Frequently asked questions
- I'm pregnant who should I contact?
- How do I find out the name and address of my Midwife/Health Visitor/School Nurse?
- I am under 19 years of age and pregnant, what support is available?
- What do Sure Start Children's Centres do?
- How do I claim Child Benefit?
- What is the benefit enquiry helpline number?
- What are Working Tax Credits and how do I claim them?
- Where do I get information and support about housing?
- How do I contact Job Centre Plus?
- What activities are there in Hartlepool?
- What activities are there for children and young people in the school holidays?
- Can my child attend any school that I choose?
- What are the catchment areas for schools?
- How do I find out about free school meals?
- How can I find out about School Transport?
- I am leaving school. Who can I talk to about education, training or employment?
- Who do I speak to about Fostering or adoption?
- How do I register my child's birth?
- What are free nursery places and how do I access one?
- What childcare is available in Hartlepool?
- What help is there towards the cost of childcare?
- How do I make a complaint about a registered childcare provider?
- How do I make a complaint about an unregistered childcare provider?
- My child has additional needs, what support is available?
- Who can I speak to about concerns about a child/young person?
- I am concerned about my child's development. Is there anyone I can talk to?
Q. I'm Pregnant who should I contact?
A. Contact your GP surgery who will put you in touch with your Midwife. Alternatively, contact your local Sure Start Children's Centre.
Q. How do I find out the name and address of my Midwife/Health Visitor/School Nurse?
A. Contact your GP surgery who will advise you who your Health Visitor/Midwife or School Nurse is. Alternatively, contact your local SureStart Children's Centre.
Q. I am under 19 years of age and pregnant, what support is available?
A. You can get support from the Teenage Pregnancy Support Service on 01429 285079 and the Sure Start Children's Centres. They can offer support both antenatal and postnatal, they offer advice around benefits, housing, relationships and contraception.
Q. What do Sure Start Children's Centres do?
A. SureStart Children's Centres work primarily with families with children aged under five years. They provide integrated childcare and education; health services; family support; and access to Job Centre Plus. Contact the Families Information Service (FISH) on 01429 284284 or by email FIS@hartlepool.gov.uk for further information.
Q. How do I claim Child Benefit?
A. If you telephone the Child Benefit helpline on 0845 3021444, they will tell you how you can claim Child Benefit.
Q. What is the benefit enquiry helpline number?
A. The Department for Work and Pensions benefit enquiry helpline number is 0800 882200 (textphone 0800 243355) and provides general advice and information. Lines are open between 8.30am and 6.40pm Monday to Friday and between 9.00am and 1.00pm on Saturdays.
Q. What are Tax Credits and how do I claim them?
A. Working Tax Credit tops up the earnings of working people (employed or self-employed) on low incomes, including those who do not have children. There is also additional financial help with costs for qualifying childcare. For further information you can telephone 0845 300 3900 or go to the website www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits. You can also use the Tax Credit Calculator to do quick calculations of what you may be entitled to at www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/calculator.htm.
Q. Where do I get information and support about housing?
A. You can get help with any housing issues or queries by contacting the Housing Team based in Park Towers, in Park Road by either dropping in or contacting them on 01429 525252. Alternatively cal in to your local Sure Start Children's Centre and someone will be able to help.
Q. How do I contact Job Centre Plus?
A. Job Centre Plus can be contacted either by telephone on 0845 600 2808 or via their website www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk.
Q. What activities are there in Hartlepool?
A. The Children and Young People's Service Directory website aims to provide information on activities and services for children and young people. Alternatively you can contact the Families Information Service Hartlepool (FISH) on 01429 284284 or by email to FIS@hartlepool.gov.uk.
Q. What activities are there for children and young people in the school holidays?
A. The Families Information Service Hartlepool (FISH) produces an activity holiday guide. Contact them for more information on 01429 284284 or by email at FIS@hartlepool.gov.uk.
Q. Can my child attend any school that I choose?
A. Hartlepool Borough Council has a school admissions procedure, contact the School Admissions Team for further details on 01429 523768.
Q. What are the catchment areas for schools?
A. School catchment areas can change from time to time. For the most up-to-date information please contact the School Admissions Team on 01429 523768.
Q. How do I find out about free school meals?
A. To find out if your child is entitled to free school meals, please contact the Student Support Team on 01429 284382.
Q. How can I find out about school transport?
A. For more information on school transport please contact the Student Support Team on 01429 28412.
Q. I am leaving school. Who can I talk to about education, training or employment?
A. Contact your local Connexions service on 01429 275501 or visit your local Connexions website www.hartlepool.gov.uk/connexions.
Q. Who do I speak to about fostering or adoption?
A. For more information please contact the Family Placement Team on 01429 823878.
Q. How do I register my child's birth?
A. Contact the Hartlepool Register Office on 01429 236369.
Q. What are free nursery places and how do I access one?
A. Every 3 and 4 year old child is entitled to 12.5 hours rising to 15 hours of free nursery entitlement a week. Contact the Families Information Service Hartlepool (FISH) on 01429 284284 or email childcare@hartlepool.gov.uk for more information.
Q. What childcare is available in Hartlepool?
A. For more information on childcare please contact the Families Information Service Hartlepool (FISH) on 01429 284284or by email to FIS@hartlepool.gov.uk.
Q. What help is there towards the cost of childcare?
A. For more information on help towards childcare costs please contact the Families Information Service Hartlepool (FISH) on 01429 284284 or email FIS@hartlepool.gov.uk.
Q. How do I make a complaint about a registered childcare provider?
A. Contact Ofsted on 0845 640 4040.
Q. How do I make a complaint about an unregistered childcare provider?
A. Complaints and concerns about unregistered childcare providers can be made to the Families Information Service Hartlepool (FISH) on 01429 284284.
Q. My child has additional needs, what support is available?
A. For more information on support available please contact the Families Information Service Hartlepool (FISH)on 01429 284284 or email FIS@hartlepool.gov.uk.
Q. Who can I speak to about concerns abut a child/young person?
A. If the situation is urgent you can contact the local authority Duty Team on 01429 523872 or out of office hours there is an Emergency Duty Team who can be reached on 08702 402994.
You can find helpful advice on the Childline website www.childline.org.uk/childabuse.asp
Or
The NSPCC helpline offers help to anyone who is concerned about a young person. You can also report abuse. Helpline 0800 800 5000. NSPCC Direct Services Assessment and Treatment Service offer services for families affected by sexual abuse.
Address: 31 Park Road South, Middlesbrough, TS5 6LE
Telephone: 01642 856400
Helpline: 0800 800 5000
email: teesside@nspcc.org.uk
Q. I am concerned about my child's development. Is there anyone I can talk to?
A. If your concerns are about a young child you can always seek advice from your Health Visitor. If you no longer see your Health Visitor on a regular basis there is a Parent Advice Service offered by qualified and experienced Social Workers from the Acorn Therapeutic Team. You can contact the team on 01429 294111. Advice and support is also available to parents who's child has special educational needs.
