Our Early Help Service is available to children and their families and is made up of two types of services that combine in different ways to form Torbay’s Early Help offer.

Here is the link to the assessment portal where you can register and complete an Early Help Assessment

These are universal services and targeted services.

• Universal services include: Post-16 education, schools, early years settings, housing and finance advice and support, family hubs, children’s centres and youth centres, GP surgeries, libraries, maternity services, specialist public health or community nurses and community connectors
• Targeted services include: Early Help Panel, Family support, health professionals, mental health services, special education needs support services, jobcentre plus, school attendance and exclusion support, domestic abuse services, alternative provision, housing services, police, substance misuse services and targeted youth services.

Our Early Help Universal offer covers an umbrella of services which are available to all children and families. Please click here to open more information and how to contact that service.

• Housing & Cost of living surgeries
• Youth Homeless Prevention Service
• Family Group Conference
• Parenting Drop ins
• Parenting Teens Group
• Reducing Parental Conflict/EPIC partnership for whole family support
• Youth Service

You will see by clicking on link, there are options for: MASH, Fostering, Professionals and Early Help.

This will provide the facility for partners, parents, young people and members of the public to make referrals into MASH and Early Help directly, allowing Early Help to have its own front door. 

On our Home to School Transport page, you will find further information on the following topics.

• Apply for home to school transport
• Replace a pass
• Appealing against a decision
• Post 16 transport
• School travel and safety
• School transport policies
• Concessionary seat
• Independent travel training

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

The course covers nine topics to help you with independent living. During the course you’ll explore housing, finances, how to look after yourself and how to stay safe whilst living independently. Click the link below to get started.

Start the course

Self-help, Welling tools, National & Local UK Resources, Music, Learning, Guidance, Support, Self-care

What do you do for your self-care?
How do you maintain positive wellbeing?
Do you know how to spot your early signs of mental ill health?
Would you like all the wellbeing tools and resources to support you and those around you?
MINDWELL Companion is available FREE – click here for further information and to login

Need advice with benefits, housing or finances?

Please attend one of our Housing and Cost Of Living Surgeries running from family hubs across Torbay where you can speak to a Benefits Adviser and Housing Officer.

Benefits
Checking what benefits and financial support you might be able to get to help with your living costs

Housing
Support with your housing needs, signposting and liaison with housing services.

• Dealing with notice to quit and the eviction process.
• Illegal evictions.
• Tenancy rights.
• Devon Home Choice.
• Housing standards and dis-repair

Surgeries are held once a month with appointments available at the following times, so please book the date and time that suits you. This will save you waiting to see an advisor.

• 9:00 – 9:30
• 9:30 – 10:00
• 10:00 – 10:30
• 10:30 – 11:00
• 11:00 – 11:30
• 11:30 – 12:00

To see the diary pages and make a booking click here.   Select the location you prefer to see the dates and times available.  If you are unable to attend your booking, please let us know so we can assist other families.

From 31st July, a Duty Family Support Worker will be available to provide support and advice on parenting

Parenting can be hugely rewarding but it can also be challenging especially if you think your child is unhappy or you are concerned about them and their behaviour.

We can provide advice on parenting including signposting to wider support services.

Please complete the contact box below to request a call back. A duty family support worker will contact you back on a Wednesday morning, between 9am – 12pm.

Please ensure you complete your Name, Phone Number and Email Address to allow us to return your enquiry.

At our Parenting and Play Coffee Morning, you can expect warm and friendly support from our staff. Whether you’re a new parent navigating the early stages or an experienced one facing new challenges, we’re here for you! Our team can provide advice on topics such as:

• Child Development: From milestones to behaviour, we’ll share insights to help you understand your little one’s growth.
• Parenting Strategies: Need tips on positive parenting, routines, or communication? We’ve got you covered.
• Self-Care: As parents, it’s essential to take care of ourselves too. We’ll discuss ways to recharge and manage stress.
• Community Resources: We can connect you with local services, playgroups, and other helpful resources.

Remember, you’re not alone on this parenting journey. Drop in for a coffee, some playtime, and a supportive community!

This group is run by: 0 to 19 Torbay, Action for Children team

Suitable for: parents and carers with a child under five years

For dates and times, please see our what’s on pages

Email: hello@pegsupport.com or admin@pegsupport.com
Instagram: @pegs_support
Facebook: PEGS-Child to Parent Abuse Support
Twitter: @PEGS-support

Helping all children to play and be active outdoors

At Play Torbay, our aim is simple… We provide fun, accessible play opportunities all year round including playground adventures, play days and special events.  Play is the single most important developmental process in any child’s life and a fundamental human right. We raise awareness about the importance of play in children’s lives by actively involving parents and the wider community in the wonderful benefits of play.  

We are a small charity supporting and encouraging children to play and be active outdoors. We provide adventure, friendship, and fun for hundreds of children each year.

‘We believe that play is a fundamental right of childhood and is central to children and young people’s wellbeing and development’   General Comment 17, UNCRC

School age children and their families are the beneficiaries of our work. We particularly support children from disadvantaged communities and those affected by adverse childhood experiences.

Click here for PlayTorbay main website

We can Relate to parents and co-parents with free AI powered tools and toolkits to help you handle problems you might be facing with your partner or co-parent.

Relate’s free AI powered tools are here to help you handle problems you might be facing with your partner or co-parent.

Relate has local Centres across the UK. The services each centre provides vary because each centre tailors their services – such as couples counselling, sex therapy and counselling for children and young people – to the needs of their local community. Click here to find your Relate centre.

Free support for military parents.

Are you parenting with someone who you argue with a lot?
Is there conflict in your relationship?
Have you separated and you are struggling to co-parent without tension?

Would you like to reduce the arguments and disagreements in your family and cope better with stress? Would you like to enhance your relationship with your current partner, or improve communication with your ex or the other people helping to raise your children?

Free online and in-person courses to develop better family relationship and reduce parental conflict are based on the Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities approach and draw on years of expertise of working with parents.

Find out more at Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities

Working with: Child to Parent Violence & Abuse. The most hidden, misunderstood and stigmatised form of family Violence.

Please click here for further information on the Who’s in charge web page.

Further information can be obtained from the Children’s Society web page

The Youth Homeless Prevention team provide support to 16- and 17-year-olds who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, as part of the Early Help approach at Torbay Council.

Who does the Youth Homeless Prevention team support?
Are you a 16- or 17-year-old who has been asked to leave your home?
Are you a parent or carer struggling to maintain your young person staying at home? Or are you considering / have you asked your young person to leave?
If so, please get in contact with the Youth Homeless Prevention team via the email address or phone number below and we can offer advice and support.

(Please note, if you are over the age of 18 or are a household, please contact Housing Options on 01803 208723).

What support can the Youth Homeless Prevention team offer?
We are very much focused on prevention and support, with young people and their families being central to our thinking and planning. We understand that it can be a stressful time, so we take the time to truly understand what is going on for you and your child and why they may be homeless or at risk of homelessness. This then helps us to know what support, advice or signposting is needed. We can link you in with other support services (with your consent). We can also, where necessary and appropriate, support young people who are homeless to access accommodation in Torbay.

Email: yhp@torbay.gov.uk
Phone: 01803208723 (request to speak to the Youth Homeless Prevention team)
Web enquiry: https://forms.torbay.gov.uk/HousingEnquiry

If you would like support or one of the team to get in touch, please complete this form.

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Email

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If you would like to know more about youth homelessness in the UK, please watch this video:

Watch this video to find out more about the online understanding your pregnancy course

New online course – Understanding your preterm or sick baby

Watch this video to find out more about the online understanding your baby course

Here’s a taster about the understanding your child’s feelings course

New online course – understanding the impact of the pandemic on your child

You will see by clicking on link, there are options for: MASH, Fostering, Professionals and Early Help.

This will provide the facility for partners, parents, young people and members of the public to make referrals into MASH and Early Help directly, allowing Early Help to have its own front door. 

Meeting every Wednesday between 1pm-5pm

The Early Help Multi Agency Panel meets weekly playing a key part in ensuring that needs are identified early, and that services are integrated and tailored to the child, young person or family in need of early help. It mobilises resources swiftly across the partnership, helping to build capacity in families to be resilient and manage their own difficulties and reduce the need for statutory agencies to become involved.

It provides a regular forum for professionals to meet in which:

• Whole system information can be shared to make decisions
• Families can access the resources they need rapidly
• Agencies collaborate to ensure children, young people and their families receive the right help, for the whole family, first time
• Lead professionals are agreed to drive joined up assessments, plans and interventions for children, young people and their families
• The need for children, young people and their families to have to tell ‘their story’ more than once is reduced
• Support plans can be reviewed, support when needs and/or risks change to minimise the risk of children, young people and their families being referred to specialist or statutory services.

We welcome self-referrals from families, please click portal link, ‘Request Early Help’, to refer.
For advice and support regarding Early Help Panel, please contact earlyhelp@torbay.gov.uk

The Family Intervention Team offer focused family support to families with complex needs through targeted support. We work flexibly and creatively with parents and their children in their homes and in groups, to increase the skills, confidence and abilities of all family members to live their daily lives in a positive and safe way.Key areas of work:
• To offer emotional and practical support to parents and their families, in their own homes and in the community.
• To offer a whole family / family centred restorative approach to families with emerging and complex needs within a preventative approach.
• We attend meetings, groups and deliver training as requested.
• Develop and build a trusting relationship with the children, young people and parents to help alleviate or break their social isolation and increase capacity and resilience.
• Provide advice and support to families and professionals linking with community resources.
• Communicate and foster positive relationship with our agency partners to ensure best interests of the child and family.

FIT link worker
One FIT worker is linked to each Family Hub. They are available to have conversations and signpost over current worries and support needs your family might be having at the time.

Parenting Support
Various offers of parenting support through face-to-face groups are being offered in the Hubs- please look at our timetable for up to date information on these.

Email:  earlyhelp@torbay.gov.uk
Phone: 01803 208100

The Supporting Families Programme is a Government funded initiative that has been running since 2015.

When families experience a lot of challenges all at once these can be the most difficult times for them. The Supporting Families programme is aimed at working with families at these times by providing targeted interventions for families with complex problems. These problems might include the following:-

• Unemployment and financial instability,
• Poor school attendance,
• Mental and physical health problems,
• Involvement in crime and antisocial behaviour,
• Domestic abuse and poor family relationships,
• Children who are at risk of abuse and exploitation,
• Substance misuse and insecure housing.

The four key principles of Supporting Families is helping you at the earliest possible time you experience a problem, working with your whole family, working with other agencies in partnership who can provide different types of support to you, and ensuring we make a real difference to you and your children.

The Supporting Families programme in Torbay is delivered via the Early Help Partnership. For more information click on the link, speak to a Family Hub worker or contact us by clicking here.

The Supporting Families Programme is based on the principle of a whole family approach, providing support to all members of the family, including children, parents and grandparents. The programme’s holistic approach helps families to address and overcome multiple challenges they might be facing relating to unemployment, housing, education and health.

Find out more here

A family’s needs could be anything from an educational issue for one child, a health difficulty, financial issues and perhaps housing, which require more than one professional’s expertise. Through working with a TAF, support needs and difficulties can be addressed together to avoid things escalating.

Reducing parental conflict and supporting co-parenting

5 sessions, delivered one-to-one or in small groups, to help make a difference to families. For intact and separated co-parents. Delivered digitally anywhere in the UK.

For further information and services, please visit the Home Start South & West Devon web page

Telephone: 07307 873163
Website: https://www.home-start.org.uk/home-start-south-west-devon
Facebook: @HomeStartSouthandWestDevon
Email: homestart.shpt@gmail.com

Links to videos and resources for parents:

Video and text Home – Relationship Matters  (includes one plus one videos)

One plus One Youtube videos See it differently

Anna Freud Centre videos and text  

Parents or Careers in Conflict

The impact of child triangulation on a child’s mental health

DAD.info | Free expert advice and support for Fathers includes Parenting After Separation (familycourses.org) free access to 11 module programme about co-parenting for separated parents.

RPC Services in Devon Parental Relationships – Devon Children and Families Partnership (dcfp.org.uk)

Making Marriage Work | Dr. John Gottman – YouTube

Co-parenting apps. Our Family Wizard is free to families receiving benefits, Referral forms in the office.

Word documents to view or download

The aim of this toolkit is to help improve parental relationships whether people are parenting together or separated to help improve the lives of children.

Are you a parent going through separation? Separating better is a brand-new mobile app, which can help guide you through the separation process, find effective ways of co-parenting, and sort out disagreements, all with the wellbeing of your child in mind.

Separating better: your essential companion for a smoother separation

• Self-guided support: Expert emotional advice and practical information on childcare and financial arrangements.
• Progress tracking: Easily monitor your journey and achievements as you navigate separation.
• Emotional readiness quiz: Get a sense of where you are in your separation journey with our quiz.
• Co-parenting tips: Stay organised and communicate effectively with your co-parent.

Key features of the app

Emotional support: our interactive Work it out videos use Behaviour Modelling Training, alongside expert advice articles to help you manage your emotions and plan throughout your separation journey.

Practical tools: we’ve designed our parenting plan and budget planner tools to help you communicate and co-parent in a positive and effective way, managing the financial and practical aspects of separation.

Track your progress and emotions: take our emotional readiness quiz to see where you stand emotionally at the start of your journey. Set personal goals to achieve during your journey and work through our app in stages for a manageable separation process.

Milestone recognition and evaluation: our mobile app features a journey-based model with progression points and unlockable content as you complete app sections and achievements. Reflective questionnaires are included to evaluate your goals and progression along the way!

Start your journey today

Track your emotional readiness, gain practical insights and take control of your separation journey. Download the Separating better app now and start your journey to healthy co-parenting for you and your children.

Find information, advice, videos and more here. 

Most of us have disagreements about things in our relationships – whether it’s coming home late, spending too much time on the phone, or what to watch on TV, having a difference of opinion is normal.

Not all conflict is damaging, but if your disagreements are frequent, intense and poorly resolved it can have a negative impact on your children’s health and emotional wellbeing.

Children who often witness adults arguing, slamming doors or ignoring each other sometimes feel that they are to blame, it can negatively impact on their self-esteem, mental and physical health, behaviour, how well they do in school, and their relationships with others both now and in their adult life.

Conflict in relationships can occur in all types of families: between biological parents, step-parents, foster and adoptive parents, parents and grandparents and separated and divorced parents to name just a few.

For more information, please contact:
Email: Kelly.Fundrey@torbay.gov.uk   
mobile: 07796 996230

Here’s links to other organisations that could provide information and support.

• Race Equality Foundation comprehensive information about what is conflict and how to address it.
• Parental conflict toolkit (raceequalityfoundation.org.uk)
• Home – For Baby’s Sake (forbabyssake.org.uk) for new parents.
• Parental conflict: the impact on children and how local authorities can help on Vimeo
• Listening to your child’s voice after separation – Cafcass – Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service
• Parenting Plan – Cafcass – Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service
• What is Decisional Balance? – The Heart’s Way (theheartswayforcreativeclinicians.com)
• DAD.info | Free expert advice and support for Fathers and free separated parents co-parenting programme for mums and dads.
• Parenting after separation courses
• Dr Gottman what makes marriage work Making Marriage Work | Dr. John Gottman – YouTube
• Dr Gottman video, four destructive behaviours that can destroy relationships Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse | The Gottman Institute: Relationship Behaviours that Lead to Failure – YouTube
• and how to avoid them
• The Easiest Way to Improve Your Relationship | The Gottman Institute – YouTube
• Co-Parenting Apps to help separated parents communicate effectively about their children
• Co-Parenting Apps Which One To Choose | Divorce Cheshire (separ8.co.uk)
• Resources for parents and carers – Cafcass – Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service
• Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service, on-line information for parents and carers
• Family Lives.org Information and advice Relationship problems | Family Lives

Some video’s you might find helpful

When we argue with our partner or ex-partner, we can get caught up in the heat of the moment. At times like these, it’s difficult to find a way forward. See it differently want to help you see things differently, and do things differently. Click on this link to watch their video.

Making marriage work: here’s the science behind happy relationships! Dr. Gottman outlines the findings, tools and techniques that have helped thousands of couples from around the world build a “Sound Relationship House.”

Relationship Matters

When two people share responsibility for a child, no matter whether they are still together or separated, the relationship between them has a direct impact on the mental health of their children.

Do you recognise any of these things?

• Are you arguing, having rows, shouting all the time with each other about things like, money, how you parent or housework?
• Are you worried about splitting up?
• Is there sulking, silent treatment, slamming doors or walking away from each other?
• Are you anxious or worried and is this getting in the way of managing everyday life?
• Are you not able to say sorry after an argument and move on?
• Are you using hurtful texts, emails or social media against each other?

Watch the video to find out more information

Advice and guidance for parents and carers in conflict or separating from the Anna Freud Centre

Emma Morris, member of the Family Ties Team at the Anna Freud Centre, talks about the impact that parental conflict can have on children.

Grove is a genuinely neuro-affirming, online community for Autistic young people age 8-17 (we intend to expand to support otherwise neurodivergent young people in time). We are proudly Autistic and ADHD led and Autistic staffed. We are also all specialists with deep knowledge of Autistic experience, current theory and practice and a firm rejection of the medical model framing of Autism.

We support young people by enabling opportunities to develop self-understanding, connect with other Autistic people and feel a sense of belonging – all as their authentic selves.

Services

• Mentoring: Connect with an Autistic Mentor – a safe person to support and guide.
• Social Groups: Connect with peers and form part of a happy, authentic community.
• Interest-based Groups: Connect with peers over a shared interest.
• ‘Autistic Identity’ programmes: Make sense of what it means to be ‘Autistic’ in a way that is meaningful to the young person.

We welcome self-referrals from parents, carers, and young people over the age of 16. If you would like to know more, please complete the contact box and one of our Family Group Conference coordinators will give you a call. You are not obliged to proceed if you feel that a Family Group Conference is not for you, at this time, once you have spoken to us.

If you would like to submit a self-referral, please complete the self-referral form and return to FGC.Referrals@torbay.gov.uk

What is a Family Group Conference (FGC)?

An FGC is an opportunity that is open to all children, young people and their families across Torbay who are experiencing any kind of difficulties. It is completely voluntary, and you can access the service without the need for a referral.

The FGC service helps families to hold their own meetings which are completely family led and recognises the children, young people and their families as the key decision makers in the planning. You will be supported by an independent coordinator who can make all the arrangements with you to enable your meeting to happen and they would ensure all relevant people attend. Your meeting would include people who are important to you and your children. This can be family, friends, neighbours, colleagues, community members and professionals that support you. You are fully involved in the planning of the meeting and identifying who should attend.

We would always encourage children and young people to take part in their FGC whether that is in person or via a person called an advocate who will share their wishes and feelings on their behalf. An advocate is independent and is there to support the child or to be their voice when they cannot attend. All children aged five and above can access the advocates.

Why do we offer this service?
We believe that families can make good, safe and supportive decisions about the care of their children and with the help of the extended network around you, you can get the help and support you need to improve your situation for you and your children.

It is important that you and your family have a voice and can tell professionals what support you do have and what else you need to ensure your children are kept safe and well and are supported to grow and develop into healthy adults.

Why is this different to other meetings?
An FGC is completely family-led and offers families the opportunity to take the lead in the planning. You as a family write your own plan and everyone, including the children have a say in what that looks like.

An FGC is an informal meeting which is held in a neutral venue agreed between you and the coordinator. We want your meeting to be as relaxed and comfortable as possible and will provide you with refreshments during your meeting.

The FGC service is an independent service which sits within Torbay Early Help Service. We are not involved with any decisions being made about your children. We are there to help to arrange and facilitate your meeting for you.

What does an FGC look like?
An FGC is split into three parts:
1. The information giving stage – this is where any professionals will be invited to attend your meeting to share any information and tell you about any support you could access and use in your plan.
2. Private family time – during this stage, all professionals will leave the room to allow you and your identified network (your family, friends, neighbours, colleagues, or community members) to have open and honest discussions about the current situation in private. You will also put together your plan during this stage of the meeting.
3. Agreeing the plan – Once you have finished putting together your plan, the professionals will be asked to come back in so that we can look at your plan together and make sure that we have all the relevant information and timescales for when things will be done, for e.g. if a professional has offered to refer you to a service, we would ask them to provide a date of when they will do it by. The coordinator will help you to make contingency plans in case any part of your plan is disrupted by unforeseen circumstances, for example if someone is unwell and cannot do what they said they would do.

Once your family plan is agreed, the coordinator will ensure that your plan is written up and sent out to everyone that attends your meeting so that everyone knows what was agreed.

The coordinator will also make arrangements with you for a review of your plan within 12 weeks to see how things are going. You will be able to continue with your current plan if it is working well or make amendments to it if needed.

Contact us on 07824 537242 or email FGC.referrals@torbay.gov.uk