Children and Young People
Supporting the health and wellbeing of children and young people is vital for their growth, resilience, and future. This page brings together trusted information on general medical conditions and practical health advice, alongside resources to nurture mental health and emotional wellbeing. You’ll also find key facts and figures to help understand the challenges faced by young people today, details of organisations offering support, and a range of print materials designed to guide families, carers, and professionals. Whether you’re seeking knowledge, reassurance, or practical tools, this hub is here to provide clear, accessible support for every stage of childhood and adolescence.
General medical conditions and health advice
- Information about common health conditions from the NHS with how to look after a child included in the guide. nhs.uk/conditions/
- Information from the Patient website on a wide range of topics about children’s health. patient.info/childrens-health
- Information about common health conditions from the NHS with how to look after a child included in the guide. nhs.uk/conditions/
- Information sheets from Great Ormond Street Hospital on general medical conditions. gosh.nhs.uk/conditions-and-treatments/general-medical-conditions/
- General health advice for children from Great Ormond Street Hospital. gosh.nhs.uk/conditions-and-treatments/general-health-advice-children/
- Easy ways to eat well and move more from NHS UK. nhs.uk/healthier-families/
Mental health and wellbeing
- YoungMinds – mental health charity for children and young people. youngminds.org.uk/
- Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families – includes resources for young people, parents and healthcare professionals to support mental health. annafreud.org/
- Charlie Waller Trust – providing mental health training, resources and consultancy with a focus on children and young people. charliewaller.org/
- Place2be – providing parenting advice from child mental health experts, including practical tips to support children’s wellbeing and behaviour. parentingsmart.place2be.org.uk/
- The Children's Society - Information, tips and activities for young people to help improve wellbeing. childrenssociety.org.uk/information/young-people/well-being/activities
- Papyrus – dedicated to preventing young suicide and promoting positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in younger people under the age of 35. papyrus-uk.org/
- MindEd – a free learning resource about the mental health of children, young people and older adults. mindedforfamilies.org.uk/
- Royal College of Psychiatrists has a detailed section on help for the whole family: rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/parents-and-young-people and provides guidance on all mental health problems and treatments, with downloadable leaflets. rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/mental-illnesses-and-mental-health-problems
- The Children's Society - Information, tips and activities for young people to help improve wellbeing. childrenssociety.org.uk/information/young-people/well-being/activities
- Papyrus – dedicated to preventing young suicide and promoting positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in younger people under the age of 35. papyrus-uk.org/
- MindEd – a free learning resource about the mental health of children, young people and older adults. mindedforfamilies.org.uk/
- Royal College of Psychiatrists has a detailed section on help for the whole family: rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/parents-and-young-people and provides guidance on all mental health problems and treatments, with downloadable leaflets. rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/mental-illnesses-and-mental-health-problems
Facts and Figures
- Official statistics on different aspects of children’s health and welfare from GOV.UK. gov.uk/search/research-and-statistics?parent=/childcare-parenting/childrens-health-and-welfare&content_store_document_type=statistics_published&topic=2389dfd4-a0c4-4bd2-b7e6-06f465463d22&order=updated-newest
- BBC News focus on child health – includes international, national and local articles. bbc.co.uk/news/topics/crr7mlg0v82t
Organisations providing support
- NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) – working to prevent abuse, help rebuild children's lives and support families. Information and advice on a range of topics. nspcc.org.uk/advice-for-families/
- Barnardo’s – support and advice on a wide range of issues. barnardos.org.uk/get-support
- The Mix – support and information for under 25s on any challenges they may be facing. themix.org.uk
- Action for Children – protecting and supporting children and young people, providing practical and emotional care and support. actionforchildren.org.uk/
- Save the Children – supporting children in poverty in the UK. Advice and information via their parental support hub. savethechildren.org.uk/what-we-do/parent-hub
- Macmillan Cancer Support – information on talking to children and teenagers. macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/diagnosis/talking-about-cancer/talking-to-children-and-teenagers
- Child Accident Prevention Trust - working to reduce the number of children and young people killed, disabled or seriously injured in accidents. capt.org.uk/
- Rainbow Trust – supporting families with a seriously ill child.
- GamCare – for young people to find information and support related to gambling, either for themselves or for someone they care about.
Print Resources
- Reading Well for Children – The booklist is aimed at children in Key Stage 2 (aged 7-11), but includes titles aimed at a wide range of reading levels to support less confident readers, and to encourage children to read together with their siblings and carers. readingagency.org.uk/get-reading/our-programmes-and-campaigns/reading-well/reading-well-for-children/
- Reading Well for Teens – The booklist is aimed at teenagers (13–18) and includes a range of reading levels and formats to support less confident readers and encourage engagement. readingagency.org.uk/get-reading/our-programmes-and-campaigns/reading-well/reading-well-for-teens/
