Support with health

Health Partner Support through Universal Services

This Kinship Local Offer outlines the health-related support available through universal providers across the city, forming part of our broader commitment to supporting Kinship carers. As always a great deal of support, advice and resources is also available through kinship.org.uk/support-and-advice/advice-and-information/

Universal Health Support for Kinship Families

Family Hubs

Family Hubs across Stoke-on-Trent serve as welcoming, one-stop centres offering a wide range of health and wellbeing services. Kinship carers can access:

  • Parenting support groups
  • Infant feeding advice
  • Mental health drop-ins
  • Health visitor consultations

These services are open to all families, including kinship carers, and are delivered by trained professionals in a non-judgemental environment.

Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing

Universal mental health support is available through:

  • Changes Here4U: Local mental health services for adults and children
  • Every Mind Matters: NHS-backed resources for managing stress, anxiety, and sleep
  • Dove Service: Bereavement and emotional support groups
  • Healthwatch Stoke-on-Trent: Advocacy and feedback on health services. These services are accessible without referral and aim to reduce isolation and improve emotional resilience.

Child Health

Kinship carers supporting young children can also benefit from the following universal services:

  • Health Visiting Services: Children in kinship care in Stoke-on-Trent benefit from the city’s integrated 0–19 Health Visiting Service, which offers universal support including developmental reviews, infant feeding advice, and guidance on child safety and wellbeing, ensuring every child has the best possible start in life
  • School nursing: Children in kinship care in Stoke-on-Trent can access universal support from the city’s integrated 0–19health visiting and school nursing service, which offers health assessments, emotional wellbeing guidance, and developmental reviews within schools and family hubs to promote their physical and mental health needs
  • Both are accessible through www.mpft.nhs.uk/services/health-visiting-and-school-nursing

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