Frequently Asked Questions

Please select a subject below:

About these FAQs

These frequently asked questions have been compiled to offer a quick route to finding help on specific issues. They are by no means complete. If you have a suggestion for a topic that we do not cover, please get in contact

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Behaviour

All children show difficult behaviour, particularly younger children. If the difficult behaviour doesn't respond to rules, limits and clear guidelines, and persists over time, something may be troubling the child.

If there is nothing specific troubling the child or young person and if the troubling behaviour has gone on for some time and in a variety of places, like schools or out shopping, it may be necessary to seek advice.

There are a variety of agencies in Newham set up to help parents with their child/young person's behaviour. Check our website under parenting. If you are a parent worried about your child's behaviour in school, or if his/her learning is being affected, contact your school SENCO (Special Educational Needs Officer).

If none of these ideas are helpful contact your GP who may consider a referral to specialist services. Back to top

Bereavement

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Bullying

Bullying is a serious issue and can have long lasting effects:

Low self-esteem
Lack of confidence
Reduced social communication
Violent and often anti-social behaviour from both victim and perpetrator
Mental health problems
Social exclusion/disengagement
Low attainment
Exclusion from school
Truancy and poor attendance
Self-harm
Suicide
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Cultural Identity

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Divorce / Seperation

When parents and carers separate this can be a difficult time for families. It helps reduce children and young people's fears if the separation can be talked through... the more talk and mutual understanding the better. Children and young people will manage better when there are clear explanations. Often children can blame themselves when things go wrong and they will need reassurance that it’s not their fault.

Sometimes it is not possible for parents to separate without a great deal of anxiety, particularly if there has been partner violence. It may be helpful to consider either couple’s or individual counselling. If the separation is having a long-term detrimental effect on the children, particularly in school, you should talk to your GP who may refer you to specialist services. There are also some good links nationally, particularly, the BBC, Practical Parent and Young Minds sites.

www.bbc.co.uk/relationships/couples/heartaches_divorce.shtml
www.practicalparent.org
www.youngminds.org.uk/divorce
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Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco

Most young people do not use illegal drugs. Most of those that do, don’t become problem drug users. This doesn’t mean that drugs aren’t an issue, but it is important to put things in perspective. Drugs are unpredictable. The effects can vary wildly from one person to another, with factors like where a person is, who they're with and their general state of mind all influencing the experience. There is evidence to suggest ongoing use of drugs can be a factor in the onset of depression and other mental health concerns. Drug use by anyone with an existing mental health problem such as schizophrenia is very dangerous. If you think your child, or a child in your care, might be using drugs, try and remain calm and talk about it. Unless you are certain, keep the discussion general (‘ I’ve noticed you seem tired / angry/ anxious lately, is there anything you’d like to talk about?). The website Talk to Frank has some good ideas of how to approach this

As anyone with a drug problem will tell you, it is the support of someone close that's got them through the bad times. It's well worth the effort on both sides - just being there for someone in need can make a real difference.

Often people feel that Alcohol and tobacco aren't such a big deal ('At least she’s not using drugs'). In fact they cause harm to far more people than illegal drugs. If your child is drinking too much this might put their personal safety at risk, not to mention the increased risk of unsafe sex or impact on their studies. Smoking is highly addictive; the best way to control it is never to start. Some research also shows that early smokers are more likely to go on to use cannabis.

For more help to support young people around drugs, alcohol or tobacco, contact SPARK:
020 7702 1990
www.spark-newham.org.uk Back to top

Domestic Violence

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Eating Disorders / Obesity

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Gender Issues / Sexual Identity

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Homelessness

Look at both websites below. They are designed to give you information about housing and raise awareness of homelessness.

If the websites do not give you the information you're after, or you would rather speak to someone directly over the phone, call the Shelter freephone line on 0808 800 44 44.

Visit the Housemate website Visit the Shelternet website Back to top

Learning Disabilities

If you are worried about a child's learning and development, for under 5's, you should contact the GP who will refer the child to the appropriate health development department. Alternatively, seek advice from your local Early Start team. For over 5's, you should speak to the child's class teacher who will involve schools support staff like SENCOs and Educational Psychologists in assessing what may be happening. There are also a variety of support organisations for children and young people in Newham where learning and development has become a problem. Back to top

Parenting

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School Progress

There may be many reasons why a child may be struggling with their work at school or not wanting to go to school.

It may be academic, for example they may be finding one subject very difficult or struggling with a particular teacher.

It may be a social problem, perhaps there has been a fall out between groups of friends or your child is being bullied.

It may be a health problem for example struggling to read what is on the board

Often it is a mixture and sometimes it can escalate into refusing to go to school or severe anxiety and panic attacks when in school.

The first thing you can do is to talk and listen to your child. Parentline can help you prepare to do this.

Who can you talk to in school?

At primary school: Classteacher, Phase Leader or Headteacher

At secondary school: Tutor, Head of Year or Director of Learning

All schools have a Learning Mentor who has the time to listen and guide you in the right direction Back to top

Self Harm

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Child Protection

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Sexual Health

Young people can often find it difficult to cope with the physical and emotional changes that occur as they develop into young adults. This can be especially difficult when it comes to their own sexuality and how they develop relationships. Very often young people can feel conflicted due to the mixed messages they perceive are being given by society, school and church. Additional pressure from their own similarly confused peers can often result in them making decisions that they would not usually have made if they had the correct information.

Sometimes the decision they take can cause difficulties both physically and emotionally such as pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and social and family consequences.

There are sexual health services where young people can go along in total confidence to discuss their concerns. Shine, the young peoples sexual health service in Newham, offers a contraception service as well as screening for some sexually transmitted infections. However a young person can access the service and talk to a young person's development worker or a counsellor, even if they are not sexually active.

www.newhampct.nhs.uk/services/shine/
020 8586 5249 / 5232 Back to top

How to negotiate the system or make a complaint

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Using this website

Can I search the directory by area?
Yes. If you type in an area such as East Ham, or a postcode such as E16, all the entries for that area will be listed. Please note that while some organisations may have their postal address in one post code they may have a much larger catchment area. This kind of search will only bring up results which match that postcode and so may not necessarily be the nearest organisation. Back to top

How do I know if an organisation in the directory is safe to use?
We list the accreditations that organisations hold on their individual pages. Back to top

Who is responsible for this website?
The site has been developed in a partnership between Newham CFCS, Children and Young People’s Services at Newham Council, Connexions, Early Start, Forrest Therapeutic Service for Children and Young People, Healthy Schools. Back to top

Can I search for a specific issue or condition in the directory?
Yes. Use the search facility to look for organisations who relate to eg deaf children or young people, by typing ‘deaf’ in the box. Back to top