Council and democracy

What does CSF do?

Here are a few examples of the services we provide:

School admissions

We co-ordinate the offer of school places for nursery, primary and secondary schools across the county.You can find out everything you need to know about the process on other pages of this website

Sure Start services (Young in Herts)

Sure Start aims to improve the quality of life for children, families and communities through:

• Childcare – improving and increasing the levels of childcare provision across the county including childminders, preschools, day nurseries and out of school clubs
• Early education – all three and four year olds are entitled to free early education sessions. Research shows that children who receive a high quality education in their early years are more likely to make good progress at school, stay in education longer, gain qualifications and be successful in their working lives
• Parenting support – including courses, advice and support in local communities for parents to help them with the challenges of raising children
• Teenage pregnancy – including cutting teenage pregnancy levels and supporting young parents back into education
• Extended schools and children’s centres – offer community services delivered through children’s centres for under fives and extended schools for five to 19 year olds including study support and out of school activities, family learning, adult education, childcare, health advice and parenting support.

To find out more about the services available in your community contact the Children’s Information Service on 01438 737502 (callers from 01923 or 0208 dialling codes may wish to ring 01923 471502 in order to be charged at local call rates) or visit the younginherts website by following the link on this page.

We also have a Children and Young People's Service Directory which you will also find by following the link on this page.

Financial assistance

If your child is in full time education and your family has a low income, CSF may be able to give you some financial help including

• free school meals
• assisted places on school transport
• help with music fees
• school clothing vouchers
• 16-19 learner support fund
• free SaverCard
• free TrainCard
• help with cycle training costs

Support for the family

If you are experiencing difficulties in meeting your child's emotional, social or physical needs, contact CSF for help. If you have a disabled child, we may be able to provide care in the home, short breaks (respite care), or help your child to join in local activities.

The department now has a direct payment scheme for parents of disabled children, to give them more choice and control in getting the support they need for their family.

Children with special needs

Children develop differently and if you have any concerns about your child's progress, there are people in CSF who can help. A child has special needs if he or she has greater difficulty learning than most other children of the same age.

Family support services

Family support services across the county offer services to young children and families helping them through difficult times, by offering time, practical advice and/or counselling, either individually or in groups.

Emotional health and well being

If you have a child with behavioural or emotional issues, talk to your GP in the first instance. These people will aim to work with you and can contact other agencies for more specialist support e.g educational psychologists or Child and Adult Mental Health Services. Some schools have their own school-based counsellor who provides a voluntary and confidential service.

Fostering and adoption

Every month around 40 Hertfordshire children come into our care because they cannot stay with their own families. There may be a number of reasons why - there may be a crisis in the family, ill health, relationship difficulties, or bereavement. When this happens, we make arrangements for the child to be fostered, sometimes with relatives or family friends, or adopted.

If you are interested in fostering or adopting a child, please contact us on Freephone 0800 917 0925.

Residential care for children and young people

CSF has nine residential units, five for adolescents, one for younger children aged 5-11 years and three for disabled children, one long term and two respite. The young people in our care have a range of complex needs and many need help in making sense of traumatic events, which have happened to them in the past. We seek to provide them with good adult role models and help them have happy and secure relationships, which will help guide them into a happier adulthood.

Some children who are severely disabled may be placed in residential care because their families cannot provide the specialist care or support they need.

Child protection

CSF has a lead role in the Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children Board (HSCB). The HSCB is responsible for co-ordinating local work to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and ensure the effectiveness of that work. If you are at all concerned that a child is being abused, please contact Children, Schools and Families Customer Service Centre on 01438 737500, the police or the NSPCC and tell them about your concerns.Please act promptly if you are worried.

Services for young people

When a disabled young person needs continued care and support we work closely with our colleagues in Adult Care Services and Connexions to ensure a smooth transition. Connexions is the government's support service for all 13-19 year olds in England. It aims to provide advice, support and guidance across a range of issues and smooth the path into adulthood and working life.

Our Youth Programme Units and Education Support Centres provide alternative education for young people who are not in school.

Youth Service

The Youth Service supports young people aged 13-19. It provides a wide range of opportunities ranging from music, drama and sport to advice and information.

Young people engage with the service on a voluntary basis in a variety of settings such as youth centres, mobile provision, detached work and through Connexions.

Schools in Hertfordshire

We have more than 8,000 teachers working with 176,000 pupils in over 500 Hertfordshire schools.

Schools are supported by a team of educational experts who provide training and support linked to national initiatives. We also carry out a programme of school monitoring, challenge, support and where necessary, intervention.