Information and Advice

The NAS (National Autistic Society) EarlyBird and EarlyBird Plus programmes are intensive programmes aimed at parents of children with a diagnosis of autism and are held at Dorking Nursery School Children's Centre. They are run by Surrey County Council and presented by Portage Teachers, Educational Psychologists, Autism Outreach Teachers and other Specialist Teachers. 

To find out more about the NAS EarlyBird and EarlyBird Plus programmes in Surrey, please contact Vicky Jones on 07747 595155 or email her on training@linden-bridge.surrey.sch.uk.

The Dorking Area Food Bank - Helping Local People in Crisis

The Trussell Trust runs the largest network of foodbanks in the UK, giving emergency food and support to people in crisis. Thirteen million people live below the poverty line and in the last year we gave 1,182,954 three-day emergency food supplies to people in crisis.

The Foodbank is open at The Christian Centre, Church Street, on Tuesdays 4.45pm to 6.15pm (new time from May 1st) and Thursdays 2.30-4pm.

Families can ask for a foodbank voucher from both our Goodwyns Road and West Street sites as well as from CAB, Health Visitors and St Johns Primary School. 

SUMMER HOLIDAY PERIOD - We can give families vouchers to help you get through the summer holidays with the children at home. Please drop in to our Goodwyns Road Centre if you need a voucher.

Learn with me - child development tips for parents and carers of 0-5s. It will help get your child off to a great start through fun activities...and its all free! Just visit... http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/people-and-community/family-information-service/education-and-learning-advice-for-families/early-learning

Portage is a specialist teaching service for pre-school children from birth to 3½ years, with significant developmental delay or complex needs. The Portage service supports families making regular home visits (usually weekly or fortnightly) to support children's development through play. Portage teams work very closely with all the other relevant professionals supporting the child and family to ensure everyone is working towards shared goals. The length of Portage home visiting support varies depending on the needs of the child, lasting between 6-18 months. The service also provides support to ensure successful transition into nursery. Children who are around 3 years old and present with social communication needs are offered an alternative home visiting programme (CAPP) which is a 6 month programme.

To find out more about the Portage service or to discuss a referral, please contact Jo Matthews or Rachel Le on 01737 737777.

We can offer advice about Speech and Language development at any of our stay and play sessions. If you would like to find out more about how to support your child's language development we also run various workshops and have several leaflets that might help. Drop in to the Centre and ask to speak to Helen for more information.

Children learn to talk at different rates. If you are concerned about your child's development of speech and langauge then this session is for you. We will see you and your child on a one to one and discuss any concerns you have. We can give advice and ideas to try at home and follow up with other services if needed. Please ring to book a session 01306 740095

Surrey FIS - Surrey Family Information Service - useful, free & impartial local service for families with children 0-25

Gov.UK - Information on a range of services including Job Centre Plus, housing, benefits, childcare & parenting, citizenship & living in the UK, money & tax, and disabled people

Childcare Choices - find out about the government's new ways to help parents with childcare costs. Whether you have toddlers or teens, you could get support

30 hours funded childcare for working parents - Family Information Service info

Gov.UK Check what help you could get with childcare costs - Gov.UK

Gingerbread - provides expert advice, practical support and campaigns for single parents

Fatherhood Institute - UK's fatherhood think-and-do-tank

Dorking Schools' Partnership - network of local schools providing help and information

Think U Know - guidance for parents on how to keep children safe from sex abuse, both on and offline

Parent info - provides high quality information for parents about their children's wellbeing and resilience in the digital world

Parent information leaflet - Where and how to seek help when your child is unwell

CAPT - Child Accident Prevention Trust - free child safety advice

Surrey Against Domestic Abuse - offers help and support for anyone in the county affected by domestic abuse

FEET Funding - find out more about free funding for two year olds to attend nursery provision 

To find out more about two year funding in Surrey, watch these two video clips:-

• Why parents love childcare for their 2 year olds
• Parent using a nursery in Surrey

Find a Dentist - find an NHS Dentist near you

Sexual Health - find NHS services near you

Immunisations - NHS advice on immunisations/vaccinations

Children and Family Health Surrey - NHS nursing and therapy services for children and families across Surrey

Parent Zone - Experts in digital family life - Advice and information to help parents keep children safe online, eg parental and privacy controls, how family-friendly are the games and apps your kids like to play? and more

CEOP - Child Exploitation and Online Protection command (National Crime Agency). Are you worried about online sexual abuse or the way someone has been communicating with you online? Report it to one of CEOP's Child Protection Advisors.