Care Leavers - Young Parents
Being a parent is probably the most rewarding, challenging and exhausting job that you will ever do! It can be really difficult and stressful, especially if you are single carer or young parent.
No one ever teaches you how to be a good parent. A lot of the learning is done by trial and error, or by copying what our parents did for us. Depending on your personal experience, this can be a good or a bad thing.
It can be helpful to get advice and support from other parents or agencies that work with families. They can provide reassurance, networks to relieve the isolation and practical strategies for resolving your concerns.
Family Centres provide activities and groups for parents and are a good source of information.
Inspections of private day nurseries are carried out by Ofsted and Inspection Teams. Reports are available on their website. Each nursery receives one inspection and one unannounced visit every year.
Accommodation
Accommodation and support for young families is available at Geraldine Court. This is provided by Bromford Corinthia Housing Association.
Geraldine Court
68 Hadfield Way
Chelmsley Wood
Solihull
B37 5LL
Family Centres
Chelmsley Wood
60 Craig Croft
Chelmlsey Wood
Telephone: 0121 788 4278
Kingshurst
15 Church Close
Kingshurst
Telephone: 0121 779 6572
Smiths Wood
Wheatfield Close
Smiths Wood
Telephone: 0121 770 7737
Solihull
Newroad
Solihull
Telephone: 0121 709 0292
Sure Start Chelmsley Wood
Sure Start is a programme in the Chelmsley Wood area for parents and their children aged 0-4. Sure Start includes a number of initiatives, specialist advice, drop-in sessions and activities. For information contact 0121 779 7624.
Contact Details
For more information please contact 16+ team
Telephone: 0808 16 02 211 - for young people only.
Telephone: 0121 788 4200 - for all other people.
Emergency Duty Team: 0121 605 6060
Email:16plus@solihull.gov.uk
Parentline Plus
freephone helpline
Telephone: 0808 800 2222
Text phone: 0800 783 6783
Parentline
Charity offering support to anyone parenting. They also run courses and projects
www.parentlineplus.org.uk has lots of information on parenting issues
Gingerbread
Tel. 0800 018 4318 Mon - Fri (10am - 4pm)
Gingerbread is a national self-help and support group for lone parents. They run a freephone advice line and can advise you of your nearest group.
The Gingerbread website offers information and discussion boards for single parents
National Council for One Parent Families
Telephone: 0800 018 5026 (freephone helpline)
or Telephone: 020 7 428 5400
A campaigning group for single carers who can provide advice on lots of issues relating to lone parents.
Their website www.oneparentfamilies.org.uk contains lots of useful information .
The Children's Information Service at Craig Croft
has information on local child minders, nurseries and play groups in your area.
Tel. 0121 788 4288 for information.
Solihull Connect can also provide information.
The website www.childcarelink.gov.uk enables you to search for child care services near you.