Children Archives - Erewash Sound

Derbyshire prepares to open ‘Best Start In Life’ family hub in Cotmanhay

Families in Cotmanhay will soon begin to see changes at their local Children's Centre as they prepare to become the first Best Start Family Hubs in Derbyshire, with further hubs opening across the county in the future, as part of Derbyshire County Council's Best Start in Life (BSiL) programme. Over the coming months, along with a site in Birdholme, Cotmanhay Children's Centre will begin their transition to become Best Start Family Hubs, with work taking place to bring the new […]

10 August 2026 26

News

Children dropping off NHS orthodontic waiting lists, going without treatment due to long waiting lists

Hundreds of thousands of children are waiting for NHS orthodontic assessments, but what happens when your child either doesn't qualify for treatment or faces a lengthy wait? The latest statistics published in the British Dental Journal show that over 350,000 children were waiting for an NHS orthodontic assessment in England, over 220,000 had been waiting longer than 18 weeks and over 140,000 had been waiting more than 52 weeks. The longest recorded wait was 6.6 years and only one Integrated […]

22 July 2026 18

Derbyshire

Scathing assault unleashed on “entitled” Derbyshire’s children’s services department

A scathing attack has been unleashed on an “entitled” Derbyshire children’s services department that is reportedly “throwing away millions” due to “habitual” budget overspending. The no holds barred criticism occurred during a Derbyshire County Council scrutiny meeting at which councillors examined a £27.5 million children’s services overspend for the past year. Councillor Sarah Reaney, Reform UK chair of the meeting, started things off, saying: “It seems to be systemic that children’s services overspend all the time. Why is that allowed to […]

13 July 2026 15

News

Record numbers of children now able to access mental health support in schools

Nearly six million children and young people can now access mental health support in their school or college – giving them the tools and resilience they need to stay in education and thrive as adults. This is around 800,000 more pupils than last year, with support teams now working in almost 11,800 schools and colleges across England. These teams are already making a clear difference. Nine in ten schools and colleges say they are improving children’s mental health and wellbeing, […]

10 June 2026 11

Borough Wide

Families First Partnership set to transform support for Derbyshire families and children

A new programme designed to improve how children, young people and families are supported is being introduced across Derbyshire through the Families First Partnership (FFP), led by Derbyshire County Council. The FFP programme will help families get the support they need earlier, making it easier to understand what help is available and where to go. It will bring services together so families do not have to repeat their story to different professionals. It is aimed at families who may be […]

3 June 2026 39

Work underway at The Mount at Over The Wall Camp

Borough Wide

Historic windows restored at former Ockbrook School as children’s charity preserves heritage for future generations

UK children’s charity Over The Wall Camp has been bringing together the past and the future as it transforms the former Ockbrook School in Derbyshire ready to welcome children with serious illnesses and disabilities. Work is well underway to create bespoke, wheelchair-accessible accommodation and activity spaces in the Mount, the former nursery and junior school building. Most recently, the development has included replacing all the windows with replica designs based on those seen on the original building, which dates back […]

30 March 2026 36

Derbyshire

Screentime issues for young people discussed by County Councillors

By Eddie Bisknell - Local Democracy Reporting Service Toddlers on iPads, ‘infinite scrolling’, eavesdropping technology, addiction, cyber bullying and eyesight issues were all discused during a meeting on screentime for young people. At a Derbyshire County Council meeting on Monday 23rd March, councillors on the health scrutiny committee discussed the benefits and challenges of screentime for young people and children. The meeting was told screen use has been found to start as early as six months of age. It was […]

24 March 2026 45

Community Notices

Ay Up Duck – Kids Food Allergy Support – Ilkeston

Ruth Ann used to dread that little party invite in her daughter Aira's bag. She has multiple severe food allergies, and, every invite meant she couldn't just send her along like other children. She would be making a separate birthday cake, preparing all her own food, and packing EpiPens, antihistamines and wipes just to get through a couple of hours. Whilst the other children were dancing around with food in their hands, Ruth Ann would be running around like a […]

20 March 2026 60

Children