Plymouth Services

Providing information and guidance in a wide range of areas including: benefits and tax credits, housing, money and debt, employment, tax, legal and relationships.

Housing benefit and council tax support.

Provides information on careers, educational courses, volunteering, training opportunities and other personal support for young people aged 13-19 years old (up to 25 for those with a learning difficulty or disability) enabling young people to make informed decisions and choices.

A confidential free advice line available to all children, young people and their families who are on the Neurodiversity pathway within Plymouth. Can offer advice and support on sleep, diet, anxiety, school refusal, friendships and positive support strategies. Call 01752 435404 Monday to Friday, 9-11am and 2-4pm.

Plymouth City Council information relating to Council Tax.

Family and Community Solutions offer Family Group Conferences and Mediation Services to try and reach joint decisions in situations where conversations between families may be difficult. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these have been adapted to accomodate virtual family group conferences or mediation where appropriate. Professionals can refer families by completing a referral form.

The Family Nurse Partnership is a home visiting programme that is offered to first time expectant mothers aged 19 or under.  It provides support during pregnancy and until the child is two years old.

Information about who is entitled to free school meals and how you can apply.

Friends & Families of Special Children is a charity based in Plymouth, Devon, that offers a broad range of services and projects for children with disabilities. Services include:

• Integrated social and leisure activities for children with disabilities and for their whole family.
• Support for young carers through their ‘Fun and Freedom Club’.
• Information and advice service for emotional support, impartial advice and guidance to access financial aid and advocacy (e.g. support with DLA PIP).
• ‘Youth Adventures’ gives young disabled people aged 14 and over the opportunity to socialise with other young people.
• The ‘Adventure Club’ provides activities and events for disabled children under the age of 14.
• ‘Making Sense’ Project provides a range of services aimed specifically at children with Profound & Multiple Learning Disabilities and their parents/carers.
• Support networks, befriending service and training opportunities for parents/carers to reduce isolation and time-out from the punishing regime of caring.
• Access to specialist equipment and practical resources through their ‘Lending Library’.

Give a Child a Chance is a local charity based in Plymouth. Our aim is to support Children and Adolescents with emotional, behavioural, and mental health difficulties. We support the Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMHS) teams at Mount Gould Hospital as well as those out in the community. We also award grants to families, community groups, schools and organisations for equipment, transport, building work and activities – anything, in fact, that can help make a positive difference to children’s lives.

Aside from fund & awareness raising we also provide our  FREE bi-weekly family friendly BUD Club, to help the whole family where a child is affected by mental health or neurodevelopmental difficulties.

A fun and interactive resource site from Livewell Southwest for learning about health.  Along with sharing the content with your child, you can get also get advice on supporting their health and wellbeing.  The site also provides mental health support for new parents, online breastfeeding support group for mums, Devon DadPad, information on childhood illnesses and you can also text a school nurse for confidential advice and support.

Health for Teens provided by Livewell Southwest is designed to engage and benefit young people in Plymouth. It provides information on health, relationships, feelings, lifestyle and growing up, mental health support during COVID-19, dental heath and finding a dentist and common illnesses and wellbeing. You can also text a school nurse for confidential health advice and support.

Information and resources from the Plymouth Safeguarding Children Partnership on their programme “ICON: Babies Cry, You Can Cope!” to help parents and carers cope with a crying baby.

Sensory Solutions provides information, advice and equipment for people of all ages with concerns about sight or hearing. Family members, carers, friends, professionals and employers are welcome to use this confidential and impartial service provided by trained advisors.

Jeremiah’s Journey is a charity that provides support for grieving children, young people and their families who have lost someone special.

Find local NHS services near you including doctors surgeries, dentists, opticians, pharmacies and hospitals.

A website about how to survive and enjoy life in Plymouth with a family.

The Plymouth Autism Spectrum Service (P.A.S.S.) has been developed to provide a dedicated and specialist service for adults with autism, their families, health and social care services and to collaborate with community organisations within Plymouth.

Plymouth Local Authority website with information on services provided by Plymouth City Council.

Information on applying for school places in Plymouth.

Information provided by Plymouth City Council on special educational needs and disabililty (SEND) and the local offer.

Plymouth’s Family Information Directory lists all types of childcare providers for the local area.

If you are struggling to locate childcare, you can also email earlyyears@plymouth.gov.uk

Join Plymouth Library service online where you will then have access to find resources including books, DVDs and much more, renew items online and also download eBooks and eAudiobooks and free digital magazines and comics.

A comprehensive lists of services provided by the Plymouth NHS Trust.