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A toolkit for parents/carers through the Open University. A fantastic webpage with lots of information to help and support families

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Provides prevention and early intervention emotional well-being and mental health support for children

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Compass Changing Lives provides prevention and early intervention emotional wellbeing and mental health support to Children, Young People and Families across Derby & Derbyshire.

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Speech and Langauge service for children

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Childrens speech and language therapy in Derbyshire

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We support children with speech, language, communication or swallowing difficulties in Derby City and the southern half of Derbyshire.

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EBSA: Essential Guide for Parents | School Anxiety Support

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Information about Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA). What are the physical, emotional and behavioural signs? Understand the impact and pressure on families when children and young people have difficulties attending school. Learn how you can support your child and work with schools.

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Learn about Down's Syndrome

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This video, 'Chromosomes R Us', is a short film by actors who have Down's syndrome video explaining how Trisomy 21 occurs.

It was made by Shabang Inclusive Learning in collaboration with Mediapreview, Huddersfield. Down's syndrome (or Trisomy 21) is a naturally occurring chromosomal arrangement that has always been a part of the human condition, being universally present across racial, gender or socioeconomic lines in approximately 1 in 800 live births. Down's syndrome usually causes varying degrees of intellectual and physical disability and associated medical issues.

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About Down's Syndrome | Downs Syndrome Association

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This video, 'Chromosomes R Us', is a short film by actors who have Down's syndrome video explaining how Trisomy 21 occurs. It was made by Shabang Inclusive Learning in collaboration with Mediapreview, Huddersfield.

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Down’s syndrome is when you’re born with an extra chromosome.

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DLD - help for families

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Speech and Language UK: Changing young lives

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Skip to content

Watch our new video and share it to help us raise awareness of this lifelong condition. #2in30

Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is a lifelong condition affecting 2 children in every average classroom of 30 in the UK.

DLD is a diagnosis given by a speech and language therapist to people who have lifelong difficulties with talking and understanding words. These difficulties create barriers to communication or learning in everyday life and aren't due to another condition.

Lots of children have it, yet most people don't know about it.

Watch our new video and find out how you can help raise awareness below.

Are you an educator?

Learn more about how you can help children in your classroom by accessing our resources today.

Quick answers to your questions about DLD

Although it's common, DLD isn't very well-known. Here's some answers to questions that people sometimes ask us about DLD.

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Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) awareness - Speech and Language UK: Changing young lives

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Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) awareness - Speech and Language UK: Changing young lives

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A national programme supporting professionals and parents with training, resources and an approach to sharing learning

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The Early Years SEND Partnership brings together a significant amount of training, resources, support and an approach to sharing learning that was tried and tested in an earlier DfE-funded CDC project.

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Early Years SEND Derbyshire County Council

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Early Years SEND Derbyshire County Council

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EYSEN team of specialist support staff for Early Years

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Information for Parents and Carers

The Early Years Special Educational Needs Service (EYSEN) is a team of specialist support staff who work with pre-school children in early years settings (nurseries etc.) or at home. The earlier that a child's needs are identified, the earlier their needs can be met. This has been shown to improve long-term outcomes for children.

The EYSEN Service can support in a range of ways, including:

Advising on learning objectives and teaching strategies

Advising on appropriate resources and effective environments

Supporting families and signposting to other services

Taking referrals for specialist intervention

Advising on funding possibilities

Offering training

Support is available for parents and all professionals supporting a child with SEND. Professionals may include:

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) practitioners

health visitors

paediatricians

teachers

children's centre workers

speech and language therapists

For more information about the EYSEN Service, please visit:
Derbyshire Local Offer - Early Years Special Educational Needs Support Service (EYSENS)

Supporting children with medical conditions in schools and education settings

For information, please visit:
Derbyshire Local Offer - Supporting children with medical conditions in schools & education settings

Supporting emotional health and wellbeing

For information, please visit:
Derby and Derbyshire - Emotional Health and Wellbeing

Support for families and early help

For information about the Early Years services available, please visit:
Derbyshire Local Offer - Support for families and early help

Families Information Service

Derbyshire's Families Information Service (FIS) provides free, impartial information and guidance. It is for parents, carers, practitioners, children, and young people. The information covers a range of services, activities, and events available in Derbyshire.

You can contact FIS via:
Email: info.fis@derbyshire.gov.uk
Telephone: 01629 535793 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday)
Follow FIS on Facebook

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Early years special educational needs (SEN) - Derbyshire Local Offer

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Get support and advice from the Early Years SEN service for a range of subjects including teaching strategies, resources, referrals, funding and training.

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A website which offers information, support and advice for parents, carers, practictioners and professionals

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The local offer - Derbyshire County Council

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The local offer is an information, support and advice service for children and young people aged 0 to 25 with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND).

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A registered charity which is run by parent/carer volunteers with children/young people with SEND

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We are a registered charity which is run by parent/carer volunteers with children/young people with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities. We organise parent participation, providing the opportunity to talk about all the services they receive in Derbyshire.

Derbyshire Parent Carer Voice has been set up to help parents have a forum for change within Derbyshire services.

Parent Forums are making real changes to the way councils work with regard to parents, carers and children and young people.

You will find useful information on the Children's and Families Bill which was implemented in September 2014, and the Special Educational Needs and Disability Reforms. We will try to keep you updated on progress. See also the Useful websites and Local Information for Parents which contain useful links to organisation and Local training and events Derbyshire Parent Voice hear about.

Please have a look at the website, come along to a forum for a chat and a coffee or get in touch with your ideas, we are always looking for ways to improve and would love to hear from you.

Become a member, Membership is free and ensures you receive the Forums Newsletter and Event dates, as well as other information on consultations and changes. Please use the form below to indicate your preferences. Alternatively you can email info@derbyshireparentcarervoice.org or call 01629 533666. You can change your preferences at any time by email or telephone.

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Welcome to Derbyshire Parent Carer Voice We are a registered charity which is run by parent/carer volunteers with children/young people with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities. We organise parent participation, providing the opportunity to talk about all the services they receive in Derbyshire. Derbyshire Parent Carer Voice has been set up to help parents have a ...

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A service which offers impartial advice for SEND

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Derbyshire Information, Advice and Support Service (DIASS) provides independent information, advice and support to children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), as well as their parents and carers.

We aim to help parents and carers increase their involvement in the education of their children and ensure that they have access to information and advice about issues relating to a child or young person's health and social care.

The service is impartial, confidential, and works at arm's length from the local authority. Our advice is free and accessible to all parents of children with SEND. We also offer support for children and young people with SEND.

We can also support you with:

the law around SEND

health and social care in relation to special educational needs provision

personal budgets

education health care plans (EHCP)

information on the Local Offer (services and provision available for those with SEND)

transition post 16 - preparing for adulthood

resolving any disagreements

The Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND code of practice are intended to strengthen the participation of parents, children and young people.

Please note that the service is currently operating and support workers are available. Due to current COVID-19 (Coronavirus) restrictions we cannot offer face to face support. However parents, carers, children and young people can contact us through email and telephone.

Find out how Derbyshire's Local Authority are supporting vulnerable children, young people and families during the coronavirus outbreak.

The Council for Disabled children has some useful information about COVID 19 (Coronavirus) and schools.

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Welcome to the Derbyshire Information, Advice and Support Service for SEND

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Derbyshire Information, Advice and Support Service (DIASS) provides independent information, advice and support to children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), as well as their parents and carers.

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This animation discusses what it means to have ADHD

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NCMH (National Centre for Mental Health)

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A useful website about ADHD

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There is separate information about ADHD in adults.

Symptoms of ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)

Symptoms of ADHD usually start before the age of 12. They involve a person's ability to pay attention to things (being inattentive), having high energy levels (being hyperactive) and their ability to control their impulses (being impulsive).

A child or young person may show signs of being inattentive, such as:

being easily distracted

finding it hard to listen to what people are saying or to follow instructions

forgetting everyday tasks, like brushing their teeth or putting on socks

They may show signs of being hyperactive and impulsive, including:

having high energy levels

fidgeting or tapping their hands and feet

talking noisily

feeling restless, or getting up and moving around when they're supposed to sit still

finding it hard to wait their turn, or interrupting conversations

Most children and young people with ADHD have symptoms of both the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive type. Some only show signs of one type.

ADHD is thought to be recognised less often in girls than boys. This may be because girls with ADHD more commonly have inattentive symptoms and these can be harder to recognise.

Many children are easily distracted, impulsive and have high energy levels, particularly if they're under the age of 5. This does not mean they have ADHD. It could be a sign of something else, like being tired, anxious or stressed.

Getting help for ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)

If you're worried that ADHD may be affecting your child, talk to one of their teachers. An older child or teenager may choose to speak to a teacher themselves.

The teacher will usually make a referral to the school's special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO).

The SENCO can discuss support in the classroom or with homework, or help with building confidence and friendships.

If you're still worried or you think your child needs additional support, you may want to make an appointment with a GP.

At the GP appointment, the doctor will ask about the child or young person's symptoms and how these affect their life. They may consider other conditions that could cause these symptoms, such as autism, Tourette's or anxiety.

People with ADHD may often have other conditions too, such as depression, anxiety or addictions, or a learning difficulty such as dyslexia.

The GP or SENCO may recommend support groups or training for parents in your area.

Asking for an ADHD assessment

If support at home and at school is not helping your child, you may want to ask for an ADHD assessment. Speak to a GP or SENCO to request a referral for an ADHD assessment.

While waiting for a referral or assessment, the child or young person should continue to get support at home and in school. You can also contact your local council for advice, and to ask if there's a family hub in your area.

Family hubs support children and young people aged 0 to 19 (and up to 25 for people with special educational needs or a disability).

What happens at an ADHD assessment

The assessment will be with one or more ADHD specialists, such as a paediatrician, or a child and adolescent psychiatrist.

The specialist will talk with you and your child to find out more about any symptoms, and about family life. They'll also ask about your child's development, such as how old they were when they learned to do things like walking or reading.

There may be some forms to fill in before the appointment or as part of the assessment.

The ADHD specialist will usually contact a SENCO or teacher, or both, to see how your child is doing at school.

They may also ask your child to do a computer-based test to help assess their symptoms.

If your child is diagnosed with ADHD, the specialist will discuss what this means and what happens next, including what treatment and support may be available.

Waiting times for ADHD assessments

Waiting times vary and your child may have to wait several months or years for an ADHD assessment.

You may be able to find a clinic with shorter waiting lists through your GP using the Right to Choose scheme. Read about Right to Choose and your choices in the NHS.

You can ask for an NHS appointment at any clinic, including a private clinic, if it provides ADHD services for the NHS in England.

Find out more about diagnosis pathways for children on the ADHD UK website.

How to manage ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)

There are different ways to support a child or young person with ADHD, including lifestyle changes, changes at school and at home, or medicines.

It depends on their symptoms, and not every child needs help or support from a health professional.

Talk to a SENCO (special educational needs coordinator), or a school nurse where available, about changes that could help a child or young person.

Finding out more about ADHD can also help parents, children and young people better understand the condition.

If your child or teenager has been referred to an ADHD service, a specialist will be able to give you more information and advice about how to help them.

Lifestyle

There are things you can do to help support a child or young person with their ADHD symptoms.

Support at school and at home

Discuss with a SENCO what adjustments or support may help at home and school.

This may include:

splitting up tasks, like doing homework or sitting down to eat, into 15 to 20 minute slots with a break in between each slot

giving clear and simple instructions one at a time in a calm voice

writing a to-do list and putting it somewhere easy to see

giving praise when a child or young person does well, or making a reward chart

Medicine

ADHD medicines must be started and monitored by an ADHD specialist. This includes:

medicine to help with ADHD symptoms, such as methylphenidate

melatonin for problems sleeping, when other methods for improving sleep have not worked

Children and teenagers may need to try more than one medicine to find out what works for them.

A GP may be able to take over prescribing ADHD medicines, but only if there is a "shared care agreement" between the GP and the ADHD specialist. To find out more, talk to your ADHD specialist or GP. Not everyone with ADHD needs to or wants to take medicine.

Talking therapies

Talking therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) might be recommended to help a child or young person with ADHD with problem solving and expressing their feelings.

ADHD and mental health

People with ADHD may be more likely to have mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression.

They are also at higher risk of suicide.

If you're concerned about a child or young person, help and support is available right now if they need it. They do not have to struggle with difficult feelings alone.
Find out about mental health support for children and young people

What causes attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

The cause of ADHD is not always known. ADHD may be caused by genetic differences and often runs in families.

There are several other things linked to ADHD, including being born premature (before 37 weeks of pregnancy), having epilepsy, a brain injury or being autistic.

Some people with ADHD call themselves neurodivergent. Neurodiversity describes the range of different ways our brains work.

Help and support for ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)

If your child or teenager has ADHD, there are ways you can help them manage their symptoms with support from their school or a doctor.

There are ADHD support groups locally and online.

There are also a number of organisations and charities that offer information and support about ADHD.

ADHD UK

Information and support for anyone affected by ADHD.

ADHD Foundation

Information for anyone affected by a neurodivergent condition, including ADHD.

ADHD Adult UK

Information and peer support for parents of children with ADHD, and for adults with ADHD.

Young Minds

Mental health support for young people.

AADD-UK

Charity which lists support groups across the UK, including groups for adults, parents and carers.

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Find out about ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) in children and teenagers, the symptoms of ADHD, how to get a diagnosis and how to manage it.

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This webspage explains more about how health and social care professionals are delivering support. There are links to further agencies who maybe able to offer support and guidance

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Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

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I’m a parent/carer or young person :: Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

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This webspage explains more about how health and social care professionals are delivering support. There are links to further agencies who maybe able to offer support and guidance

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Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

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I’m a parent/carer or young person :: Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

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Christ Packham explores the lives of autistic people across the country

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Chris helps an autistic comedian reveal to her mum what's really going on inside her head and gives a non-speaking autistic man the chance to take his message to the world.

Since sharing his own autism diagnosis with the world, naturalist and presenter Chris Packham has been flooded with letters and emails from other autistic people, frustrated that their friends, families and co-workers don't understand them. And in this series, Chris wants to bridge the gap.

By teaming up with top film-makers, graphic designers, animators and musicians, Chris helps a group of autistic people create short films to reveal to their family and friends how they're truly feeling inside - what's really going on in their autistic minds.

He helps an autistic comedian reveal to her mum what's really going on inside her head, gives a non-speaking autistic man the chance to take his message to the world and visits the only state school in the country exclusively for autistic girls.

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BBC Two - Inside Our Autistic Minds, Series 1, Episode 1

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Chris helps an autistic comedian connect with her mum and a non-speaking man find a voice.

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Pablo is a young autistic boy who uses his magic crayons and imaginary friends to navigate everyday challenges

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Pablo

Pablo uses his magic crayons to turn his life challenges into fantastic adventures and his feelings into colourful characters with a voice - in the art of his imagination, just about anything can happen!

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Pablo uses his magic crayons to turn his life challenges into fantastic adventures and his feelings into colourful characters with a voice - in the art of his imagination, just about anything can happen!

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A website full of useful information, advice and support for families

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Emotional support for family members after a diagnosis

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Information about family member reactions to a persons autism diagnosis and how learning about autism and accessing support can help them navigate this time.

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The 'Young Minds' website offers practical advice on how to support someone who is struggling. They also offer advice over the phone and an online chat facility.

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YoungMinds | Mental Health Charity For Children And Young People

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YoungMinds are a mental health charity for children, young people and their parents, making sure all young people can get the mental health support they need.

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Dyslexia is a common learning difficulty that mainly causes problems with reading, writing and spelling.
It's a specific learning difficulty, which means it causes problems with certain abilities used for learning, such as reading and writing.

Unlike a learning disability, intelligence isn't affected.

It's estimated up to 1 in every 10 people in the UK has some degree of dyslexia.

Dyslexia is a lifelong problem that can present challenges on a daily basis, but support is available to improve reading and writing skills and help those with the problem be successful at school and work.

What are the signs of dyslexia?

Signs of dyslexia usually become apparent when a child starts school and begins to focus more on learning how to read and write.

A person with dyslexia may:

read and write very slowly

confuse the order of letters in words

be confused by letters that look similar and write letters the wrong way round (such as "b" and "d")

have poor or inconsistent spelling

understand information when told verbally, but have difficulty with information that's written down

find it hard to carry out a sequence of directions

struggle with planning and organisation

But people with dyslexia often have good skills in other areas, such as creative thinking and problem solving.

Read more about the symptoms of dyslexia.

Getting help

If you think your child may have dyslexia, the first step is to speak to their teacher or their school's special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) about your concerns.

They may be able to offer additional support to help your child if necessary.

If your child continues to have problems despite extra support, you or the school may want to consider requesting an in-depth assessment from a specialist in assessing specific learning difficulties (SpLD), an educational psychologist or a speech and language therapist.

This can be arranged through the school, or you can request a private assessment by contacting:

Adults who wish to be assessed for dyslexia should contact a local or national dyslexia association for advice.

Read more about how dyslexia is diagnosed.

Support for people with dyslexia

If your child has dyslexia, they'll probably need extra educational support from their school.

With appropriate support, there's usually no reason your child can't go to a mainstream school, although a small number of children may benefit from attending a specialist school.

Techniques and support that may help your child include:

occasional 1-to-1 teaching or lessons in a small group with a specialist teacher

phonics (a way of teaching children to identify and process the smaller sounds that make up words) combined with other techniques

technology like computers and speech-recognition software that may make it easier for your child to read and write when they're a bit older

Schools and colleges must offer support to students with a specific learning difficulty like dyslexia, and have access to specialist staff who are trained in helping students with special education needs.

Assistive technologies such as speech-recognition software, word processors and electronic organisers can be useful for adults, too.

Employers are required to make reasonable adjustments to the workplace to help people with dyslexia, such as allowing extra time for certain tasks.

Read more about how dyslexia is managed.

Support groups

As well as national dyslexia charities such as the British Dyslexia Association (BDA), there are several local dyslexia associations listed on the BDA website.

These are independently registered charities that run workshops and help to provide local support and access to information.

What causes dyslexia?

People with dyslexia find it difficult to recognise the different sounds that make up words and relate these to letters.

Dyslexia isn't related to a person's general level of intelligence. Children and adults of all intellectual abilities can be affected by dyslexia.

The exact cause of dyslexia is unknown, but it often appears to run in families.

It's thought certain genes inherited from your parents may act together in a way that affects how some parts of the brain develop during early life.

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Read about dyslexia, a common type of learning difficulty that can cause problems with reading, writing and spelling.

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Ten percent of the population are believed to be dyslexic, but it is still often poorly understood. With the right support, the strengths and talents of dyslexic people can really shine.

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Ten percent of the population are believed to be dyslexic, but it is still often poorly understood.