Directory of Services

Below is a list of services and referral pathways  that can be accessed by the Blackpool Early Years workforce.

Better Start’s Community Connectors

The Community Connector programme utilises a paid peer support model to engage
Blackpool families in early years services and provide consistent, reliable child development
and public health messages. Leading to improved outcomes in pregnancy and early childhood.

Community Connector Information Page
Professional Referral Form

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The Early Parenthood Service

The Early Parenthood Service is a targeted service made up of a team of nurses with special training and experience in working with families in the pregnancy and early childhood period.Our aim is to support families (mums, dads and partners) from 12 weeks in pregnancy who identify as needing additional  support up to when the baby is around 12 weeks (depending on the families individual needs). We aim to help them be the best parents they can be. A Request for support can be made from early pregnancy until 28 weeks in pregnancy.  Consideration will be given for exceptional circumstances e.g. a parent who was late to book with or did not receive midwifery care in pregnancy.

The service operates Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm at Whitegate Drive Health Centre
T:  01253 951964 E: bfwh.earlyparenthoodservice@nhs.net

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Baby Steps

Baby Steps is facilitated by Family Engagement Workers, Midwives and Health Visitors supporting families from around the 28th week of pregnancy. It provides the opportunity for participants to meet other parents-to-be, as well as professionals who can answer questions about labour, delivery and infant feeding.

It is an evidence-based programme aimed at supporting parents to manage the emotional and physical transition into parenthood. The sessions are facilitated by a Family Engagement Worker and a Health Visitor. Family Engagement Workers will visit parents prior to the programme starting and will continue to support parents throughout the programme.

Baby Steps takes place over six weeks antenatally and is followed by three post-natal sessions following the birth of the babies.

Baby Steps Information Page
T: 01253 951694 E: bfwh.babysteps@nhs.net 

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NHS Blackpool Parent Infant Relationship Service

The team will aim to promote a loving secure relationship between primary caregivers’ and their infants, which lays the positive foundation for health and well-being that can last a lifetime. The three strands the service focus on: therapeutic interventions, consultation and training for stakeholders to reach as many families as possible.

If a referral is accepted for therapeutic intervention then a member of the team will offer a comprehensive assessment, ensuring the family’s concerns and wishes are at the forefront of all care planning. All the information gathered will be discussed within the multi-disciplinary team to formulate a support plan.

PAIRS Information Page
To refer: T: 01253 958573 E: bfwh.blackpooldutypairs@nhs.net

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For Baby’s Sake

For Baby’s Sake is an innovative therapeutic programme aimed at protecting babies from the impact of domestic abuse and breaking harmful patterns in relationships. It is for expectant families in Blackpool where domestic abuse is an issue.

Highly trained and qualified professionals support mums and dads to bring an end to domestic abuse, overcome the impact of trauma, abuse or other significant difficulties in their own childhood and support their baby’s early development from pregnancy to age 2 years.

To refer of for more info: T: 01253 478320 or 07393752416 E: forbabyssake@blackpool.gov.uk

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Enhanced Health Visitor Service

Blackpool is the first town in England to increase the number of home visits that every family receives from their Health Visitor from the statutory five to a minimum of eight.

Health visitors are registered nurses/midwives who have additional training in community public health nursing.

They provide a professional public health service based on best evidence of what works for individuals, families, groups and communities; enhancing health and reducing health inequalities through a proactive, universal service for all children 0-5 years and for vulnerable populations targeted according to need.

Health Visitor Information Page
T: 01253 951700 E: bfwh.childrens.whitegateadmin@nhs.net

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Survivor Mums’ Companion

This telephone-based service is designed to support pregnant women who have a history of childhood trauma who are at risk of, or are experiencing, PTSD symptoms during pregnancy. The programme aims to reduce symptoms of trauma – which can be physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect – and improve maternal mental health. It explores pregnancy and birth, PTSD symptoms, supports women to calm intense emotions and tackles any worries she may have about parenting and bonding with baby. The service is for expectant mums before 28th week of pregnancy.

Women self-identify for this service using materials provided by their Baby Steps worker, which support them to recognise their feelings and know that help is available. If you feel a family may benefit from this service, please contact us.

T: 01253 476789. E: betterstart.cecd@nspcc.org.uk

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Learning to Feed Volunteers

A volunteer service aimed at supporting parents to feel confident in their choices about how they feed their baby. For families with infants less than one year old, Learning to Feed supporters provide emotional assistance and reassurance at this key time, supporting parents to feel confident about their ability to feed their baby safely, however they choose to do this. Key messages will look at breastfeeding, formula feeding and sleep.

Volunteers may also refer parents to more specialist services, if needed.

T: 01253 476789 E: betterstart.cecd@nspcc.org.uk

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Family Hubs

Family Hubs act as a one-stop shop for a variety of services. All families welcome.

Family Hubs are committed to providing families and children the best start in life. Whether you’re a parent-to-be, new parent, grandparent or carer, you will be welcomed with a friendly face. They are a perfect place for your child to make friends and learn as they play. Parents can also get advice on health and family matters and learn about training and job opportunities.

Facebook page | Council Website Information Page

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Henry Infant Feeding Service

The Best Start with HENRY service work alongside early years practitioners, health professionals and community partners to help families give their children the best start in life. Our evidence-based programmes, professional training and referral pathways are designed to strengthen the support families receive across Blackpool, whether you’re working in a clinic, school, children’s centre or community setting.

Whether you want to refer a family to one of our programmes, develop your own skills or explore resources to share with families, we’re here to help.

HENRY Information Page

T: 01253 746788 E: hcsupport@henry.org.uk  Facebook/Instagram: @henryinblackpool

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SafeCare

Safecare’s approach is to prevent cases of neglect before they escalate into child protection services and more serious harm is caused to young children. It provides one-to-one support for parents of young children int he family home. Delivered over twenty weeks, it focuses on four key areas: Parent-Child Interaction, Home Safety, Child Health Care, and Counselling and Problem Solving Skills. The service is for parents of young children who are struggling with parenting and whose children may be at risk of, or reported for, neglect or abuse.

Anyone who works with families who meet the criteria can refer to the service delivery team.

T: 01253 476789 E: betterstart.cecd@nspcc.org.uk

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VIG – Video Interaction Guidance

VIG is a powerful tool in helping to build parents’ self confidence and attunement with their child, enhancing communication within family relationships.

Families will be offered a series of visits to provide support from a trained early years professional to give their child’s speech language and communication skills a boost when it matters the most. They offer support with recognising how a child is already communicating and how to build on this, developing a parent’s ability to support their child through everyday play and routines.

Parent and children are also invited to attend our Discoverers group held within the Family Hubs. Our ‘Discovers‘ sessions are creative, fun and interactive.

Anyone who works with families who meet the criteria can refer in.
T: 01253 476789. E: betterstart.cecd@nspcc.org.uk

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Being a Parent Course (EPEC)

‘Being a Parent’ is a 9 week parenting course. The course is led by parents for parents, with free childcare available and helps parents learn practical communication skills for everyday life. There is also the opportunity for parents who have completed the course to run future courses.

For families with children aged 18 months to 11 years (must have at least one child under 5 years)

For more information or to book, contact Blackpool Learning Rooms T: 01253 478131 E: learning.rooms@blackpool.gov.uk

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Early Years Speech, Language and Communication Service

Supporting families of children who have been referred through the Blackpool Speech and Language Triage Panel. We are a referral-only service who help to support and develop your child’s communication skills through play-based learning and interactions, once a week for 10 weeks. We do this one-to-one in the home environment, as well as through our Discoverers stay and play speech and language sessions.

These sessions are invite-only, designed for children who have been referred into the Speech and Language Triage Pathway.

Early Communication Information Page
T: 01253 476 789 or E: betterstart.cecd@nspcc.org.uk

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Supervised Toothbrushing

Better Start is working with early years settings and schools across Blackpool to make daily toothbrushing an enjoyable part of every child’s routine – helping them build lifelong habits that support not only good oral health, but also their confidence, wellbeing and ability to learn.

This programme aims to improve the oral health of children in the community by providing children’s centres, nurseries, schools, childminders with training and the necessary equipment for supervised tooth brushing.|

Supervised Toothbrushing Information Page
T: 01253 476 789 or E: betterstart.cecd@nspcc.org.uk