Support available for families
Many children who have care needs arising from disabilities or additional needs will receive the support they and their families need from community and mainstream resources.
These are available to any family with a child with such needs, without the need for assessment, and include the following.
- Family Information Service - this provides a wide range of advice on things like family support, education, childcare and activities. There is a directory website for local services that includes both local and national support agency information.
- Special Educational Needs and Disability Information, Advice and Support Services (SENDIASS) - this service operates to nationally agreed principles, including impartiality of information and empowerment of parents, children and young people. It provides information, advice and support for parents of children and young people from birth to 25 years, and for children and young people themselves. It can also signpost families to other help, including a voluntary and community sector agency that provides support, including short breaks, without the need for a social care assessment (subject to criteria that SENDIASS will explain).
- Activity groups and clubs - these can be found through the local offer local offer.