Further support for parents and carers
Surrey Neurodiversity advisors' resource hub for parents and carers
Surrey's ND (Neurodiversity) Advisors are now part of the Learners Single Point of Access (L-SPA) Early Intervention Team, working closely with Surrey Heartlands ICB. The Advisors have created “padlets” (online resource collections) - filled with useful information and tools for both professionals and families.
ND advice for Parents/Carers (padlet.com)
Mindworks Neurodevelopmental Services
Amongst the services are:
- advice and guidance for children and families (online and through consultation and liaison with professionals)
- advice, consultation and training for professionals and treatment where required
- risk management advice
- 1-1 and group sessions and family interventions.
An out-of-hours phone line provides advice to parents and carers who are struggling with behaviours or difficulties which could be related to neurodevelopmental need, such as autism or ADHD. It runs from 5pm until 11pm, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Call: 0300 222 5755.
Website: Mindworks Surrey
Surrey Family Information (FIS)
Is a free service. They offer parents and prospective parents information about all services for children aged 0-19 years old (up to the age of 25 if the young person has a special need). They are a one-stop place to find out where to go for more help.
You can access more information using:
The Family Information Directory
- Information for Young People
- Support for Parents and Carers
- Education and Learning Advice
Tel: 08456 011777
Email: surrey.fis@surreycc.gov.uk
Website: www.surreycc.gov.uk/fis
Hampshire Family Information and Services Hub (FISH)
Here you will find information about what is going on in your area, details on how to access services, organisations and activities in Hampshire, and the advice and support that is available.
Website: fish.hants.gov.uk
Surrey Local Offer: Courses for parents and carers of children with SEND
Specialist courses and workshops for parents and carers of children with SEND can help develop strategies that are helpful for children who have particular needs. Courses often focus on building more effective strategies to support children and young people with SEND and their families.
Some require the child to have a specific diagnosis prior to the parents going on the course. However, some courses are open to parents whose child shows some traits of a condition, but hasn't been assessed yet or didn't meet the threshold for a diagnosis.
Below are SEND parenting courses that regularly take place in Surrey.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- The Surrey branch of the National Autistic Society Regularly run workshops for parents about different autism-related topics. Recent workshops have focused on newly diagnosed children and Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA).
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Barnardo's Positive Parenting Course Support parents and carers of children (6 to 18 years old) who have a diagnosis of, or are in the process of getting a diagnosis of, ADHD. There are two separate parenting courses: the Parent Factor Programme for those whose child is diagnosed with ADHD and the Nurturing Programme for families awaiting a diagnosis of ADHD.
- 123 Magic Is a parenting course designed to help parents with positive behaviour techniques for their child who has ADHD. The charity ADDISS have trained practitioners in Surrey to deliver this course, so you can contact them to find out where your nearest group is.
Special educational needs and disabilities
- Independent Provider of Special Educational Advice (IPSEA) Run a training day for parents with a focus on SEND laws, to empower parents to use the law to ensure they get the right support for their child.
- SOS!SEN Run regular workshops in East Molesey that usually focus on helping parents understand the Education, Health and Care (EHCP) assessment process and documents. They also have free SEN advice walk-in centres in Worcester Park, Hampton Court and Aldershot where parents can speak with an experienced volunteer.
- Local Offer Events Are often updated with workshops for parents that focus on specific SEND issues.
Family Learning for parents and carers
Surrey offer a wide range of free online courses and workshops which can help you with:
- parenting
- wellbeing and managing anxiety
- understanding your child's behaviour
- getting to grips with maths and phonics
- healthy eating
- enjoying learning with your child through activities
- understanding education in England
- English as an additional language (EAL).
Free National Autistic Society support for Surrey families
NAS Surrey Family Support is a free service provided by Mindworks partner, National Autistic Society (NAS). It is available to Surrey families struggling with neurodevelopmental concerns both in and out of school, with or without a diagnosis of autism.
Schools can refer families direct to NAS for a range of free early support including:
- Stepping up for Autism - an 8-week course to help parent carers understand Autism and develop strategies to support their child. It covers topics such as Sensory Processing, Communication, Behaviour, Transitions, Social Interaction and Puberty.
- Personalised 1:1 support following the Stepping Up course for more complex cases.
- Specialist workshops on a range of topics such as Anxiety, EBSNA and Sleep.
- Free family activities in the holidays.
- Free out of hours advice line, daily from 5pm to 11pm 365 days a year, call Freephone 0300 222 5755 – option 3.
For more information please email: Surrey.FamilySupport@nas.org.uk
Information and advice
If it is not practical for you to attend a course, or you've already been on one and are looking for additional support there are other services that can help.
- Help and support for behaviour and emotional wellbeing gives information about services across Surrey that help children who need additional support.
- Family Voice Surrey Advocate for services on behalf of families with children with SEND. Family Voice run conferences for parents, where services will deliver talks and workshops.
- The Surrey branch of the National Autistic Society Is a parent to parent support service, run by volunteers. Support includes meeting up socially with other parents, parent workshops delivered by autism experts and an online forum for parents to talk to each other.
Family helplines
These are usually free and offer confidential advice and support about any concerns you may have about your child's development or family life.
- Contact Is a charity for families with disabled children. They have a free helpline for parents and carers to call to discuss a particular diagnosis, educational support and medical and social care.
- YoungMinds Has a helpline for parents who are worried about their child's mental health. If you are concerned that your child is feeling very anxious, or depressed you can call YoungMinds for advice about how best to support them.
- NAS Parent to Parent Service Is a confidential telephone service provided by trained volunteers who are parents themselves of a child or adult on the autism spectrum.
