# data[].attributes.body
If you have a relative or friend with a learning disability and would like support and information, Hft’s free Family Carer Support Service can help.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What is the Family Carer Support Service?

Hft's Family Carer Support Service (FCSS) is a free information and support service for family carers with an autistic relative or a relative with a learning disability. To avail of our service, their relative must be aged 16 years or older and living in England.

How can the Family Carer Support Service help you?
We can help in the following ways:

Ongoing one-to-one support via telephone and email

Email and letter writing

Resources designed to simplify complicated topics

Bespoke workshops about subjects affecting family carers and their relative

Information and guidance with common topics

Supporting families to have better outcomes with social services/local council

Common topics include:

Adult social care

Carers' rights

Personal budgets, direct payments and care packages

Financial contributions and disability related expenditure

Transition from children's to adult services

The Mental Capacity Act

Lasting Power of Attorney, Deputyship, Appointeeship

Benefits

Planning for the future

If you are experiencing problems with any of the above, feel free to get in touch and we'll see if we can help. Take a look at the ways you can Contact Us.

Our Freephone line ( 0808 801 0448) is available between 9.30am - 4.00pm, Monday - Thursday.

Please leave a voicemail if we don't pick up, or send an email to familycarersupport@hft.org.uk. We aim to get back to you within seven to ten working days.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Hft's Family Carer Support Service (FCSS) is a free information and support service for family carers with an autistic relative or a relative with a learning disability. To avail of our service, their relative must be aged 16 years or older and living in England. How can the Family Carer Support Service help you?

# data[].attributes.body
Finding the right support for your child can be a life-changing experience for the whole family. Our neurodivergent child and young person mentoring service provides high-quality, personalised support at school, at home or via the web. With our help, your child will understand themselves, gain the skills to tackle challenges and become happy and more confident.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Parents - Key2Confidence - Autism/ADHD Mentoring and Support for children and young people

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Autism and ADHD mentoring for your child or teen. Tailored mentoring for as long as your child needs us.

# data[].attributes.body
Finding the right support for your child can be a life-changing experience for the whole family. Our neurodivergent child and young person mentoring service provides high-quality, personalised support at school, at home or via the web. With our help, your child will understand themselves, gain the skills to tackle challenges and become happy and more confident.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Parents - Key2Confidence - Autism/ADHD Mentoring and Support for children and young people

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Autism and ADHD mentoring for your child or teen. Tailored mentoring for as long as your child needs us.

# data[].attributes.headline
Hereford and Worcester Dyslexia Association

# data[].attributes.subject
Hereford and Worcester Dyslexia Association

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Hereford & Worcester Dyslexia Association

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Over 40 years helping dyslexic children catch up

Hereford and Worcester Dyslexia Association (HWDA) is a local charity which covers the two counties and aims to help by providing specialist teaching weekly in literacy, maths and study skills for children with dyslexia or dyslexic-type difficulties and/or dyscalculic-type difficulties. Our services are provided through specialist tuition centres ("workshops") in Bromsgrove, Hereford and Worcester. We offer advice and support to parents through three Parents Support Groups. We supply information to individuals who are interested in dyslexia.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Welcome to Hereford and Worcester Dyslexia Association - Hereford & Worcester Dyslexia Association

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Welcome to Hereford and Worcester Dyslexia Association Over 40 years helping dyslexic children catch up Hereford and Worcester Dyslexia Association (HWDA) is a local charity which covers the two counties and aims to help by providing specialist teaching weekly in literacy, maths and study skills for children with dyslexia or dyslexic-type difficulties and/or dyscalculic-type difficulties.

# data[].attributes.body
Nip in the Bud® works with mental health professionals to produce FREE short evidence-based films and fact sheets to help parents/ carers and adults working with children to recognise potential mental health conditions.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Learning about Children's Mental Health through Film

Nip in the Bud is regularly adding new FREE resources - short films and fact sheets - to raise mental health awareness among primary school staff, teacher trainees, anyone working with children, parents, carers and young people.

Early intervention is key, so the negative impacts of these conditions can be 'nipped in the bud' and so reduce the risk of them becoming entrenched. Our films cover Expert Information on different conditions, Real Life Experience, Emotional Wellbeing and Coping with the Aftermath of Covid.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learning about Children's Mental Health through Film Nip in the Bud is regularly adding new FREE resources - short films and fact sheets - to raise mental health awareness among primary school staff, teacher trainees, anyone working with children, parents, carers and young people.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Skip to content

Menu

"Over the next 50 days, we need to raise £500,000 to ensure we can keep our services running for years to come." Lucy Harmer, CEO

Find out more

How are you feeling today?

Get tailored advice and information

Run, walk, cycle, swim or even roller-skate 149 km in a month and pledge to raise £149 to support grieving people.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Grief can be overwhelming - you don't have to deal with it alone. Cruse Bereavement Support is here. Call our helpline or chat online.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The Dyspraxia Foundation defines dyspraxia as:
'Dyspraxia, a form of developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a common disorder affecting fine and/or gross motor coordination, in children and adults. While DCD is often regarded as an umbrella term to cover motor coordination difficulties, dyspraxia refers to those people who have additional problems planning, organising and carrying out movements in the right order in everyday situations. Dyspraxia can also affect articulation and speech, perception and thought.'
(Dyspraxia Foundation 2013)

Although dyspraxia may be diagnosed at any stage of life, increasing numbers of children are identified as having the condition.

Early recognition of dyspraxia will enable early intervention and practical steps to help your child to achieve their potential. Children whose dyspraxia is identified at an early stage are less likely to have problems with acceptance by their peers and with lowered self-esteem.

When children become teenagers their problems may change as social and organisational difficulties become more pressing.

The Dyspraxia Foundation can help and support you and your child through its services and publications.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Dyspraxia Foundation defines dyspraxia as: 'Dyspraxia, a form of developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a common disorder affecting fine and/or gross motor coordination, in children and adults. While DCD is often regarded as an umbrella term to cover motor coordination difficulties, dyspraxia refers to those people who have additional problems planning, organising and carrying out movements in the right order in everyday situations.

# data[].attributes.body
Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services in Worcestershire

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We provide mental health help to children, young people and their families across Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

# data[].attributes.body
A short video by SENDIASS about the family conversation that takes place when requesting an EHCP needs assessment

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
SENDIASS - simple explanation of what is meant by 'The Local Offer' in Worcestershire

# data[].attributes.headline
5 ways to support your child's mental health

# data[].attributes.subject
5 ways to support your child's mental health

# data[].attributes.body
BBC Bitesize

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
An easy way to understand wellbeing is to say it's 'feeling good and doing good'.

Here are five ways you can help children keep their wellbeing topped up - and your own, too.

For many, it's going to be harder to get outside and move around, but we still need to keep active. When we move our bodies, it has a positive effect on how our brain works, as the brain starts releasing chemicals that make us feel good.

* Host a home disco. Play the family's favourite dance songs and have a boogie for ten minutes.

* Watch BBC Super Movers videos. These short films can get the whole family moving (and learning). Learning routines (or just attempting them) means your child's brain and body (and yours!) are keeping active and engaged.

* Blow up a balloon. Once you've tied it, see how long you can keep it up in the air while passing it between you.

Having more time at home together may also put additional stress on family relationships so give everyone in the family a chance to refuel. It can be as simple as curling up on the sofa together and watching a film or some cartoons - and then chatting about your favourite bits.

Having these sorts of conversations can help to make the positive buzz of watching (and laughing) together last for longer. It'll also improve your child's ability to reflect on their experiences and talk about their preferences.

Stories are another great way to help children recharge as they lose themselves in wonderful fictional worlds. There are likely to be some old favourites they want you to read again, as they'll take comfort from hearing a familiar tale (for children, knowing how it ends is a good thing, not a spoiler alert!).

It's helpful for children (and adults) to have a healthy balance of emotions in a day. Fears and anxieties about the current situation may, at times, overpower our positive emotions unless we make a conscious effort to re-address this balance.

Here are a couple of ways you can help your child to achieve this balance:

* Make a 'Top Times' scrapbook. Help your child to create a scrapbook of memories, with printed out photos, drawn pictures, saved tickets and other bits and pieces stuck in to help them remember. These don't have to mark occasions; they can capture smaller moments of joy, like throwing a ball for a dog or seeing a rainbow.

Once you've built a collection of pages (and maybe several scrapbooks), you can enjoy looking through them together.

* Create a gratitude jar. Another way to take in the good stuff is to write down a little note when something's gone well and keep it in a jar or box. Younger children may prefer telling you what to write so you can record the experiences for them. As they get older, they may want to write their own notes.

You can encourage them by doing this alongside them. The great thing about a gratitude jar is you can revisit it on days when you need a little boost to remind everyone of the things you've been grateful for.

Building gratitude habits doesn't mean we diminish the struggles that children (and we) experience. It's really important to talk about these difficult moments too. But, having a time in the day when you focus on the positive can be useful in helping children to keep their thoughts balanced.

Having more time at home offers an opportunity to set some goals about new things you and your child want to learn. It could be something that helps encourage their independence when they return to school, like tying their own shoelaces or buttoning up their coat. Or it could be something that helps at home, such as how to put their clothes away or helping out with washing up. When children feel they're contributing to family 'work', it can enhance their sense of belonging. If your child is capable of doing things for themselves, give them as many opportunities as you can to practise these skills.

Whatever the learning goals, it can be helpful if children understand they can improve their skills and abilities. This is often referred to as a 'growth mindset' since it's about realising we all have the ability to change the way we think and do things. So, whether it's tying shoelaces, learning to spell, or even how to hop on one leg, the way adults talk to children about the learning will influence those children's beliefs.

Here are two ways to encourage your child to adopt a growth mindset:

* Add the word 'yet'. Changing the way you talk about intelligence and ability can help your child understand that learning is a process - our skills and traits aren't fixed from birth. When your child claims "I can't do this" (whether they're talking about a new hobby, homework, or anything else), say: "You can't do it yet".

Adding and emphasising this tiny word subtly reinforces the learning process and may help them to try again.

* Practise (and fail) with your child. Trying new things can be scary, but it's often less daunting when you do it with others. As a family, you might decide to try something new and celebrate your learning and your failures when it doesn't work (the first, second, or even the ninety-ninth time!).

Being able to support your child's wellbeing also involves taking care of yourself. As a starting point, try and eat nutritious healthy food; it's a great idea to turn cooking into an activity the whole family takes part in. Life can often feel very busy and parents give themselves a hard time about being unable to do everything perfectly. Remember, though, there are no 'perfect parents'.

We all get things wrong, we all have days when we struggle. And while it may be true that you might not have done everything 'perfectly', you've probably done more things to support your child's wellbeing than you realise. So, try and focus on what you're doing well - it's not you being boastful, it's actually really helpful for your child to do this. Children can learn a lot from hearing adults respond kindly to themselves when things don't work out - and then from seeing the grown-ups try again. Notice how you speak to yourself about your mistakes. If you can cultivate kindness towards yourself, your child is more likely to practise this when they get things wrong too.

It might also be useful to take a moment and think about the activities, people and places that help you to feel brighter and refuelled. Even if you can't do these things at the moment, perhaps there are new ways that you can connect with the things that matter to you, like chatting with friends on the phone instead of meeting up. No matter how busy you are, try and squeeze in a little time for yourself. It's likely to help you with the many joys and challenges that parenting can bring.

Dr Hazel Harrison is a Clinical Psychologist with a particular focus on mental health and wellbeing.

For further information check out the rest of Starting Primary School which has lots of ways to help prepare children for different aspects of school life - both practically and emotionally.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Five ways to support children's mental health

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Clinical psychologist, Hazel Harrison, suggests five ways you can support your child's mental health.

# data[].attributes.headline
Parent tips for talking about mental health

# data[].attributes.subject
Parent tips for talking about mental health

# data[].attributes.body
Anna Freud Centre

# data[].attributes.headline
Moving up! The transition to Secondary School

# data[].attributes.subject
Moving up! The transition to Secondary School

# data[].attributes.body
Anna Freud Centre

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Moving Up! The transition to secondary school (SUBTITLED)

# data[].attributes.headline
Preparing your child emotionally for Secondary School

# data[].attributes.subject
Preparing your child emotionally for Secondary School

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This film was recorded before the Covid-19 pandemic.
Parents share their concerns before their child starts secondary school, including forming new friendships, new routines, and being overprotective. The film offers tips that can help you and your child prepare emotionally for these changes.

Tips:

Get your child to make a list of things they like about themselves, making sure they identify the attributes behind those qualities

Don't let your worries become their worries

Don't let them feel unsafe because you are constantly talking about safety

Prepare them for all of the new and fun opportunities that they'll have by talking to them about clubs and activities and encourage them to explore what's available

Increase the independence that you give them over the summer holidays or even their last months at primary school so that the jump to secondary feels natural

Let them know that should they need you, you are there for them and will help them no matter what

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Tips that can help you and your child prepare emotionally.

# data[].attributes.body
BBC Bitesize

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Starting secondary school - BBC Parents' Toolkit - BBC Bitesize

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Advice for parents who have a child starting secondary school this year, with tips on the emotional and practical sides of the transition.

# data[].attributes.body
BBC Bitesize

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Home

News

Sport

Weather

iPlayer

Sounds

Bitesize

CBeebies

CBBC

Food

Home

News

Sport

Reel

Worklife

Travel

Future

Culture

TV

Weather

Sounds

Starting secondary school with Special Educational Needs (SEN)

This film was recorded before the Covid-19 pandemic.

As a parent or carer of a child with special educational needs, or a child with an educational health & care plan the very idea of moving from primary to secondary school can feel daunting. Here are 5 top tips from an experienced inner city secondary school special educational needs co-ordinator, SENDCo, to help.

1. Create a one page profile about your child noting the difficulties and barriers they face at their primary school, and the strategies that work and that don’t work. This will help the school understand the world of your child quickly, from the people who understand them best, you. Things to consider when pulling it together; what’s currently working well at primary school? Can these strategies be replicated at the secondary school? Situations for your child to avoid, and main concerns about secondary school?

2. Visit the school on a regular school day with, and without, your child. When there, ask as many questions as you like; the school is new to you so don’t feel anything is silly to ask. What do you see are the barriers when you walk around; take notes if you need to.

3. Request a multi-agency meeting that will bring all key adults and agencies connected to the support and care of your child together in one meeting. Any key adult involved with the child would attend this meeting; class teacher, TA, parents, educational psychologist, communication interaction team, speech & language therapist etc. Your current primary SENDCo will be able to co-ordinate this with their secondary school equivalent. Bring along the one page profile, multiple copies if possible, so that it can be shared with everyone, and questions following your visit to the school.

Sample questions to ask:

Where can my child go if they are struggling/anxious/having a meltdown?

What happens at break and lunch time when it is unstructured time?

How can my child get help with reading/spelling/maths/homework?

How will support in assessments work?

Will my child get a Teaching assistant?

4. Ensure you have a named contact at the secondary school and their contact details. This can be the form tutor, SENDCo or head of year. Ask the school which is the best way of contacting them.

5. Consider what needs to be shared with your child:

Transition plan - between the professionals. Lists of multiple individuals and agencies could be overwhelming for the child.

Transition booklet – a go-to guide for the child with named staff and photos of key adults and rooms that they can keep in their bag or locker.

Avoid making your child anxious by saying things like "I don't know how it works, I don't know who to ask". Hopefully with a named contact this shouldn't happen.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Starting secondary school with Special Educational Needs (SEN)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
SENDCo Trudi Skinner gives advice for parents of SEN children about to start secondary school.

# data[].attributes.body
BBC Bitesize

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Starting primary school - BBC Parents' Toolkit - BBC Bitesize

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Advice and games to help you and your child prepare for primary school, then thrive during their first year.

# data[].attributes.headline
Starting primary school - parent stories

# data[].attributes.subject
Starting primary school - parent stories

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
CBeebies

CBeebies iPlayer

Grown-ups

TV Guide

CBBC

Bitesize

Starting school: parents' stories

All Time for School
Time for School - Starting school: parents' stories

Real-life experiences, memories and advice from teachers, parents and CBeebies presenters about starting school.

Your child's first day at school can be really nerve-wracking for both you and your little one. Here at CBeebies Grown-ups we've collected some of our favourite articles about starting school. We asked some parents to share their own personal experiences with us and some of the CBeebies presenters joined in on the action too!

The teacher's story: starting school

Mum and early years teacher Susan tells CBeebies Grown-ups what it's like when you're a teacher and your own child is starting school...
Can you remember how you were feeling on the first day – what happened?
That’s the trickiest part of balancing being a teacher and being a mum – I wasn’t able to take time off work to be there... READ MORE

Parent's experience: starting nursery

Mum Emma talks to CBeebies Grown-ups about her experience of her daughter Fianna (aged two) starting at nursery…

Why did you choose the nursery that you did for your little girl?

My daughter Fianna originally went to a child minder from the age of twelve months, but just after her 2nd birthday my husband and I... READ MORE

Parent's experience: starting school

Mum Beate talks to CBeebies Grown-ups about her experience of her son Lucas starting Reception.

Can you tell us a little bit about you and your child?

Lucas is now six years old and about to start year 2. He has loved going to school, most of the time... READ MORE

Parent's experience: starting home education

Mum Alice talks to CBeebies Grown-ups about her experience of starting home education with her son...

Why did you choose to home educate?

After my son arrived our bond seemed so strong that I couldn’t think of sending him into day care, be that a nursery or a child minder... READ MORE

Parent's experience: starting school with special needs

Dad Chris talks to CBeebies Grown-ups about his experience of his daughter Harriet starting school…

Can you tell us a little bit about you and your children

Harriet is a twin who is diagnosed with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) and was born premature at 28 weeks... READ MORE

Starting school: Cerrie's memories

CBeebies presenter Cerrie shares her own memories of school and her experiences as a mum...

What do you remember about starting school?

I couldn't read until I was eight (when my dyslexia was finally diagnosed) so my I spent my first four years of primary school in a lovely imaginative daydream... READ MORE

Starting school: Cat, Andy and Katy's memories

We caught up with some of the CBeebies presenters to see what they remember about their first days at school… READ MORE

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Time for School - Starting school: parents’ stories

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Real-life experiences, memories and advice from teachers, parents and CBeebies presenters about starting school.

# data[].attributes.headline
How to prepare your child for starting school

# data[].attributes.subject
How to prepare your child for starting school

# data[].attributes.body
CBeebies for grown ups

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
CBeebies Grown-ups: Time For School: Tips for preparing your child for Reception

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Madeline explains what happened when her daughter Eleanor, who has Down’s Syndrome, started primary school.

# data[].attributes.body
Families in Partnership represent the Parent Carer voice for those with children who have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities ages 0-25 years in Worcestershire.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Here you can find out what is happening within our Local Families in Partnership Parent Carer Forum

# data[].attributes.body
FREE support for families including children

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Footsteps is a registered charity providing support for bereaved children, young people and their families in Worcestershire following the death of a parent, sibling or other significant person in their life.We guide and support bereaved children and young people, and help them manage their grief.

Footsteps provides a service totally free of charge to bereaved children and their families in Worcestershire.

Please feel free to download our brochure here for further information, or perhaps to pass to someone who may be able to benefit from our support.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Footsteps is a registered charity providing support for bereaved children, young people and their families in Worcestershire following the death of a parent, sibling or other significant person in their life.We guide and support bereaved children and young people, and help them manage their grief.

# data[].attributes.body
We cover who to talk to, where to go and provide lots of helpful advice all in one place.

# data[].attributes.body
Children and young people with ASD, including Asperger’s Syndrome and Autism, are likely to have particular difficulties with social interaction. They may also experience difficulties with language, communication and imagination, which can impact on how they relate to others.

# data[].attributes.body
This is the leading charity in the West Midlands for people on the autism spectrum.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Autism West Midlands | Supporting the Autistic Community

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We use our passion and expertise to enrich the lives of people on the autism spectrum and those who care for them.

# data[].attributes.body
Independent Provider of Special Education Advice (known as IPSEA) is a registered charity (number 327691) operating in England. IPSEA offers free and independent legally based information, advice and support to help get the right education for children and young people with all kinds of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
(IPSEA) Independent Provider of Special Education Advice

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Independent Provider of Special Education Advice (known as IPSEA) is a registered charity (number 327691) operating in England. IPSEA offers free and independent legally based to help get the right education for children and young people with all kinds of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Why families need IPSEA

By law, children with SEND are entitled to educational support that meets their individual needs. Since IPSEA was formed in 1983, we have helped to improve educational support for thousands of children with all kinds of SEND. We do this by providing free and independent legally-based information, advice and casework support.

Our unique range of services has been developed to ensure that families understand their children's legal rights and entitlements and that they are empowered to enforce those rights to secure the right education for their child.

How we help

IPSEA has a suite of free downloadable guides, resources and template letters available to parents and carers. These guides are complemented by a free Advice Line and Call-in Helpline which provide legally based information and next step advice on any educational issue that is a result of a child's SEND. IPSEA's Tribunal Helpline gives next step advice on appeals and disability discrimination claims to the SEND Tribunal and is also the gateway to our Tribunal Support Service where a referral can be made for more extensive casework support from a volunteer, including representation at the hearing. Our advice services are delivered by a national network of around 100 highly-trained volunteers, supervised and supported by IPSEA's Legal Team members.

IPSEA provides legal training for parents, school staff, parent carer forums, support groups and other organisations in order to increase their knowledge and understanding of the SEN legal framework. The proceeds raised from our training courses helps fund IPSEA's core services (Advice Line, Tribunal Helpline and Tribunal Support Service).

We also work to challenge unlawful SEND policy and influence policy development at both a local and national level. Our policy work is informed by information and evidence captured through our training and advice services, and has been instrumental in shaping law and policy in the field of special educational needs and disability.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Independent Provider of Special Education Advice (known as IPSEA) is a registered charity (number 327691) operating in England. IPSEA offers free and independent legally based information, advice and support to help get the right education for children and young people with all kinds of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

# data[].attributes.body
A comprehensive alphabetical list of support and advice for families of children with SEND

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
ADHD

Advice and support

National:

Action For Children

Action for Children protect and support children and young people, provide practical and emotional care and support, ensure their voices are heard, and campaign to bring lasting improvements to their lives.

Changing our Lives

Changing Our Lives is a rights-based organisation. We work alongside disabled people and people experiencing mental health difficulties, of all ages, to find solutions to social injustice and health inequality.

Contact

We are Contact, the charity for families with disabled children. We support families with the best possible guidance and information. We bring families together to support each other. And we help families to campaign, volunteer and fundraise to improve life for themselves and others.

Dimensions

We support people with learning disabilities and autism to have a louder voice, choice and control in their lives.

Disability Rights UK

We are disabled people leading change, working for equal participation for all. With a focus on independent living and career opportunities.

Family Fund

Family Fund is the UK's largest charity providing grants for families raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people.

Homestart

Home-Start is a local community network of trained volunteers and expert support helping families with young children through their challenging times. Home-start works with families in communities right across the UK.

Include Me Too

We provide a range of support including peer support, befriending services, activities and holiday clubs for disabled children, outreach and information and advice to families.

In Control

We are a national charity working for an inclusive society where everyone has the support they need to live a good life and make a valued contribution.

Information, Advice and Support Services Network (IASSN)

We do not provide direct advice or support to children, young people and parents. However, we can help you find your local IAS service or you can have look at our resources section for other sources of support.

IPSEA

Independent Provider of Special Education Advice (known as IPSEA) is a registered charity (number 327691) operating in England. IPSEA offers free and independent legally based information, advice and support to help get the right education for children and young people with all kinds of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). We also provide training on the SEND legal framework to parents and carers, professionals and other organisations.

Kids

Providing a wide range of support services to disabled children, young people and their families. We support children with any disability from birth to 25 years of age. We offer our support to the whole family with the aim of giving disabled children a brighter future.

Learning Disabilities

We look at how to change things that are not going well for people with learning disabilities and suggest ways to make them better.

Scope

We're Scope, the disability equality charity in England and Wales. We provide practical information and emotional support when it's most needed and campaign relentlessly to create a fairer society.

Scope Online Community

Our online disability forum is a vibrant and supportive space for disabled people, parents and carers to get disability advice and information, and talk to people with similar experiences.

Skybadger

Sky Badger is a charity that finds help and adventure for disabled children and their families all over the UK. We do this by building bridges between disabled children and the charities and services available to help. We find everything from disabled sports clubs to sibling groups to 'make a wish' charities and tell families about them through our website, social media platforms, videos, information packs and helpdesk.

SOS SEN

We offer a free, friendly, independent and confidential telephone helpline for parents and others looking for information and advice on Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND).

Syndromes Without a Name (SWAN)

Supporting families affected by a syndrome without a name.

Together For Short Lives

A charity for seriously ill children and their families. We offer confidential emotional support and information on a range of issues and provide easily digestible information about available support so families can spend less time searching for help and have more time together. And we connect families with support services and other families who understand what they are going through, so they don't feel as alone.

Wellchild

Providing practical and emotional support to seriously ill children, young people and their families, enabling them to leave hospital quicker and live life in their own homes.

Local:

Aspire

Website: Aspire Living

Disability Information Advice Line (DIAL) Worcestershire

DIAL South Worcestershire is an independent, free, impartial and confidential information, advice and welfare benefit service for disabled people, their families, carers, friends and relevant professionals.

Echo Herefordshire

ECHO is proud to be a leading provider of services for people with disabilities living in Herefordshire. Day opportunities, leisure and social

Hansel and Gretel

The Hansel and Gretel Support Group is a registered charity providing mutual support and friendship to disabled and special needs children and their families in the Wyre Forest area of Worcestershire (Kidderminster, Bewdley, Stourport and surrounding communities). We provide the opportunity for families to meet together and share ideas and experiences, build friendships and overcome isolation.

Hereford Disability United

Herefordshire Disability United (HDU) is run by people with disabilities, for people with disabilities. It's committee come from a broad variety of backgrounds with a wide range of experiences and skills, intent on improving life within the county. Herefordshire Disability United is a voice for disabled people.

Malvern special families

Providing safe and fun social opportunities for children and young people with disabilities.

Onside Advocacy

A charity working across Worcestershire and Herefordshire providing a range of support and services for adults who may be vulnerable, disadvantaged or discriminated against.

Parents Voice

Parents' Voice is a group of parents who want to keep parents in Worcestershire informed, up to date and to be their voice. We want to share information to help parents be parents, whatever the age of their children.

SpeakEasy NOW

SpeakEasy NOW is a self-advocacy charity run by people with learning disabilities for people with learning disabilities, across Worcestershire. Self-advocacy means speaking up about things that are important. They help other people with learning disabilities to speak up too.

What Makes You Different Makes You Beautiful

What Makes You Different Makes You Beautiful is a special needs support network that provides a support service for families with special needs.

Additional Needs stay and play group, Worcester
Buttercup children's centre Fridays 10-11am term time

DANG- Droitwich additional needs
Wands children's centre, 2nd Thursday of every month 9-11am

PANS- Pershore Additional Needs
Blossom Vale children's centre, 2nd Friday of every month 9.30-11.30
SEN PEEP playgroup- Thursdays 1-2pm term time

SANS- sunshine additional needs, Malvern
Sunshine children's centre 1st Tuesday of every month 12.30- 1.30pm

Arthritis

Asthma

Autistic Spectrum Conditions

National

Ambitious about Autism

Ambitious about Autism is the national charity for children and young people with autism. We provide services, raise awareness and understanding, and campaign for change.

Asperger Foundation UK (ASF)

The Asperger's Syndrome Foundation is committed to promoting awareness and understanding of Asperger's Syndrome. The Foundation aims to promote high quality support and services

Autism Awareness

Autism Awareness is a global community interested in learning and understanding more about autism.

Autism Education Trust

The AET is a not for profit programme led by two national autism charities - the National Autistic Society and Ambitious about Autism. Established and supported by the Department for Education, the AET promotes and supports partnerships throughout the education system to improve educational access, experience and outcomes for children and young people with autism.

Autism links

There's lots of support and advice out there to help you make sense of the world of autism. Charities, support groups, and specialist service providers, are all ready to share advice and experience whenever you need it. Autismlinks is dedicated to making those helpful and sometimes vital links, it covers who to talk to, where to go and contains lots of helpful advice all in one place.

Autism Spectrum Database-UK (ASD-UK)

Autism Spectrum Database UK (ASD-UK) powers autism research in the UK. All families of children on the autism spectrum can join the national database to take part in research.

Autistica

An autism research charity funding and promoting groundbreaking medical research, improving understanding of autism and advancing new therapies and interventions

Caudwell Children's Autism Service

The Caudwell International Children's Centre is dedicated to multidisciplinary autism diagnosis, support and research.

Research Autism

This website is aimed at anyone with an interest in autism. This includes people on the autism spectrum, parents and carers, service providers and policy makers. This website provides up-to-date, scientifically reliable information about autism. It provides information about some of the issues, problems and challenges facing individuals on the autism spectrum. It also provides information about a wide range of treatments, therapies and services used to help them.

The National Autistic Society

NAS provide specialist help, information and care for children, adults and families with autism.

The National Autistic Society Parent To Parent Support Service

Our volunteers have personal experience of autism and the impact it has on their own families. They can give other parents the opportunity to talk through problems and feelings.

United Response Autism support

United Response support many people who are on the autistic spectrum.

Local

ASPIE

ASPIE is a social self-help and motivation group for adults and young people with Asperger's Syndrome (Aspies). We provide a centre in Worcester where Aspies feel welcome and accepted.

Autism West Midlands

We are the leading charity in the West Midlands for autistic people. We use our passion and expertise to enrich the lives of people on the autism spectrum and those who love and care for them.

National Autistic Society - Hereford

The Herefordshire Branch of the National Autistic Society hopes to provide support to individuals of all ages with autism, their immediate families and carers, and to help campaign for better local services for those living with autism in Herefordshire.

Spectrum Project Your Ideas

The Spectrum Project offers support for children and young adults with high functioning Autism. We run three weekly social clubs: Spectrum Yellow ages 5-9, Spectrum Orange 10-13, Spectrum Red 14-21+

B

Behaviour
Family Lives
People contact us about all aspects of family life that include all stages of a child's development, issues with schools and parenting/relationship support. We also respond when life becomes more complicated and provide support around family breakdown, aggression in the home, bullying, teenage risky behaviour and mental health concerns of both parents and their children.

Bereavement Counselling

National

Local
Phoenix Bereavement
Phoenix Bereavement Support Services is unique in Herefordshire and is one of very few specialist bereavement support services across the country.
Hope Support
Supports children and young people when someone they love is seriously ill.

Brain Conditions

Bladder and Bowel problems

Brittle Bones

Bullying

C

Carers

National

Local

Carers Trust for all

CarerLinks offers emotional and practical support to unpaid carers, helping them to protect their health and wellbeing and cope with their caring role.

Cleft Lip & Palate

Communication
Afasic
Afasic is a parent-led organisation to help children and young people with speech and language impairments and their families. We provide information and training for parents - and professionals - and produce a range of publications. Members meet in local groups in many areas of the UK.
Communication Matters
Communication matters is a UK wide organisation that supports people of all ages who find it hard to communicate because they have little or no clear speech.
I Can
We want a world where all children have the communication skills they need to fulfil their potential.

Cystic Fibrosis

D

Diabetes

Disabilities

National

Local

Down's Syndrome

Dyslexia

National

Local
Worcester dyslexia parent group H&W Dyslexia Association
Hereford and Worcester Dyslexia Association (HWDA) is a local charity which covers the two counties and aims to help by: providing specialist teaching in literacy, maths and study skills for children with dyslexia or dyslexic-type difficulties and/or dyscalculic-type difficulties through its specialist tuition centres.

Dyspraxia

National

Local

E

Early Years

National

Local

Education

National

Local

SEND Services

Call the SEND Services Helpline on 01905 845579
Email SEND Services on SEN@worcschildrenfirst.org.uk

Write to SEND Services:
The administrative officer
Inclusion and Assessment SEND Services
Worcester Children First
Worcestershire County Council
County Hall
Spetchley Road
Worcester
WR5 2NP

Herefordshire SEND team

Tel: 01432 260178
Email: senteam@herefordshire.gov.uk

Exams

F

Financial Advice

National

Information on benefits and financial help including a benefits calculator.

Family Fund

If you're raising a disabled or seriously ill child or young person you might be eligible for a grant from family fund.

Website: Family Fund

Working families

Working Families is the UK's work-life balance charity. We help working parents and carers-and their employers-find better balance between responsibilities at home and in the workplace.

Website: Working families

Local

Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

Fragile X Syndrome

H

Health

Local

Hearing

National

Local

Heart conditions

Holiday activities

L

Learning Disability

Legislation and Children

LGBT

Local

Website: Out2gether
Website: Out2gether Youth
Website: Newroad Parents
Website: Youth Hub Bromsgrove- LGBT+ Tuesdays

M

Mental Health

National

Local
Hereford Mind
We provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. We campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding. We won't give up until everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets support and respect.

The Hereford Bipolar UK Support Group belongs to the national network of local groups run by Bipolar UK. We are a peer support group offering one another support as we talk about Bipolar and our own unique experiences with the illness. The group is open to all individuals affected by Bipolar, including those with a diagnosis, those pre-diagnosis, their family members, friends and carers. Sometimes we invite speakers to the group, in the past we have had a pharmacist, Healthy Lifestyles getting us cooking and various therapists. At the moment we are a very small group and you will find us very friendly and welcoming.
Strong Young Minds Herefordshire
Strong Young Minds is a Big Lottery funded project designed to improve the mental health & wellbeing of young people in Herefordshire. The SYM Project is for young people (10 - 24 yrs) who are disenfranchised, distressed, unemployed, at risk of social isolation, poor achievement & ill health, due to poor mental health and wellbeing.

P

Parent Carer Forum

A parent carer forum is a group of parents and carers of children with additional needs or disabilities. The aim of parent carer forums is to make sure that the services in their local area meet the needs of children with additional needs or disabilities and their families.

Play and Recreation

National

Local
Riding for the disabled Hereford
Riding and horse care sessions aim to improve mobility while providing mental and physical stimulation with the opportunity to open up new horizons.

S

Short Breaks

National

Local
Marches Family Network
Providing inclusive activities, services and short breaks for children and young people with disabilities in Herefordshire.

Single Parent Families

Siblings

T

Therapy

National

Local
Megan Baker House
Megan Baker House (MBH) provides conductive education sessions for children and adults with motor disorders such as Cerebral Palsy, Dyspraxia, Parkinson's disease, stroke and Acquired brain injury. Through conductive education participants learn how to manage and deal with the difficulties caused by their condition to enable them to lead a more independent life.

Website: Megan Baker House

Tourette's Syndrome

Training for parents

Transport

National

Local

U

Undiagnosed Conditions

V

Vision

National

Local

Y

Young Carers
Herefordshire Young carers
Herefordshire Carers Support has an established programme to support young carers through activities just for them, run by Susan Brace. This year and for two more years it is funded by the BBC Children in Need charity.

Young People

National:

Local

No Wrong Door

NWD offers access to information, support and guidance from a range of agencies in a variety of areas.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
SENDIASS Worcestershire and Herefordshire 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Support A-Z Information - SENDIASS Worcestershire and Herefordshire

# data[].attributes.body
The Dyslexia Association provides advice and assistance to families to raise awareness of the condition within the wider community.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What is Dyslexia? - The Dyslexia Association

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Dyslexia is a learning difficulty that primarily affects the skills involved in accurate and fluent word reading and spelling. Characteristic features of dyslexia are difficulties in phonological awareness, verbal memory and verbal processing speed. Dyslexia occurs across the range of intellectual abilities. It is best thought of as a continuum, not a distinct category, and there are no clear cut-off points. Co-occurring difficulties may be seen in aspects of language, motor coordination, mental calculation, concentration and personal organisation, but these are not, by themselves, markers of dyslexia. A good indication of the severity and persistence of dyslexic difficulties can be gained by examining how the individual responds or has responded to well-founded intervention.

# data[].attributes.body
Developmental Dyscalculia is one of a family of specific learning difficulties

Information

# data[].attributes.body
Advice and support

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Dyscalculia is a specific and persistent difficulty in understanding numbers which can lead to a diverse range of difficulties with mathematics. It will be unexpected in relation to age, level of education and experience and occurs across all ages and abilities.

Mathematics difficulties are best thought of as a continuum, not a distinct category, and they have many causal factors. Dyscalculia falls at one end of the spectrum and will be distinguishable from other maths issues due to the severity of difficulties with number sense, including subitising, symbolic and non-symbolic magnitude comparison, and ordering. It can occur singly but often co-occurs with other specific learning difficulties, mathematics anxiety and medical conditions.

(BDA Definition)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Dyscalculia - British Dyslexia Association

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
What is Dyscalculia? Dyscalculia is a specific and persistent difficulty in understanding numbers which can lead to a diverse range of difficulties with...

# data[].attributes.body
We support families, parents, children and young people across Worcestershire to lead happy, healthy and fulfilled lives.

# data[].attributes.body
Including telephone advice line for parents

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
COVID 19 (CORONAVIRUS) - UPDATE FROM THE PAEDIATRIC PHYSIOTHERAPY, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY AND SPECIALIST PLAY TEAM IN WORCESTERSHIRE We would like to thank you for your patience and support during the Covid-19 pandemic. We continue to work together with our Health, Education and Social Care colleagues recovering services whilst ensuring that patients and staff remain safe and secure.

# data[].attributes.headline
Worcestershire Parents and Carers' Community

# data[].attributes.subject
Worcestershire Parents and Carers' Community

# data[].attributes.body
The Worcestershire Parent and Carers' Community (WPCC) is a local charity that supports families across the county, all of whom have a child with a disability or an additional need.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The Worcestershire Parent and Carers' Community (WPCC) is a local charity that supports families across the county, all of whom have a child with a disability or an additional need.

The WPCC's main aim is to bring families out of isolation, ensuring that families who have a child with additional needs are able to enjoy quality time together within their community, with other families.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Worcestershire Parent and Carers' Community (WPCC) is a local charity that supports families across the county, all of whom have a child with a disability or an additional need. The WPCC's main aim is to bring families out of isolation, ensuring that families who have a child with additional needs are able to enjoy quality time together within their community, with other families.

# data[].attributes.body
Top tips, expert advice and fun activities to help you support your child's wellbeing and learning in a changing world. Parents, we've got you.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Top tips, expert advice and fun activities to help you support your child's wellbeing and learning in a changing world. Parents, we've got you.

# data[].attributes.body
Mental Health advice for supporting your child/ teenager and their mental health.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Are you a parent or carer who is concerned about the mental health of your child or teenager? Do you just want some hints and tips on parenting? MindEd for Families has advice and information from trusted experts and will help you to understand what problems occur, what you can do to best support your family, and how to take care of yourself. MindEd for Families is written by a team of specialists and parents, working together. You do not need to register to use these resources.

# data[].attributes.body
World leading mental health charity for children

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
We're a pioneering mental health charity transforming care for children and young people through science, collaboration and clinical innovation.

We focus on discovery, delivering compassionate support, and sharing our knowledge widely.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We work with professionals to improve the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people. Learn about our training, services, research and more.

# data[].attributes.headline
NHS Worcester Paediatric Occupational Therapy services

# data[].attributes.subject
NHS Worcester Paediatric Occupational Therapy services

# data[].attributes.body
Including telephone helpline for parents

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Our service operates as two teams; South and North. South will take referrals for South Worcestershire and North will take referrals for Wyre Forest, Redditch & Bromsgrove. Please note North referrals should be sent to the Redditch & Bromsgrove base. The Paediatric Occupational Therapy department support children and young people from birth to eighteen.

# data[].attributes.body
Worcestershire support for adults and children

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Help for Children, Young People and Families - Bereavement Support South Worcestershire

# data[].attributes.body
Support for families

# data[].attributes.body
Timescales when applying for a needs assessment

# data[].attributes.body
This is your short cut to finding therapeutic activities to enhance
your child's school occupational therapy program.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Every parent knows how challenging it can be when the baby is growing, especially in the first few years. It's an age where children are exploring their independence, pushing boundaries, and learning more about the world around them. While this is an essential phase for their growth, it often leads to moments of defiance that ... Read more

As a parent, I'll never forget the day when my four-year-old managed to scale our kitchen counters, raid the cookie jar, and create an art masterpiece on the living room wall, all while I was on a brief 10-minute phone call. That's the unmatched energy of children for you! While I sometimes wish I had ... Read more

Back when I was juggling a full-time job, night classes, and personal commitments, I often found myself running on empty. Every morning, despite having my day planned to the minute, I would wonder why my energy levels were consistently low. I initially chalked it up to just being "busy." It wasn't until a particularly draining ... Read more

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Every parent knows how challenging it can be when the baby is growing, especially in the first few years. It's an age where children are exploring their independence, pushing boundaries, and learning more about the world around them. While this is an essential phase for their growth, it often leads to moments of defiance that ...

# data[].attributes.body
An easy to follow explanation

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What is an Education, Health and Social Care (EHC) plan? (updated 2019)

# data[].attributes.body
A short summary

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What is an Education, Health and Care plan?

In the past, children and young people who needed extra help with learning had Statements and Learning Difficulty Assessments.

This has changed. Now they will have Education, Health and Care plans instead. Sometimes these are called EHC plans.

The plan will use information from your EHC Needs Assessment to say what you want to achieve and what support must be provided to help you.

What is in the plan?

Everyone will have a different plan because it is all about YOU. We are all different.

It will have information like:

Who you are

How you communicate

What you want to achieve

Why you need help with things

What kind and amount of support you need, and how often you must get it

Where you go to school or college (if you do)

Once this support is written down in the plan, it must be given to you.

All the people that support you will be able to see your plan. It should help them work together to support you

You have the right to say what kind of information you think should be in your plan and who you want to see it.

Who gets a plan?

If you are aged 25 years or under and you need extra help with learning, then you might get a plan to help you get more support.

EHC plans will carry on until you are 25 years old. They will stop if:

You go to University

You get a job

The local authority think you do not need it anymore

You can tell the local authority what you think about your plan and they must listen to you.

The local authority is sometimes called 'the council'. They might say that you do not need an EHC plan anymore if there are big changes that mean you no longer need the support in the plan. They will tell you first.

If you do not agree then you can say so. You can ask your local Information, Advice and Support Service for help.

Will someone help me to get a plan?

Information, Advice and Support Services can help if you have any questions about EHC plans or EHC needs assessments.

To find out more about EHC plans, watch this video

Contact us

Contact SENDIASS to talk to one of our advisers
Please ensure that you contact the office of the county in which you live.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
SENDIASS Worcestershire and Herefordshire 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
SENDIASS Worcestershire and Herefordshire - Homepage

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In the past, children and young people who needed extra help with learning had Statements and Learning Difficulty Assessments. This has changed. Now they will have Education, Health and Care plans instead. Sometimes these are called EHC plans.

# data[].attributes.body
An explanation of EHCP's

# data[].attributes.body
Our vision

Families should have access to active support and understanding.

Our mission

We build better family lives together.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
About us

Family Lives was formed over forty years ago by volunteers, with the aim of ensuring that all parents had somewhere to turn before they reached crisis point. We know that the right support at the right time makes all the difference.

Family Lives provides targeted early intervention and crisis support to families who are struggling. The issues we support families with include family breakdown, challenging relationships and behaviour, debt, and emotional and mental wellbeing.

We know the difference being able to access appropriate, timely support can make to families in crisis, knowing there is someone at the end of the phone who will listen to them. And we know the longer term impact of early intervention with families, such as through the ParentChild+ programme, which supports the home-learning environment, and our family befriending programmes.

The expertise of our staff and volunteers is at the heart of everything we do, and we work together with them to support families through our range of services. We have always been a volunteer-led organisation and we simply could not do it without our 300+ volunteers, who work alongside our dedicated staff team. Many of our volunteers began their relationship with us as service users but have stayed to support others on their journey – a testament to the support they themselves received.

Our crisis support, provided for over 40 years through our helpline, has always been at the heart of what we do. Over the last year, demand has continued to outstrip our ability to help as many families as we want to. We have built up long-standing programmes in the areas we work in across England, providing support to thousands of families through our befriending services.

You can read more about our work in our Annual Report.

Our vision, mission and values

Our vision: Families should have access to active support and understanding.

Our mission: We build better family lives together.

Our values: We value being compassionate, collaborative and trustworthy

You can read more about our aims for the future in our Strategic Plan.

History of Family Lives

Family Lives was formally registered as a charity in 1999, and operated under the name of Parentline Plus. The charity's original formation as Parentline was founded in response to the tragic child abuse case of Maria Colwell in 1973, who was killed by her step-father. The parents that founded Parentline believed that there needed to be a dedicated organisation supporting parents, before they reached crisis point which could result in abuse. A merger in 1999 between the National Stepfamilies Association, Parentline and Parent Network built on the collective experience of these three charities, to provide a range of national and local services to support parents and families across the country.

Parentline Plus reverted back to its registered name of Family Lives in 2011. We still have senior members of staff from all three organisations working at Family Lives. Family Lives has also merged with two small organisations, Bullying UK and TeenBoundaries in 2010 and 2011 respectively, to further the expertise and reach of the organisation. In addition a merger with the respected Parenting UK occurred in November 2012, enhancing our work with professionals and practitioners in the parenting field. In 2014, Action for Prisoners' Families became part of Family Lives, working to support all those who work with families of offenders and prisoners. Currently Family Lives employs 186 staff and 236 volunteers across our central and local offices.

Our commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion

Words are easy, actions much harder, but Family Lives wants to be clear that discrimination of any kind for any reason is an affront to our values and beliefs. We recognise that many of our colleagues, service users and friends within the wider community experience disadvantage and discrimination, and acknowledge that we all have a part to play to bring about systemic change. We will continue to work together to ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion are not simply three words but are experiences shared by all - and we are committed to the personal, organisational and community work that must take place to make this happen.

Also in this section
Explore all (9)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Family Lives - Our vision and mission | Family Lives

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Family Lives supports families to help them make happier relationships, happier families and a stronger society.

# data[].attributes.body
We’re the UK’s leading charity fighting for children and young people's mental health.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
YoungMinds | Mental Health Charity For Children And Young People

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
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.

# data[].attributes.body
Parents and carers play an important role in teaching children and young people how to understand and manage their feelings as they grow up.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to support your child’s mental health – Place2Be

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Place2Be works with schools to help parents support their child’s mental health and improve their emotional wellbeing.

# data[].attributes.body
Developmental Coordination Disorder

# data[].attributes.body
Child Bereavement UK helps children, parents and families to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies. We support children and young people up to the age of 25 who are facing bereavement, and anyone affected by the death of a child of any age.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We help children, young people, parents, and families to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies.

# data[].attributes.body
We help ensure that autistic children and young people receive an education that enables them to fulfil their aspirations and engage in society as active citizens.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Since 2016, this group of young people, ages 15-25, have shared their voices and lived experiences to steer, influence and advise the work we do. As well as advising on AET materials and strategy, Panel members speak at events, co-deliver training and support autism education networks.

Find out how this group of young people are supporting, co-producing and advising the AET.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Helping you support autistic children and young people since 2007

# data[].attributes.body
A children’s communication charity

# data[].attributes.body
Specific Learning Difficulties including dyslexia, spelling and memory

# data[].attributes.body
Video outlining key features and strategies

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Dyslexia Awareness Part 1: Module 1 - About Dyslexia

# data[].attributes.body
Video advice for parents

# data[].attributes.body
Bereavement and loss

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Bereavement and loss ELSA Resources - Elsa Support

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Bereavement and loss resources are focused on death, dying or emotions around loss. This may be due to separation or divorce. Animals are covered in some resources because this may be a pupil's first experience of loss.

# data[].attributes.body
Supporting Social and Emotional Learning

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Resources for Emotional Literacy Support Assistants - ELSA Support

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Emotional literacy support assistants - or ELSAs - are teaching assistants trained to provide emotional and social skills support to children.

# data[].attributes.body
'We support families, parents, children and young people across Worcestershire to lead happy, healthy and fulfilled lives'.

# data[].attributes.body
Motor Skills videos and information about sensory processing disorder

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
"sensory processing disorder" children "special education" "occupational therapy" "sensory integration" "fine motor activities" "gross motor activities" dysp...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
GriffinOT helps children children to achieve their full potential by providing supports their parents and educators. Our expert advice and online training is specifically designed for educators and parents who want to know how they can help their children succeed.

# data[].attributes.body
Support and advice

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We are the UKs leading charity for autistic people and their families. Since 1962, we have been providing support, guidance and advice, as well as campaigning for improved rights, services and opportunities to help create a society that works for autistic people.

# data[].attributes.body
Support and advice

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Charity - an integrated health and education service.

# data[].attributes.body
Winston’s Wish supports bereaved children, young people, their families and the professionals who support them.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Winston's Wish is the UK's childhood bereavement charity. We support children and their families after the death of someone important.

# data[].attributes.body
The Reach4Wellbeing team aims to promote positive wellbeing, reach children and young people in their communities and reduce the stigma of mental health. We currently provide short-term group programmes for children and young people age 5-18 experiencing mild to moderate anxiety and low mood.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The Reach4Wellbeing team aims to promote positive wellbeing, reach children and young people in their communities and reduce the stigma of mental health.

We currently provide short-term group programmes for children and young people age 5-18 experiencing mild to moderate anxiety and low mood.

About us

We are passionate about improving the emotional and mental wellness of children and young people. Our team are friendly, knowledgeable and supportive of all children and young people we work with.

The CAMHS Reach4Wellbeing team delivers interactive online group programmes for young people and parents of primary school age children using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) principles. We accept self-referrals and referrals from professionals

Each of the online sessions are evidence based and we are currently able to offer the following:

*A six week anxiety and low mood programme for young people (years 7 to 13)

*A six week anxiety programme for parents/carers to support the emotional wellbeing needs of their children who are in reception to year 6.

Our programmes rely on practising skills outside the weekly group sessions. Research has shown that the more children and young people practice skills learnt in the groups, the more they saw improvements in their anxiety/depression and experienced greater positive well-being by the end of, and following the group. Like any change, this entails hard work, persistence and time, if you currently cannot put in this additional commitment, our programmes will not be effective.

To benefit from this treatment please only attend a Reach4Wellbeing group when you feel ready to participate in the programme and complete the practice tasks between sessions.

Some of the feedback comments from our online groups:
"Thank you, that session was more powerful than you could ever know" "After last week's meeting, I walked around like clear, blue sky!" "This meeting has structured my thought process about stuff better" "It feels good to know I'm not alone and there are other families coping with the same difficulties" "I found the course content has been clear and concise, it's provoked opportunity to talk and created thoughtful conversations."
Contact information

Service hours: Monday - Friday; 8.30am - 4.30pm

Location: Countywide community locations

Team Lead: Catherine Eastwell

Email: whcnhs.reach4wellbeing@nhs.net

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Reach4Wellbeing team aims to promote positive wellbeing, reach children and young people in their communities and reduce the stigma of mental health. We currently provide short-term group programmes for children and young people age 5-18 experiencing mild to moderate anxiety and low mood.

# data[].attributes.body
Support and advice

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This website places cookies on your computer to improve your experience. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. For more details, see our privacy policy. I agree

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The British Dyslexia Association is the voice for the 10% of the population that are dyslexic

# data[].attributes.body
Video explanation

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Understanding the Graduated Response video

# data[].attributes.headline
Video - SEN support in mainstream schools

# data[].attributes.subject
Video - SEN support in mainstream schools

# data[].attributes.body
SEN support in schools explained

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
SEN Support in Mainstream Settings- The Graduated Response

# data[].attributes.body
An explanation of the Assess, Plan, Do, Review cycle

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Graduated Response (SEND support in education provision)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Graduated Response (SEND support in education provision)

# data[].attributes.headline
WMYDMYB - What makes you different makes you beautiful

# data[].attributes.subject
WMYDMYB - What makes you different makes you beautiful

# data[].attributes.body
'We are a special needs Charity which offer a wide range of projects and services that run from our Malvern Support Centre, across Worcestershire and the neighbouring counties. The Charity provides a family-centered care approach, supporting parents, carers, friends, siblings and children with disabilities aged 0-19 years'.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
What Makes You Different Makes You Beautiful, Malvern Worcestershire

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Home - What Makes You Different Makes You Beautiful, Malvern Worcestershire

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We are a special needs Charity which offer a wide range of projects and services that run from our Malvern Support Centre, across Worcestershire and the neighbouring counties. The Charity provides a family-centered care approach, supporting parents, carers, friends, siblings and children with disabilities aged 0-19 years.

# data[].attributes.body
'Our aim is to provide a happy, safe, warm and stimulating environment for all children to play, learn and develop freely.  Our aim is to respect every child as an individual regardless of gender, cultural background or ability'.

# data[].attributes.body
Worcester Snoezelen is a leisure therapy centre offering a range of person-centred multisensory activities that empower, bring joy, and help members make choices and communicate through alternative means.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Worcester Snoezelen – Sensory happiness for people with disabilities and additional needs

# data[].attributes.body
'A place where children with disabilities can be themselves, without judgement'.

# data[].attributes.body
Speech and language therapists work in partnership with children, their families and other professionals in a variety of friendly setting

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
I'm worried about a child's speech or language

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Children's Speech and Language Therapy Service information, advice and training

# data[].attributes.body
SEND Information, Advice and Support Service for parents covering Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
We are the SEND Information, Advice and Support Service covering Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Here at HW SENDIASS we have a dedicated team of advisors offering legally-based and easily accessible information and advice about special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

We support parents, carers, children and young people with SEND and our service is impartial and confidential.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
SENDIASS Worcestershire and Herefordshire 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We are the SEND Information, Advice and Support Service covering Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Here at HW SENDIASS we have a dedicated team of advisors offering legally-based and easily accessible information and advice about special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). We support parents, carers, children and young people with SEND and our service is impartial and confidential.

# data[].attributes.headline
The Local Offer for children and young people with SEND 

# data[].attributes.subject
The Local Offer for children and young people with SEND 

# data[].attributes.body
A source of information for parents

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Worcestershire County Council have used cookies to improve the way our website works for you.

(Some may have been set already).

We use cookies to optimise site functionality and give you the best possible experience.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
information about special educational needs

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Worcestershire County Council have used cookies to improve the way our website works for you. (Some may have been set already). We use cookies to optimise site functionality and give you the best possible experience.

# data[].attributes.body
Some children require special educational provision because they have a disability which prevents or hinders them from making use of the educational facilities generally provided. These difficulties can be age related and may fluctuate over time. Many children and young people with vision impairment (VI), hearing impairment (HI) or a multi-sensory impairment (MSI) will require specialist support and/or equipment to access their learning, or habilitation support.

# data[].attributes.body
Support for learning difficulties may be required for children who learn at a slower pace than their peers, even with appropriate differentiation. Learning difficulties cover a wide range of needs, including moderate learning difficulties (MLD), severe learning difficulties (SLD) and profound multiple learning difficulties (PMLD).

Specific learning difficulties (SpLD), affect one or more specific aspects of learning. This encompasses a range of conditions such as dyslexia and dyscalculia.
This also includes dyspraxia (see physical and sensory section)

# data[].attributes.body
Children may experience a wide range of social and emotional difficulties which manifest themselves in many ways. These may include becoming withdrawn or isolated, as well as displaying challenging, disruptive or disturbing behaviour. These behaviours may reflect underlying mental health difficulties such as anxiety or depression, self-harming, substance misuse, eating disorders or physical symptoms that are medically unexplained. Other children and young people may have disorders such as attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactive disorder or attachment disorder.

# data[].attributes.body
Children with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) have difficulty in communicating with others. This can include saying what they want to, understanding what is being said to them or they do not understand or use social rules of communication.

This area also includes children and young people with ASD, including Asperger’s Syndrome and Autism (see next column).