 Welcome to the February 2026 edition of the Cheshire East Best Start Family Hub Partner Newsletter!
Spotlight on...
ADHD and Autism Support Resources for Children and Young People in Cheshire East
 In the summer of 2025, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board in Cheshire East Place launched a new web-based resource to support children and young people up to age 25 with suspected ADHD or autism, along with their families.
Developed in collaboration with Contact, Genuine Partnerships, and the Cheshire East Parent Carer Forum, these resources were co-produced with parents, practitioners, and neurodivergent young people, led by a neurodivergent graphic designer and a local parent carer project manager.
SEND Drop In
Disley Library and Community Centre
Friday 6th Feb 9.30am-11.00am
SEND 0-19+ health practitioners (On behalf of health visitor/school nursing services Cheshire East) for parents of children & Young people for support, signposting and guidance with all SEND related issues and helping to understand why your child may be struggling and ideas that may help. Think your child may have SEND and not sure where to go or what to do?
CHESHIRE EAST PORTAGE TEAM – Representatives from Cheshire East’s Start for Life Portage team will be here explaining their offer and to offer support particularly for our youngest residents 😊 They will be offering a Stay and play for our youngest residents
CHESHIRE EAST INCLUSION AND TRANSITION TEAM – A representative from Cheshire East’s support team will be here to discuss your concerns around transition to school and how your child can be supported in education
JUST DROP IN – Another amazing local charity that support children and young people that are finding life hard. They are committed to helping them with their mental health and well being.
Cheshire East Holiday Activities and Food programme (HAF) February 2026 half term bookings going live!
Cheshire East Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme is here for the February 2026 school half term holiday – bookings will go live on 26 January at 3.00pm! Places are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment!
NEW Stay and Play in Middlewich
Middlewich (Cledford Primary) HENRY Workshops
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Let’s Get Active Workshop (2/2/26) - Come along and try out some fun ways to get the whole family up and moving together – at home and when out and about.
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Understanding Children’s Behaviour (9/2/26) - Understand feelings and needs behind children’s behaviour, discover the importance of listening to children, and how it can support meeting their needs and explore responding with empathy, and how it can positively influence children's behaviour.
To book a place or find out more, please email Startforlifesouth@cheshireeast.gov.uk.
UK Youth Parliament Elections
 The UK Youth Parliament elections will take place across Cheshire East from 26 January to 20 February 2026. This is a fantastic opportunity for young people aged 11–18 to make their voices heard and choose who represents them locally and nationally.
We’re asking professionals across services, youth provision, community organisations, and wider partners to help raise awareness and support young people to take part.
New funded opportunities for schools from Chefs in Schools
We are excited to share a fully funded training opportunity for school chefs in Lancashire and Cheshire, delivered by the national school food charity Chefs in Schools. Thanks to support from the Westminster Foundation, school kitchen teams can access a hands-on training programme designed to build kitchen confidence, develop skills, and transform food culture in schools. Places are limited, so secure your free spot today.
What the programme includes:
Nutrition and School Food Standards
Food waste reduction strategies
Creative menu development to expand children’s taste buds
1:1 mentoring and support from expert Chef Trainers
Key details:
Free, fully funded by the Westminster Foundation
Two in-person training days, plus short online sessions
Location:
The Racecourse, Chester CH1 2LY
Start date:
Tuesday 10th March 2026
Time:
10am - 2:30pm
Questions? Interested in a quick chat? Please feel free to contact Carys at Chefs in Schools via carys@chefsinschools.org.uk - she’ll be happy to help. You’ll also find a leaflet and Welcome Pack attached with further details. Please do share with your catering lead or wider school network.
Local School Nature Grant Scheme
The aim of this fund is to promote outdoor learning among young children by providing schools and early years providers with outdoor resources and training. Successful applicants will include children in their decision making, whilst incorporating local communities.
Grants provide an assortment of nature equipment up to the value of £500 and a two hour training session.
Eligible equipment includes but is not limited to:
Woodland activity kits.
Growing kits.
Seed packs.
Gardening kits.
Pollinator kits.
woodworking kits.
Seating planters
Fireboxes.
This fund will reopen for applications on 12 January 2026 with a deadline of 13 March 2026.
FREE training opportunities
10th February 3.30 -4.30pm
Keep Safe Cope well plans have been co-produced with children and young people – the project evaluation includes feedback from pilot schools.
9th March 12 -4pm
Understanding self-harm in children and young people.
We are recruiting Social Workers
If you would like to feature in this newsletter, please email familyhubs@cheshireeast.gov.uk
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