Local Coronavirus Support for Families in Tower Hamlets

Parent and Family Support Service (PFSS)

The PFSS recognise that at this particularly difficult time parents and carers may require emotional and practical support and that the heightened stress and anxiety of the current medical emergency will put additional pressure on families.

PFSS staff will provide a telephone support / advice service to families referred by schools and social care for parenting support / Special Educational Needs Disability Information Advice and support during this difficult time.
Where possible, English, Bengali, Somali and Turkish speaking practitioners will be available.

Advice and practical support is available for parents / carers from the:  Family Information, Advice and Support Team Advice line number - 020 7364 6489 (Mon – Fri 9.00 – 5.00pm)

Parenting advice and support is available for parents/carers and Social Care colleagues from the: Parental Engagement / Parenting Team Email: parenting@towerhamlets.gov.uk Telephone - 020 7364 6398 (Mon- Fri 9.00 – 5.00pm)

Information and signposting families to services from the: Family Information Service Telephone - 020 7364 6495 (Mon- Fri 9.00 – 5.00pm)

Holiday Childcare is available to Keyworkers from the: Holiday Childcare Scheme. Visit: www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/hcs

Are you short of food?

If you need support getting food this is what you can do.
  • Find out about the local food distribution offers via the Local Offer and the Food Partnership. This includes local and larger shops that can provide support with collection and delivery, food banks, and places that provide hot meals either walk in or delivery. Link to Local Offer. Link to Food Partnership information on food aid webpage.
  • Check if you are eligible to get help from the council’s Resident Support Scheme. This is designed to help residents who are either in or at risk of being in crisis or need immediate help and have no financial support available to them. Link to information about Resident Support Scheme.
  • Check if you are eligible for the Test and Trace Support Payment. If you are required to self-isolate by law, you may be eligible for a support payment. This payment would only be for families who have been contacted by test and trace and are unable to work as a result of self-isolation. Link to information about Test and Trace Support Payment.
  • Check if you are eligible for Healthy Start Vouchers. Eligible parents (under-18 and pregnant or over-18 and at least ten weeks pregnant, or have children under-four, and are in receipt of certain benefits) are entitled to Healthy Start Vouchers every week. These can be spent on milk, plain fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables, and infant formula milk. You can also get free vitamins. Link to more information on the Healthy Start Voucher process.
  • If you have tried the above suggestions but still need help with food, call the council’s helpline on 020 7364 3030. This is open Monday - Friday, 9am-5pm.
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Do remember you can visit the Tower Hamlets website where you can sign up to a newsletter to get the latest information on support available during this time.  Click on the links below or visit www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/coronavirus
Families can also find out about services, resources and activities for children on the Tower Hamlets Local Offer – visit  www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/localoffer