxiety, advice and support from Parent Talk

Advice and activities to support children and parents with their mental health and emotional wellbeing.

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Feelings

Sharing your feelings, whether they’re good or bad, is a healthy thing to do. It helps release anxiety, improves communication and helps you get closer to others and for them to get closer to you. It also reduces the chances of you developing depression and eating disorders.

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Panic Attacks

These are unpredictable attacks of extreme anxiety that usually last for about ten minutes. They make you feel out of control and may cause you to have difficulty breathing. You may also have other signs of anxiety such as a racing heart, trembling, feeling sick or fainting. 

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Self-esteem

Self-esteem is what you feel and think about yourself, your abilities, the positive and negative things about you and what you expect for your future.

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Teenage Brain SEND Local Offer

Adolescence refers to the period of physical and psychological development between childhood and adulthood. The beginning of adolescence is around the onset of puberty, which brings dramatic alterations in hormone levels and consequent physical changes.

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The Mental Health Support Team in Schools (MHST) SEND Local Offer

The Mental Health Support Team (MHST) are an early intervention service focused on evidence based, guided self-help to help improve children and young people’s mental health. We offer therapeutic support to young people as well as working closely with school to develop the whole school awareness ofmental health and emotional wellbeing. Click here for more information.

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Time Torbay - Wellbeing Drop In SEND Local Offer

A confidential service supporting children and young people aged 11-24 years old who are struggling with their wellbeing.

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Torbay Young Carers Service SEND Local Offer

Torbay Young Carers Service are a friendly team based within Torbay Council’s Children’s Services. We provide a range of support and opportunities to young people who are in, or likely to take on a caring role.

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Bullying

If you’re being bullied, whether it’s online or at school, university or work, it can be really difficult and leave you feeling hurt – but you are not alone. Advice on how you can tell someone and get help.Bullying can happen anywhere and be about anything. We’ve got advice about different types of bullying, and how you can get help and support.You can find more support and information here

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Bereavement

During bereavement, it can help a child to talk about the person who’s died, whether it was a grandparent, parent, brother, sister or friend. Direct, honest and open communication is more helpful than trying to protect your child by hiding the truth.

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Bereavement, Winston's Wish

Information and advice on supporting a bereaved child

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Friends & Relationships

Relationships can make you feel amazing. But they can also leave you feeling stressed out and upset. Get advice if you’re having problems with relationships. 

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Exam preparation

How to cope with exam stress

Pressure to do well in exams can be overwhelming and affect your mental health. Here’s some advice if it’s all getting a bit too much.

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Kooth, wellbeing advice and support for young people. SEND Local Offer

Kooth is an online mental health and wellbeing service for children and young people.

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Mental health

Find out how you can help a child to have good mental health, including knowing how to talk to a child about their mental health, and when to spot signs they might be struggling.

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Young Devon

We give straightforward support for problems that young people might be facing.

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Checkpoint, Torbay SEND Local Offer

We provide help to young people aged 8–18 across Torquay, Paignton and Brixham. We can speak to you on the phone, online or face to face. We can help you overcome the challenges that hold you back. Achieve the things that matter to you. Give you skills and strategies to help you move forward.

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Mental health and wellbeing advice from Parent Talk

Advice and activities to support children and parents with their mental health and emotional wellbeing.

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Depression in children and young people

Children and young people can get depressed too.It’s important to get help early if you think your child may be depressed. The longer it goes on, the more likely it is to disrupt your child’s life and turn into a long-term problem.

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Mind, the mental health charity SEND Local Offer

When you’re living with a mental health problem, or supporting someone who is, having access to the right information – about a condition, treatment options, or practical issues – is vital. Mind can help.

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Lumi Nova SEND Local Offer

Lumi Nova: Tales of Courage is an engaging child-led, parent/guardian supported therapeutic intervention that can be used on most smartphones or tablets.

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Self harm SEND Local Offer

Self-harm is when people hurt themselves or damage their health on purpose. Sometimes people do this in secret. There are lots of different reasons why someone might self-harm, but there are also different ways to cope and get help.

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Young Minds, mental health support SEND Local Offer

Making sure all young people get the best possible mental health support and have the resilience to overcome life’s challenges.

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Samaritans, support with self-harm SEND Local Offer

If you or someone you know self-harms there is always a listening ear available from the Samaritans.

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Hub of Hope, support for mental health concerns SEND Local Offer

The Hub of Hope is a first of its kind, national mental health database which brings together organisations and charities, large and small, from across the country who offer mental health advice and support, together in one place.

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Childline – CalmZone

There are lots of way to feel calmer. It’s about finding what works for you. Try some of CalmZones breathing exercises, activities, games and videos to help let go of stress.

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Suicide support SEND Local Offer

Pete’s Dragons offer support and comfort after suicide loss.

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Abusive relationships

Abuse in teenage relationships is when you begin to feel scared or controlled by the person you’re with. You may be confused because it feels like a loving relationship but often only when you behave in a certain way. This can happen at any age, regardless of gender.

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Torbay CAMHS SEND Local Offer

The Torbay Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service provides emotional and mental health assessment and treatment to children, young people, aged 0-18 years, and their families/carers within Torbay.

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Sexual wellbeing and relationships

Having an active sex life can lead to health benefits such as improving the condition of your heart, reducing stress and improving mental health. Being part of a happy, healthy relationship can also reduce depression and anxiety. Even just having a hug can reduce your blood pressure and improve your sense of well-being.

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Nutrition & diet (T)

Better health, healthier families

Healthier Families – Healthier Food Swaps

Help your young person cut back with great sugar swap ideas and discover easy ways to make a swap when you next shop.

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Better health, healthier families

Easy ways to eat well and move more

Healthier Families is an excellent source of easy and fun methods to help children and families make healthy choices and be more active.

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NHS live well, eat well

Advice, tips and tools to help you make the best choices about your health and wellbeing.

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Physical activity for teenagers

How much physical activity should children and young people aged 5 to 18 do to keep healthy? Advice and guidance from the NHS

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Top healthy eating tips for teenagers

As your teenage years are such an important time for growth and development, a healthy, varied diet is essential to ensure that you receive all the energy and nutrients you need to concentrate well at school and take part in sports and activities. Top tips from the British Nutrition Foundation

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How many calories does a teenager need?

Advice and guidance from the NHS

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Concerned about your teenagers eating?

Find out more about common eating disorders from the NHS

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Eating on a budget

Tips to save money on food

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Beat eating disorders

Information and advice if you or someone you know things they might have an eating disorder.

Sexual Health (teen)

Helpful websites SEND Local Offer

There are a range of helpful websites that you can access online. If you discover additional resources that may be useful, please advise the Knowledge Lead for this topic.

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C- card

A C-Card allows anyone aged 13 to 24 living in Devon and Torbay to access FREE condoms.

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Sexual health SEND Local Offer

Taking care of your own sexual health is important. Find out more about –safer sex, pregnancy, Thrush, bacterial vaginosis, general hygiene and more

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STI's

Find out what you need to know and get advice about Sexually Transmitted Infections, including HIV

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Contraception

Contraception helps to prevent unwanted pregnancy and there’s no shortage of choice with 12 methods available. Please contact Devon & Torbay Sexual Health Clinic if you want to talk about or access any of these methods.

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Sexual health advice from your 0 to 19 Torbay school nurse team

Useful resources from the 0 to 19 Team you can download

Smoking, vaping, drugs & alcohol (teens)

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Smoking

Information and advice on smoking and tools to help you quit and how to use them for teenagers.

0 to 19 Torbay for you

Young people drug and alcohol support

The use of both legal and illegal drugs among teenagers and young adults is widespread. Teenagers are likely to experiment, test boundaries and take risks. Smoking, drinking and trying drugs are some of the most common ways in which many young people do this. However, substance misuse is also one of the most common risks to a young person’s health and development. All drugs have the potential to cause harm, some can be addictive, and using drugs in combination can increase the risks. Legal drugs such as alcohol and tobacco can be very addictive. Illegal drugs include cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy and heroin.

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Vaping SEND Local Offer

Vaping for e-cigarette: Just the facts

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Drinking

Find out about the reasons that some teenagers drink, what are the risks, and how can parents and carers help keep them healthy and out of trouble.Should my child drink alcohol advice from the NHS

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the children's society

Drugs & substance misuse

When someone in the family is addicted to drugs or alcohol, it can cause stress, violence and neglect. It can make children feel confused and alone. Get advice and support from Checkpoint. 

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Drugs & substance misuse SEND Local Offer

Flying the nest – how to stay safe if you’re Leaving home for the first time, worried about spiking, festivals or cannabis edibles? Get advice from FRANK

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Staying safe on and off line

Illegal money lenders SEND Local Offer

Illegal money lenders or loan sharks as they are more commonly known are criminals and they will lend money to almost anyone at extortionately high interest rates (100% a week is the norm) and will use a variety of tactics such as intimidation, harassment, threats and violence to ensure that the borrower continues to pay with no end date to the loan.

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Child Exploitation and Online Protection

Online gaming

Online gaming: tips for playing safe

Child Exploitation and Online Protection

Click CEOP

CEOP helps any child or young person under the age of 18 who is being pressured, forced or tricked into taking part in sexual activity of any kind. This can be something that has taken place either online or in ‘the real world’, or both.

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Staying safe online

A practical guide for parents and carers on how to keep children safe online.

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NSPCC advice on online child safety

Understanding online safety is tricky for all ages. We have advice to help you learn about staying safe online as a family.

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Selfies and Sexting SEND Local Offer

Sexting is a term often used to describe sharing this type of content but young people may refer to it as sending a ‘selfie or a ‘pic’. What you need to know from Think U Know

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Child Accident Prevention Trust

Free child safety advice to parents and carers, support professionals working with children and families, support senior professionals and policy-makers and advise the government and organisations on child safety.

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Child sexual explotation

CSE stands for child sexual exploitation and is a type of abuse. It’s when children are tricked into performing sexual acts. It can happen to both boys and girls.

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Beach safety

The beach is a fantastic place to go, but it can be dangerous. If you’re heading to the seaside, take a look at the RNLI’s top five tips to help you and your family stay safe.

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What to do if your child has an accident

What do if your child has an accident and the latest safety advice.

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