Parents and Carers

The Happier Minds brain character welcomes you to the Parents and Carers page

Hot Topics

Current support and information that may be useful right now.

Updated regularly

Help For When Your Child Starts Secondary School

BBC Bitesize have developed advice for parents who have a child starting secondary school

Place2Be have developed a short video and accompanying information, to help you, to help your child, make that leap from primary to secondary school

How to fall asleep faster and sleep better

The mental health benefits of good sleep include boosting our mood, reducing stress and helping with anxiety.
If you’re having trouble sleeping, knowing how to sleep better can make a big difference.
On this page you’ll find practical tips to help you to build good sleep hygiene and sleep better.

Sleep support and strategies for families
of children with SEND needs

Childline has a few things that just might help if your young person is struggling to sleep, including a video, some calming activities and 10 top tips.

One of their top tips is Exercise – Healthy Dudley has ideas and information about how children and families can get active in Dudley.

There is so much information available out there, but it’s not always easy to know where to find it.

It’s so important that you speak to someone if you are worried about your own or someone else’s mental wellbeing. Parents, Carers, Teachers, and Pastoral teams can all help. Young people are also able to independently access support from their GP and Practice Nurse.

Every school in Dudley has a named School Nurse who is there to offer advice, help and support. School Nurses hold regular drop-ins in secondary schools. If you want to know when your school drop-in is, you can ask at school reception or call the Dudley 0-19 Service 01384 492615 and choose the School Nurse option.

ChatHealth Parentline

Do you have a baby / child / young person aged 0 – 19 living in the Dudley borough or attending a Dudley school? If so, we are pleased to introduce Parentline, a new messaging service for parents and carers.

Parentline is managed by Dudley Health Visitors and School Nurses offering advice and support on a variety of topics.

Parents Chathealth 2026

Support services for Parents and Carers

These services can offer information, advice and support for parents and carers.

Dudley Talking Therapy Service

Dudley Talking Therapy Service supports individuals aged 16 or over (school leavers and adults) who are experiencing common mental health problems such as; anxiety, depression, low mood, panic or phobias. The service accepts self-referrals and access to online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy provided by Silver Cloud.

Healthy Dudley

Lots of useful Mental Wellbeing information as part of a Public Health site developed specifically for Dudley residents.

Bereavement – Healthy Dudley

Looking after yourself through grief- Loss is something that we will all face at some time in our lives and grief is a normal human response to loss. Information on services offering support and helpful information can be found here.

Best Start In Life

For families of children from conception to age two.  This site contains a wealth of information and support, on a range of topics, including parent and infant emotional wellbeing.  

Dudley Adult and Community Learning Prospectus

There are so many opportunities in Dudley for adults and families who want to invest in learning and education. Learning a new skill is known to support mental wellbeing and,  in addition, can open doors to new opportunities and getting qualifications.
Why not take a look at the latest adult learning prospectus and see what’s available?

Dudley Parents

Parenting support courses are available free of charge to Dudley residents. The sessions cover the parenting period from conception to 19yrs of age. Further information and registration forms are available by clicking this link.

Dudley Community Information Directory

A Dudley Council website, signposting to thousands of activities, services, and events across the Dudley Borough.

Dudley Community Safety Partnership

Useful information and links to services and support for when concerns about safety are causing concern or distress

Dudley’s Local Offer is a one stop resource of information and services available to children and young people (aged 0-25) with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND), their parents, carers and families.

Link to view the Dudley's Local Offer video

This link will take you to the young people’s section of this website, where you will find information for those age 11-25

Mental Health help, support and information.

The links in this section of the site are to national mental health websites which will, hopefully, provide you with the information you need.

Parents Page Exam Stress

It is normal for both you and your child to feel a bit worried about exams, they can be a stressful time for anyone. Mood swings and outbursts are more likely to occur during this period other signs that your child may be struggling, including poor sleep patterns or a change in appetite or behaviour.

Here is some useful information and tips to help you to support your child during exam weeks and on results day.

Loneliness can affect us all, at any time in our lives. Everyone’s experiences of loneliness are different. You should not blame yourself for feeling lonely now or at any other time, and it’s also really important to remember that loneliness and difficult feelings can pass. The NHS Every mind matters has some useful information and sources of support.

Whether your child is starting school or moving schools here is some advice and information that may help.

Caring For A Bereaved Child Or Young Person

Caring for a bereaved child or young person can be complex. What should you say? How should you act? Is there something specific you should be doing or not doing? How do you know if your child is coping? As well as providing direct bereavement information and support to young people, Winston’s Wish helps parents and family members to provide the best support possible.

HAppier Minds Mental HEalth Loneliness

If you Are Feeling Lonely

Loneliness can affect us all, at any time in our lives. Everyone’s experiences of loneliness are different. You should not blame yourself for feeling lonely now or at any other time, and it’s also really important to remember that loneliness and difficult feelings can pass.

The NHS Every mind matters has some useful information and sources of support.