Housing
A child’s health and education can suffer if they do not have a safe and warm home.
No one wants to live in a damp, mouldy or cold home. You can ask the council for help if your landlord won’t deal with repairs or bad conditions in your home.
Topic links
Damp and mould heating pest (rats/insects) repairs safety risk of homelessness
Damp and Mould
Children living in a damp home are up to 3 times more likely to have breathing problems. The most common cause of damp is condensation. Condensation happens when water in the air comes into contact with a cold surface e.g. wall or window.
Sometimes damp/mould happens when a house needs repairs e.g. a leaking pipe. First try to find out what is causing the damp and fix the problem. You may need advice from a damp specialist or a builder.
Tips to reduce damp in your home:
- Dry clothes outside or use a vented tumble dryer
- Keep lids on pans when cooking
- Use an extractor fan when cooking or showering
- Keep the kitchen or bathroom door closed and open a window so that moist air goes outside
- Let fresh air circulate by leaving a gap between walls and furniture
- Heat your home a little more if possible as very cold rooms are more likely to get damp or mouldy. It helps to keep your home above 15 degrees
- Wipe down damp windows with a cloth and wring it out (don’t dry it on a radiator)
- Open bedroom windows for 5-10 minutes every morning
- Insulate your home e.g. your loft
- Draft proof your doors
Damp can cause mould to grow on the walls. Mould is a type of fungus. Mould produces spores which your child can breathe in. This may worsen asthma
Tips for treating mould in your home:
- Remove the cause of the damp
- Clean off mould using a mould spray e.g. containing bleach
- Leave to dry overnight and then spray the area with an anti fungal wash following the manufacturers instructions
- Redecorate using mould-resistant paint
What to do about damp and mould if you rent
Tell your landlord if you have damp especially if it is affecting your child’s health.
Further information and support:
Advice on condensation, damp and mould from the centre for sustainable energy.
Shelter provide advice on damp in rented homes and what to do if it is affecting your health.
You may also be able to get a housing assessment from your local council. You can find contact information in the Local Support and Contact Details section below.
Asthma UK also provide advice about mould and damp.
Heating
Children living in cold homes are twice as likely to have breathing problems such as asthma.
Some families need to make hard decisions about whether to buy things like food or use that money to heat their home..
Pests (rats/insects)
Problems with your home can sometimes lead to pests e.g. ants, rats, mites and bedbugs.
It isn’t always clear who is responsible for dealing with pests. Your landlord will probably be responsible if the problem has happened because repairs are needed, for example fixing holes in the wall.
You might be responsible for dealing with the problem if it was caused by something you did, for example not disposing of rubbish properly.
Tips for avoiding rats:
- Block up gaps around pipes
- Repair holes in the pointing
- Keep rubbish in your bin and avoid it overflowing
- Don’t leave bin bags outside
- Don’t feed the birds as it will also attract rats and mice
Check if your local council provides a pest control service. Those that don’t should still be able to provide you with some advice. You can find contact information for your local council in the Local Support section below.
Further advice:
Citizens advice on pests and vermin
Shelter provide information about who is responsible for dealing with an infestation in your rented home and what you can do about it.
The National Pest Technicians Association and the British Pest Control Association can provide details of local pest control services
Repairs
Shelter provides advice on housing, including problems with repairs.
Safety
The home is the most common place for young children to get injured. Children who live in rented, older or overcrowded homes are at higher risk of injury.
- Tips on safety in the home.
- Get a safe and well check from your from your local fire service. They provide advice to those at low risk of fire. They may offer a home visit to those at high risk. Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, Cleveland Fire Brigade and Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service.
- RoSPA provides lots of useful information e.g. about blind cords, falls, fires, poisoning, suffocating and choking, drowning, scalds and burns.
At risk of homelessness
Everybody should have a safe place to live. It is a basic human right. However, we know that there are thousands of children across the UK who do not have this. You don’t have to be living on the street to be considered homeless. Some families live in temporary accommodation, with friends or sofa surf whilst others live in fear of losing their home.
If you are homeless or at risk of homelessness:
- Speak to your local council as soon as possible. You can find contact information in the Local Support and Contact Details section below.
- If you are struggling to pay rent speak to your landlord or letting agent as soon as possible
- Speak to your social worker if you have one
- Make a list of people you trust who you could stay with if you had to
- Pack what you need e.g. warm clothes, phone charger, medication and I.D
If the council agrees that you are eligible then it must offer you accommodation. This is likely to be temporary accommodation. If you turn down an offer of temporary accommodation, the council may refuse to offer you anything else. In general it is best to accept it and challenge it later, unless you are at risk of harm there.
Where can I get help?
If you are in immediate danger, dial 999 and speak to the police.
Childline - if you are a child in need of help, call for free on 0800 1111.
Centrepoint - Advice and support for young people in England aged 16-25. Call free on 0808 800 0661 (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm).
Shelter - Support and advice if you are homeless, have nowhere to stay tonight, are worried about losing your home in the next 2 months or are at risk of harm. Call free on 0808 800 4444 (Monday-Friday, 8am-8pm and Saturday-Sunday 9am-5pm).
Citizens Advice - Get advice about housing, your homeless application and how to challenge the council’s homeless decision. Call the national advice line on 0800 144 8848.
Duty to refer
Some organisations such as hospitals and social workers have a duty to refer anyone who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless within the next 56 days.
Where should you seek help?
- If it is non-urgent, speak to your local pharmacist or health visitor.
- If your child has any of the above features, urgently see your GP. For an urgent out-of-hours GP appointment, call NHS 111.
- You should only call 999 or go to your nearest A&E department in critical or life threatening situations.
Pharmacists are experts in many aspects of healthcare and can offer advice on a wide range of long-term conditions and common illnesses such as coughs, colds and stomach upsets. You don’t need an appointment and many have private consultation areas, so they are a good first port of call. Your pharmacist will say if you need further medical attention.
Sound advice
- Visit a pharmacy if your child is ill, but does not need to see a GP.
- Remember that if your child's condition gets worse, you should seek further medical advice immediately.
- Help your child to understand - watch this video with them about going to the pharmacy.
For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?
Pharmacists are experts in many aspects of healthcare and can offer advice on a wide range of long-term conditions and common illnesses such as coughs, colds and stomach upsets. You don’t need an appointment and many have private consultation areas, so they are a good first port of call. Your pharmacist will say if you need further medical attention.
Sound advice
- Visit a pharmacy if your child is ill, but does not need to see a GP.
- Remember that if your child's condition gets worse, you should seek further medical advice immediately.
- Help your child to understand - watch this video with them about going to the pharmacy.
For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?
Health visitors are nurses or midwives who are passionate about promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing illness through the delivery of the Healthy Child Programme. They work with you through your pregnancy up until your child is ready to start school.
Health Visitors can also make referrals for you to other health professionals for example hearing or vision concerns or to the Community Paediatricians or to the child and adolescent mental health services.
Contact them by phoning your Health Visitor Team or local Children’s Centre.
Sound advice
Health visitors also provide advice, support and guidance in caring for your child, including:
- Breastfeeding, weaning and healthy eating
- Exercise, hygiene and safety
- Your child’s growth and development
- Emotional health and wellbeing, including postnatal depression
- Safety in the home
- Stopping smoking
- Contraception and sexual health
- Sleep and behaviour management (including temper tantrums!)
- Toilet training
- Minor illnesses
For more information watch the video: What does a health visitor do?
Health visitors are nurses or midwives who are passionate about promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing illness through the delivery of the Healthy Child Programme. They work with you through your pregnancy up until your child is ready to start school.
Health Visitors can also make referrals for you to other health professionals for example hearing or vision concerns or to the Community Paediatricians or to the child and adolescent mental health services.
Contact them by phoning your Health Visitor Team or local Children’s Centre.
Sound advice
Health visitors also provide advice, support and guidance in caring for your child, including:
- Breastfeeding, weaning and healthy eating
- Exercise, hygiene and safety
- Your child’s growth and development
- Emotional health and wellbeing, including postnatal depression
- Safety in the home
- Stopping smoking
- Contraception and sexual health
- Sleep and behaviour management (including temper tantrums!)
- Toilet training
- Minor illnesses
For more information watch the video: What does a health visitor do?
Midwives provide advice, care and support for women and their babies during pregnancy, labour and the early postnatal period. They provide health education and parenting advice until care is transferred to a health visitor. This usually happens when your baby is about 2 weeks old.
Sound Advice
A midwife is an expert in normal pregnancy and birth.
Midwives provide advice, care and support for women and their babies during pregnancy, labour and the early postnatal period. They provide health education and parenting advice until care is transferred to a health visitor. This usually happens when your baby is about 2 weeks old.
Sound Advice
A midwife is an expert in normal pregnancy and birth.
GPs assess, treat and manage a whole range of health problems. They also provide health education, give vaccinations and carry out simple surgical procedures. Your GP will arrange a referral to a hospital specialist should you need it.
Sound advice
You have a choice of service:
- Doctors/GPs can treat many illnesses that do not warrant a visit to A&E.
- Help your child to understand – watch this video with them about visiting the GP or going to a walk in centre
For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?
GPs assess, treat and manage a whole range of health problems. They also provide health education, give vaccinations and carry out simple surgical procedures. Your GP will arrange a referral to a hospital specialist should you need it.
Sound advice
You have a choice of service:
- Doctors/GPs can treat many illnesses that do not warrant a visit to A&E.
- Help your child to understand – watch this video with them about visiting the GP or going to a walk in centre
For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?
If you’re not sure which NHS service you need, call 111. An adviser will ask you questions to assess your symptoms and then give you the advice you need, or direct you straightaway to the best service for you in your area.
Sound advice
Use NHS 111 if you are unsure what to do next, have any questions about a condition or treatment or require information about local health services.
For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?
If you’re not sure which NHS service you need, call 111. An adviser will ask you questions to assess your symptoms and then give you the advice you need, or direct you straightaway to the best service for you in your area.
Sound advice
Use NHS 111 if you are unsure what to do next, have any questions about a condition or treatment or require information about local health services.
For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?
A&E departments provide vital care for life-threatening emergencies, such as loss of consciousness, suspected heart attacks, breathing difficulties, or severe bleeding that cannot be stopped. If you’re not sure it’s an emergency, call 111 for advice.
Sound advice
A&E departments provide vital care for life-threatening emergencies, such as loss of consciousness, suspected heart attacks, breathing difficulties, or severe bleeding that cannot be stopped. If you’re not sure it’s an emergency, call 111 for advice.
Sound advice
School nurses care for children and young people, aged 5-19, and their families, to ensure their health needs are supported within their school and community. They work closely with education staff and other agencies to support parents, carers and the children and young people, with physical and/or emotional health needs.
Contacting the School Nurse
Primary and secondary schools have an allocated school nurse – telephone your child’s school to ask for the contact details of your named school nurse.
There is also a specialist nurse who works with families who choose to educate their children at home.
Sound Advice
Before your child starts school your health visitor will meet with the school nursing team to transfer their care to the school nursing service. The school nursing team consists of a school nursing lead, specialist public health practitioners and school health staff nurses.
They all have a role in preventing disease and promoting health and wellbeing, by:-
- encouraging healthier lifestyles
- offering immunisations
- giving information, advice and support to children, young people and their families
- supporting children with complex health needs
Each member of the team has links with many other professionals who also work with children including community paediatricians, child and adolescent mental health teams, health visitors and speech and language therapists. The school health nursing service also forms part of the multi-agency services for children, young people and families where there are child protection or safeguarding issues.
School nurses care for children and young people, aged 5-19, and their families, to ensure their health needs are supported within their school and community. They work closely with education staff and other agencies to support parents, carers and the children and young people, with physical and/or emotional health needs.
Contacting the School Nurse
Primary and secondary schools have an allocated school nurse – telephone your child’s school to ask for the contact details of your named school nurse.
There is also a specialist nurse who works with families who choose to educate their children at home.
Sound Advice
Before your child starts school your health visitor will meet with the school nursing team to transfer their care to the school nursing service. The school nursing team consists of a school nursing lead, specialist public health practitioners and school health staff nurses.
They all have a role in preventing disease and promoting health and wellbeing, by:-
- encouraging healthier lifestyles
- offering immunisations
- giving information, advice and support to children, young people and their families
- supporting children with complex health needs
Each member of the team has links with many other professionals who also work with children including community paediatricians, child and adolescent mental health teams, health visitors and speech and language therapists. The school health nursing service also forms part of the multi-agency services for children, young people and families where there are child protection or safeguarding issues.
