We can help you start a family at a time that is right for you and can prepare you for being a parent.
To support with this, we can discuss:
- sexual health
- healthy relationships
- family planning advice
Find more information on the Luton Sexual Health website.
We'll ensure that you have access to family planning advice and contraception.
Your personal adviser can help you:
- access your local family centre, where you can learn about caring for babies and children
- talk to you about your own experiences of being parented
When you’re expecting a child or becoming a parent
To find out about support during pregnancy, contact your PA for more information or visit the Luton Family Hubs website.
Finding your support network
We can arrange a family meeting during pregnancy to identify support within your friends and family network.
Bringing someone to appointments
We can support travel costs for a friend or family member to go with you to:
- appointments
- the hospital for the birth
Staying healthy while expecting a childy
If you're pregnant, you can get support from health professionals. This is called antenatal care. See the Luton Flying Start website.
Your Leaving Care team will support your wellbeing. They understand that all individual needs and circumstances are different.
Managing money while expecting a child
We'll make sure you have a suitable home, income and essential items.
You could receive a one-off payment of £500 to help with the costs of having a child. This is called a Sure Start maternity grant.
Find out about Sure Start maternity grants on GOV.UK.
If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may receive help to buy healthy food and milk.
Apply on the Healthy Start website.
Support for non-birthing parents
If you're the non-birthing parent, we'll offer you opportunities to access support during the pregnancy, as the birth will affect you too. We’ll suggest ways you can support your partner during pregnancy.
Support with parenting
Find out about support when you have a child.
Your personal adviser can help you register the birth of the baby. The Family Centre team can help you with the basics such as:
- how to change a nappy
- how to bath a baby
- when to seek medical advice
- how to register for a school place, a dentist or an optician
Luton Family Hubs
We have centres across the town called Luton Family Hubs. These can help you access a range of support including parenting classes.
If you're not comfortable in groups, your personal adviser will explore setting up 1 to 1 parenting support until you are.
Planning your own future
This support can include:
- continuing your education
- accessing training or employment
- careers advice and guidance
- transport
Help with healthcare for you and your child
Find out about accessing healthcare for you and your child. Your personal adviser and a Leaving and After Care nurse can help you access health services such as:
- GPs
- midwives
- health visitors
- dentists
A member of the leaving and after care team can go with you to your appointments if you want extra support.
You may be eligible to receive:
- free prescriptions
- dental treatment
- other health costs
Your personal adviser can tell you about this. Check if you can receive free prescriptions on the NHS website.
Help with everyday parenting costs
Find out about financial support such as baby banks and childcare. As part of your pathway plan, your personal adviser can provide you with:
- money management advice
- support in making a budget plan
This will include the important costs that come with being a parent. There are local 'baby banks' which can help with clothing and other essential items. Your personal adviser can help you access these.
Help with childcare
There's a range of support available to help pay for childcare. Once your child reaches 2 years old, we can help you to look into childcare options.
The support you receive will depend on your circumstances.
Find information on help with childcare on GOV.UK.
Support with the Children’s Social Care process
Find out about support if you have contact with children's social care.
Referrals are only made to Children’s Social Care when there's evidence of risk, not because you're a care leaver.
If your child is known to children's social care, your personal adviser can help you with this. This can include supporting you in meetings.
If an assessment is needed, we'll make sure you receive fair treatment, and that your rights are respected.
Your personal adviser will make sure that:
- your opinions are heard
- you understand what is happening
- you understand what plans are in place
Whatever the situation, we'll support you in building and maintaining a relationship with your child.
Video interaction guidance
We offer video interaction guidance (VIG), which is a strength based intervention.
VIG is available for:
- parents
- carers
- school staff
- other supporting adults
VIG helps people reflect on and build upon their successful interactions with children or young people by reviewing short, positive video clips alongside a trained VIG practitioner.
Recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, VIG moves at the clients pace and is grounded in core values of:
- respect
- trust
- hope
- compassion
- cooperation
- appreciation
The purpose of VIG is to strengthen relationships, enhanced communication, an increase attuned, sensitive interactions that support a child's emotional well-being and development.