Early years, schools and activities

Use our online directory to search for Ofsted registered childcare in your area.

If you need further information and assistance, contact the Family Information Service at fis@northlincs.gov.uk.

For information on financial help that is available to families of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities to meet the costs of childcare please also see our Help with childcare costs web page.

The Local Authority is committed to promoting high standards of childcare that meets the needs of parents and children in North Lincolnshire. This includes giving disabled children and children with special educational needs, greater support, choice and opportunities. Please see ‘inclusive childcare’ tab for more information.

The Local Authority is committed to promoting high standards of early years education and childcare that meets the needs of parents and children in North Lincolnshire. All Ofsted registered early years providers, including nurseries, childminders, pre-schools and reception classes in schools must meet the requirements of the SEND Code of Practice 2014 (0-25 years), The Children and Families Act 2014 and the Early Years Foundation Stage framework.

This gives disabled children and children with special educational needs, greater support, choice and opportunities. Providers must:

• Involve you and your child in decision making and ensure you receive the information and support you require.
• Respond effectively to your child’s emerging needs.
• Work together with professionals and services to have a coordinated approach to ensure positive outcomes for your child.
• Demonstrate an approach to caring that enables all children to fully participate in learning activities.

In addition, providers have a duty placed on them by the Equality Act 2010 to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ for children with SEND.

Inclusive Early Years Education and Childcare Section 5.1 of the Act states

“5.10 All early years providers have duties under the Equality Act 2010. In particular, they must not discriminate against, harass or victimise disabled children, and they must make reasonable adjustments, including the provision of auxiliary aids and services for disabled children, to prevent them being put at substantial disadvantage. This duty is anticipatory – it requires thought to be given in advance to what disabled children and young people might require and what adjustments might need to be made to prevent that disadvantage. All publicly funded early years providers must promote equality of opportunity for disabled children.”

Research evidence shows that regular, high quality early education has lasting benefits, providing a valuable experience for your child. It helps them learn and develop and prepares them for transition in to school. As part of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), all providers must provide a broad range of experiences which promote children’s learning and development through play, exploration and communication within a fun, safe and nurturing environment. Your childminder, pre-school, nursery or reception class will be able to give your more information about this.

All early years education and childcare practitioners work in partnership with parents and other professionals to use a range of strategies to promote children’s development throughout their early years. Parents are a key partner and are kept informed about their children’s developmental progress at all times, through daily contact and regular updates.

You can find out more about the EYFS and how you can support your child’s learning in the What to expect in the EYFS – A guide for parents

If you are not happy with the care and education your child is receiving at their early years setting or school, you can find details of the steps you need to take to make a complaint in the handbook under section 2.10.

Your child may be entitled to 15 hours a week funded childcare from the term following their second birthday. This is for 38 weeks a year, but may be stretched over more weeks.

How do I apply for Two Year Old Funding?

For information on how to apply for funding, please visit North Lincolnshire Council’s two-year old funding webpage.

Free Early Education for Three and Four Year Olds

All three and four year olds are entitled to up to 15 hours of funded early education for 38 weeks of the year. Working families of three and four year olds may also be eligible for an additional 15 hours per week of funded early education and childcare for 38 weeks of the year. Families may choose to stretch the funded hours over more weeks of the year.

Children are eligible the school term after their third birthday (autumn, spring and summer terms).

The funding provides a valuable educational opportunity for children, encouraged by a carer to learn through play. They will have fun in a safe and nurturing environment whilst making friends and preparing for school.

To access the universal 15 hours of early education funding contact your child’s existing carer or contact the local early years education and childcare settings on 01724 296629.

To access the extended 15 hours for working families you must meet an eligibility criteria and apply via the Childcare Choices website.

For more information about three and four year old early education funding please visit the North Lincolnshire Council three and four year old funding webpage.

At times, Early Years settings including schools, pre-schools, nurseries and childminders may require additional funding to meet the needs of a child with identified Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

In such circumstances, the childcare provider may submit an “inclusion funding” application for additional monies to enhance their provision to meet the needs of the child. This is likely to be funding to increase the staff to child ratios to ensure that they can fully meet the needs of the child and undertake any interventions recommended by external agencies. Where a childcare provider decides to apply for the inclusion funding, the application will be discussed with parents prior to submission of an application form.

All applications will be considered by the Early Years Inclusion Funding panel on a termly basis. Decisions are reached through a panel discussion of the information/evidence provided. Parents will be advised of the Inclusion Panels decision by their childcare setting.

The disability access fund (DAF) has been set up to help your child to access a place in an Early Years setting from three years of age. It is a one off payment of £938 per financial year paid to the setting your child attends.

Where a child attends more than one setting, you nominate which setting you would like to receive the funding. If a child receiving DAF moves from one setting to another within a financial year, the money will remain with the original setting. The new setting is not eligible to receive DAF funding for your child within the same financial year.

Children do not have to take up their full entitlement of early education per year in order to receive the DAF.

This funding is to help the setting to provide an accessible environment which will mean your child can access their early education in an inclusive environment.

Eligibility

Children aged 9 months to 4 years are eligible for the DAF if they are in receipt of Disability Living Allowance and access a funded early education place.

How to apply

If your child is eligible, you will need to complete a parent agreement form. This is given to you by your chosen setting. There will be a box for you to tick if your child is in receipt of Disability Living Allowance. It is important that that this is ticked to ensure the setting receives this one-off payment. You will also need to submit a copy of your child’s Disability Living Allowance award.

• Alkborough Primary School
• Althorpe and Keadby Primary School
• Barton St Peter's CE Primary School
• Belton All Saints CE Primary School
• Berkeley Primary School
• Bottesford Infant School
• Bottesford Junior School
• Bowmandale Primary School
• Brigg Primary School
• Broughton Primary Academy
• Burton Upon Stather Primary School
• Bushfield Road Infant School
• Castledyke Primary School
• Crosby Primary School
• Crowle Primary Academy
• East Halton Primary School
• Eastoft CE Primary School
• Enderby Road Infant School
• Epworth Primary Academy
• Frodingham Infant School
• Goxhill Primary School
• Gunness and Burringham CE Primary School
• Haxey CE Primary School
• Hibaldstow Academy
• Holme Valley Primary School
• John Harrison CE Primary School
• Killingholme Primary School
• Kirmington CE Primary School
• Kirton Lindsey Primary School
• Leys Farm Junior School
• Lincoln Gardens Primary School
• Luddington and Garthorpe Primary School
• Messingham Primary School
• New Holland Primary School
• Oakfield Primary School
• Oasis Academy Henderson Avenue
• Oasis Academy Parkwood
• Outwood Junior Academy Brumby
• Priory Lane Community School
• Scawby Academy
• Scunthorpe CE Primary School
• South Ferriby Primary School
• St Augustine Webster Catholic Voluntary Academy
• St Barnabas CE Primary School
• St Bernadette's Catholic Voluntary Academy
• St Luke's Primary Special School
• St Martin's CE Primary School
• St Mary's Catholic Primary Voluntary Academy
• St Norbert's Catholic Primary Voluntary Academy
• St Peter and St Paul CE Primary School
• The Grange Primary School
• Ulceby St Nicholas' CE Primary School
• West Butterwick CE Primary School
• Westcliffe Primary School
• Westwoodside CE Primary Academy
• Willoughby Road Primary Academy
• Winteringham Primary School
• Winterton CE Infant School
• Winterton Junior School
• Wootton St Andrew's CE Primary School
• Worlaby Academy
• Wrawby St Mary's CE Primary School
• Wroot Travis Charity Primary School

• Baysgarth School
• Frederick Gough School
• Huntcliff School
• Melior Community Academy
• Outwood Academy Brumby
• Outwood Academy Foxhills
• Sir John Nelthorpe School
• South Axholme Academy
• St Bede's Catholic Voluntary Academy
• St Hugh's Special School
• The Axholme Academy
• The St Lawrence Academy
• The Vale Academy
• Winterton Community Academy

SEMH Specialists

• Cambian School, Beverley, Units 19 & 20 Priory Road, Beverley, HU17 0EW
• Castles Education, Acland Street, Gainsborough, DN21 2SU
• Falcons Learning, Newport Street, Goole, DN14 6TL
• Hera House, Broughton Road, Appleby, DN15 0DA
• Hestia School (Upper School), Bigby Street, Brigg North Lincolnshire, DN20 8EF
• Red Everywhere, Sovereign House, Arkwright Way, Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, DN16 1AD
• Replenish Learning, Normanby Park Cricket Club, Normanby Road, Scunthorpe, DN15 9BE
• Teach Lincs, Wesley Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 1SA

SEMH & Behaviour Specialists

• Hackberry, Hackberry (Scotter) Ltd, Grange Farm, Northorpe, DN21 4AR
• Holdfast Education, Maltkiln Road, Barton-upon-Humber, DN18 5JR
• Isle Study Centre, Suite 1B Haldenby House, Berkeley Business Centre, Doncaster Road, Scunthorpe, DN15 7DQ
• OWLs @ Alpaca and Friends, East Ferry Rd, Laughton, Gainsborough, DN21 3QE
• Pledge to Learn Sovereign House, Arkwright Way, Queensway Industrial Estate, Scunthorpe, DN16 1AL
• Rowan Education, Heslam Park, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, DN16 2AG
• South Park College, Meadow Court, Newdown Road, South Park Industrial Estate, Scunthorpe, DN17 2TX
• Sunshine Education (Teach Lincs), Sunshine Hall, Ashby High Street, DN16 2JU
• The Orchard School, 1 Sargon Way, Great Grimsby Business Park, Grimsby, DN37 9PH

Other

• Act Fast, Kieradan Park, North Moor Lane, Scunthorpe, DN17 3PS
• Doncaster Communication Specialist College, Doncaster Deaf Trust, Leger Way, Doncaster, DN2 6AY
• Doncaster School for the Deaf, Doncaster Deaf Trust, Leger Way, Doncaster, DN2 6AY
• Kisimul, The Old Vicarage, Swinderby, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN6 9LU
• Linkage College, Mackenzie Building, Weelsby Road, Grimsby, DN32 9RU
• New Options Barton, Barrow Road, Barton upon Humber, DN18 6DA
• Robert Holmes Academy, 3 Wrawby Road, Brigg, North Lincolnshire, DN20 8DL
• S&F Equestrian, Holmes Lane, Winterton, DN15 9UF
• Skills Centre Plus, Suite 4 Woodfield House, Berkeley Business Centre, Doncaster Road, Scunthorpe, DN15 7DQ

Special schools with pupils aged 11 and older can specialise in 1 of the 4 areas of special educational needs:

• communication and interaction
• cognition and learning
• social, emotional and mental health
• sensory and physical needs

Schools can further specialise within these categories to reflect the special needs they help with, for example Autistic spectrum disorders, visual impairment, or speech, language and communication needs (SLCN).

St Luke's Primary School

St Luke's Primary School is a day special school for primary aged children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, which serves the North Lincolnshire Local Authority.

We benefit from many facilities that support children’s learning. We have a Hydrotherapy Pool, a Light and Sound Room, a Sensory Differences Room, a Teaching Kitchen and PE and Dining Halls. Our outside areas have undergone considerable transformation in recent years. We have an accessible adventure playground and park, a sensory garden, a cycle trail, a stage and outdoor exercise equipment. This year we are aiming to further improve our outdoor environment by developing the field into a new playground area and outdoor learning space.

We also have a separate EYFS unit in the building next to the main school site. This opened in April 2022. The EYFS unit is a self-contained unit with its own hall, playgrounds and sensory areas.

Please visit the St Luke's Primary School website.

St Hugh's School

St Hugh's School provides specialist education for children and young people with complex and significant needs, all of whom have an Education, Health and Care Plan. The school supports students with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties, Severe Learning Difficulties, physical disabilities, medical conditions, and neurodevelopmental needs, including those related to autism and sensory processing. A highly personalised and structured curriculum is delivered, focused on meaningful progress towards EHCP outcomes, with an emphasis on communication, learning for life, and developing independence in ways that are appropriate and achievable for each individual. St. Hugh’s is committed to preparing every young person for adulthood within a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment.

In line with the SEND Code of Practice, the starting point for consideration of placement is always mainstream provision where a child or young person's needs can be appropriately met. St. Hugh's is designed to meet the needs of students whose complex learning, physical, medical, and neurodevelopmental profiles require a specialist environment. Placement decisions are made in collaboration with the local authority, families, and professionals, to ensure that the provision is reserved for those learners whose needs align with the school's offer and cannot be effectively met in other settings.

Please visit the St Hugh's School website.

St Hugh's School tour

Faith schools have to follow the national curriculum, but they can choose what they teach in religious studies. Faith schools may have different admissions criteria and staffing policies to state schools, although anyone can apply for a place.

Free schools are funded by the government but aren't run by the local council. They have more control over how they do things. They’re ‘all-ability’ schools, so can’t use academic selection processes like a grammar school.

Free schools:

• set their own pay and conditions for staff
• can change the length of school terms and the school day
• don’t have to follow the national curriculum.

The national curriculum is a set of subjects and standards used by primary and secondary schools so children learn the same things. It covers what subjects are taught and the standards children should reach in each subject.

The national curriculum begins when children begin key stage one at the age of five. Children who are attending school nursery and reception class follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). You can find out more about the EYFS and how you can support your child’s learning in the what to expect in the EYFS guide for parents

Other types of schools like academies and private schools

Visit GOV.UK for more information about key stages of education.

Parents or young people have a legal right to request that a particular school or college is named in an education, health and care (“EHC”) plan (or to express a preference for an independent school, college or other institution).

A parent or young person will be able to request a particular school or college when they receive a draft EHC plan or an Amendment Notice amending an EHC plan. This might be when they are getting an EHC plan for the first time; if the EHC plan is being amended after an annual review; or if the EHC plan is being amended at any other time (for example, if the child or young person has to move schools and the EHC plan needs to be amended to reflect that).

The parent or young person has a right to request any of the following types of school or college:

• A maintained school or nursery (mainstream or special)
• An Academy (mainstream or special)
• An institution in the Further Education sector
• A non-maintained special school
• A section 41 school.

A request will only be agreed if:

• The setting is suitable for the age, ability, aptitude or special educational needs of the child or young person. If the setting is not the nearest suitable setting that can meet the identified needs and provision outlined in the EHC plan, then parents/carers may be required to make their own transport arrangements.

A request may be refused if:

• The setting is unsuitable for the age, ability, aptitude or special educational needs of the child or young person
• The attendance of the child or young person would be incompatible with the provision of efficient education for others; or
• The attendance of the child or young person would be incompatible with the efficient use of resources.

Academies are publicly funded independent schools. They don’t have to follow the national curriculum and can set their own term times. They still have to follow the same rules on admissions, special educational needs and exclusions as other state schools.

Academies get money direct from the government, not the local council. They’re run by an academy trust which employs the staff. Some academies have sponsors such as businesses, universities, other schools, faith groups or voluntary groups. Sponsors are responsible for improving the performance of their schools.

Private schools (also known as 'independent schools') charge fees to attend instead of being funded by the government. Pupils don’t have to follow the national curriculum. All private schools must be registered with the government and are inspected regularly.

Apply for a school place in North Lincolnshire here

Governors

School Governors hold the headteacher to account for a school’s performance and provide strategic leadership and accountability in schools. The Chair of Governors leads the group and they are responsible for appointing the head teacher and deputy headteacher. It is governors who make sure the school’s budget is properly managed and have the main responsibility for finance in schools. Governors work with the headteacher to make the tough decisions about balancing resources and implementing the school’s strategy.

Headteacher

Head teachers manage the school on a daily basis. The headteacher is responsible for the internal organisation, management and control of the school and the implementation of the strategic plan agreed by the governing body.

Deputy Headteacher

Deputy Headteachers have responsibility in supporting the Headteacher. They will act as the headteacher in the event of a headteacher’s absence.

Primary school teachers

Primary school teachers look after the educational, social, physical and emotional development of children from ages 3 to 11. Primary school teachers teach children using the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework (EYFS) for children in nursery and reception classes, or primary national curriculum at key stage 1 (ages 5 to 7) and key stage 2(ages 7 to 11). Subjects include English, maths, science, music and art.

Teaching assistants

Teaching assistants support teachers and help children develop.

Secondary School Teacher

Secondary school teachers educate young people aged 11 to 16 and up to 19 in schools with sixth forms. They will teach at key stage 3 (ages 11 to 14) and key stage 4 (ages 15 to 16) and may also teach in a sixth form (ages 16 to 19).

Special Education Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO)

Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) is a teacher who is responsible for special educational needs at school. All schools have a SENCO. SENCOs work with other teachers and parents to make sure that children with special educational needs get the right support and help they need at school.

Learning mentors

Learning mentors help students and pupils deal with any difficulties they have with their learning. Learning mentors support students of all abilities with issues like:

• poor attendance
• lack of self-confidence, self-esteem or motivation
• failure to achieve their full potential
• behaviour or emotional difficulties
• difficulty settling into school or college
• personal difficulties

The suggested school term dates for North Lincolnshire are available on the council website. Most schools follow these dates but there are some variations and you are advised to check with your child’s school prior to booking holidays.

This information about free school meals applies to children who attend schools in North Lincolnshire. Students who attend colleges should contact their college for more information.

Who qualifies?

Free school meals are offered to children of families who receive one of the following:

• Universal Credit with an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400
• Income Support
• Income-based Job Seekers Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Support under Part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• The guarantee element of Pension Credit
• Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for the four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
• Child Tax Credit (with no Working Tax Credit) with an annual income of no more than £16,190

How do I apply?

For more information including how to apply for free school meals can be found on the council website.

Who qualifies?

Further information can be found on the council website including eligibility criteria.

Only one grant, currently of £20, is paid when the child is at primary school, and one, currently £30, when they are at secondary school.

If your child’s school is not listed on the council webpage you should contact the school directly to see if there is any help with uniform costs.

How do I apply?

Please use our online form to apply (it is the same form for free school meals and school clothing grants). The online form is available on the school clothing grants webpage.

For information on school transport and getting around in and beyond North Lincolnshire, visit the Getting Around page.

What is bullying?

Bullying is deliberately hurtful behaviour that is repeated over a period of time. This could be:

• Name calling and teasing
• Threats and extortion
• Physical violence
• Social exclusion
• Spreading malicious rumours

Bullying does not just happen face to face. Sometimes bullying can happen through the internet or mobile phones.

More detailed information about bullying can be found on the Preventing and Tackling Bullying webpage .

Why schools close

Schools may be closed in bad weather, or in the event of other emergencies such as loss of heating.

Head teachers will keep schools open wherever possible but circumstances may mean that the decision has to be made to close the whole school, a year group or specific classes, or amend school start/finish times.

Schools will also normally contact parents or guardians directly.

You can also keep up to date with the latest school closure information by:

• Visiting the schools own website. School information can be found on our Schools and Colleges page.
• Visiting BBC Radio Humberside’s website.
• Tuning in to BBC Radio Humberside on radio 95.9 FM, 1485 MW
• Tuning in to Lincs FM on radio 102.2 FM

The move to any new school means lots of changes for both parents/carers and children.

Most cope with these changes and get used to them by the end of the first couple of weeks. However, for some the move can be a worry.

Sometimes you don't know what the new school will be like but knowing what to expect can help you. These resources aim to offer parents/carers some advice on how to support their child through the move to a new school and help ease any worries.

Application forms and guidance is available through the North Lincolnshire council website, please refer to the link below.

Apply for a school place in North Lincolnshire

Education after Year 11 is often called further education or post 16. There are different levels of qualifications available in colleges and school 6th forms from basic English and maths to level 3 vocational and academic subjects. You must now be in education or some form of training until you are 18 years old. Options after year 11 include:

• Full-time education
• Apprenticeship
• Employment with training

Most students continue full-time education at a college or 6th form locally and there are two types of qualifications you can study:

• Vocational i.e. linked to a job or work area
• Academic e.g. A levels

There are many places that offer further education in North Lincolnshire.

• North Lindsey College
• John Leggott sixth form college
• Brigg 6th form
• Engineering UTC Northern Lincolnshire 6th form

There are also colleges outside North Lincolnshire which students have attended, but as it is possible for nearly all students who live in North Lincolnshire to pursue their intended career path by attending a course at a college or 6th form in North Lincolnshire, the councils’ policy is therefore not to provide transport unless certain circumstances apply. More information can be found on the North Lincolnshire Council Post 16 Transport Page.

The SEN team will work with you to identify a course and college/6th form which is suitable to meet your needs and carry out a consultation with that provider before the end of March in the year you leave school.

If there is an assessment of your special educational needs which states your needs cannot be met at a local mainstream college then alternative specialist and independent provision post 16 will be considered.

• Trent View College
• Skills Centre Plus

When you have started to think about the world of work and the types of jobs that interest you, it will be helpful to talk to someone who is an expert in the types of jobs that are available in your local area and who can support you in thinking about what might suit your interests and skills best.

Schools are responsible for securing independent careers guidance for you if you are in years 8-13 and they should provide you with careers information and advice on the full range of post-16 education and training options, including Apprenticeship .

Colleges sometimes offer vocational courses for 14-16 year olds, in partnership with schools as well as a wide range of post-16 courses and opportunities. All of these are designed to help prepare you for the world of work, through the development of experience and skills in a particular vocational area, for example horticulture, retail or hospitality and catering.

Just like schools, colleges are also required to provide access to independent and impartial careers guidance for you until you are age 18, and until you are age 25 if you have an Education Health Care (EHC) Plan .

National Careers Service – Website and apps full of career tools, information and advice to help you find out about different jobs, CVs, applications, covering letters and interviews. Advice online, over the phone, face-to-face.

Jobs and Careers with North Lincolnshire Council. Find out more about opportunities working for North Lincolnshire Council.

Please visit our About SEND page for information about Special Educational Needs and Disability.

All post-16 providers have open events and evenings giving you the chance to have a look around and speak to teachers, tutors and current students. It is important to ask questions – the answers will help you make the right choice.

Health and Therapy Services in North Lincolnshire:

• Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
• Children’s Community Nursing
• Children’s Occupational Therapy
• Children’s Physiotherapy
• Children’s Therapy Team
• Community and Therapy Services – NHS
• Dental Treatment for people with special needs
• Emotional Health and Wellbeing
• End of Life Care
• Healthwatch
• Integrated Health and Wellbeing Service (0-19) (includes school nurses and health visitors)
• NRS Healthcare
• Speech and Language Therapy

See also the NHS A-Z of services

Visit the transition page for further information.

Local Support Groups in North Lincolnshire are:

• ASK Autism Support Group
• Magic Moments for Autistic Kids
• North Lincs Parents Forum

To make a complaint about an NHS service

Most NHS care and treatment goes well but sometimes things can go wrong. If you are unhappy with your care or the service you have received, it is important to let the NHS know so they can improve. Take a look at the NHS website for more information.

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)

The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) offers confidential advice, support and information on health-related matters. They provide a point of contact for patients, their families and their carers.

You can find officers from PALS in your local hospital.

Healthwatch

Work to help make services better for people living in North Lincolnshire. They listen to your experiences, comments and concerns around the health & care services you use.

Then ensure your voices are heard by those with the power to make change happen.

If you are not happy with an NHS or Social Care service and you do not want to make a formal complaint, you share your experiences with . Visit the Healthwatch website for more information.

Your School Nursing Team consists of trained nurses, health care assistants and clerical staff. They are trained to work with children, families and school staff and have a special interest in every school aged child’s health and wellbeing.

The team has links with many other professionals, who also work with children, to support children and young people throughout their school life. They provide a link between education and health.

The team works between Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm during term time. There is a restricted service during school holidays.

For more information visit North Lincolnshire School Nursing

Find information on GP surgeries including how to register and book appointments to see a doctor. Use the address search tool to find your local GP surgeries for a local practice near you.

Your pharmacy can provide you with much more than just dispensing medicine. Pharmacists are highly-trained and qualified professionals and they can offer you advice on treating many minor illnesses and ailments, such as coughs and colds, or long-term conditions such as asthma, arthritis or diabetes. They can also give you advice on keeping healthy by eating well, stopping smoking and taking part in exercise.

Pharmacies have longer opening hours than GPs, you don’t need an appointment to see one and most have a consultation area where you can speak privately.

Find a pharmacy near you on the NHS website.

Find out why regular eye tests are important. Not only will they tell if you need new glasses or a change of prescription, they are also an important eye health check. An eye test can spot many general health problems and early signs of eye conditions before you are aware of any symptoms. You could be entitled to free NHS eye tests or optical vouchers. Search for your nearest opticians.

For more information on Health & Wellbeing, visit the Livewell website.

Venue/shopping accessibility and options

In this section we have tried to bring together some useful information about accessible venues in North Lincolnshire and their accessibility policy. If you have information that can be added to this section, please email: fis@northlincs.gov.uk and quote Local Offer update.

Entertainment venues

• Vue Cinema, Scunthorpe
• Baths Hall/Plowright Theatre, Scunthorpe
• North Lincs Museum accessibility information
• ATG theatre access

Supermarkets

• Asda Supermarket – quiet hour – between 2-3pm Monday to Thursday
• Morrisons Supermarket – quiet hour – Saturdays 9am until 10am
• Tesco Supermarket – quiet hour – Wednesday and Saturday, from 9am-10am

Local and National Days Out

For accessibility information relating to national and local attractions, please see the National and Local Days Out pages.

National Tourist Attractions

• Alton Towers – resort access guide
• Chessington World of Adventure – guide for guests with additional needs
• Drayton Manor – guests with additional needs
• The Eden Project – Relaxed Sessions
• Eureka – access information
• The London Eye – information for visitors with additional needs
• Legoland Windsor – guide for visitors with additional needs
• National Railway Museum, York – facilities and accessibility information
• Think Tank, Birmingham – facilities and accessibility information
• Thorpe Park – access information

Evidence of disability

Many tourist attractions will need you to provide evidence of a disability and care needs before they will offer concessions. This is particularly true for people on the autism spectrum and those who may have invisible needs. Your GP may be the best person for you to ask to provide you with this evidence. If you receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Carers’ Allowance, take a copy of the award letter with you. It may also be useful to have a copy of any letter which states the diagnosis.

Eating out

If eating out can be difficult, then think ahead and book a restaurant in advance. Many restaurants now have a menu for people with special diets. Most chains should be able to provide you with details of the ingredients of their products so you can check they are safe.

When booking, ask about seating, is there a quieter area of the restaurant that you can sit in? What is the lighting and décor like? Is there anything that is likely to trigger a sensory difference.

Accessible Toilets

If you are planning a day out you may need an accessible toilet.

Disabled toilets are helpful, but you may need a Radar Key from the National Key Scheme (NKS). Information about accessible toilets in North Lincolnshire can be found on the Changing Places page.

There are apps available for your smart phone.

Local Tourist Attractions

• The Deep – access for all
• Normanby Hall – accessibility
• Hall Farm, Eastoft
• The Pink Pig, Arial Trail
• Far Ings Nature Reserve
• Water’s Edge Visitor Centre
• Elsham Gardens and Country Park
• The Baths Hall and Plowright Theatre
• Hull New Theatre
• KCOM Stadium
• Go Ape – Normanby Hall

What’s On for children and young people’s in North Lincolnshire

For more information about What’s On in North Lincolnshire visit the Children and Young People’s activity guide on the council website. There are lots of activities for children, young people and their families to do in North Lincolnshire that are free and low cost. Use the calendar on the website to discover what’s on for your family over the coming weeks.

If your child has a Special Educational Need or Disability (SEND) there are some activities listed which are specifically aimed at your family. You can find them by clicking on the ‘SEND’ tag. You can also access Short Breaks. These provide an opportunity for a disabled child or young person (0-18 years old) to take part in free fun activities.

However, our aim is to help any child to access the activities they are interested in and remove barriers wherever possible. If your child would like to access one of the activities listed on our guide, but you are not sure if their needs will be met by the activity provider, please call us on 01724 296629 to discuss your needs. We will liaise between you and the activity provider to try and make the activity as accessible as possible for all.

The Family Information Service also has an e-newsletter ‘Family Focus’ with useful information for families – why not sign up?

Eating Out

If eating out can be difficult, then think ahead and book a restaurant in advance. Many restaurants now have a menu for people with special diets. Most chains should be able to provide you with details of the ingredients of their products so you can check they are safe.

When booking, ask about seating, is there a quieter area of the restaurant that you can sit in? What is the lighting and décor like? Is there anything that is likely to trigger a sensory difference.

Accessible Toilets

If you are planning a day out you may need an accessible toilet.

Disabled toilets are helpful, but you may need a Radar Key from the National Key Scheme (NKS). Information about accessible toilets in North Lincolnshire can be found on the Changing Places page.

There are apps available for your smart phone.

Evidence of Disability

Many tourist attractions will need you to provide evidence of a disability and care needs before they will offer concessions. This is particularly true for people on the autism spectrum and those who may have invisible needs. Your GP may be the best person for you to ask to provide you with this evidence. If you receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Carers’ Allowance, take a copy of the award letter with you. It may also be useful to have a copy of any letter which states the diagnosis.

• Cheap and free activities
• CYP activity guide
• Community Sports
• Museums
• Guides
• NL Youth Council
• Deaf children's society
• Parkrun
• Positive activities
• Reading and libraries
• Scouts
• SEN swimming
• The arts
• Short Breaks
• Familiesonline
• Forest Schools
• Magic Moments
• Carers Support Centre