Location
Care Provider
CHILDREN 1ST
5/6 Lower Vennel
The Village
Bourtreehill
Irvine KA11 1PQ
01294 214884
kirsty.aitken@children1st.org.uk
Overview
CHILDREN 1ST have been working for over 130 years to build a better future for Scotland’s vulnerable children and families. We are motivated by the desire to make the best possible difference to the lives of children, young people and their families. Our vision is for a happy, healthy, safe and secure childhood for every child and young person in Scotland. Within North Ayrshire CHILDREN 1ST operate three services; Forward Steps, Advocacy and the Kinship Care Service.
NEW: Children 1st in Irvine now offer a money advice service. call 01294 214884 for details.
Service Description
The Forward Steps Service offers support to new and expectant parents who have been affected by substance and alcohol misuse. Referrals are received by the Vulnerable Midwife Team and Social Work Services.
The Kinship Care Service covers all of Ayrshire and offers support to children and young people aged 0-18 who can no longer live with their parents and are being cared for by extended family or a family friend in a kinship care arrangement. The service also offers flexible support to kinship carers and their wider family. Any individual or service can make a referral to this service.
The Child Protection Advocacy Service provides independent Advocacy to children and young people in North Ayrshire, between the ages of 5-16 whose names have been placed on the North Ayrshire Child Protection Register. Our service offers children an opportunity and a safe space to express their views and feelings on all aspects of their lives. Other aims for the service is for children and young people to be included in decision making about their lives and to have a greater understanding of the Child Protection Process. Referrals are received by Social Work Services.
Our new money advice service provides independent, confidential advice on a range of financial issues. Some of the areas we can give individual ongoing support in are:
- Benefit entitlement: help with checking what you could claim and how to claim it
- Form filling: such as Personal Independence Payment or Disability Living Allowance
- Universal Credit: help with the ongoing benefit transition
- Debt advice: help with ongoing debt issues, finding debt solutions or checking liability
- Fuel bills: checking tariffs and ensuring your paying the right amount for your energy
- Consumer issues: broken promises with contractors, we can help
We run money advice drop-in services in Towerlands community centre in Bourtreehill and in the Redburn community centre in Irvine. Call 01294214884 for further information
We also run a money advice drop in service in the Oasis café in partnership with Elderbank primary school every Monday 10am-1pm.
Duration
The duration of support will be individual led and subject to ongoing assessment.
Areas Covered
- Ardrossan
- Arran
- Beith
- Cumbraes
- Dalry
- Fairlie
- Irvine
- Kilbirnie
- Kilwinning
- Largs
- Saltcoats
- Skelmorlie
- Stevenston
- West Kilbride
Opening Days
- Friday
- Monday
- Thursday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
Opening Times
- Monday to Friday | 9-5pm
