Covid Risk assessment:
holiday camps
Covid Risk assessment:
holiday camps
Signpost to local support
Discover a range of local Kent-based services offering further support for those families bringing up children by following the headings in our quick links menu.
For each agency there is either more information, contact details or website links or a combination of these.
Early Years & Childcare
KCC Help with Childcare Costs
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If you have a child aged 9 months to 4 years you could get help with the cost of their childcare.
If you are a working parent you also may qualify for an extra 15 hours of childcare for your 3 or 4 year old.
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Website:
Follow this link to be directed to the KCC website for more info. If you are pregnant or have a child under 4, you can also find a link here to see if you are eligible for the Healthy Start card which offers money towards milk, formula, fruit and vegetables as well as free vitamins.
Childcare Choices
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You can find out more information about the schemes that may be available to help with your current childcare.
Changes to childcare support mean you might now be eligible for more help than ever before.
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Website:
Follow this link to be directed to the Childcare Choices website for more info. You can also find a link there to subscribe to finding out more details on the upcoming expansion in September 2025 as they become available.
Citizens Advice Telephone Advice
National Citizens Advice Telephone Service:
You can call for free on 0800 144 8848
9:00am - 5:00pm Monday to Friday
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National Citizens Advice Website:
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Citizens Advice - Medway
Citizens Advice - Canterbury, Herne Bay & Whitstable
Canterbury Area Citizens advice:
Website:
citizensadvicecanterbury.org.uk
Contact numbers:
Advice line: 0808 278 7846 (freephone)
Appointment Booking lines (no advice via these lines)
Canterbury: 01227 452 762
Herne Bay: 01227 740 647
Whitstable: Wednesday Drop-in service 10:15am - 1:00pm Whitstable Umbrella Centre
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Housing Support Officers
Information:
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What support do Housing Support Officers offer?
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Help with settling into new homes
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Provide advice on tenancy issues
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Help people deal with anti-social behaviour
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Help people with domestic abuse
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Help people with neighbour disputes
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Help people with estate improvements
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Help people with mutual exchanges
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Ensure people pay rent on time
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Help people with benefits and welfare
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Signpost people to external services
Contact details:
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How to contact a Housing Officer in Kent​​
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West Kent:
Email & contact phone number
01732 749400
Medway Council:
Email & contact phone number
housingtenancyteam@medway.gov.uk
01634 333 344
Emergency NHS Dental Services
Information:
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Our Community Dental Service in east Kent and north east London provides a full range of community dentistry for patients unable to access NHS dentistry locally, requiring specialist intervention or needing a home visit.
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How to use the service:
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If you need specialist dental care, you can be referred by a GP, GDP or other healthcare professional or you can contact our head office team direct using the contact details below.
If you need an emergency dental appointment because you are experiencing pain or swelling, you can phone our dental helpdesk using the contact details below.
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Contact details:
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Dental head office
0300 7900 158
Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm
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Dental helpdesk
0300 123 4412
Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 4pm
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Website
Emergency Dental Services - Kent
​​Instant Dental*:
Website & helpline phone number
​01622 938 304
*Serves Chatham, Dartford, Gillingham, Maidstone & Sevenoaks
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GM Dental*:
Website & helpline phone number
gmdentalashford.dentaloffers.co.uk
​01233 542 286
*Serves Ashford
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Financial Education & Support
Action for Children's Parent Talk
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If you are responsible for the family finances, Action for Children have a site where they discuss and offer links and support in the following areas:
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Family finances
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How money affects mental health
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Coping with stress and anxiety about money
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Organising your finances
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More support for money problems and mental health
Website:
You can access the site here.
They also offer additional support in the following areas regarding work and money:
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Saving money on food bills and getting support
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Talking to children about money
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Budgeting for a baby
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As well as information and important links to other useful agencies, they also offer direct access to an online parenting coach in order to discuss any issues that are worrying you. You can use their webchat or WhatsApp for a free and confidential chat.
Local Job Centres
Job Centres in Kent:
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Ashford Job Centre
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Canterbury Job Centre
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Chatham Job Centre
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Dartford
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Dover
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Folkestone
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Maidstone
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Margate
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Ramsgate
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Sheerness
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Sitingbourne​​
Website:
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To find more details about your local Job Centre you can access the GOV.UK finder.
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Contact Telephone Number:
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To make an appointment with your local you can call the central switchboard on:
0800 169 0190
