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Who are we?

The Index is the Vale of Glamorgan's voluntary register of children and young people with disabilities or additional needs.

It is funded by Welsh Government’s Families First Grant and administered by the Vale Family Information Service.

What do we do?

Our purpose is to provide families with information on local services, clubs and activities. We offer tips and guidance, signpost to relevant agencies and keep families up to date with any changes that may affect them.

Do you want more information?

Parents/Carers can sign up their child to The Index here

Email: familycompass@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

The Index Webpage

Facebook Page

Index Animation

Disclaimer

The information within this Padlet is by no means replacing the information on the Dewis Cymru directory and should be used in conjunction with the Childcare Information Wales and Dewis Cymru websites that complement each other.

The padlet has been compiled to help families find services that could support them. The listing of a service in this padlet does not imply that the Vale of Glamorgan Council endorse that service, nor does the absence of any service imply that we do not support it.

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The Welsh Government provide funding to local authorities to improve outcomes for children, young people and families

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Vale Early Help Advice Line

The Index

Families First Holiday Club

Vale Parenting Service

Sense Of Play Project

Team around the family

Young Carers Project

Youth Wellbeing

Primary Counselling referral via Vale Early Help Advice Line

Emoji's Project referral via Vale Early Help Advice Line

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An Unpaid Carer is someone who provides unpaid care to an adult or disabled child. The cared for person may be a family member or a friend, who due to long term illness, disability, a mental health problem, or an addiction, cannot manage without their support. 

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Services and Support for Unpaid Parent-Carers and Young Carers including training, support groups and wellbeing

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Services and Support for Unpaid Parent-Carers and Young Carers including training, support groups and wellbeing

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First port of call for unpaid carers living in The Vale of Glamorgan

The Vale Unpaid Carers Hub (TuVida)

Charities/Organisations dedicated to making life better for unpaid carers

Carers Wales

All Wales Forum

Carers Trust

Peer Support - support groups online/in person, events and online sessions

Different Abilities Support Group

Cardiff and Vale Parents Federation

InclusAbility - Events and Peer Support

Thrive

Family Lives - Peer Support Service

Carers Wales Me Time Sessions

Carers Wales Share and Learn

Online Resources

Parenting Give It Time (Birth to 13+ years old)

Subscribe to receive bulletins from the Vale of Glamorgan Carers Team

Courses

Vale of Glamorgan Parenting Programmes

E-PAtS - Early Positive Approaches to Support

Cardiff and Vale College Recovery and Wellbeing College - Summer Prospectus

Information

Parent Carer Assessment

Young Carer Assessment

Advice and Support for Young Carers

Cardiff and Vale Regional Partnership have committed to a set of actions to support unpaid carers across Cardiff and the Vale. These are explained within the Cardiff and Vale Unpaid Carers Charter

Dewis Cymru wellbeing directory - for additional services and support

Carers Right Day - 20 November

Young Carers Action Day - 16 March 2026

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Support for children with cognition and learning needs. In Wales generally, mainstream schools are needs led and not diagnosis led. That means a diagnosis by itself wouldn't change the interventions a school would be providing for a learner.

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Help with understanding the Education System in Wales 

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Help with understanding the Education System in Wales 

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Vale of Glamorgan Additional Learning Needs Webpages

Snap Cymru

The Index's Guide to Education for your Child with Additional Needs in the Vale of Glamorgan

The Index Q&A Video 'moving to the ALN System'

School In-Reach

Education Tribunal for Wales

Inspired Learners

Seirrah Therapies

Elective Home Education

Little Pebbles Education Support Group

Dewis Cymru wellbeing directory - for additional services and support

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For example: Learning, Behaviour, Socialisation, Communication and Speech difficulties to name a few

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Help with neurodivergent or neurological conditions                                                                     

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Help with neurodivergent or neurological conditions                                                                     

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Diagnosis not required

ND Community Connectors CIC

Neurodivergence Wales

AP Cymru

Contact Cymru

The ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Charity

Dyspraxia Foundation

Behaviour Support Hub

Neuro Development Pathway

Capa First Response

Diagnosis required

Restricted Growth Association

Angelmans Syndrome Trust

Cerebra

Earlybird and Earlybird Plus Parent and Teen Life Programme

Dewis Cymru wellbeing directory - for additional services and support

Neurodiversity Celebration Month - April

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Developing social skills, low self-esteem, self-confidence and resilience

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Help with Communication, Social Development and Emotional Wellbeing 

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Help with Communication, Social Development and Emotional Wellbeing 

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Diagnosis not required

Vale Early Help Advice Line (EHAL)

Activities directory for children with disabilities or additional needs

Speak to your child's education setting about Flourish Schools Programme or ELSA sessions at school

Families First Emoji's Project - referral through the Early Help Advice Line

Speech and Language Helpline

Y Girls Mentoring Programme for those 9-14 years old

Families First Primary Counselling for those under 10 years old (referral through Early Help Advice Line)

Barnardos Vale School and Community Based Counselling Service for those 10-19 years old

Inclusion Service

Youth Wellbeing Service for those 10-16 years old

Vale Youth Service for those 11-25 years old

Dewis Cymru wellbeing directory - for additional services and support

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Support with School Absence, Bullying and Advocacy

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Support with School Absence, Bullying and Advocacy

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Bullies Out - Anti-Bullying Training, Awareness and Support

Meic - free advocacy, information and advice helpline

Help with getting your child to go to school

Snap Cymru for advocacy, school attendance and bullying

Inclusion Service

Dewis Cymru wellbeing directory - for additional services and support

National Bullying Prevention Month - October

World Kindness Day - 13 November

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Diagnosis not required

Benefits

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) Disability Benefit

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Disability Benefit

Advicelink Cymru for help with completing benefit forms

Turn2us Benefits Calculator

Universal Credit Carers Element

Carers Allowance

Grants

Childcare Offer: additional support in funded childcare for 3-4 year olds

Family Fund

Turn2us Grants Search

Discounted Schemes / Free Carer

Carers Card

Hynt Card (Theatre)

CEA Card (Cinema)

Free holidays

Time Away

Short Breaks Services

Dewis Cymru wellbeing directory - for additional services and support

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Help with Regulation, Sensory and/or Physical needs

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Help with Regulation, Sensory and/or Physical needs

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Diagnosis not required

KeyCreate Family Playgroup

Rainbow Group

Rhyming Multi-Sensory Stories

Sense of Play 0-5 years

Caudwell Children Sensory Packs

Fidget toys (Search online)

The Intersensory Club Sensory Room, Barry

Tip: Ask a staff member when out at an attraction if they have a quiet space or sensory room

Dewis Cymru wellbeing directory - for additional services and support

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Training to help in understanding and management of Autistic Spectrum Condition

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Training to help in understanding and management of Autistic Spectrum Condition

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Diagnosis not required

E-PATS

Parenting Programmes

National Autistic Society Cymru

The Cardiff and Vale Integrated Autism Service (autism diagnosis pathway for over 18s)

Diagnosis Required

Early Bird, Early Bird Plus and Teenlife programmes

Cygnet Parenting Programme

Dewis Cymru wellbeing directory - for additional services and support

World Autism Awareness Day - 2 April 2026

Autism Awareness Month - April

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Support for young people with Visual Impairments

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Support for young people with Visual Impairments

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Vale of Glamorgan Visual Impairment Team

UCAN Productions

World Sight Day - Second Thursday of October

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Support for young people with Hearing Loss

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Support for young people with Hearing Loss

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Vale of Glamorgan Hearing Loss Team

Support group for families that meets monthly at Channel View Leisure centre in Grangetown. It is an activity-based format – sports, crafts, BSL – and the parents have a strong support network too. For further information and dates please contact Siobhan Darian (Siobhan@signschool.co.uk)

National Deaf Children’s Society

Wales Council of the Deaf

Glue Ear Together

Jodie Ounsley - Keep smashing it - book

Rose Ayling-Ellis: Old Hands, New Tricks

World Deaf Day - Last Sunday of September

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Help with the understanding and management of Down Syndrome

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Help with the understanding and management of Down Syndrome

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Diagnosis required

Seren Dwt

The Down's Syndrome Association

World Down Syndrome Day - 21 March 2026

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The Orange Wallet Scheme

Transport for Wales Orange Wallet Scheme

Transport for Wales Accessibility

Vale of Glamorgan Transport

Concessionary Travel

Blue Parking Badge Scheme