Support Information and Links.....
Autismlinks
Autismlinks has lots of great and helpful information and links. It covers who to talk to, where to go and contains lots of helpful advice all in one place.
Their Facebook page is also a handy resource to have available.
Cerebra
Cerebra is a unique national charity that strives to improve the lives of children with neurological conditions, through research, information and direct, on-going support. Living with neurological conditions can make life very hard, not just for the child, but for their family too. At Cerebra, with the help of our supporters, we aim to make it easier.
Cerebral Palsy Group
Cerebral Palsy Group is an online resource for anyone who has been affected by cerebral palsy, brain injuries, or birth injuries. For more information visit: https://cerebralpalsygroup.com/
Cerebral Palsy Guidance Website
Learning that your baby or child has cerebral palsy can be devastating news. Yet, by educating yourself, including learning about treatment options and how to help manage the disorder, your child can still live a productive life. This Cerebral Palsy Guidance website is an American site but has lots of useful information that can be of great benefit to parents and family.
Cerebral Palsy - What you need to know
This website from royds withy king has information about Cerebral Palsy that you may find useful.
Community Inclusion and Activity Team (formerly Short Breaks Team)
Community – we want to enable children and young people with a disability or additional need and their families to be able to access their local community
Inclusion – we want children and young people with a disability or additional need to feel included in their community and in clubs and activities.
Activity – we can signpost children and young people with a disability or additional need to many opportunities to access regular clubs and activities in the school holidays. We offer some of these activities ourselves and we work with many other organisations who offer great activities too. This information is sent to you in our newsletters and calendars.
Team – we cover the whole of Somerset and our team work directly with referred families to offer support, information and guidance, as well as offering activities and clubs. We are part of the wider Children With Disabilities Team.
If your child or young person has a diagnosed disability or is undergoing diagnosis, has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)or is in receipt of Disability Living Allowance or PIP. You can refer to the Community Inclusion and Activity Team for time-limited support for your family to help with information, advice and signposting, and possible funding to help you to access local opportunities.
To find out more and view their latest Activity Calendars visit: https://www.somerset.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/children-with-disabilities-service/#Community-Inclusion-and-Activity-Team
The Daisy Garland Trust - Set up in 2004 The Daisy Garland is a family-run, national, UK registered charity. Our aim is to offer help and support, in whatever way we can, to those whose lives are touched by drug resistant epilepsy.
The Elemental Health website is a fantastic resource for Mental Health First Aid Training and for resources for support.
The Little Book of Mental Wellbeing
A fantastic little book that is quite difficult to get hold of and so it's available to print HERE
The National Autistic Society.
The National Autistic Society are the leading UK charity for people with autism (including Asperger syndrome) and their families. They provide information, support and pioneering services, and campaign for a better world for people with autism. Their website holds a huge amount of information about all aspects of Autism and is easy to navigate.
The NAS Autism Helpline provides impartial, confidential information and advice for people with autism spectrum disorders and their families and carers.
The Helpline can:
- Answer general questions about autism and Asperger syndrome - for example, we can talk through what the condition is, how it might affect someone, and suggest strategies to help
- Talk through options available to people with autism and Asperger syndrome
- Talk through support options available to family members
- Tell you about local service
- Refer you on to other organisations that may be able to help you
- Send you information in the post or by email about all of these things
NAS Helpline: 0808 800 4104
- A helpful parents Blog:
- "Mummy to one gorgeous toddler called River. We first suspected he was on the autistic spectrum when he was 16 months & we received a diagnosis of autism at 23 months. This is our journey"
- http://aworldofspinning.blogspot.com/
SENDirect Website
The SENDirect website can help you find the right support, services and information for your family.
Get more information on:
- The law and your rights
- Helpful questions to ask before you buy a service
- Assessment of need and what this means for your child
- Guidance on how to choose a service that's best for your child
Shine
Shine provides specialist support from before birth and throughout the life of anyone living with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus, as well as to parents, families, carers and professional care staff. Shine enables people to get the best out of life.
For more information visit their website: www.shinecharity.org.uk
Somerset Choices - (The Local Offer)
Somerset's Local Offer is about services and support available locally for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) from birth to 25. For more information visit: https://www.somersetchoices.org.uk/family/information-and-advice/somersets-local-offer/
The Somerset Choices website (Somersets Local Offer) has been developed by Somerset County Council, in partnership with the Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and District Councils.
The website aims to give people:
- Clear information and advice
- A choice of a diverse range of services, support groups and products to meet individual needs
- The ability to self-serve, giving them more control over their care and support.
The site helps people to help themselves and gives them more choice.
Professionals, such as GPs and social workers, can also use the site to find out what support is available in Somerset.
Somerset Parent Carer Forum (SPCF)
This is an independent group of parent carers joined by their experiences, passion and commitment. Members share information and views on services for children and young people.
They are invited to participate in decisions made by Somerset County Council and the health services.
By joining you will:
- Receive regular newsletters
- Be invited to meet like-minded families at local groups and events
- Have a voice in services delivered locally and nationally
For more information: Tel: 01458 259384 Mob: 07543 680365 Email:help@somersetparentcarerforum.org.uk
Website: www.somersetparentcarerforum.org.uk
Somerset SENDIAS (Special Educational Needs & Disability Information, Advice & Support)
This used to be called Somerset Parent and Young People’s Partnership. They continue to provide a free, impartial, information, advice and support to parent carers, children and young people (up to the age of 25) about Special Educational Needs and Disability.
How can they help you?
- A telephone enquiry line for general SEND enquiries, including exclusions and complaints.
- An Independent Supporter to help you through the EHC Needs Assessment and advice on EHC Plans.
- One to one support to help gather, understand and interpret information; help with report and letter writing and to prepare for and/or support at meetings.
For more information visit the website: www.somersetsend.org.uk Phone: 01823 355 578 email: info@somersetsend.org.uk
Somerset Supporter Service
The purpose of this service is to provide help & support to children and young people 0-18 yrs with severe learning and physical difficulties via the Children With Disabilities Social Work Team.
Support can take place either in the family home or by accessing the local area, enabling the young person to engage in purposeful activities.
Families receive this service via an assessment of need made by a Social Worker/Social Work Assistant.
To request further information about this service call Somerset Direct 0300 123 2224
Special Educational Needs & Disability Guide.
The Department of Education have produced this guide for parent & carers. You may find it helpful to use this guide if you think, have been told by a teacher or know that your child has SEN. It will give you information about how the system works and what to expect. Click Here to view / download the guide
Tales of a Mother's Daughter....A Parents Facebook Blog......
For those of you that would like to connect with another parent who is happy to chat about her experiences and lives locally I have been recommended this Facebook Blog. Feel free to take a look and 'Like' her page...
Ups and Downs Southwest is a Down Syndrome Support Charity working directly with families, professionals and all those involved with the care and education of children and young people who have Down Syndrome.
Based in the heart of Somerset, their membership and reach covers the whole of the South West. Whether you are a new parent, family member, professional involved with a child who has Down Syndrome or someone who has an interest, you will be able to find the support and information you seek from Ups and Downs Southwest. Ups and Downs Leaflet
Yasmin is mum to Oliver. He is severely autistic, has sensory processing disorder, non-verbal and is partially deaf. Yasim runs a Facebook page called "Understanding Olivers Journey" and talks about their experiences. It is a great help to parents to see that they are not alone and can be helpful to see and hear other parents lives.
What We Do: Our vision is delivered through three strands of work: Open Access Youth Work; Skills Development; and Social Action.
- Open Access Youth Work
- A universal offer to young people across the county, enabling them to access a youth work curriculum that develops skills and increases involvement within their communities.
- Skills Development
- Through targeted or focused programmes, young people can gain skills which help them develop their economic and social wellbeing and employability.
- Social Action
- Delivering projects in which young people develop the skills and are given the opportunities to take ownership and contribute to their local community through volunteering, raising awareness or fundraising.
Young Somerset Mental Health Support
Ed & Sam generally support young people aged 8-19 with their mental health. You don’t need a diagnosis or even be sure that you have a difficulty to get in touch – but you may be finding it difficult to cope with unhelpful thoughts and feelings. We can help you work out what to do next.
Young Minds - Young peoples mental health support
"We’re leading the fight for a future where all young minds are supported and empowered, whatever the challenges. We’re here to make sure they get the best possible mental health support and have the resilience to overcome life’s difficulties."
The Young Minds guides provide information to some common mental health conditions, how children and young people can cope, and where to go to get help and their website offers much, much, more....
Your IT Now
Alex Roland is a Personal Assistant. He is available to take young people (usually 18+ but can be younger) out and about and also teaches IT skills. He is usually paid for by your direct payments.
He also has acquaintance's in the same sector if he is not available to help you / your young person.
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