Local and national advice and support for parents and carers of children and young people who have, or may have, special educational needs and disabilities.
Support and advice in and around Bristol
Safety
If you're concerned about a child's safety or wellbeing, you can make a referral to First Response or phone them on 0117 903 6444.
Bristol Parent Carers
Bristol Parent Carers is a charity run by parent carers of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). They support all families, regardless of their child’s type of need or diagnosis status.
Early support
Families, Local Offer, Resources and Advice (FLORA) provide information and advice for children and young people with additional needs and their parents and carers.
If you need information or advice about early support for your child's additional needs:
- phone 0117 352 6020
- email flora@bristol.gov.uk
Education
If you're concerned about your child's learning and progress at their education setting, talk to your child's teacher or the school's SENDCO. The Ordinarily Available Provision has more information about support schools should be able to offer.
If you have a question about how to ask for an EHC plan, phone us on 0117 922 3700.
Local services and activities
Find a local service for children and young people with SEND. The services on this page include:
- things to do, such as creative activities and sports
- support and advice
- education and health
Mental health
Visit Off The Record for parents Go to https://www.otrbristol.org.uk/parents-and-professionals/ (opens new window) for mental health support in Bristol and South Gloucestershire. Find a downloadable parents' pack, local parent carer support group and helpline.
Parenting courses
We offer family learning courses about autism.
We also offer parenting courses for all parents about:
- young children
- challenging behaviour
- anxiety
- teenagers
- involvement in the criminal justice system
Relationship support for parents and co-parents
Research suggests that parents of children with behaviours that challenge experience higher levels of parental stress.
Parental stress, in turn, is associated with a higher risk of relationship distress and conflict, which in turn can affect outcomes for children.
Relationship support for parents and co-parents helps you think about how to manage stress, pull together as a team and communicate better.
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Independent Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS)
SEND And You (SAY) provides the SENDIASS in Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset. This is independent advice and support on things that relate to a child or young person's special educational needs or disabilities. It's free, confidential and impartial, and is for children and young people and their parents and carers.
The service is open Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4.30pm.
The Council for Disabled Children's introduction to the information advice and support service Go to https://youtu.be/54R4cDbX6L8 (opens new window) has more detail about the types of support on offer.
Children and young people with SEND can use the service independently to ensure:
- their views are shared
- they understand educational processes
- they can contribute to decisions about their future
Parents and carers with parental responsibility can use the service:
- to understand the rights, processes and policies in place for children and young people with SEND
- for support in voicing their views
Information, advice and support may include:
- statutory work, which may lead to an education, health and care (EHC) plan
- concerns and getting help early
- SEND support in schools
- accessing services to support education
- signposting to other services
- disagreement resolution
- exclusions
National support
AccessAble Go to (opens new window)
AccessAble publish accessibility information for places of interest in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. They have accessibility information about venues in Bristol Go to https://www.accessable.co.uk/organisations/bristol-city-council/access_guides (opens new window).
Cerebra Go to http://www.cerebra.org.uk/ (opens new window)
Supports families with children aged under 17 affected by a neurological condition such as:
- neuro-genetic conditions
- cerebral palsy
- epilepsy
- developmental delay
- autism
- ADHD
- learning difficulties
Children's Education Advisory Service (CEAS) Go to https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/the-childrens-education-advisory-service-ceas (opens new window)
Provides advice to service and MOD families about the education of service children, including issues relating to SEND.
Contact Go to https://contact.org.uk/ (opens new window)
Advice, information and support for parents of disabled children, whatever their health condition. They also bring families together so they can support each other.
Council for Disabled Children
See the Council for Disabled Children Information, Advice and Support Services network Go to https://councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/information-advice-and-support-services-network (opens new window).
Disabilities on GOV.UK Go to https://www.gov.uk/browse/disabilities (opens new window)
Information about benefits and financial help for disabled people with disabilities.
Disabled Children's Partnership Go to https://www.mencap.org.uk/get-involved/campaign-mencap/disabled-childrens-partnership (opens new window)
A group of 60 disability and children's organisations campaigning for improved health and social care.
Down's Syndrome Association
The Down's Syndrome Association (DSA) is a national charity that supports all people who have Down's syndrome, their parents and carers and the professionals who work
with them, throughout their lives. They offer free online support and training sessions and a free helpline.
Helpline: 0333 1212300 (open Monday to Friday excluding bank holidays, from 10am to 4pm)
Email: info@downs-syndrome.org.uk
Dyscalculia Network
Find a teacher or assessor to help your child with specialist maths support. Dyscalculia Network educates, supports and empowers young people with dyscalculia.
ERIC Go to https://www.eric.org.uk/ (opens new window)
The only charity dedicated to the bowel and bladder health of all children and teenagers in the UK. They provide expert support, information and understanding to children, teenagers, parents, carers and professionals.
Guide Dogs Go to https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/getting-support/help-for-children-and-families/ (opens new window)
Guide Dogs provide services for children and young people with vision impairment and their families. They support with:
- guiding your child through school
- assistive technology and sensory toys
- helping your child read
- early diagnosis
- developing life skills
- getting out and about safely
Call them on 0800 781 1444 or email on children@guidedogs.org.uk
HappyMaps Go to (opens new window)
HappyMaps is for parents to find useful resources on behaviour and mental health for their children, from babies to young adults. There is general national information and also local information on counselling, charities, local CAMHS (Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services) and parenting groups for the South West.
Independent Parental Special Educational Advice Go to https://www.ipsea.org.uk/ (opens new window)
The IPSEA helpline operates as a call back service, offering 30 minute telephone advice sessions.
The Listening Ear
The Listening Ear is from the charity Contact (for families with disabled children). They offer one to one telephone appointments with a family support adviser for parent carers looking for a listening ear, reassurance and practical and emotional support.
National Autistic Society Go to https://www.autism.org.uk/ (opens new window)
Provides support and services for autistic people (including those with Asperger's syndrome), their parents and carers, and professionals.
National Deaf Children's Society
Childhood deafness charity for every deaf child, no matter the child's level or type of deafness or how they communicate.
Provides free, independent support and information to:
- parents and carers
- deaf children and young people
- extended family members
- professionals
Provides opportunities to connect with other families and professionals through events, online forums and local groups.
The Nystagmus Network
provides a number of free to download resources, which contain practical information and advice for parents and carers who have a child with nystagmus.
Rainbow Trust Children's Charity Go to https://www.rainbowtrust.org.uk/ (opens new window)
Provides emotional and practical support to families who have a child with life-threatening or terminal illness. They support seriously ill children, up to the age of 18 with a life threatening or terminal condition, and their families in the family home and local community.
Referrals can come from any source. They enable families to manage everyday life whilst caring for a sick child and to make the most of time together.
Call 07825 601 354 to find out about the services in the South West.
Sense Go to https://www.sense.org.uk/ (opens new window)
Supports children, young people and adults with sensory impairment, and their families. The people we support are deafblind, or sometimes have single sensory impairment with additional needs or multi sensory impairment.
Scope Go to https://www.scope.org.uk/family-services/ (opens new window)
Scope Disability Energy Support
Scope's Disability Energy Support service provides free energy advice to any household where a disabled person lives across England and Wales.
Book an appointment at Scope Disability Energy Support Go to http://www.scope.org.uk/disability-energy-support (opens new window).
Freephone: 0808 801 0828, Monday to Friday 11am to 4pm, excluding bank holidays.
Email: disability.energysupport@scope.org.uk.
Sibs
Provides support to people who grow up with, or have grown up with, a disabled brother or sister.
The Stroke Association
Offers a childhood stroke support service, providing information, advice and networking events to families affected by stroke in childhood. Contact them online or call 0303 3033 100.
Tourettes Action
A leading support and research charity for people with Tourette Syndrome and their families.
Wellbeing videos
The educational psychology team have created 3 videos with psychologist Ross McIntosh to support parents and carers with their wellbeing.
View the videos on our YouTube playlist:
If you know of any organisations that should be on this list please email bristollocaloffer@bristol.gov.uk or fill in our feedback form.
