Advice and Support

Our at-a-glance index of helpful links and resources

Support Groups and Services

As a parent or carer of a child with SEND it is vital that you have support both individually and as a family. There are lots of families just like yours and its important to also take care of yourself. Below are both local and national services, contacts and resources that can add to your support network.

The Local Offer

A comprehensive resource of local information, decisions, events and resouces to support the SEND community. It can also act as a window to finding up to date contact information for local statutory agencies and services, this includes childrens services, health, education and other welfare links.

Include Me TOO

A national charity supporting disabled children, young people and their families from diverse range of backgrounds. Include Me TOO supports and promotes social justice, equality and rights for all disabled children and young people. We provide a range of support, befriending services, activities and holiday clubs for disabled children, outreach and information and advice to families.

Kingston WelCare

Kingston WelCare – A mission based charitable organisation for local families to meet, connect and support each other. It has developed expertise in supporting parents and uses this to help some of the most vulnerable families in the Borough

Kingston Centre for Independent Living

To meet the needs of disabled people in and around the Royal Borough of Kingston and beyond, particularly by representing and supporting the full equality and inclusion of disabled people, in order that they might lead independent and empowering lives

OT Play

OT Play is a mobile therapy service provided by children’s occupational therapist Charlotte O’Reilly. A range of therapies can be delivered in both group and individual settings. OT Play also provides service to children with difficulties accessing daily activities that are important to them, such as yoga, karate or other sports and activity clubs

RUILS

‘ruils’ is a local charity that has a wide range of services to support children and adults with disabilities to live independently, be part of the community and live life to the full.

They can provide a sitter/befriending service to support children and families.

Achieving for Children, Home and Community Support Service

Aiming High Home and Community Support Service provides one to one support for children and young people with a disability in their own home or in the community.

SOSSEN!

A free, friendly, independent and confidential telephone helpline for parents and others looking for information and advice on special educational needs.

SENDIASS

A local service funded by Kingston Council to provide impartial, confidential information, advice and support to parents/carers of children and young people (0-25) with disabilities and special educational needs.

EnhanceAble

EnhanceAble is a charity committed to supporting people with disabilities, their parents and carers – whatever their age – to transform the quality of their lives. They are based in and serve kingston and surrounding areas.

 

Express CIC

An independent non-profit community organisation supporting autistic children and their families, with advice, counselling, activities and groups for young autistic children and their siblings to meet and socialise. As well as specific support groups for parents and carers.

Skylarks

A charity that supports children with any disability and additional need, providing services including play sessions, hydrotherapy, counselling, inclusive activities like drama and karate, and free advice for Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Autism Parent Support Group

Term time parent support group based at Grand Avenue School for parents of children with autism from anywhere in the borough of Kingston

Your Healthcare Children’s Speech and Language Therapy

Your healthcare speech and language therapists work with children, their families and others who support them from age 0-19

This service promotes, improved understanding of spoken language, clear and effective expressive language and speech sounds. As well as social interaction, the reduction of stammering, voice use, interaction and communication and safe eating drinking and swallowing