Children & Young People’s Service

We have 50 years’ experience of working with children and young people within our local community, delivering a range of activities and support for children and young people between the ages of 4-16 years.

Too many young people fail to reach their full potential at school, or face exclusion, because of the lack of early intervention services available to support them and their families.

We have developed our projects in response to the high number of children accessing our services who are struggling socially and emotionally at home and at school. We have worked with children, parents and schools within the community to shape our projects, listening to young people and those closest to them to inform our planning and development so that we are able to put the child’s needs at the centre of everything we do.

Without the support of Norton Hall and the play scheme my son would have been placed in emergency services to keep him safe from his own challenges.

We are a play-based centre, and we aim to make a positive contribution to children’s lives by providing for a broad range of structured and freely chosen play opportunities. We recognise the importance of all the children having sufficient time and space to play freely as part of their day.

To children, playing is one of the most important aspects of their lives.

For some children our projects offer their only regular opportunity to play with friends.

See our play policy for more information.

We run a varied programme of activities including sport, forestry school programmes, martial arts, music, drama, painting, arts and crafts, workshops, dedicated boys’ and girls’ groups. Our STARFISH mentoring programme also provides extra help for children and young people at risk of exclusion. We accept referrals from schools, local authorities, family support teams and pupil referral units.