- Autism Hub self refer (PDF)
- Asthma
- Babies, children and young people engagement and feedback page
- Children and family services
- Child health
- Children health service feedback survey
- Essex family forum
- Early learning and development
- Flu Vaccines
- Fussy eating
- Measles advice
- Oral health
- Testicular torsion
- Safe Care For Every Newborn and Every Child
- Services for adults and young people with learning disabilities
- Special educational needs and disabilities
- Young people and mental health
Essex child health app
Video
NHS Essex child health app
Many illnesses can now be treated at home with lots of rest and over the counter medicines. The NHS Essex child health app offers handy advice on some of these most common childhood illnesses, as well as helping you to understand when it’s better to chat to your school nurse, visit a local community pharmacist or GP, or to call NHS 111.
Health conditions covered within the app include:
- Coughs, colds and flu
- Diarrhoea and vomiting
- Chicken pox and measles
- Ear ache and tonsillitis
- Wheezing and breathing difficulties including bronchiolitis and asthma
- Headlice and threadworms
- Bumps, bruises and accidents
Information on mental health and wellbeing, healthy lifestyles and advice on some more serious conditions like meningitis and sepsis are also covered. And there’s a handy section on when you might want to consider keeping your child home from school.
The app is free to download for both Android and Apple. Just search for “NHS Essex child health”.
Your home health kit essentials and medicine cabinet
What to include:
- Thermometer- to check temperatures
- Child’s paracetamol- for headaches and temperatures
- Antiseptic cream- to keep germs out of cuts
- Plasters- to protect cuts and scratches
- Olive oil- to use as ear drops for earache
- Antihistamines- for hay fever, allergies and insect bites
As well as your home health kit essentials, having a well stocked medicine cabinet at home will help you treat common children’s illnesses.
Community pharmacist, Mary Oaiya talks about what medicine everyone should have at home to help tackle common childhood health problems.
The Best Start in Life parent hub
Calling all parents and carers – Best Start in Life is here to help you and your child thrive, from pregnancy through to starting school.
Being a parent brings incredible moments of joy alongside natural worries and questions. Whether you’re expecting your first baby, understanding your child’s early health, navigating their first day in childcare, or preparing for school, the Best Start in Life website brings together a range of trusted information and support in one easy-to-access place.
How to access support:
- Explore the Best Start in Life website for resources and information
- Sign up for Best Start in Life emails and newsletter for regular updates and
guidance - Check a breakfast clubs map to see if your child’s school offers free breakfast club
- Find out how you can save money on early education and childcare with
the online childcare checker - Follow @DfE and @DHSCgovuk on social media for news and tips
Visit the Best Start in Life website today! They’re here to support you every step of the way.
Is my child too ill for school?
Sometimes it’s not easy to know if your child should stay off school or not if they’re feeling under the weather.
But the NHS website has got your back.
For advice on when you should keep your child off, visit the link below – and if they are at home, don’t forget the snacks.
SNAP (Special Needs And Parents)
SNAP (Special Needs And Parents) is a local charity for families living within Essex with children and young people aged 0 to 25 who have any special need or disability.
SNAP’s aims are to inform, encourage and support parents, allowing them to grow in strength and knowledge so they are better equipped to give the best possible help to their children.
SNAP’s services include advice and information, a specialist library, specialist talks and events, training courses, parent and pre-school children groups, activities for children and young people, multi-sensory room, specialist IT suite, music therapy, sibling support, family counselling, online information network and directory of useful contacts.
No formal diagnosis or professional referral is necessary to access SNAP services.
Contact information
Phone
01277 211300
Website
www.snapcharity.org
Email
info@snapcharity.org
Kids inspire
Kids Inspire supports CYP recovering from traumatic experiences or dealing with emerging mental health difficulties. For ages 5-18 or up to 25 if they have an Education, Health and Care plan in place.
Qualified, experienced therapists have been trained in a broad range of therapies and work creatively to encourage body and mind reconnection. The focus is on the strengths of the child, their uniqueness, family and other relationships.
Contact details
Phone
01245 348707
Email
clinicaladmin@kidsinspire.org.uk
Specialist Counselling Services for Children & Young People
Specialist early intervention service for CYP with emerging mental health issues. Help for: low level depression, anxiety, low mood, worries and concerns about Covid-19. Call 01245 348 707 to discuss referral.
A parents’ guide to recognising jaundice in black and brown babies
We’re pleased to share A Parents’ Guide to Recognising Jaundice in Black and Brown Babies — a resource designed to help families identify jaundice in babies with darker skin tones, where symptoms are often harder to spot.
Early identification is key to preventing serious complications, and this guide empowers parents with the knowledge and confidence to take timely action.
Co-produced with families in the South East and created by clinicians at Medway NHS Trust in collaboration with the Race and Health Observatory, Bliss Charity, and Five x More, this guide aligns with national guidance and supports earlier recognition of jaundice in newborns.
A Parents’ Guide to Recognising Jaundice in Black and Brown Babies (PDF)
Baby safe sleeping
“Activate” by Joe Wicks
An animated series called Activate has launched to encourage children across the country to be more physically active.
Co-created by fitness coach Joe Wicks MBE and the team behind Hey Duggee (Studio AKA), Activate is backed by the government as part of a nationwide effort to promote movement among school-aged children. It has been developed in partnership with the Department of Health & Social Care, Department for Education, and Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
What’s included
- Each Activate episode is five minutes long
- Features an animated Joe Wicks and a team of original characters – the Activators
- Includes music from Universal Music UK
- Promotes short, fun bursts of movement for children
- Available for free on The Body Coach YouTube Channel