Children and Young People

From July 2008 we have changed the way you can contact us to access help for children, young people or parents. Please see the Children’s Action Teams link on the right of this page for further information.

Concerns about the safety, welfare or the potential abuse or neglect of children.
If you are concerned about the safety, welfare or the potential abuse or neglect of a child or if you are not sure and need advice please follow the link to child protection to the right

The Council’s Directorate of Education and Children’s Services
We provide support to improve the education, health and welfare of all children young people and families in Reading. We work closely with other partners through the Children and Young People’s Trust. We have agreed the following vision and priorities for children and young people in Reading:

We will create a positive and ambitious environment for children, young people and families in Reading so that they:

• are happy, health, safe and coping with change and challenge
• are enthusiastic and skilled learners
• value themselves and others

We agreed that the Trust's current priorities are to:

• Enhance emotional wellbeing (Being healthy)
• Deliver outstanding services for children in need and those needing protection (Staying safe)
• Improve schools and raise attainment (Enjoying and achieving)
• Promote positive parenting (Making a positive contribution)
• Foster thriving neighbourhoods (Achieve economic wellbeing)

We have agreed a Children and Young People’s Plan from 2009-12 which can be found by clicking on the Reading Children's Trust Documents, Plans and Strategies link in the Related Information box at the top right of this page.  Our current priorities can be found at the Key Documents for Education and Children's Services link.

Article		Description
	Disabled Parking - The Blue Badge Scheme	Parking badges for disabled drivers and passengers
	Teenage Pregnancy Social Inclusion Service	Aiming to prevent social exclusion of teenage parents by providing support and guidance with learning
	Child Protection	What to do if you believe a child is being abused
	Information and Advice Services	Signposting Service providing links to support services for children and families
	Children's Social Services	Social care services for children, young people and their families
	Family Support Services	Social Services to support families and protect children who are in need
	Children's Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities Team (formerly the Disabled Children's Team)	Support and services for children and young people with disabilities and/or learning difficulties and their families
	Leaving Care Services	Care and support for care leavers, vulnerable young people and unaccompanied minors seeking asylum
	Residential Care for Children	Residential Care services for children who cannot live at home
	Complaints and Suggestions: Children and Family Services	How your feedback helps us improve services, what to do if you are unhappy with the service we provide and how to let us know what you think.
	Complaints, Comments and Compliments	How you to tell us what you think about Reading Community Care Services
	Child Care and Child Safety	Where to find advice on leaving children at home alone, babysitters and day care services
	Children in Care Pledge	Reading Borough Council's pledge to children and young people in care.
	Direct Payments	A scheme offering you more choice and control over the care services you receive
	Special Schools and Mainstream Resources in Reading	Information about Reading's special schools and SEN resources within Reading's mainstream schools