The latest news
Children, Young People & Families Crisis Support Fund
Key Information for Practitioners
The Children, Young People & Families Crisis Support Fund is open for applications from 29 June. It forms part of Hertfordshire’s wider Crisis Resilience Fund and provides short‑term emergency support to help stabilise families at a point of crisis and prevent escalation.
This fund should be used alongside longer‑term support options available via Cost of Living Support, please visit www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/col
The fund can provide essential items, food vouchers, and support with essential travel where there is an immediate need.
For full eligibility, guidance, and application processes, refer to the Children, Young People and Families Crisis Support Fund Criteria | Hertfordshire County Council
Who the fund is for
The fund is available to families who:
- Live in Hertfordshire
- Have an open Children’s Services assessment (e.g. Child & Family Assessment, Families First Assessment, Short Term Work, or Young Carers Assessment)
- Are experiencing immediate crisis and deep material poverty
- Have no alternative funding available at the time of application
Applications must be submitted by a practitioner actively working with the family (e.g. Lead Practitioner or within a Team Around the Family).
What the fund can be used for
The fund may be used to provide:
- Immediate support for families facing a crisis (e.g. disaster, health emergency, relationship breakdown, loss of income, or essential item failure)
- Essential needs including food, clothing, hygiene items, and basic household goods
- Support with essential living costs (e.g. utilities) or travel
- Essential furniture or household items required to maintain a safe, minimum standard of living
Making an application
To apply, complete the Children, Young People & Families Crisis Support Fund Application
- Applications must be completed online by the supporting practitioner
- Decisions are made at weekly panels held each Wednesday, with outcomes shared within 24 hours
- To be considered at that week’s panel, applications must be submitted by Tuesday at 4pm
- Approved funds are issued to the practitioner to support the family directly
Webinar: Understanding the Children, Young People & Families Crisis Support Fund – Application Process
A series of webinars will be delivered for professionals supporting children, young people, and families across Hertfordshire.
The sessions will:
- Explain the eligibility criteria
- Clarify what the fund can be used for
- Provide a step-by-step guide to the application process
- Share practical tips to support effective referrals and timely support
Webinar dates still available and registration links:
Please select one session only, as content will be the same across all dates. If you are unable to attend, a recording will be made available.
Contact:
For enquiries email: childrenandfamiliessupportfund@hertfordshire.gov.uk
(Mon–Fri, 9am–4pm)
News from Services for Young People
Positive Pathways summer holiday activity programmes
This summer, Services for Young People (SfYP) is running free Positive Pathways activity programmes delivered by their qualified Youth Workers across the whole county. The programmes involve fun activities and interactive workshops that will help young people to make new friends, build confidence and social skills, stay safe online and in their community, learn about healthy relationships, and identify and achieve their goals in life.
Summer holiday activities at Hudnall Park for young people with SEND
During the summer holidays, SfYP is offering adventurous outdoor activities for young people aged 13-19 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including those with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs. The activities are designed to develop young people’s social, emotional and physical skills in a safe and supportive environment and include a thrilling zip line adventure, archery, creative woodland arts & crafts, outdoor adventure games and a fun physical challenge course.
Family Adventure Sessions at Hudnall Park
SfYP’s summer 2026 Family Adventure Sessions are a fantastic opportunity for families to get involved in a range of fun and adventurous outdoor activities and spend time in the beautiful environment of Hudnall Park. The instructor-led activity sessions are ideal for children and young people aged 9-14 and include archery, orienteering and zip lining.
Exam results support
Young people getting their A-level, T-level or GCSE results this August can get support from SfYP as they decide on their next steps. Whether the results are better or worse than expected, SfYP Advisers offer the latest information and impartial, personalised advice to help young people with their important choices.
Get September Ready with SfYP
SfYP is offering free ‘Get September Ready’ sessions throughout the summer to help all Year 11 students feel more confident and prepared for their next steps after school. They can get individualised support from qualified SfYP Advisers to make a successful transition.
Find full details, venues and dates of the Get September Ready sessions
HAPpy Camps are back for Summer (ages 4-16)
HAPpy camps are back once again for the summer holiday. Children and teens living in Hertfordshire who get benefits-related free school meals can attend this FREE holiday activity provision. As ever, HAPpy camps will offer a wide variety of activities with a nutritious meal included too!
Every camp is inclusive and able to meet the needs of most children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), provided the right information is supplied with their booking. There are also a limited number of SEND-specific camps which may be better for children with higher support needs.
The HAPpy camps programme runs from Monday 27 July, to Friday 28 August. You must pre-register your children on the new HAPpy booking system before you search for and book activities
Bookings opened on Monday 6 July.
Check out Hertfordshire's Summer 26 Parenting and Relationship Courses
You can view the Summer 2026 Parenting and Relationship Support Offer Newsletter which will provide you with information and details on Parenting Courses and Relationship Support offer. Please can you ensure you cascade to your teams. If you have any questions please email CSStrategic.Partnerships@hertfordshire.gov.uk .
Please also visit the Hertfordshire Directory for more parenting courses.
Is your Service listed on the Hertfordshire Directory?
Providers, services, groups and individuals can request a login and once approved, they can create a comprehensive listing and receive direct referrals if they wish. This can include key information such as what they do, who they support, when and where they work and their website for more information.
There are some short YouTube videos to help people get started:
There’s also a How to step-by-step guide online
If you have any questions, queries or feedback about the Directory, or need support accessing it, please email:
anne.ardley@hertfordshire.gov.uk or web.team@hertfordshire.gov.uk
SPACE Events and Activities for Neurodivergent Children and Young People
Booking now open for our August 2026 events and activities
School’s almost out – but don’t panic! SPACE has your summer sorted with a sizzling line-up of activities to keep children and young people busy, active, and smiling all month long.
From getting hands-on at our summer allotment sessions and the adrenaline rush of Doughnutting, to exploring Rye-Assic Adventure Park, pottery painting and much more, August is bursting with opportunities to have fun, build confidence and make new friends in a supportive environment.
Take me straight to booking
Help to keep children safe online
The Department for Education (DfE) and Department for Science, Innovation and Technology recently published new resources on the ‘Kids online safety’ website to help parents and carers understand and get support dealing with online misogyny. The new section is designed to help families and give them more confidence in talking to their children about what they’re doing and experiencing online. DfE continues to link to trusted charities and expert organisations where families can find specialist support, including helplines and further advice.
Diversity & Inclusion Group for young people 16-25
Our Participation Team are looking to expand our Diversity and Inclusion Young People’s Group and are seeking individuals aged 16-25 to get involved. The group currently meet once a month on the first Tuesday of every month at Farnham House in Stevenage from 6-8pm to explore topics around identity and diversity. Please see leaflet attached for more information and help us to promote to young people.
Download the leaflet
Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS) - Be Water Aware
Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS) - Be Water Aware
Activities in or around water can be a fun pastime, especially during warmer months, but around half of accidental drownings happen to people who didn’t intend to go into the water. Between 2000 and 2025 HFRS attended 120 water related incidents and twenty-one lives were tragically claimed during this period.
It's important to know how to stay safe, and how to help if you come across someone in trouble in the water:
- Phone 999 straight away to get help. Ask for the fire service – never enter the water to attempt a rescue.
- Tell the person to stay calm and float on their back.
- Throw something that floats if it is safe to do so.
For more information on how to stay safe, visit our dedicated webpage: hertfordshire.gov.uk/watersafe
Young carers wellbeing event
I just wanted to share a young carers event we have coming up on 31st July. It is open to all young carers (not just those involved in our new participation group – though I am still keen to promote these too!) age 8+. It is a wellbeing activity day, similar to the IFST one over Easter. There will be a range of wellbeing sessions, as well as some fun activities and the opportunity for young carers to meet others with a shared experience.
Details (and flyer attached):
When: Friday 31st July
Time: 10 am – 3pm
Where: Shephall Centre, Stevenage
Please share where you can.
Hertfordshire SEND Community Activities Directory
- 🌟 Discover inclusive activities and clubs tailored to different interests and needs
- 🎭 Explore performing arts opportunities, including dance, drama and music.
- ⚽ Find inclusive sports and leisure activities to support health, wellbeing and fun
- 🎢 Access information on accessible days out, museums, parks and play facilities across Hertfordshire
- ☀️ Learn about holiday clubs, short breaks and community-supported activities available to families
- 🔗 Visit the Hertfordshire SEND Directory for even more information and resources: Activities and leisure | Hertfordshire Directory
Support available for emotionally based school non-attendance
Emotionally based school non-attendance (EBSNA) can affect children and young people of any school age. It can happen as a result of a wide range of different factors – home, wider family, community, school, friendships – often a combination of some or all of these.
This leaflet gives some great information and advice for those families affected by EBSNA along with strategies to try at home.
Hertfordshire’s first Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Partnership Strategy.
This month saw the launch of Hertfordshire’s first Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Partnership Strategy.
Violence against women and girls has no place in our communities. Our strategy is an important step forward, but it will take all of us to support and deliver it. It relies on strong partnership working with the police, health, experts by experience, voluntary groups and other partners. Together we have set out our shared commitment to preventing abuse, supporting victims and survivors, and holding perpetrators to account.
Alongside the strategy, a new Communications Charter has also been introduced to support responsible and sensitive reporting.
What stood out most at the strategy launch was hearing directly from people with lived experience. Their courage in sharing their stories was both moving and humbling, and it reinforced why this work is so important.
Please watch this podcast, the first in a series about Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls.
Children, Young People and Families (CYPF) Partnership Day
We are pleased to invite you to the Children, Young People and Families (CYPF) Partnership Day, taking place on Tuesday 29th September 2026, 9.00am – 3.30pm at The Fielder Centre, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL10 9TP. Please find details attached.
Building on the success of last year’s partnership day, the event will offer an opportunity to:
- Hear about the latest developments in supporting children, young people and families
- Network with partners from across the system, including a market stall area
- Engage with key updates and shared learning, including table discussions and activities.
Agenda highlights include:
- Keynote speakers on children’s social care reforms and the new Best Start family hubs
- Local updates on young carers and Hertfordshire’s new Crisis Resilience Fund
- A VCFE-led ‘Prevention in Practice: Same Families Different Doors’ session
We are also delighted to welcome Mark O’Sullivan, award-winning writer, director and actor, as our special guest speaker. Mark will share insights from his work and experiences, including his documentary “My Sexual Abuse: The Sitcom” and the Making Lemonade platform, focusing on how creativity can transform challenging experiences.
Booking details:
- Attendance is free, and refreshments and lunch will be provided
- To secure your place, please register via the link: CYPF Partnership Day or scan the QR code on the attached poster.
Places are limited, so we encourage early booking.
We hope you can join us for what promises to be an enjoyable and informative day.
Supporting families during World Breastfeeding Week
To mark World Breastfeeding Week, we are delighted to be partnering with the Better Health Bus to deliver a series of community events across Hertfordshire, promoting breastfeeding awareness and providing support for expectant and new parents.
Breastfeeding is one of the most effective interventions for improving infant health and wellbeing. However, globally, fewer than half of infants under six months of age are exclusively breastfed. Through these events, we aim to raise
awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding and ensure that families have access to the support, information and professional guidance they need throughout their feeding journey.
Event schedule:
Breastfeeding Family Fun celebration events!
Join us for a FREE Fun event to celebrate breastfeeding week, featuring the Better Health Bus and activities for little ones
Drop-in, no need to book
* For ALL families with children aged 0-5 (older siblings up to age 8 are
welcome)
- Monday 3rd August, 10:30 - 13:00
Windmill Family Centre, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 4DW
A family-friendly breastfeeding celebration incorporating National Play Day (aimed at children aged 0 – 5 years, there will also be activities for siblings up to the age of 8).
- Tuesday 4th August, 10:30 - 13:00
The BECC Family Centre, off Shakespeare Dr, Furzehill Rd,
Borehamwood, WD6 2FD
A breastfeeding and perinatal wellbeing event.
- Thursday 6th August, 13:00 - 15:00
Selections Family Centre, Welwyn Road, Hertford, SG14 2DG
A breastfeeding and perinatal support event.
These events will provide an opportunity for breastfeeding mothers, expectant
parents and families (with children aged 0 – 5 years) to access
support, information and resources, while connecting with professionals and
community organisations.
We look forward to welcoming families and celebrating World Breastfeeding Week together.
FIND OUT MORE