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Children and families support services

Children and Families Support

Select the options below to view more information on the available support for Children and Families.

Lancashire Family Hubs 

Support is available for all stages of family life, from pregnancy through to 19 years old or 25 for those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Families can access a wide range of services at Family Hubs, such as:

  • midwife and health visitor appointments
  • groups for expectant mums and dads
  • counselling for families
  • baby feeding advice
  • SEND support groups and advice

The Family Hubs are a central point for support and are located at Duke Street Family Hub, Chorley, PR7 3DU and Highfield Family Hub, Wright Street, Chorley, PR6 0SL

View more information on the Lancashire Family Hub on the LCC website.

Children and Family Wellbeing Service

This service is part of Lancashire County Council (LCC) and provides early help, support, advice to children and families. 

They offer support to families of children and young people from 0 to 19 years of age and young people with special education needs and/or disabilities up to 25 years old

View more information on the Children and Family Wellbeing Service on the LCC website.

Home-Start

Home-Start Central Lancashire is a family support charity based in Chorley who works with families, using a trauma informed approach and have at least 1 child under the age of 11. They support families who live in communities across West Lancashire, Chorley, South Ribble and Greater Preston.

Families struggling with post-natal depression, early childhood development, isolation, challenging behaviour, physical and mental health problems, bereavement and many other issues receive the support of a volunteer who will spend around 3 hours a week in a family’s home supporting them in the ways they need. They also deliver a range of gorups and programmes including parenting support

View more information on Home Start Central Lancashire

Email: enquiries@homestartcentrallancs.org.uk

Chorley Buddies 

Chorley Buddies is a local volunteering charity offering practical support for damilies who are isolated or struggling. 

They offer a range of events and services including befriending, school uniform support and food clubs. 

Please contact SVP Chorley Buddies by email to chorleybuddies@svp.org.uk Alternatively, you can call them on 01257 542367.

View more information on SVP Chorley Buddies 

Inspire Youth Zone

Inspire is home to facilities that you can’t find anywhere else in the borough under one roof. From a climbing wall and pottery studio to an underground muga, gym and rec area, all for just 50p per session!

Inspire doors are open to 8 to 19 year-olds (and 25 year olds who have additional needs)

Sunday Family Day - Family day taking place every Sunday 11am till 1:30pm and open to everyone! Go head to head with everything from climbing to football or chill out in baking and art. Inspire even have a brand new baby zone in the dance studio for the youngest of visitors… there really is something for everyone! It is completely free of charge to attend! 

View more information on activities at  Inspire Youth Zone.

Social Prescribing Service

The Social Prescribing Service offers free, confidential personalised support specifically tailored around what matters to you. We can help you to build the confidence and motivation to overcome barriers that you may be facing by using health coaching techniques and working closely with various services and partners. 

View more information on the Social Prescribing Service

Lancashire SEND Information, Advice and Support Service

Lancashire SEND Information, Advice and Support Service is a statutory service which is run at ‘arm’s length’ from the local authority and provides free, confidential, impartial advice, guidance and support to parents of children with special educational needs and children and young people with SEND.

The service can help you to gather, understand and interpret information and apply it to your own situation.

They can provide information around the following areas in relation to SEND:

  • rights, roles and responsibilities
  • health and social care processes, regulations and guidance
  • support from other agencies and organisations.

View more information on the SEND information, advice and support service on the Lancashire County Council website.

Children and Young People’s Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing 

Healthy Young Minds offers lots of advice, guidance and support related to children and young people’s mental health and emotional wellbeing. It has information for children and young people and families and carers. 

You will find lots of resources and information from local and national organisations focussed on the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people. You'll also find support for your own mental health, if you're worried about a young person's behaviour, you're not alone. 

View more information on Mental health support on the Healthy Young Minds website. 

Funded childcare

Starting your children in early years childcare can have lots of benefits including:

  • helping a child to learn and develop
  • building confidence and interpersonal skills
  • improving a child's speaking and listening skills
  • preparing a child for starting school.

You may be able to get free childcare for your child aged 9 months to 4 years old if you live in England. The amount of free childcare you can get depends on:

  • your child’s age and circumstances
  • whether you’re working (employed, self-employed, or a director)
  • your income (and your partner’s income, if you have one)
  • your immigration status.

View more information on paying for childcare on the Lancashire County Council website.

NHS Healthy Start

If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk.If you’re eligible, you’ll be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that you can use in some UK shops to buy:

  • cow's milk
  • fresh, frozen or tinned fruit and vegetables
  • infant formula milk
  • fresh, dried, and tinned pulses.

You can also get free Healthy Start vitamins.

Please visit get help to buy food and milk (Healthy Start) on the NHS website to find out if you qualify.

Free School Meals 

Your child may be eligible for free school meals if they are in Reception class, Year 1, or Year 2. Additionally, if you receive certain benefits, your child's school can receive extra funding through the pupil premium program.

View more information on detailed eligibility criteria and how to apply on the Lancashire County Council website. 

Summer Play Day 2025

This free family event will be held on Wednesday 6th August 2025, 11am till 3pm, Coronation Recreational Grounds, Off Devonshire Road in Chorley, PR7 2SR. 

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