The best start in life
What does the best start in life mean to you?
Giving children and young people and their families the best start in life can mean many things. To some it might mean helping a young mother in the early stages of her child's life, a foster worker who has made it possible for a brother and sister to stay together, or helping a family access free activities and childcare.
To others, it might mean getting a young person back on the right track, helping a mother-to-be stop smoking, giving a child the right support for their needs, supporting a school to become outstanding, or making sure a child enjoys healthy meals at school.
Read how this foster carer has given a young person the best start in life.
Good rating for South Tyneside's Children's Services
Read more about South Tyneside's good result at South Tyneside Council news: South Tyneside's Children's Services One Of The Best in The Country or read the full report at Ofsted: South Tyneside
We want South Tyneside's children and families to have the best start in life and aspire to a bright and prosperous future.
See below for advice on staying healthy, things to do, as well as support and services available to children and families.
Eat smart, get active and be healthy
Ways to get active
There is lots to do in South Tyneside to increase your physical activity. Get ideas of ways for you and your family to get active.
Get activeLeisure facilities
Find out about swimming, gyms and sports activities in your local leisure facilities.
Leisure facilitiesHealthy eating
There are plenty of healthy places to eat in the local area. Plus download the new Change4Life app to help you eat healthy.
Healthy eatingSupport to stop smoking
If you want to enjoy the health benefits of giving up smoking, we can give you help and support.
Support to stop smokingServices and support for children and families
Worried about a child?
Anything you notice can help a child at risk. If you have any concerns that a child is suffering or is likely to suffer, contact us.
Worried about a child?Support with family life
We can support you with any concerns regarding your child, like behavioural problems, issues at school, or any other difficulties.
Support with family lifeFostering and adoption
Find out about fostering and adoption. If you're interested, contact our team for an informal chat.
Fostering and adoptionSupport for additional needs
Find information and services to help children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and their families.
Support for additional needsChildren's centres
Children's centres are for children under five and their families. Membership is free and gives you access to a range of services.
Children's centresSchools
Find out about school admissions, school meals and milk, school holidays, school contact details, and more.
SchoolsHousing support
Get help with finding and applying for a home, homelessness, specialist advice for young people, mutual exchanges and more.
Housing supportYouth participation
Young people from 14 - 19 years old can get involved with South Tyneside's Young People's Parliament (STYPP).
Youth participationUseful information and contacts:
- Change4Life South Tyneside
- Child safeguarding
- Connexions (careers advice for young people aged 13-19 years)
- Domestic violence and abuse
- Drug and alcohol abuse services
- Health Visitors
- Northumbria Police: Contact information
- School admissions
- School nurses
- Sexual health
- Youth Justice Service
If you already have an allocated social worker, please contact them to discuss any concerns you may have.
What's on in South Tyneside
What's on
View a list of events and activities taking place across South Tyneside.
Events and activitiesThings to do
For information about attractions and things to do in the area, go to the Visit South Tyneside website.
Visit South TynesideWe're working to give the children of South Tyneside the best start in life
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We want South Tyneside's children and families to have the best start in life and aspire to a bright and prosperous future. To ensure everyone reaches their full potential, we will work together to provide the best possible learning and recreation opportunities, with targeted protection, care and support for those in greatest need.
We are dedicated to helping members of the public, staff, members and partners understand our vision and how we deliver outcomes for children within one overarching strategy.
By promoting our wide range of services for children and families to the public, including how they can access them easily and quickly, we are supporting families to engage and support themselves.
Best Start in Life Strategy
View the Best Start in Life Strategy.