Children, families and education

Includes schools, childcare and our Local Offer for ages 0 to 25

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Apply to start school for the first time

If your child is due to start school for the first time you can apply for a place

School term dates and holidays

Term dates and holidays for community and voluntary controlled schools

In this section

Early Years and childcare

Includes entitlements, the support available and the latest childcare news

Somerset’s SEND Local Offer

Information for children and young people (0 to 25) with special educational needs and/or disabilities

Fostering and adoption

Includes applying to adopt, becoming a foster carer and private fostering

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Fostering

Including a step-by-step guide to becoming a foster carer, answers to questions, and stories from carers

Private fostering

Living with someone who is not a close relative for 28 days or more

Adopt Southwest

A dedicated adoption website which is packed with information about all aspects of adoption, including free downloads and advice

Fostering In Somerset

Our website is a great place to start if you’re interested in fostering now or in the future

Adoption

Including a step-by-step guide to the adoption process, stories from families and answers to questions

Homes and Horizons

A unique and innovative partnership to co-design a brand new model of care for our most vulnerable looked after children

Kinship Care

Information and support for Kinship carers and anyone who would like to be one

Applying for school

Includes information about catchment areas and admissions policies

School transport

Includes information about different types of school transport and how to apply

School life

Includes term and holiday dates, exclusions and school activities

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Request a replacement school bus pass

If your child's bus pass has been lost or stolen or is in a poor condition you can request a replacement

School transport strategy

Our school transport strategy and policy are guided by national government policies

School travel plans

A School Travel Plan is a document outlining practical steps for improving journeys to and from school

Update school transport details

How to tell us if you move house your child changes school or if other circumstances change

School transport – vehicle safety and driver training

Safety on school vehicles and the driver training programmes we run

Report a problem or incident with school transport

We want to provide school transport that is safe and stress-free for all passengers

School travel assistance decision reviews

How to get a review of your school travel assistance application decision

Request school transport on a paying basis

How to request paid school transport if your child does not qualify for free school transport

Request a school transport route assessment

Getting the walking route between your home or the bus pick up point and your designated transport area or nearest school assessed

Apply for school travel assistance

Find out if you can get help with school travel and how to apply

Home to school transport

Information and guidance for parents and guardians of children who use school transport

School travel assistance for students with SEND

Students who have Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) may be eligible for support with travel to and from school.

Over 16 student transport

You can pay for 'over 16' student transport by using the online service on this page

Children's Social Care

Includes help for families and young people

Child development and support

Includes sexual health, preventing substance misuse and healthy Somerset

Children and family life

Includes employing children, child protection and corporate parenting

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Independent Safeguarding and Review

Promoting and supporting child-centred, high quality social work practice, for the best possible outcomes for children

Report a child at risk

Tell us if you are worried about a child or young person who could be in danger

About Children’s Social Care

Giving parents, carers and young people advice and support to prevent a crisis

Children in care

Information and advice for children and young people who are in care in Somerset

Children with Disabilities Service

Support, equipment, short breaks and care for disabled children and those caring for them

Children’s and Families Social Care Careers

"Working together with passion, pride and intent to improve lives"

Somerset Youth Justice Team

Most of our work is with children aged 10 to 17 to prevent youth crime and reduce re-offending in Somerset

Data Sharing – Information Sharing for professionals

For professionals who work with families and children to help them understand the rules and best practice when sharing personal information

Somerset Children and Young People’s Plan

A shared vision to support our families so children can thrive and succeed.

Homes and Horizons

A unique and innovative partnership to co-design a brand new model of care for our most vulnerable looked after children

Leaving care

Services and advice for the continuing support to young people leaving care

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The role of a health visitor

Getting to know your Health Visiting Service

School nurses

School nurses are public health nurses who work with 5 to 19 year-olds, including children educated in school and those who are educated at home

Infant feeding

How to feed your baby is one of the most important decisions you will make once they are born

Child growth and development

The early years of a child’s life are very important for their health and development

Drug and alcohol services for young people

A range of services in Somerset to offer support and help

Children and young people’s development advice

Advice sheets for schools, parents and carers about children young people’s development

Inclusion Advice Line

Help on the phone and online for professionals about SEND, looked-after children and school attendance.

Pregnancy emotional health

Your emotional health is as important as your physical health

Teenage sexual health

Where to find the best information about sexual health

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Corporate Parenting

We are corporate parents for the the children and care leavers we look after

Family Solutions Somerset

Working with family strengths to motivate making changes.

Children and Families (Children’s Social Care) Privacy Notice

What we do with your personal data

Children in employment and entertainment

How to apply for a licence to allow a child to work or perform

Somerset Council’s Transformation Plan for children, young people and families

A programme of work to build stronger services to support the children and families we work with

Chaperones

The role of the chaperone and how to become one

Somerset Young People’s voice

Check out opportunities for young people to get involved, as well as a range of tools and resources for practitioners

Apply to see your child’s educational records

If your child doesn't live with you, you can apply to see their school record

The Local Pantry Network in Somerset

Diverting surplus food to local people

Food support for families in Somerset

Support is available for families who may be struggling to find food

Kinship Care

Information and support for Kinship carers and anyone who would like to be one

Adult learning

Includes information about training courses across Somerset

Public health for children and young people

Includes sexual health, healthy weight and preventing substance misuse

Route1 advocacy

Providing advice and support to children and young people

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English courses for speakers of other languages

Find details of ESOL courses across Somerset

Employment and skills

Information on employment and skills, apprenticeships, redundancy, self-employment and volunteering.