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Child health and development

Children's development and mental health are affected by factors such as the environments they're raised in, the relationships they build and the experiences they have.

Child development refers to the physical, cognitive, emotional and social growth that occurs throughout a child's life. Children's mental health – their cognitive, behavioural and social wellbeing – is affected by this development, as well as other factors like trauma and abuse.

All aspects of children's health and development work together to form their overall wellbeing. Our resources will help you find out more about child health and development, spot and respond to signs of mental health issues and foster strong health and development in children.

Guidance and resources

Understanding child brain development

Gain an insight into how trauma such as abuse and neglect can affect a child's brain development and how to overcome adverse childhood experiences.

Attachment and child development

Explains the importance of child attachment, what issues can arise if caregivers aren't attuned to their child's needs and how you can support children and families.

Child mental health

Anyone can have mental health issues, including children and young people. Learn how to recognise the signs, respond to issues, take the right action and support children.

Sexual development and behaviour in children

Understand more about sexual behaviour in children and young people and what is developmentally typical for their ages. Includes a section on responding to inappropriate sexual behaviour.

Continence issues

Explains why some children experience issues with continence or incontinence, what schools and organisations can do to support them and when it might be an indicator of a safeguarding concern.

Trauma and child brain development training

Explore the science behind brain development through practical exercises, case studies, examples and more.

Mental health and wellbeing safeguarding in education training

Learn how to recognise mental health issues that may become safeguarding concerns and support children and young people in your school.

Look, Say, Sing, Play

Look, say, sing, play is a set of resources to help parents interact with their baby, boosting child development and setting up positive behaviour as their child grows.

Services for children and families

We work directly with children and families either in their homes or at our bases across the UK and Channel Islands. See our services

Services for children and families

We work directly with children and families either in their homes or at our bases across the UK and Channel Islands. See our services