Barnardos Family Support @ Great North Children's Hospital Emergency Department

Are you a parent looking for some support? We are here to help.
It can be tricky to know what services are out there to support your child with their physical and mental health. If you're a parent or carer with children under the age of 16, we can help you with a range of non-medical/minor health concerns.
At Great North Children's Hospital, part of the Newcastle Hospital Foundation NHS Trust our team of experienced, knowledgeable Family Support Workers are on hand at the Emergency Department to work alongside healthcare professionals to offer support to families who need it.

Our Family Support Workers are ready to give a helping hand to parents and carers who have brought their child who is under the age of 16 to the Emergency Department for reasons that do not need an immediate medical response. They are there to make your role as a parent a little bit easier by providing encouraging, timely, non-judgemental support, and with the aim of reducing repeat attendance at the Emergency Department.

Our team will help your family find support which is right for you in your local community. This could be across a whole range of services such as Family Hubs, Children's Centres, services for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), Mental Health and Wellbeing support of help with housing. We're also got information about how to keep your children well and prevent minor, common childhood illnesses. Our support is tailored to meet your families individual needs.

If you live in Newcastle, our team will work with your family to provide support during and after your hospital visit, whether it's meeting at your home or chatting on the phone to discuss your concerns, together we'll figure out the best next steps for you. If you live outside of Newcastle, we will provide you "in the moment" support and offer to signpost you on to appropriate agencies in your area.