Places and spaces where you can get extra help
National and local community support for families and pupils with SEN
Gloucester parent/carer alliance provides support for families of children with both diagnosed and undiagnosed neurodiversity. They provide bi weekly coffee mornings as parent support (join their facebook group for dates and locations). Parental courses (whispers) are also offered for free if parents are members of the parent/carer forum. https://www.parentandcareralliance.org.uk/
Books for topics: a useful resource of reviewed books linked to set themes such as SEN diagnosis. https://www.booksfortopics.com/
SENDIAS provide advice and support for families linked to a wide range of SEN support. https://sendiassglos.org.uk/
Allsorts SEN friendly youth group based in Stroud. It is accessible for families and children who have SEN (both diagnosed and undiagnosed). They provide sports, fitness and movement sessions for children aged 5+, there are parent support groups, organised family trips as a group in the school holidays, you can also exclusively book out the hub for an individual family session. Their website has an excel spreadsheet which shows weekly/monthly sessions that can be accessed. https://allsortsglos.org.uk/whats-on/
FIS (Family information and support service) is a Gloucestershire based organisation that can provide advice or signpost support for families where children have SEN. https://www.glosfamiliesdirectory.org.uk/kb5/gloucs/glosfamilies/home.page
SEN Code of Practice
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-code-of-practice-0-to-25
Neurodiversity and diagnosis
SCAAS Pathway: To find out more information about seeking a diagnosis for Autism, please find the link below to SCAAS. https://www.ghc.nhs.uk/our-teams-and-services/children-and-young-people/camhs/scaas/
This is also a useful search tool for all diagnosed SEN conditions. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/
ADHD Foundation: UK’s leading neurodiversity charity, offering a strength-based, lifespan service for people with a diagnosis of ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, DCD, Dyscalculia, OCD, Tourette’s Syndrome and more. https://www.adhdfoundation.org.uk/
Guidance for ADHD or Autism referrals in Gloucestershire:
https://www.glosfamiliesdirectory.org.uk/kb5/gloucs/glosfamilies/family.page?familychannel=2_1_9_7
Parent toolkit supporting children with a diagnosis of autism https://www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk/understanding-autism/early-years/parent-toolkit
Neurothrive provide education, guidance, mentoring, coaching, practical tips, and a sense of community to professionals, parents and carers who support or care for neurodiverse children, teens, or adults. https://www.neurothrive.org.uk/
SEMH support
If you are concerned about your or your child’s mental health you can talk to your GP about mental health support. They will be able to talk to you and refer you to further services if needed. Please find below a list of further mental health support that may be appropriate:
On your mind Gloucester (OYMG) is a Gloucestershire mental health support finder for young people up to the age of 25. It can be accessed onyourmind.glos.nhs.uk or by texting 07984 404388.
The website includes a support finder, a directory of trusted local mental health services, self-help resources, and self-referral access to many NHS services in the county. Support is provided confidentially via the website and OYMG will not request any personal information, unless a user is making a self-referral. Information shared via the self-referral will not be shared, other than with the service.
CAMHS: If you are concerned about the mental health and wellbeing of your child you find more information about support by CAMHS. https://www.ghc.nhs.uk/our-teams-and-services/children-and-young-people/camhs/
Teens in Crisis + (TIC+) supports families with children aged 9 - 25 years.
TIC + Parent Support and Advice Line is a drop in service. If your child is age 0-25 and lives in Gloucestershire, there is a free, anonymous, confidential helpline during open hours manned by trained parent support advisors. http://www.ticplus.org.uk