11 - 17 Teenage

Dedicated teams at the Council are here to help:

The Family Information Service (FIS) team provides free and impartial information for parents, parents to be, carers and professionals. Advice sessions are held frequently in our children’s centres.
If you have concerns about your child’s education, for example their development, attendance or behaviour, the Education welfare team can offer advice and support.
Youth support teams are available to supply information, advice and guidance with regards to education, employment and training to young people up to the age of 19 who are not in employment, education or training (NEET) or at risk of becoming NEET. They can also help if you are concerned that a young person is in danger of becoming homeless.

Finance

Have you checked to see whether you are eligible to claim child tax credits or working tax credits?
Are you eligible to receive free school meals? If you claim benefits, enter your details and the team will let you know within 2 working days.
Apply for Transport for London’s free bus and tram travel scheme to save money on travel to and from school or college.
If your child has to use trains or the tube, our Home to School travel scheme may be able to help.
The Pupil and Student Finance team can offer advice and guidance for students over the age of 16 on funding further education.
Travel awards are available for 16+ year olds who are still in full time education.

By law, your child is required to be in education up until the age of 16 years. See details on the admissions process as well as the online application.
Term dates are published every year, to help you plan around them.
Very occasionally, due to bad weather or other external circumstances, schools are unable to open. If in doubt check our schools status page.
If your child has special educational needs there is help and guidance available as well as information on the specialist schools in the borough.
Our Young Peoples Library Service has useful information and links to sites that help with study and homework.
When your child nears 16, there are various options to consider, further education in one of the colleges in or surrounding the borough, or, in one of the new sixth form colleges currently in the process of being set up.

Guidance is available for under 16’s wanting to work.
Is your child looking to embark on an early career in entertainment? Make sure you’re aware of the law surrounding talented youngsters and the hours they can work.
The Council runs the highly successful ‘Way to Work’ scheme, offering guidance, recruitment and apprenticeships to young people aged 16 and above.

The Youth Service provides information, advice and guidance on a range of topics relating to young people.
There are five youth clubs and one outreach project in the borough, providing activities and events as well information, advice and guidance.
For those with an interest in politics, or having a say in how youth and student services are run, Youth Voice offers ways to get involved.
A range of different sports are accessible across the borough, check our sports and fitness centres for details on events, classes and clubs.
- Make sure you apply for a Leisure and Youth card to take full advantage of discounts.
We actively promote sports, exercise and activities for disabled people of all ages, you can find out about inclusive and disability-specific sports and exercise from our Sport Development team.
The Young Peoples Library Service has teenage specific rooms that host monthly clubs specialising in things like Manga and graphic novels.