Families with children and young people
Safeguarding children and young people
If you believe a child or young person is at risk of immediate harm, please ring the Police 📞999.
If you feel you have urgent welfare concerns about children or young people that require an immediate response contact: MASH (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub) Mon to Thurs 9am - 5.15pm and Fri 9am - 5pm. Email: mash@barnet.gov.uk or 📞020 8359 4066
Outside of these hours you should report any concerns that need an immediate response to the Barnet Council Emergency Duty Team 📞020 8359 2000.
Childline - free confidential service
www.childline.org.uk You can ring free 24 hours a day 7 days a week 📞0800 1111
The number will not appear on your phone bill.
NSPCC - National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children
www.nspcc.org.uk Free Helpline 📞0808 800 5000
Mental health support for children and young people see mental health section
Children’s Services – Barnet Council
www.barnet.gov.uk/children-and-families
Children’s centres in Barnet
www.barnet.gov.uk/directories/childrens-centres
Barnet Children’s centres are open 9am to 5pm, 48 weeks of the year. Centres that offer childcare may open for longer. They offer the following services:
Childcare
Early education and school readiness
Family support
Health
Community services
Adult learning, employment training and welfare support
Child and Family Early Help / Community Hubs
Barnet has Child and Family Early Help Hubs where children, young people and their families can go and access a range of services.
West Hub (HA8, part of NW7, part of NW9)
Childandfamilyhub-west@barnet.gov.uk 📞020 8359 3510
Barnet and Southgate College, Colindale, 7 Bristol Avenue, London NW9 4BR
East/Central Hub (N2, parts of N3, parts of N10, N11, N12, part of N14, EN4, EN5)
childandfamilyhub-eastcentral@banet.gov.uk 📞020 8359 3460
Newstead Children's Centre, 1 Fallows Close London N2 8LG
South Hub (part of NW2, NW3, part of NW4, part of NW9, part of NW11, part of N3)
childandfamilyhub-south@barnet.gov.uk 📞020 8359 3590
Parkfield Children’s Centre, 44 Park Road, London NW4 3PS
Tarling Road Community Hub (YMCA) www.ymcalondoncan.org/our-services/youth-hubs/tarling-road/
20 Fallows Close, London, N2 8LG Centre Manager: Sonile.Zimba@ymcalcan.org
Youth Activities - free
Thursday Teenagers 6.30pm - 8pm
Friday Younger Children (Reception – Year 6) 6pm - 7.30pm
Families Church Every Tuesday during term-time 3.30pm - 4.30pm (after school)
Community veg patch (free)
Thursdays 10am -12pm relaxed community gardening
Advice and support for parents
Parents Helpline
youngminds.org.uk/find-help/for-parents/parents-helpline/#parents-helpline
For detailed advice, emotional support and signposting about a child or young person up to the age of 25.
Ring free 📞0808 802 5544 Mon-Fri 9:30am - 4pm
Homestart Barnet
homestartbarnet.org Homestart offers emotional and practical support to families who are facing issues such as loneliness, isolation, financial difficulties, anxiety, post-natal depression, ill health, the threat of violence, multiple births, or disabilities in Barnet, Brent, Enfield, Harrow and Tower Hamlets. Support includes a volunteer who will spend around two hours a week in a family’s home.
📞 07759 206012 or refer yourself: homestartbarnet.org/refer-yourself/
Healthy Start Scheme
www.healthystart.nhs.uk
If you’re pregnant or have a child under 4yrs, you could get Healthy Start vouchers to help buy some basic foods to spend with local retailers. Pregnant women and children over 1yr and under 4yrs can get one £4.25 voucher per week. Children under 1yr can get two £4.25 vouchers (£8.25) per week. If you or your family receive qualifying benefits you may be eligible
📞0345 607 6823 or apply at: applyforhealthystart.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/apply-for-healthy-start
Autism Hub for children and young people www.resourcesforautism.org.uk/barnet-cf-autism-hub
Barnet's Children and Families Autism Hub is dedicated to supporting autistic children and young people and creating a supportive, neuro-affirmative environment where families can access a wealth of resources and information. The hub serves as a one-stop community centre offering a variety of social opportunities and workshops tailored to the autistic community. Based at: 858 Finchley Road, London, NW11 6AB
📞 020 8458 3259 Email: admin@resourcesforautism.org.uk
Clothing for children and young people Teenthreads www.teenthreads.co.uk provides free clothing and essential items to families and young people in need. Collect a pre-packed bundle. A member of staff will pre-pack the items that have been requested ready for you to collect. Please ensure you have a suitable method of transportation for getting your items home. Individuals often leave with several large bags of items. You can apply yourself using the link on their website.
Free school meals
For information and eligibility for free school meals in Barnet:
www.barnet.gov.uk/schools-and-education/school-meals-travel-and-benefits/free-school-meals
For families who have no recourse to public funds:
Help with school uniform costs
Barnet Council - The Mayor's Benevolent Fund
www.barnet.gov.uk/benefits-and-financial-advice/mayors-benevolent-fund
School uniform grants are available to children who are transferring to secondary school or between secondary schools. School uniform grants can only be made during summertime school holidays. To qualify for a grant, applicants must:
be living in the borough of Barnet
be in receipt of an income-related statutory welfare benefit (such as Universal Credit)
Other ways to get free or cheap uniforms
Some schools offer their own schemes or keep a stock of donated uniforms; do ask at your child’s school.
Childcare
Free childcare https://www.gov.uk/check-eligible-free-childcare-if-youre-working
You may be able to get free childcare for your child aged 9 months to 4 years old if you live in England. The amount of free childcare you can get depends on:
your child’s age and circumstances
whether you’re working (employed, self-employed, or a director)
your income (and your partner’s income, if you have one)
your immigration status
Free childcare and 0-19 Early Help Services
If you would like help with finding a provider you can contact the Early Years team by email: EarlyYears@barnet.gov.uk or 📞020 8359 3052.
Barnet Active Creative Engaging Holidays (BACE) Holidays
BACE holidays support children and young people aged 5 - 16 years who are eligible for benefit-related Free School Meals in the borough of Barnet.
If you would like to apply to attend BACE Holiday camps sign up via:
the website: barnetyouth.uk or 📞020 8359 3100
