Reporting child abuse

A national awareness campaign has been launched highlighting the crucial role people can play in reporting child abuse and neglect.

Child abuse is any action by another person – adult or child – that causes significant harm to a child. It can be physical, sexual or emotional, but can just as often be about a lack of love, care and attention.

Neglect covers the ongoing persistent failure to meet a child’s basic needs. It may include failing to provide adequate food, shelter, clothing, or medical treatment. It can also include failure to protect a child from harm or danger and failing to ensure proper care or supervision.

Emotional abuse can include bullying, making a child feel worthless or unloved, inadequate, deliberately silencing them or frequently causing a child to feel frightened or in danger.

You can report child abuse or neglect in the following ways:

• Call South Gloucestershire Council on 01454 866000 Monday to Friday during usual office hours, 8.45am to 5pm Monday to Thursday and 8.45am to 4.30pm Fridays. Outside of office hours and at weekends contact 01454 615165.
• Report it online at www.gov.uk/reportchildabuse where more details on the campaign will also be available.

Primary school admission applications close next week

The closing date for submitting applications for infant and primary school admissions in South Glos is Friday 15 January 2016.

To find out more about primary, infant and junior school admissions visit the South Glos school admissions web page.

Something new for Mums and Babies - Mother and Baby Sensory Dance

Starting 7 July 2015 for 4 weeks, these 45 minute sessions at Yate Children’s Centre, Cranleigh Court Road, Yate are designed to encourage gentle interaction and physical movement between mums and   babies (under one year old) set to music.

Using colourful everyday items  such as feathers, scarves and puppets, the sessions include:-

• Gentle massage and mobilisation warm-up
• ‘Feathers’ - Using colourful feathers to stimulate skin and calm
• Bouncing babies to stimulate oxygen flow and warm up arms and hands for mothers
• ‘Peepo’ – using puppets to stimulate eyes and create a playful atmosphere
• ‘Runaway Train Dance’ – to move around and encourage interaction between mothers
• ‘Pilates’ – working on core and back muscles whilst bouncing babies on knees
• Lastly a well-deserved gentle massage and cool down!

Please call 01454 864154 to book your place.

This video could save a child's life - #TheChokeables

Please watch and share this video. Find out how to save a choking baby with #TheChokeables – the new advert from St John Ambulance:

Free childcare for 2 year olds - find out more!

Yate Children’s Centre, Cranleigh Court Road, is holding weekly surgeries for parents who would like to find out more about this Government funded scheme.

A maximum of 15 hours per week per child can be claimed for 38 weeks per year if your child is entitled to a free place.

Eligibility Criteria:

• The family meet the eligibility criteria also used for Free School Meals
• The family receive Working Tax Credits and have an annual gross earnings of no more than £16,190
• The family receive Universal Credit and have an annual gross earnings of no more than £16,190
• The child has a current statement of Special Educational Needs (SEN) or an Education, Health & Care Plan
• The child attracts Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• The child is looked after by the Local Authority
• The child has left care through a special guardianship or adoption or residence order. 

Your child must be resident in South Gloucestershire.

Please call on 01454 864154 to book an appointment.

Surgery dates: 11th November; 18th November; 25th November; 2nd December; 9th December; 16th December, between 1.00 and 2.00pm. Friendly advisor Claire will be able to explain the process, check eligibility and inform you about how to apply for funding.