Further Information and Support
Features
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Where can you go if you need more help in Cumbria?
- Cumbria SEND Information, Advice and Support Service
- SEND Alliance Cumbria - please note this is a parent carer forum and not a support group
- Cumbria's SEND Local Offer
Where can you go if you need more help in Lancashire?
- Lancashire SEND Information, Advice and Support Service
- Lancashire Parent/Carer Forum - please note this is not a support group
- Lancashire's SEND Local Offer
Where can you go if you need more help in Blackpool?
- Blackpool SEND Information, Advice and Support Service
- Blackpool Parent/Carer Forum - please not this is not a support group
- Blackpool's SEND Local Offer
Where can you go if you need more help in Blackburn with Darwen?
- Blackburn and Darwen SEND Information, Advice and Support Service
- Blackburn and Darwen Parent/Carer Forum - please note this is not a support group
- Blackburn and Darwen's SEND Local Offer
Where can you go if you need more help - general useful links
To help with sensory issues
- Lancashire and Cumbria co-produced a 2 hour Sensory Education Session with parents/carers. This is a recording of the session and gives an introduction to sensory processing, practical strategies for parents/carers and school staff and some context to the issue of meeting sensory processing needs across Lancashire and Cumbria.
- Cumbria Occupational Therapists recommend the Glasgow and Clyde Occupational Therapists website which has lots of information about understanding and responding to sensory needs as well as sensory questionnaires to complete which will recommend personalised sensory strategies.
- Greater Manchester Autism Consortium has a video presentation, accompanying PDF to help with understanding sensory needs
- Locala have published a number of sensory awareness training videos which can be accessed both by healthcare professionals working with families and parents/carers themselves. There are around 8 units in total, 4 covering the basics of sensory processing and links to the autonomic nervous system and then 4 tackling issues families typically struggle with (sleep, toileting, food issues, self-care).
- NHS Humber have produced a website with a number of videos and useful resources regarding sensory processing differences.
- Sensory Integration Education have developed a 1 hour free training for parents/carers to help them understand sensory processing and integration in children.
To help prevent and manage crisis
- This is a crisis Survival Guide written by parents/carers of children with a learning disability and/or autism for other parents/carers with lots of useful resources, advice and information.
To help with behaviours of concern, including violence
- Yvonne Newbold website has lots of videos, resources, webinars and a dedicated parent/carer Facebook support group specifically for parents whose children display behaviours of concern, including violence.
- The Challenging Behaviour Foundation has lots of advice, guidance and resources.
To help with neurodevelopmental needs (e.g. autism, ADHD) pre, during or post-diagnosis
- The National Autistic Society has lots on information about understanding and how to deal with behaviours of concern.
To help with mental health issues
- Kooth is a Lancashire and Cumbria wide service that offers online mental health counselling and support. Children and young people can log on and talk instantly to a trained professional 7 days a week (Monday to Friday from 12pm to 10pm, Saturday and Sunday fro 6pm to 10pm).
- Place to Be has resources, activities etc – parents of younger children found this particularly helpful.
- Anna Freud Centre has a self-care section and also lots of other support (bereavement, parents section, crisis text support etc.)
Bullying UK has advice for children and parents. - The Mix for under 25s has apps and tools and discussion boards – parents of older children found this particularly helpful.
General parent/carer support
- Contact is a national charity that supports families with children who have additional needs. They offer information, advice and guidance, workshops on particular topics and a listening ear service with a 1-2-1 support adviser.