There are many support services available including:
Family and carer support
Medway Family Information Service (FIS)
The FIS is a searchable online directory of information to help parents and carers including:
- advice and guidance services
- facilities and publications
- childcare and brokerage services
- support for families and carers.
Find out more
- Website: Medway FISD
- Email: familyinfo@medway.gov.uk
- Phone: 01634 332 195.
Medway Parent and Carers Forum (PCF)
The PCF is a group that helps to bring together parents, families and carers of children and young people across Medway with additional needs together. The group helps to give them a voice within Medway.
The forum helps parents and carers to have a say in:
- the way services are shaped and delivered
- education services
- social care
- health.
They have coffee mornings once a month to chat about issues.
There is no charge and no commitment for their service, except receiving the occasional communication about what is happening in the local area.
Find out more
- Website: Medway PCF
- Phone: 01634 333 315 (term time mornings only) or 07813 123 984
- Email: info@medwaypcf.org.uk
- Social media: Medway PCF Facebook, Medway PCF Instagram, Medway PCF Twitter.
Medway Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support (SENDIAS)
Medway SENDIAS provides free and impartial help for parents or carers with children and young people. They can help:
- express your views and wishes
- support you at meetings with schools
- complete SEND related paperwork
- signpost you to other support services.
Support is available for young people up to the age of 25.
Find out more
- Website: Medway SENDIAS
- Social media: Medway SENDIAS Facebook
- Phone: 01634 566 303
- Email: medwaysendias@family-action.org.uk
- Business hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Carers First Medway
Carers First help to support young people aged 5 to 18 years who are in a caring role. They provide the support and opportunity to:
- take a break from your role
- meet other carers
- have one-to-one sessions
- take trips out
- attend lunch clubs
- enjoy fun activities.
Find out more
- Website: Carers First Medway
- Phone: 0300 303 1555
- Email: hello@carersfirst.org.uk
- Social media: Carers First Facebook, Carers First Instagram, Carers First Twitter
- Address: Michael Gill Building, Tolgate Lane, Strood, Rochester, ME2 4TG.
Safety support
Action Fraud
Action Fraud is the national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime. This is where you should report fraud if you've:
- been scammed
- been defrauded
- experienced cybercrime.
The website provides information on what fraud is and how to protect yourself.
Find out more
- Website: Action Fraud
- Social media: Action Fraud Facebook, Action Fraud Twitter
- Phone: 03001 232 040.
Fearless in Kent
Fearless is an online organisation that provides non-judgemental information and advice on crime and criminality.
It's 100% anonymous and can provide a safe place to provide information about crime.
Find out more
- Website: Fearless in Kent
- Social media: Fearless Facebook, Fearless Instagram, Fearless Twitter
- Email: fearless@crimestoppers-uk.org
- Open hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Thinkuknow
Thinkuknow is part of Child Exploitation and Online Protection command (CEOP) to protect children and young people from online sexual abuse.
The aim of Thinkuknow is to:
- safeguard young people and their wellbeing
- promote understanding and conversations
- empower and help to build knowledge and confidence online.
They provide a variety of resources for various age groups about difficult and sensitive issues including:
- films
- animations
- websites
- presentations.
They can also provide targeted advice on how to stay safe when using the internet.
Find out more
- Website: Thinkuknow.