Children, Young People and Families Advice Referral Tool

Best Start Family Hubs

Best Start Family Hubs are support centres that bring different services together in one place for families with children aged 0–19, or up to 25 for those with additional needs. Each Best Start Family Hub is a 'one-stop shop’ where you can find guidance from the Integrated Children and Families Service to keep your child healthy, safe, and looked after. From maternity appointments and health visitor appointments to stay-and-play activities and breastfeeding support, you can access face-to-face support in seven Best Start Family Hubs across Oldham: Alexandra, Beever, Medlock Vale, Oldham Library, Shaw and Crompton, Spring Meadows, and Stanley Road.

We’re here to help you and your family in our seven Best Start Family Hubs and wherever you need us, including in community spaces throughout Oldham and in your home. Our services are designed to give your children the best start in life, and you can access support, activities, and events in our Best Start Family Hubs throughout your children’s lives.  

• Best Start Family Hubs homepage

Family activities

Family activities include Best Start Family Hubs, Oldham Libraries and Gallery, Parks and Green Spaces, Family Information Service and Parent Carer Forum (POINT).

• What's On Oldham

Parks and Green Spaces
Free access to parks and green spaces including Northern Roots and community volunteering activities.

• Parks, countryside and canals
• Northern Roots

Family Information Service
Help, advice and support for parents and carers, events, activities, childcare, children and family benefits.

• Family Information Service

Parent Carer Forum (POINT)
Information, advice, support and activities for parents of SEND children aged 0 to 25 and SEND children and young people themselves.

• POINT SEND

School holiday activities

The Holiday Activities and Food programme offers free activities during the school holidays, funded by the Department for Education, for children aged 5 to 16 who receive benefits-related free school meals in Oldham.

Activities take place at locations across the borough and are delivered by multiple providers. All sessions must be booked in advance.

• Book HAF sessions
• Email: oldhamhaf@oldham.gov.uk

For questions about the activities, contact the provider directly. For questions about the programme, email the HAF team.

Making the most of your money, including children and family benefits

Best Start Family Hubs and the Family Information Service can help you access advice and support.

Best Start Family Hubs

Best Start Family Hubs are support centres that bring different services together in one place for families with children aged 0–19, or up to 25 for those with additional needs. Each Best Start Family Hub is a 'one-stop shop’ where you can find guidance from the Integrated Children and Families Service to keep your child healthy, safe, and looked after. This includes advice and support with money and benefits.

We’re here to help you and your family in our seven Best Start Family Hubs and wherever you need us, including in community spaces throughout Oldham and in your home. Our services are designed to give your children the best start in life, and you can access support, activities, and events in our Best Start Family Hubs throughout your children’s lives.

• Best Start Family Hubs homepage

Family Information Service
Free, impartial and up-to-date information to support parents and carers with children and young people aged 0 to 19, or up to 25 with an additional need, and prospective parents.

• Family Information Service

Finding childcare and childcare funding

Best Start Family Hubs, Family Information Service and the Health and Social Care Directory can help you find information and support.

• Family Information Service
• Childcare providers

Babies and early years

This includes infant feeding, weaning, potty training and school readiness.

Best Start Family Hubs and the Family Information Service can help.

• Family Hubs information and advice
• Family Information Service

Children and young people with SEND

Support is available from Best Start Family Hubs, Family Information Service, Parent Carer Forum (POINT) and Oldham’s SEND Local Offer.

Parent Carer Forum (POINT)
POINT is an information, advice and support charity for parents and carers of SEND children aged 0 to 25, and children and young people with SEND.

POINT offers peer-to-peer support networks, specialist support services, access to activities, online resources through the Oldham SEND Local Offer and access to Oldham Parent Carer Forum, which is hosted by POINT.

• POINT SEND

Oldham’s SEND Local Offer
Oldham’s Local Offer is an online resource that details services, support and guidance available to children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities aged 0 to 25 and their families.

• Oldham SEND Local Offer

Family support services

Support is available from Best Start Family Hubs, Family Information Service, Parent Carer Forum (POINT) and Early Help.

Early Help Service
Family workers provide help to families on a range of issues. They help families identify their own strengths and achieve positive outcomes for themselves.

• Resources to support families
• Make a referral: call 0161 770 7777

Early Help

Early Help provides a range of specialist services to support children, young people and families with multiple and complex unmet needs on a range of issues.

Make a referral: call 0161 770 7777

• Report child abuse

This includes concerns about:

• abuse
• exploitation
• neglect
• radicalisation

If a child or young person is in immediate danger or at risk of serious harm or injury, call 999.

If you suspect a child or young person is being abused, you will be listened to and believed.

The first step is to make a child protection referral. The more factual information you can share, the more speedily and efficiently Children’s Social Care or the police will be able to deal with your referral.

Make a referral: call 0161 770 7777

Support is available for:

• drugs and alcohol usage or abuse
• children and young people’s mental health
• eating disorders or disordered eating
• sexual health
• sexuality and gender identity
• weight management

Best Start Family Hubs

Best Start Family Hubs are support centres that bring different services together in one place for families with children aged 0–19, or up to 25 for those with additional needs. Each Best Start Family Hub is a 'one-stop shop’ where you can find guidance from the Integrated Children and Families Service to keep your child healthy, safe, and looked after. We offer a range of support for health and wellbeing, from mandated contacts and development clinics to orthoptic appointments.

We’re here to help you and your family in our seven Best Start Family Hubs and wherever you need us, including in community spaces throughout Oldham and in your home. Our services are designed to give your children the best start in life, and you can access support, activities, and events in our Best Start Family Hubs throughout your children’s lives.  

• Best Start Family Hubs homepage

Family Information Service

The Family Information Service provides free, impartial, up-to-date information to support parents and carers.

• Family Information Service

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)

CAMHS provides specialist services to children and young people who are experiencing mental health and emotional wellbeing difficulties.

Anyone can make a referral, including self-referral by a young person, parents, carers, health, social care and education professionals, or anyone who comes into contact with a young person.

• Make a referral: call 0161 770 7777
• Oldham CAMHS online referral form

Parent Carer Forum (POINT)

POINT provides information, advice, support and activities for parents of SEND children aged 0 to 25 and SEND children and young people themselves.

• POINT SEND