About us

“Early in the life of the child and early in the life of the problem”

What can we do, how can we help?

We offer parents of children aged 0-12 years:

One-to-one support for difficulties you or your family may be having.
Help with your childrens' behaviour.
Help to enable your children to adjust to change.
Practical advice and ideas about play.
Baby massage demonstrations.
Parenting skills groups.
Ideas to help you and your children get along better.
Help in preventing and coping with bullying for children, families and schools.
Ways for you to work together as a team with your partner.
Help in coping with stressful situations.
Ways of developing assertiveness and improving self esteem.

We also support and train staff throughout Stoke on Trent in their work with parents and families.

We are now offering some services for parents of teenagers.

What can you expect from our Service?

Where we work:

At a place and time which suits you, e.g. in your home, a nursery or in clinic rooms.

What happens when you ask for a service?:

You can expect a phone call or a letter to sort out a time to get together.
We will listen carefully to what is bothering you and talk about ways to help.
We will work together with you sharing practical ideas, talking things over and sometimes using play.
You can expect to meet with your helper about once a week.
Services will finish at a time decided between both of us.

Who is in our team?

Our team consists of Clinical Psychologists, Counselling Psychologists, Psychotherapists, Psychological Play and Parenting Specialists, Psychological Therapists, Triple P practitioners and Trainee/Assistant Clinical Psychologists.

We think about:

The effect of the mind and feelings on the body.
How to relate better to partners, children and family.
How children behave and learn.
How people grow and develop.
How people behave in groups and communities.
How people react to stressful events.
How people cope with anxiety, depression and special needs.

First Steps is a joint venture between North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare with North Staffordshire MIND.

How to get a service from us.

You could call us yourself or someone else could contact us for you such as:- Health Visitor, School Nurse, GP, Children’s Centre staff or any other person working with you.

Our aims.

To intervene early to make a lasting difference for children and families who need psychological support with emotional, behavioural and social issues.
To reach parents in need of psychological assistance but who may not access mainstream services.
To reduce the isolation that some families feel.
We work alongside other agencies to give a seamless and well coordinated service to families.

Downloadable First Steps leaflet (PDF)

Compliments, Comments and Complaints.

Please let us know if you are not satisfied by telling your helper or speaking to the Head of the Child Specialty on 01782-427937. You may also make a formal complaint by writing to the Chief Executive Officer of North Staffs Combined Healthcare NHS Trust at Bucknall Hospital, Eaves Lane, Bucknall, Stoke on Trent. ST2 8LD.

Please ask your helper for a copy of the new NHS complaints procedure leaflet ‘Are you Satisfied’.

We always like to hear from you so if you would like to offer compliments or comments about the service you have received please contact us.

Services: