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Support Available

It’s okay to need a bit of help at times and it’s a good idea to talk to your child’s school, nursery, health visitor or midwife for a bit of advice.

What support is available to me?

Across Moray there is a range of support designed to meet the unique needs of children, young people, and families. These services aim to promote well-being, development, and resilience, ensuring that everyone has access to the necessary resources and opportunities to thrive.

Click the links below for more information…

Financial Supports in Moray

Free School Meals and Clothing Grants – Moray Council

Financial Support – Moray Income Maximisation Team

moraycf.org – Moray Community Foundation

Supports for Children, Young People & Families

Services for Everyone – Universal Services

The majority of children and young people make their journey from birth to adulthood supported by their family and universal services.

All children and young people from birth to 18 years have the offer of a named person who will be the first point of contact for a child or young person and their family if they have any wellbeing needs or concerns. The named person service is there as a support.

Before children start school the named person is usually their Health Visitor or Family Nurse. Health Visitors responsibilities include the named person role and function. Where there is a family nurse supporting a young mother, they should take on the role of the named person until the child is two years old, at which point the role should be assumed by the Health Visitor.

Universal Health Visiting Pathway in Scotland – Scot Gov 

For school age children and young people, the named person is usually a teacher. This can be a Principal Teacher, Depute or Head teacher. 

(Below are links to information leaflets from the Moray Council website)

Getting it right for every child in Moray – Primary Age

Getting it right for every child in Moray – Secondary Age

Some families might have access to more than one named person if they have several children of different ages. These named persons will work together to give support and meet the needs of the children, young people and family if needed.

For children and young people of school age, but not on a school roll, for example those who are home-educated, the local authority should identify a suitable named person, such as a local authority officer and inform the child or young person and family of the service and support available.  For support for Home Educated children and young people you can email : homeeducation@moray.gov.uk

Click on the link below to read more.

Getting it right for every child in Moray – Home Educated

Click on the link below to read more information about the named person service for young people over the age of 16yrs. 

Getting it right for every child in Moray – 16+       

For additional information you can email: Moray Pathways   moraypathways@moray.gov.uk

 

Services for Everyone that come with Extra Assistance when Needed – Universal Services with Support

Sometimes children and young people may have a wellbeing need which cannot be fully met by the family or universal services but can be met through additional support within Universal Services.

For Health Services this could be help from the Community Nursery Nurse, or Speech Therapist or another Allied Health Professional.

For Education Services this could be help from the Pupil Support Assistant or Educational Psychologist.

 

School Nurse Service

Our team in Moray is made up of qualified school nurses, also known as specialist community public health nurses, or SCPHNs for short, community staff nurses, and health care support workers.

We are based throughout Moray and offer targeted support for children and young people as part of the public health team.

Anyone can refer to the school nursing service. This includes parents, school staff, police, social work, and the young people themselves if over 12 years old. Referrals are discussed by the team on a weekly basis and referrers are informed of the outcome. When a referral is accepted our next step usually involves meeting with the child or young person and having a conversation with parents or carers.

When a child is primary school age we will always contact the parent or carer first. When a young person is over 12 years old we would usually arrange to see them in school to offer a health assessment. Following this we may offer an intervention, signpost or refer on to another agency in collaboration with the parent/carer and young person.

In 2018 the Scottish Government published 10 priority pathways for school nurses to work within. These are:

1. Emotional health & wellbeing

2. Substance misuse

3. Child protection

4. Domestic abuse

5. Looked-after children

6. Homelessness

7. Sexual health & wellbeing (including pregnancy)

8. Youth justice

9. Transitions

10. Young Carers

Click the link to read more : Specialist school nursing: priority areas and pathways – gov.scot

These pathways are aimed at prevention and early intervention to promote health and wellbeing in childhood so that children in Scotland have the best possible chance to flourish and grow into healthy adults.

Contact details > gram.morayschoolnursingservice@nhs.scot

FaceBook : Moray School Nursing Service

 

Social Work Service

Should your child or young person be referred to our service a social worker will work with your child, you and other people supporting you.  Our shared aim is to achieve improved wellbeing.

Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) is centred in our practice alongside the promotion of a rights-based approach, children and young people’s rights are defined in the United Nations Convention on Rights of a Child (UNCRC).

Our aim is to safeguard and promote the wellbeing of children, young people and families. It is our goal for parents to care for their children wherever possible, receiving the right support at the right time.

If you have an immediate concern for a child or young person and are worried about their safety, please contact the Police.

If you wish to contact social work in relation to a child our details are below:

How to Contact us:

  • Children and Families Access Team: 01343 554370 (office hours Mon – Fri)
  • In an emergency or Out of Hours: 03457 565656 (out with office hours)

ALISS – A Local Information System for Scotland | ALISS

ALISS is a national digital programme enabling people and professionals to find and share information on health and wellbeing resources, services, groups, and support in their local communities and online.

Other resources to think about are below:

  • Services that provide support for managing long term conditions
  • Groups that support social and community connection (e.g., local choirs, book groups, befriending)
  • Activities that offer opportunities for getting more active and for getting outdoors (e.g., badminton clubs, community gardens)
  • Practical, legal, and financial support (e.g., money advice, advocacy services)
  • Digital technology that can support health and social care (e.g., online forums, health related mobile apps).

ALISS aims to ensure that everyone in Scotland has the right information, at the right time, about resources that are available to help them live well and stay connected to their community.

Guidance For Professionals

ALISS – A Local Information System for Scotland | ALISS

Link to Scot Gov for Whole Family Support information – Scottish Govt Whole Family Wellbeing Support

Locality Planning email contact: localityplanning@moray.gov.uk

Scottish Service Directory –
Scotland’s Service Directory | NHS inform

Wellbeing Co-ordinators – Email contact: wellbeingcoordinator@moray.gov.uk

Other resources to think about are as follows:

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