Age 11 to 14
Early Help:
The Early Help service identifies a family’s needs early and helps them put support in place so that problems do not get worse. It is voluntary, and they work with other organisations, as part of a team, to best support you. Speak to a member of staff at your Family Hub if you would like help to get family life back on track.
You can access the Early Help information pages here:
Early Help: Help and Support Manchester
Use the internet:
Family Hubs can help you and your child get online and in some cases help you to get devices to access the internet - so that your child is able to do their schoolwork, for instance. Let Family Hubs staff know what you need.
Hobbies and making friends:
Contact your local Family Hub for details about the youth activities on offer there. If your child would like to try something that’s not offered at your Family Hub, staff can signpost you to other organisations and spaces nearby, for instance, local leisure centres and youth clubs.
Speech and Language Therapy (SALT):
They assess, diagnose and support children aged 0-16 years (or up to 19 years if a young person attends a Manchester Specialist Support School) who have speech, language and communication needs. If your child needs help to communicate, talk to your Family Hub staff, or visit the SALT website.
Eating well and feeling good:
MoreLife Junior Physical Activity Referral Service (PARS) has a free programme for children aged 5-17 who are above a healthy weight, to connect them with sports and activities in their area. This supports an active lifestyle. Speak to Family Hub staff or visit the PARS website.
Help with food:
Get advice on your child’s diet and nutrition at your local Family Hub. And if you need it, staff can direct you to Food Banks in your area and advise you on things like how to apply for Free School Meals.
If your child has Special Needs and Disabilities (SEND):
Manchester’s Local Offer is all the information, advice, services and activities on offer in the city for families where a child or young person aged 0-25 has a Special Educational Need or Disability (SEND). Visit the Manchester Local Offer website.
Mental health and wellbeing support for young people:
Be Well’s trained coaches help you to set and achieve your goals, with regular one-to-one sessions– face-to-face or over the phone. Speak to Family Hubs staff or visit the Be Well website.
Have your say:
If your child would like to make changes to their local area and city, Family Hubs staff can advise on ‘Area Youth Forum’ meetings taking place nearby. The meetings are for young people aged 11-19 years (or 25 years if they have Special Educational Needs or Disabilities) and allow young people to have their say on issues that affect them, so they can impact policies and decision making. They may also want to join the Manchester Youth Council.