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Babies, children and families

Local support for parents and carers of babies and children.

If your child is unwell

The NHS website's baby and child health pages (opens the NHS website) help you check common illnesses and rashes, and say when to get help. If you are worried, contact us or call 111. Call 999 if your child is seriously ill.

NHS Greater Manchester's Get to know where to go (opens the NHS Greater Manchester website) booklet for parents and carers explains which service to use.

Feeding your baby

Manchester's Infant Feeding Team helps with breastfeeding and formula feeding, before and after your baby is born. They offer phone support, drop-in clinics and home visits. You can contact them yourself:

For drop-in times, see the Infant Feeding Team page (opens the Manchester Local Care Organisation website). Outside their hours, call the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212.

Sure Start children's centres

Sure Start centres run free groups, stay and play sessions and family support for children under 5. Our nearest are Old Moat Sure Start Centre on Old Moat Lane (call 0161 234 4711) and Burnage Sure Start Centre. Find a Sure Start centre (opens the Manchester City Council website).

If your child's school asks you to get a referral

Schools sometimes ask parents to get a GP referral to CAMHS (children's mental health services), speech and language therapy or occupational therapy.

In most cases the school or nursery can refer your child directly. This is usually quicker, because their referral includes what staff have seen and any assessments they have done, so it is less likely to be turned down.

If the school would rather we referred, we are happy to. Ask the school to send us a letter that explains:

  • what they are worried about
  • why they think your child needs the referral
  • any assessments they have done
  • why they cannot refer directly

If you are worried about your child's health or development, ask for an appointment. You do not need a letter from the school for that.

More information

Page last reviewed: 12 October 2026
Next review due: April 2027