covid-19 response: info for children & families

We have also set up a number of helplines, advice videos and web page links with further information and advice that families will be able to use and access during this challenging time.

Children’s Centres 

You can still refer to children’s centres for support via this link.

Below is a list of children’s centres and their contact numbers / email addresses:

Health visiting team contact information:

Birmingham Child Development Centres (CDCs)

Advice line

The CDC advice line is open to all families referred to the CDC and families with children with additional needs up to the age of seven.

The advice line number is 0121 466 6825. Families may need to leave a message which should include their child’s name and date of birth, a telephone number and their name.

We aim to call families back within 48 hours but are currently managing to do this sooner. We can offer practical everyday advice. The phone line is currently provided by a mixed to of professionals including speech and language therapy, clinical psychology and nursery nurses. We can respond to messages in English, Punjabi, Urdu and Mirpuri.

Community Paediatrics

Referral clinics continue but as virtual clinics (telephones / video link).  Some face to face appointments are arranged where there is a need to take growth measurements / check blood pressure / perform an examination. If this is required a member of team will be in contact with you to inform you of process that needs to be followed.  Please refer to BCHC Community Paediatric web page regarding current process of obtaining prescriptions.

Children in Care  (CIC)

Due to the pandemic, the children In care health team is offering a reduced face-to-face service.
We will continue to provide a telephone service.
We can be contacted on;
Duty Nurse: 0121 466 3648 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm).
Email: bchnt.dutynursecic@nhs.net

 
Children's Occupational Therapy

An Occupational Therapist will be able to offer practical therapy advice, strategies and support to schools, parents/carers and other professionals in relation to a child’s/young person’s functional and independence skills.

The advice line number is: 0121 683 2325

The phone line will be open Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm.

The child or young person must be aged 0-18 years (up to 19 only if in full-time special school education) and registered with a Birmingham GP.

Click here to go to the children's OT pages.

OT 'bite sized' videos

The OT bite-sized sensory videos are accessible via our website.

 In this mini sensory series, they discuss what it meant by the term ‘sensory processing’ and the sensory needs parents and carers may see in relation to their child.

The films focus on different levels of alertness and provide practical strategies and advice on how to support their child to remain in a calm and focused state throughout their day.

Click here to view the advice videos.

Children’s Physiotherapy

Due to the reduction of our physiotherapy service during the pandemic, we have launched a temporary advice line for children and families already know to our service. The number is 0121 466 5193, open between 9am and 4pm, so that parents can receive clinical advice and support for their child over the telephone in the first instance.

For other queries regarding appointments, or cancellations, please contact the Soho service on new number 0121 466 5203.

Children’s Speech and Language Therapy advice line

You can contact the Speech and Language Therapy Team for therapy advice, strategies and support for parents / carers, schools and other professionals in relation to a child’s / young person’s communication skills or eating, drinking and swallowing concerns.

The phone line 0121 466 6231 will be open Mon - Fri from 9am – 4pm

The child or young person must be aged 0-18 years (up to 19, only if in full-time special school education) Registered with a Birmingham GP or a Birmingham School

Click here to visit our webpage for useful advice, strategies and support.

The Birmingham School Health Support Service

Birmingham School Health Support Service (BSHSS) remains open, ensuring that you are still able to access help and support from the school nursing service.  During the periods of school closure / self-isolation you can continue to get support and advice by contacting the service by telephone, text message or email. Please search for your team by what school your child attends or where you live (See the list by district below): 

The email and telephone lines will be staffed Monday to Friday 8am – 5pm and staff will be able to support or advise as required. If you email or leave a message outside these times staff will be in contact with you when they return.

ChatHealth Text Service – 07480 635485

The school health support service provides can provide help for students with relationships, mental health, alcohol, bullying, self-harm, smoking, drugs and healthy eating.  During COVID 19 parents are also able to text this number to seek support.

The Special School Nursing Service

Despite educational establishments being closed following government recommendations we want to assure you that you are still able to access help and support from the Special school nursing service. During the periods of school closure / self-isolation you can continue to get support and advice from the Special School Nursing Service by either emailing the service  or by telephone:

0121 466 4270 or 0121 465 2622.

The email and telephone lines will be staffed Monday to Friday 8.30am – 4pm and staff will be able to support or advise as required. If you email or leave a message outside these times staff will be in contact with you when they return.

Children’s Nutrition and Dietetic Services

Startwell
Startwell supports early years settings in Birmingham and their families with healthy eating and physical activity. Although many early years settings are closed at the moment there is still lots of information available for families to stay active and healthy while at home. Please have a look at our social media sites on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and our website.
We are currently hosting LIVE physical activity sessions and videos for advice and activity ideas for parents and carers to do at home with their children. 

Paediatric Dietetics
Paediatric Dietitians remain available for consultation for existing and new referrals to the service. All consultations are currently being undertaken remotely either by telephone or video call as appropriate to the needs of the child. Please call 0121 683 2300 Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm as needed. Click here to visit our service page.

There are many useful resources available on our website in order to support common nutritional problems in children. 

Nutrition Nurse
The Children's Nutrition Nurse closely supports all children's nurses, Dietitians and carers with specialised care of feeding tubes, in order to prevent and treat tube-related complications. She can be contacted on 0121 683 2300 Mon – Fri 09:00 – 17:00.

Families in need of early help

Please see further information and referral form on the Birmingham Children’s Partnership website.
Also available on the website is a map of many of the resources and support available for children and families at this time, and contact details (email, phone number) for each of the local lead organisations,

Worried about a child? If you have any concerns about the safety and/or welfare of a child or young person, telephone the Children's Advice and Support Service (CASS) on 0121 303 1888 or message them via secure email. Outside of normal office hours please call 0121 675 4806 for the Emergency Duty Team

Pause

Need someone to talk to? Struggling to cope with feelings? Pause are here for you.
This is a service for everyone under the age of 25 who has a Birmingham GP.
If you are under the age of 14 we will need parental consent.

Email:         askbeam@childrenssociety.org.uk

Telephone: 02078 414470

Open 10am – 6pm / 7 days a week.

Kooth mental health services for 11 to 25 year olds now available in Birmingham
Kooth is a new free, safe and anonymous service to support young people’s emotional and mental health in Birmingham. The new service launched in Birmingham on 13 April 2020.
The online self-referral is available at www.kooth.com. This is an online platform for advice and support and is linked into the wider mental health support from Forward Thinking Birmingham.