Parents

This  section of the site contains a lot of information useful to parents.  We've gathered some of the most commonly requested or seached for infromation and put them in an easy to find section.

Child Protection - The Children's Act seeks to offer greater protection to children.

Pre School and Childcare - Choosing childcare and early education is a big step for you and your child

Having a Baby - The following guide is designed to help answer some of the initial questions you may have about having a baby.

Jobs and Careers - The first thing you need to do is to decide whether finding a job is the best option or whether it would be better if you looked at training or educational opportunities to increase your employability.

Benefits - There are a number of initiatives available both locally and nationally that are aimed at offering assistance to those who need it most.  This section of the site groups together information on some of the schemes being run by Chester City Council, Cheshire County Council and central government.

ISA - Every Child Matters - Every Child Matters: Change for Children is a new approach to the well-being of children and young people from birth to age 19.

Helplines - Talking is always a good way of dealing with a problem or a worry. Sometimes it's not always easy to talk to someone you know. Helplines offer a solution to this problem because they give you the chance to talk to someone anonymously and confidentially.

Maternity and Paternity Rights - The Directgov website provides an interactive tool for guidance on your employment rights when a child is born or adopted. You will get a personalised statement of your rights and responsibilities, which you can print out to read later. You will also be able to use an interactive calendar to help plan your leave.

Disabled Parents - Guide to information available for disabled parents

Schools and Education - Guide to Education and Learning in Cheshire

Caring for a disabled child - Caring for a child is difficult enough, but caring for a disabled child presents its own  challenges

Dealing with bullying  - Bullying can be pretty much anything that involves someone who deliberately makes your life difficult - it can be physical, like being pushed, kicked or hit. It can be verbal, like being called names or threatened. It can be being left out of a group of friends.  It can be having your things taken off you or broken.  It can be someone spreading rumours about you - whether they're true or not.

Teenage pregnancy - Research shows that teenage girls are less likely to become pregnant if they are able to talk about sex openly with their parents.

Adoption and fostering - This information provides a  brief outline of what adoption and fostering is, and just what it entails.  We strongly recommend that you visit the Cheshire County Council Fostering and Adoption Service website  for further details.

Family support centres - Cheshire Social Services operates ten specialist family centres. Each provides a range of services to support children and families in a pleasant and stimulating setting

Your child and the internet - Sadly there are many risks to children online.  However, these can be reduced through a combination of technology and good parenting.

Your child's health - Any issue relating to your child's health can be a worry for parents  - whether you're a new parent or experienced in dealing with children's illnesses - the  NHS Direct offer a whole section of information about your child's health - from advice about feeding babies solids to immunisation.