I'm a young parent

“Becoming a parent can be a bumpy ride, no matter what age you are."

You might be young but you can still be a great mum or dad to your new baby. This section will give you information to support you and your family as a dad. If at any time you feel you can't find what you are looking for please use our 'ask anything' page.

Parenting courses, groups and services

Meeting with other parents gives you the chance to share experiences and ideas, learn new skills, get advice and information and most importantly you will feel better equipped to cope.

• The Castlegate Centre work mainly with young people aged 16-25 years, but will also offer support and guidance or just a listening ear to parents of young people in that age range (opens in a new window).
• Children's Centres offer a wide range of services for parents or carers of children aged 0-5.
• Health Visitors aim to help you and your children lead as healthy a life as possible both physically and mentally (opens in a new window).

Look at our service directory to find local parenting courses, groups and services for young parents (opens in new window).

Parenting websites, helplines and text services

• Parent Know How is a set of national services for parents or carers. They deal with a wide range of topics and can be accessed in lots of different ways. Look at our Parent Know How page to see which service might be best for you!
• There are also wide range of other websites and helplines for families. Take a look at our service directory to find a service that can meet your need (opens in a new window).

Top Tips!

• Children don't come with a handbook! The Family Information Service want to hear from you about what top tips you would give to other young parents or carers.

Disability or additional needs?

• CANDI stands for Children AND Inclusion. It is a parent led forum for parents or carers of children with disabilities or additional needs.
• If you're child has a disability or additional need then there are lots of different services which may be of use. You can search through what is available online through the service directory or contact the Family Information Service to talk through your options.

Separating or Lone parent?

• If you are going through a separation or are a lone parent then there are range of services available which can offer you information and support (opens in a new window). If you can't find what you are looking for then please contact the Family Information Service.
• Discover Yourself - is a training programme designed with Lone Parents in mind. Its aim is to help each person who attends the training to make realistic choices about how they can get more out of life.