Useful Contacts

Education Welfare

The Central Team of the Education Welfare Service is also based at the Civic Centre. Any concerns can be addressed via the telephone helpline (01782) 235355 between 8.30am and 5pm. In addition, a duty education welfare officer is available between 8.45am and 1pm. The Education Welfare Service can help you with a variety of issues, for example:

• school attendance;
• bullying;
• alternative education provision;
• child protection; and
• child employment and performances in entertainment.

Stoke-on-Trent Parent Direct

Stoke-on-Trent Parent Direct provides up-to-date, comprehensive, accurate and impartial information about childcare and is able to point you to the services you need.

If you telephone 0800 015 1120, we can:

• assess your needs;
• tell you about childcare, out-of-school clubs and holiday play schemes, how much they cost and when you can use them;
• give you advice on what to look for when choosing childcare;
• tell you about other family services; and
• give you information about how to set up your own childcare service.

Information is provided free of charge and operates Monday to Thursday 9am - 5pm, Friday 9am to 4.30pm. An answering service is available at all other times.

The Parent Partnership

If your child has additional needs the Stoke-on-Trent Parent Partnership Service can give you information, advice and guidance so that you can make informed decisions. The Partnership already has five support groups throughout the City. Meetings are held at various times of the day, including evenings.

We can:

• give you a wide range of information and support about special educational needs;
• help you during the formal assessment process;
• help you with paperwork;
• help you to express your views and concerns;
• offer a venue for parents and carers to meet, hold workshops and borrow resources;
• offer you a telephone helpline;
• identify, train and work with Independent Parental Supporters;
• work with and set up other parent parterships; and
• offer an independent mediation service.

The co-ordinator is Lyn Fryer, who can be contacted on (01782) 234701.

Social Services for Children and Families

We offer support to vulnerable young people and their families. It is our legal duty to arrange protection for children who at risk of abuse or neglect and to find out which children are at risk.

We also offer support to children with special needs and disabilities.

Sure Start and Children and Family Support Centres provide intensive support, counselling and advice for children and parents who are experiencing problems.

Advice and guidance is available from social work teams at the office below.

Hanley Area Office,
Regent Centre,
Regent Road,
Stoke-on-Trent,
ST1 3TD

Telephone 01782 235100
Minicom 01782 238171

In an emergency, out of office hours, you can contact our Emergency Duty Team on telephone and Minicom 01782 238171.

Translation and Interpretation Service

We have a Translation and Interpretation Service to help us talk with parents in the community who speak a variety of different languages, particularly Bengali, Punjabi and Urdu.

If you need any help in explaining any of our services, you can contact the service by telephoning 01782 235085.