Our services

Call our free advice line for guardians and speak to someone from our experienced, professional team. They will listen to you, give you practical advice and point you to the information you need.

What to do if you or the child you care for are in crisis and need urgent help. If you are injured or in immediate danger, you should call 999 and ask for the appropriate service.

Get guidance and support with applying to be a special guardian from the council’s Connected Persons team. The duty team can help answer questions and connect you to caseworkers.

Find a local guardian group where you can share with and learn from other guardians. You can join in person and online, and you can even become part of the popular WhatsApp guardian group.

Subscribe to our free newsletter for special guardians and adoptive parents. It features news, events and information to make sure you’re up to date with what’s happening locally for guardians.

All special guardians can access free 24/7 support from an independent service funded by the council for a wide range of health and wellbeing issues.

Our education specialists can give you advice and support on childcare, schools and understanding the education system. You can call or email them for free and get the information you need.

A family-time (contact) review is where we look at how the child you care for currently spends time with their birth parents or family. We can help you put a plan in place that works for everyone, especially the child.

Behaviour is a common issue for guardians, but we can give you practical advice that is proven to work. Our team listen to your issues and help you take positive steps forward.

Our life story sessions give children the chance to talk and learn about who they are. They get to understand and build their own identity and share their story in complete confidence.

Younger children see so many benefits from being able to play and learn in a safe environment. Our sessions are a chance for them to talk about how they are feeling and have some fun.

Our online Skills to care training workshops take place every other month. You can meet other carers and guardians, and learn more on a range of topics, including family time, care planning and child development.

One-off, three-hour sessions that help you talk and learn more about contact time with family. Join other guardians and get expert advice that can help you make family time a positive experience for the child you care for.

SPACE is a 12-week course for special guardians and adoptive parents where you can learn proven approaches that help you support the child you care for.