Useful Services for Families with SEND
One Minute Guide: Educational Psychology
What the Educational Psychology team do:
The Educational Psychology team (EPT) supports children and young people with special and additional educational needs, and works with those children and young people, their parents or carers, and educational settings. Educational Psychologists (EPs) are trained to understand how children and young people learn, problem solve, develop relationships, communicate with others, and understand and manage feelings. The EPT support systems around children and young people to improve their educational experience and outcomes.
https://www.leeds.gov.uk/one-minute-guides/educational-psychology
Leeds Local Offer
The Leeds Local Offer provides information for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their parents or carers in a single place. It shows families what they can expect from a range of local agencies including education, health and social care. https://leedslocaloffer.org.uk/#!/directory
Autism Central
Autism Central aims to make it easier to learn more about autism and services available to you. One to one support over the phone, sensory sessions, sleep workshops and other support online. They also run coffee mornings in Leeds.
https://www.autismcentral.org.uk/
Leeds Neurodiversity Information Hub - MindMate
a one-stop site to support all neurodivergent children, young people and their families in Leeds.
This online resource is designed to provide information and support for those WITH and WITHOUT formal diagnoses. Autism and ADHD are the main neurotypes covered.
The site covers a huge range of topics including:
• What is neurodiversity? (with sections on autism and ADHD)
• Daily living and keeping safe
• Education and neurodiversity
• Gender and neurodiversity
• ….and more!!
If you’d like any more information about the ND Hub, or would like to share any information to on the Hub, please contact lcht.ndhub@nhs.net
Barnardos Leeds Children’s Rights Service
We offer independent advocacy to young people who are unhappy with any aspect of their Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan.
We are an independent body who can arrange to meet with the young person, we will support the young person to make sure that their voice is heard and that their wishes and feelings around their personal health care and needs are taken into account when decision are being made.
SNAPS (Special Needs and Parent Support)
SNAPS is based in Leeds and provides support services for children with additional needs of all kinds, and their families. Their aim is to support the entire family by enabling the child, along with siblings, parents and other carers to participate in a shared experience of physical activity, fun and conversation in relaxed surroundings. All their sessions are supported by professional and dedicated staff. Their age range is from 0 to 16, although most of their children are under 10 years old. Children do not need a formal diagnosis to access SNAPS’ services, families can self-refer to the charity or be referred by another organisation and we accept children from any location.
https://www.snapsyorkshire.org/
Carers Leeds
Parents or other family members caring for a child or young person with additional needs can access information, advice and support from Carers Leeds. Their service supports the emotional and physical health of parent carers across Leeds, so that they can continue to care for their children. They do this through one-to-one sessions or group work where they offer carers:
• Emotional support
• Advice and information
• Signposting to services specific to your child’s needs
• Support managing stress and anxiety
https://www.carersleeds.org.uk/
Leeds Autism Services
Advice, Signposting and Family Support (Children), follow the link for more information:
https://www.leedsautism.org.uk/faqs/advice-signposting-and-family-support-children
IAT- Communication and Interaction including Autism team - Support for parents
Inclusion Advisory Team: Communication and Interaction including Autism. We are National Autistic Society accredited and a regional partner to the Neuroinclusive Education Network, promoting ‘difference not deficit’ approach to understanding communication and interaction, including autism.
This page is for parents and carers seeking to have a better understanding of the Inclusion Advisory Team: Communication and Interaction including Autism offer to mainstream schools & colleges.
It will also provide information and updates regarding our offer to parents.
Information for parents and carers from the IAT- Communication and Interaction including Autism team - https://www.leedsforlearning.co.uk/Page/40105
Bite-sized eLearning videos - https://www.leedsforlearning.co.uk/Page/28038
Child Health And Disability Service (CHAD) -
The Child Health and Disability Service, often known as CHAD, is made up of a number of teams working with children and young people aged 0-18 with complex health needs and disabilities, where their disability has an impact on their ability to be safe, develop skills for life and be part of their local communities growing up.
https://www.leeds.gov.uk/one-minute-guides/child-health-and-disability
The Challenging Behaviour Foundation
The Challenging Behaviour Foundation Behaviour that challenges can be very distressing for a child or adult with learning disabilities and their family and carers. It is important to understand the reasons behind challenging behaviour and see it as a form of communication to know how to respond. It shows that something is not right for the child or adult and they need some help and support.
Amaze Autism
They support the holistic development of children and young people with autism to ensure that they achieve their potential and become confident and happy individuals.
https://www.amazeautism.co.uk/
SCOPE
The disability equality charity in England and Wales. They provide practical information and emotional support when it's most needed, and campaign relentlessly to create a fairer society. You will be able to find current and up to date information including information about:
• Parents connect training (currently being offered online)
• Before and after diagnosis
• Emotional support for parents and carers
• Education, Health and Care Plans
• Support with DLA forms
The helpline number is 0808 800 3333
They also have Scope Services for disabled people looking for work, families of disabled children and disabled energy support.
You might like to join the Scope Online Community, with over 70,000 members with lived experience of disability. They offer advice but also social interaction. Lots of professionals have joined our online community also.
ZigZag
A parent led support group offering parents/carers advice, support and guidance for those who care for a child or young person with an Autistic Spectrum Condition or similar conditions. The group offers help and support for families with or without a diagnosis. Founded in 2005, they run a parent support group once a month as well as offering a five day a week drop-in service and monthly family activities.
http://zigzagautismservices.co.uk/
Mencap
Leeds Mencap run week-long school holiday play schemes for children and young people with learning disabilities.
https://www.leedsmencap.org.uk/how-we-can-help/children-and-young-people/playschemes-4-18/
21 CO.
21 Co. is a cafe & shop based in Leeds, run for and by people with Down Syndrome to offer training and work experience with the aim of creating job opportunities. Please contact us if you know a young person with Down Syndrome who would like to get involved.
Leeds Autism AIM
Leeds Autism AIM is a free service for autistic adults in the Leeds area who receive little or no funded support. They offer support for young adults i.e. 18+ and run a Drop in, Mentoring service and parents, young people can access support around benefits, PIP assessments etc.
Geek Room (Leeds LS12)
They are a not-for-profit Community Interest Company in Leeds, working with and for individuals from the ages of 8 years onward. Through their 'GamEducation' approach, they mentor in interactive core subjects and offer unique alternative provisions; while focusing on creating an inclusive and social environment which aids with developing social skills and integrating with the community.
Short Breaks
Short breaks give children and young people with special education needs or disabilities (SEND) the chance to have fun and socialise away from home.
Scopes Short Breaks and Activities in Leeds. Scope works with Leeds City Council to promote short breaks and activities for families with disabled children aged up to 18.
IPSEA
IPSEA (the Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) has information about applying for an EHC needs assessment that you might find useful.
They also have a helpline that you can call on a Friday. IPSEA call-in helpline.
It can be tricky to get through to them and so the https://www.ipsea.org.uk/model-letters has templates for lots of scenarios. Including applying yourself.
Sunshine and Smiles Leeds Down Syndrome Network
They organise groups and events to improve the lives and opportunities of children and families living with down syndrome in Leeds.
https://sunshineandsmiles.org.uk/
Aireborough Extended Services
http://www.aireboroughxs.co.uk
My Max Card
Offers discounts for children with disabilities
Sleep Right
Sleep Right is a free online, and telephone support service, that helps parents and carers of disabled children to improve their child’s sleep. The Sleepright service is available to families with disabled children aged:
4 to 18 in London, Leeds, and Peterborough
2 to 18 in Northamptonshire
Leeds Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Services (SENDIASS).
Their service is free, impartial and confidential.