Children and families news

Havering Household Support Fund extended another year with £3m cash boost (updated 9 August 2023)

Havering Council and government have once again committed an extra £3.2 million to support residents with the cost of living crisis until the end of the financial year.

Published 24 May 2023.

Havering Youth Justice Service rated “Good”

Havering’s Youth Justice Service has received an overall rating of “Good” following an inspection by HM Inspectorate of Probation.

Published 2 November 2022.

Havering Youth Parliament members update on first six months

Six months on from being elected as Havering’s members of the UK Youth Parliament, Curtis Tobbs and Uno Borlasa tell us what they have been up to and how they’re settling into their roles.

Published 26 October 2022.

Young disabled people to boost their travel confidence

Young people with disabilities are being offered training to help them travel more independently on public transport in the borough.

Published 28 September 2022.

TV personality helps young people to chase their dreams

Young people in Havering went head-to-head with Chaser Shaun Wallace during a special visit to the borough.

Published 20 May 2022.

Havering celebrates local foster carers

Foster carers across Havering have been honoured for their service to children in care.

Published 17 May 2022.

Havering elects two new Members of Youth Parliament

Two new young people have been voted in to represent Havering in the UK Youth Parliament.

Published 28 February 2022.

Havering Youth Parliament elections launched

The race to become a member of the UK Youth Parliament has begun in Havering.

Published 24 January 2022.

Havering young people speak up for climate challenge

A survey by Havering Council of young people in the borough has found that almost two thirds of those asked are concerned about global warming.

Published 15 December 2021.

Havering Youth Councillor appointed as new chair of London Youth Assembly

Havering Youth Council member Jazzminejada George has been elected as the new Chair of London Youth Assembly.

Published 13 December 2021.

Supporting 16 Days of Action against domestic violence

Havering Council is supporting the annual White Ribbon Day campaign which takes place each year on 25 November.

Published 25 November 2021.

Council offers school meal support for October half-term

Local schoolchildren will continue to benefit from the School Holiday Meal Scheme this 2021 October half-term with new funding from the government.

Published 15 October 2021.

Mayor formally opens Harold Hill Community Hub

The new Harold Hill Community Hub has been officially opened today (14 October 2021).

Published 14 October 2021.

Children in care to receive free leisure passes

Children in care in Havering can now get free access to Council-run leisure facilities to help improve their wellbeing and fitness.

Published 3 August 2021.

Junior Citizens learn life skills for the future

Over 1,000 pupils from 14 schools across Havering have been learning skills to prepare them for their next step in life as part of the Junior Citizens Project.

Published 26 July 2021.

Havering Council extends school holiday meals funding support for summer holidays

Havering Council will continue to fund the School Holiday Meal Scheme for those most in need during the summer holidays.

Published 13 July 2021.

Local young people talk about life in lockdown

As we’ve started to come out of the pandemic, Havering Council has been asking local young people what life in lockdown has been like for them.

Published 19 May 2021.

Havering Council to provide school meals funding support for May half term

Havering Council will continue to fund the School Meal Holiday Scheme for those most in need during the May 2021 half term.

Published 11 May 2021.

Become a foster carer with Havering

Havering is celebrating Foster Care Fortnight 2021 (10-23 May) by speaking out about the importance of caring to encourage more local people to become foster carers.

Published 5 May 2021.

Havering Council to provide school meals funding support for Easter holidays

Havering Council will continue to fund the School Meal Holiday Scheme for those most in need during the 2021 Easter holidays.

Published 16 March 2021.

New funding to open for Havering early years providers

A new million pound package in grant support is being rolled out to help early years providers in Havering.

Published 18 February 2021.

Havering council to provide school meals funding support for February half-term

Havering Council will continue to fund the School Meal Holiday Scheme for those most in need during February half term.

Published 5 February 2021.

Havering schools and colleges to move to remote learning for start of spring term

Following the latest announcement by the Department for Education (DfE), all primary and secondary schools and colleges across Havering will be included in a country-wide move to remote learning.

Published 31 December 2020.

Fact check: Romford Recorder gets it wrong over free school meals story

Councillor Damian White, Leader of Havering Council, writes:

Published 6 November 2020.

Havering announces free school meal support for half term

Havering Council is funding free school meals for those most in need during half term.

Published 23 October 2020.

Volunteer family coaches needed

Havering Council Early Help Service is looking for volunteers to help local families navigate family life.

Published 14 October 2020.

Havering launches new service to keep young people safe

A new Council-led partnership to support and safeguard young people has launched with a week-long digital event involving more than 800 delegates.

Published 13 October 2020.

Schools and colleges eligible for free sanitary products

Schools and colleges across the borough are being reminded that they can apply for free sanitary products to help fight period poverty amongst young girls.

Published 22 September 2020.

Council launches new online tool to help communities stay connected during Covid 19 pandemic

A new online platform has been launched to bring the community together.

Published 16 September 2020.

Havering named one of the best for special needs pupils

Havering Council has been named as one of the best performing councils for supporting children with high educational needs.

Published 7 September 2020.

Help a child in care

Volunteers are urgently being sought to befriend young people in care who are living outside the borough.

Published 5 August 2020.

Mentors needed to support local young people

Scores of young people bursting with potential are waiting for local people to come forward as mentors to support them.

Published 27 July 2020.

Hundreds of children to receive laptops to access online learning

Havering Council has taken delivery of laptops, tablets and 4G wireless routers from the Department for Education (DfE) to help children who are most in need access online education.

Published 24 June 2020.

Libraries, children's centres and MyPlace to close

Havering Council to close libraries, selected Children's Centres, and MyPlace in response to latest Government Coronavirus advice.

Published 24 March 2020.

Adoption information session changes

Adopt London East is currently following Government advice to support the containment of the Coronavirus (Covid-19).

Published 19 March 2020.

Fostering information session changes

We are currently looking into innovative ways of how we can deliver the sessions online.

Published 19 March 2020.

Carrie and David Grant get to the heart of adoption in London

A new adoption agency, which brings together 23 London boroughs to help find new homes for children in care and speed up the adoption process, launched this week.

Published 6 March 2020.

Havering outclasses other boroughs for school places

Havering is one of the top London boroughs, offering almost 80 per cent of pupils their first choice of secondary school place for another year running.

Published 2 March 2020.

New Members of Youth Parliament elected as young residents cast their vote

Two students from Havering have been elected as new Members of the UK Youth Parliament (MYP) for Havering. Results were announced at Romford Town Hall on Tuesday 25 February.

Published 26 February 2020.

Young politicians go head-to-head in Havering youth elections

Young people across the borough have taken to the polls this week to vote for their next members of the Youth Parliament

Published 5 February 2020.

New course to provide teenage parenting tips

If you’re the parent of a teenage child and need a few tips, come along to the Council’s new eight week parenting course.

Published 18 December 2019.

Double scoop for children’s services at prestigious awards

Havering Council is celebrating winning two prestigious awards for its work with children and young people.

Published 4 December 2019.

Havering Council appoints new director of children’s services

Havering Council has appointed Robert South as its new acting director of children’s services.

Published 21 October 2019.

Havering cracks the code to supporting young women in tech

Over 100 female students from seven local schools took part in the Havering Young Entrepreneurs Programme to help develop their digital and entrepreneurial skills.

Published 1 October 2019.

New tri-borough group to safeguard children at risk

Havering teams up with Barking and Dagenham and Redbridge to support vulnerable children and families

Published 1 July 2019.

West Ham players are a treat for Veggie Run pupils

Veggie Run pupils receive a surprise visit from West Ham United players

Published 20 May 2019.

Havering Council set to boost Ofsted rating

Council set to improve the way it delivers services for children and young people

Published 10 May 2019.

Council takes action on serious violence

Cabinet approves serious gang violence strategy

Published 18 April 2019.

Council's Veggie Run app tastes success at London food awards

Havering Council's Veggie Run Campaign has been successfully recognised as the Veg City Champion of London, at last night's Urban Food Awards held at City Hall.

Published 21 March 2019.

Join us in the fight against Child Sexual Exploitation

National Child Sexual Exploitation Awareness Day (18th March 2019) and Havering Council is asking everyone to unite against child sexual exploitation #CSEDay19

Published 13 March 2019.

Veggie Run wins prestigious healthy eating award

Veggie Run wins healthy eating award

Published 5 December 2018.

Making room for a foster child in Havering

Latest fostering drive seeks people with a spare room.

Published 10 October 2018.

Veggie Run strikes again

Veggie run kicks off healthy eating plan with West Ham United Foundation

Published 18 September 2018.

Centre for young people nominated for prestigious award

The Cocoon is nominated for a prestigious national award

Published 30 August 2018.

Having fun in Havering this summer

Who said the summer holidays are boring?

Published 9 August 2018.

Havering on track to deliver cycling fun

Havering Council has once again joined forces with Cycle Confident to offer free cycle training across the borough this summer.

Published 19 July 2018.

Thirty of Havering’s most gifted young people received recognition for their talents in a range of cultural and sporting activities at the 2018 Havering Talented 30 awards evening at myplace Youth Centre in Harold Hill on Monday 9 July.

Published 13 July 2018.

Are you looking after someone else's child?

Are you looking after someone else’s child, or is your child living with someone else who isn’t a family member?

Published 5 July 2018.

Volunteer and empower parents

Havering Council is recruiting passionate parents, grandparents and carers who have experience of looking after a child aged from two - four years to become Parent Group Leader volunteers.

Published 22 June 2018.

'MAKE IT' for Prom

As the summer school term gets into full swing many Year 11 and 13 students are excitedly preparing for their prom, Havering Council is launching ‘The Prom Project’, to make sure young people who can’t afford a new dress or an outfit – don’t miss out.

Published 18 May 2018.

Special Education Needs and Disability report 2018

Councillor Robert Benham, Cabinet Member for Children's & Learning, said:

Published 18 May 2018.

Havering marks Foster Care Fortnight

Havering Council is on the lookout for great new foster carers as part of the Fostering Network’s annual national awareness and recruitment campaign: Foster Care Fortnight 2018.

Published 15 May 2018.

Help get young people Prom ready

The Council’s Youth Services is appealing to residents to make sure young people who can’t afford a new dress or an outfit can MAKE IT for prom by launching ‘The Prom Project’.

Published 10 May 2018.

Recruiting Havering Parents

Share your parenting skills and become a volunteer parent group leader.

Published 30 April 2018.

New Members of Youth Parliament announced

The Mayor of Havering announced the two new Members of Youth Parliament (MYP), Emily Thompson and Sila Urgulu, during a formal presentation at Havering Town Hall on Thursday 22 March.

Published 27 March 2018.

Council hosts their first film premiere

Havering Council hosted their first film premiere on March 6 at Premiere Cinema, Romford showcasing a recent documentary produced and edited by children in care.

Published 23 March 2018.

Who is your child talking to? Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) is closer than you think.

Havering Council is supporting national CSE Awareness Day on Sunday 18 March. We hope to raise awareness amongst parents and carers that CSE is impacting more and more children across London, and inform parents that this can sadly start whilst their child is at home on their phone, tablet or computer.

Published 14 March 2018.

Foster your skills to go the extra mile

This month Havering Council launches their latest fostering campaign, ‘Foster your skills to go the extra mile’ with the aim of recruiting five new foster carers from the borough or surrounding areas.

Published 9 March 2018.

Developing Recruitment Opportunities for Care Leavers

Havering Council hosted their first recruitment event specifically aimed towards children in care and care leavers on Friday 16 February 2018 at The Cocoon - a dedicated support hub for young people in Romford.

Published 21 February 2018.

Harold Hill Kitchen Supervisor victorious at regional heats for School Chef of the Year

Michelle Creed, 45, of Rush Green, who works at Broadford Primary School, Harold Hill, for the past 11 years, made it to the regional finals on Thursday 11 January.

Published 12 January 2018.

Council launches mental health support group for expectant and new parents

The first mental health group to support new parents and parents to be launches next week in Havering.

Published 5 January 2018.

Create new memories this year

Havering Council is urging residents to make a difference this year and foster a local child. There are currently 260 children living in care who need foster carers from the borough or surrounding areas to support them in 2018.

Published 5 January 2018.

Havering Social Worker wins prestigious national award

The Social Worker of the Year Awards took place at a glittering ceremony in The Royal Lancaster Hotel, London on Friday 24 November. 2017. In total, more than 80 social workers and teams competed.

Published 27 November 2017.

Havering Council launches 'Give the Gift of Fostering'

As the year comes to an end, Havering Council is urging anyone who can give the gift of fostering this Christmas to come forward.

Published 21 November 2017.

The Cocoon set to transform lives of Havering’s children in care and care leavers

The Cocoon, one of east London’s only dedicated support hubs for children in care and care leavers, has been opened in Romford.

Published 24 October 2017.

Havering launches a new dedicated space for care leavers and children in care

Havering Council is launching The Cocoon, a support hub for children in care and care leavers.

Published 18 October 2017.

Help us to keep siblings together

Havering Council is urging residents who have grown-up children and spare rooms to help keep siblings in care together. The Council is responsible for 259 children living in care and nearly half of these children are made up of sibling groups.

Published 20 September 2017.

New term - new friends

With children settling in to the new school year, Havering Council is reminding all parents to place close attention to who has access to their children. As Child Sexual exploitation can occur anywhere.

Published 15 September 2017.

Generation shake-up

Students across Havering have been shouting out with excitement this morning (Thursday 24 August), as GCSE pupils picked up their results after one the biggest shake ups in education.

Published 25 August 2017.

Havering A-level students buck national trend

Students in Havering have achieved outstanding results, with A-Level exam passes exceeding the national pass rate once again.

Published 17 August 2017.

A Night at the Oscars’ - Celebrating Havering Children in Care and Care Leavers

More than 200 guests attended the first Havering Council Children in care and Care leavers awards.

Published 3 August 2017.

£835K win for Children’s Services

On Thursday the 6 July, the Department for Education (DfE) awarded the North East London Commissioning Partnership £835k

Published 6 July 2017.

Celebrating achievements in Havering

More than 200 staff from 19 schools and colleges assembled for a gala evening to celebrate the first Havering Learning Partnership awards.

Published 4 July 2017.

Support the hidden children in Havering

Havering Council is appealing to people to contact them if they have someone else’s child living with them. People may not realise they are in a private fostering arrangement, but if they are caring for someone else's child for more than 28 days, they need to inform Havering Council. This call to action coincides with Private fostering week 3 – 7 July.

Published 29 June 2017.

Volunteers needed to help local children and families