I am a Parent Carer
As parents of children with a disability or long term illness life can be incredibly demanding. Many parents spend so much time fighting for support and services for their children that they don’t have time to think about themselves. If you haven’t already stopped to consider your own emotional and physical health now is the time to do it. We would love to discuss your situation with you and help you to put together a ‘plan’ to take care of yourself.
Important Links
Key organisations for accessing up to date information, support, advice and friendship.
Mind - West Sussex
Peer Support groups (online and in person) 1:1 peer support; guests speakers covering topics chosen by parents including those affected by self-harming, Autism, ADHD, planning for school transitions; Training and signposting
Reaching Families
A Charity providing a wide range of high quality information and support including Parents Guide; Benefit Advice Service; Fact sheets; Support groups; Befriending service; Workshops and Training; Animations; Facebook group.
Autism Support Crawley
A voluntary Parent Carer Led Support Group for parents and Carers of anyone with Autism who lives in West Sussex. Face book Page; Events for the family
WSPCF
West Sussex Parent Carer Forum supports parent carers by providing information; signposting, training; opportunities to meet other parents and participate in shaping services for their children and young people
West Sussex SENDIAS Service
West Sussex SENDIAS, provide impartial information, advice and support to children and young people who have SEND (special educational needs and/ or disabilities) for those aged 0-25 and their parent carers.
Why Register with Us?
By registering as a Carer, you gain access to diverse free support including tailored guidance, networking with fellow carers, workshops, and local information.
Specific links to websites providing information and advice for Parent Carers
Use The quick links below to be taken to your section of interest
Local Authorities
Contact children’s Services through their ‘Integrated Front Door’ or call in at one of the family Hubs in your area to ask for support for your family:
Integrated Front Door:
Tel: 01403 229900
Email: WSChildrensservices@westsussex.gov
The person you speak with can offer advice over the phone and refer you to the Early Help Service or The Children with Disabilities Team depending on the level of support you need.
Family Hubs: Click to visit website
Call in at one of 12 family hubs to speak with an Early Help family worker. To arrange a visit in advance call the Integrated Front Door: 01403 229900
Early Help Service: Click to visit website
Family workers provide advice and information and make referrals for support from services within the local community. They can help parents to get support from schools, health visitors, housing officers and other professionals. They offer support in times of crisis and are able to refer for food parcels and vouchers.
Child and Family Needs Assessment: Click to visit website
Contact for families provide clear information about Child and family Needs Assessments. Contact the Integrated Front Door to ask for an assessment.
Support From Other Parents
Reaching Families: Click here to visit website
Parent led charity, they support over 3,0000 families in West Sussex-they provide information, training and peer support including a Facebook private group Tel: 01903 366360 admin@reachingfamilies.org.uk
West Sussex Parent Carer Forum: Click here to visit website
The core purpose is to ensure the views of Parent Carers in West Sussex help services to reflect the needs of local families, they provide Chat and chill coffee mornings, find it out sessions, have your voice Heard and Mental Health First Aid. 07341 183 449 office@wspcf.org.uk
Autism Crawley: Click here to visit website
Host coffee mornings and evening meetings. They run training carers and host family events in the school holidays; they also have a Facebook closed group that parents can access support. Contact via the form on the website or call 07596 737741
Aspens: Click here to visit website
Support both children and adults on the Autistic Spectrum and Learning disabilities. They also support family members, such as parents, siblings and grandparents. 01892 822 168 enquiries@aspens.org.uk
Mental Health
West Sussex MIND Parenting Support: Click here to visit website
Peer Support drop in-online and in person meetings, free webinars and training for parents. (Self-harm, disordered eating and LGBTQ+ awareness) 0300 303 5652 helppoint@westsusexmind.org Mon-Fri 10am -4pm
Young Minds: Click here to visit website
Support Young People and Parents of Young People, they provide guides for young people and parents. Contact via a form on the website.
LGBT+
Allsorts – Groups: Click here to visit website
They provide youth support, parent/carer support and training. 01273 721100. families@allsortsyouth.org.uk (Ages 16yrs-21yrs + 11yrs-15yrs)
Short Breaks, Events and Services
The Local Offer West Sussex: Click here to visit website
Helps Parent Carers find services, events and information (short breaks) 01243 777807 and ask for the Local Offer team. We are open Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm Email: localoffer@westsussex.gov.uk
Springboard: Click here to visit website
We offer supportive youth club services across West Sussex in Horsham, Crawley and Worthing, and we take referrals from aged 6 up to 30 years, (no diagnosis needed to access this service)
Life Skills
8-week small group programme, this pathway provides the opportunity for SEND young people and adults to further develop their independence, confidence and abilities with everyday life skills, to increase their aspiration of living more independently.
Volunteering & Employability
This pathway provides one-to-one support with one of our friendly coaches who will listen to your goals and help to design a programme that is tailored to what you would like to achieve. You will focus on developing the skills and confidence to gain and maintain a job or volunteering opportunity. This pathway takes place at our inclusive centre in Horsham as well as out in the local community and covers topics such as how to write a CV, interview techniques, health and safety at work, professionalism as well as the opportunity to practise skills in a practical way.
Social Club
Suitable for young adults with SEND aged 18-30 years living in West Sussex.
The group meets on a weekday evening during term time and various full days throughout the school holidays in Horsham or Crawley.
Sessions focus on building life skills, independence, socialising and feeling connected to your community.
Contact the team on hello@springboardproject.com or by calling the centre on 01403 218888
Kangaroos:
They support children, young people and adults with disabilities and additional needs, providing short breaks and activity clubs-including after school clubs for children aged 6-12 years. They also offer residential stays throughout the year for ages 6years and above. Parent Carer support coffee mornings and evening socials- 01444 459108 info@kangaroos.org.uk
Family and Child/Children Assessment -Local Authorities
Contact children’s Services through their ‘Integrated Front Door’ or call in at one of the family Hubs in your area to ask for support for your family:
Integrated Front Door: Click here to visit website
Tel: 01403 229900
Email: WSChildrensservices@westsussex.gov
The person you speak with can offer advice over the phone and refer you to the Early Help Service or The Children with Disabilities Team depending on the level of support you need.
Family Hubs: Click here to visit website
Call in at one of 12 family hubs to speak with an Early Help family worker. To arrange a visit in advance, call the Integrated Front Door: 01403 229900
Early Help Service: Click to visit website
Family workers provide advice and information and make referrals for support from services within the local community. They can help parents get support from schools, health visitors, housing officers, and other professionals. They offer support in times of crisis and are able to refer to food parcels and vouchers.
Child and Family Needs Assessment: Click to visit website
Contact for families provides clear information about Child and Family Needs Assessments. Contact the Integrated Front Door to ask for an assessment.
Siblings
Brothers and Sisters of children with a disability are often called Young Carers. This is because although they may not be directly involved in caring, their home life, school life and friendships are affected.
West Sussex Young Carers: Click here to visit website
Sibs: Click here to visit website
Sibs is a national organisation helping parents to understand and support their children through workshops, information and advice. A website with information and the opportunity to ask questions and share experiences with other children.
Advocacy
Family Rights Group: Click here to visit webite
They provide advocacy, an advice line for parents who are dealing with children’s services, resources, campaigns and forums.
0808 801 0366 Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 3:00 pm (excluding bank holidays).
Funding
Disability Register: Click here to visit website
Signing up to the West Sussex County Council Disability Register automatically provides families with a MAX Card for discounts on attractions and activities across England. For more information about the Disability Register and to sign up and request your MAX card, please click on the link above.
Compass Card: Click here to visit website
The Compass Card is a discount card for 0- to 25-year-olds with special educational needs or disabilities who live or go to school or college in Brighton & Hove. You can use the card at lots of leisure venues to get discounts or special offers.
Family Fund: Click here to visit website
A means tested grant for families with a child up to the age of 17. Applications can be made every 15 months for: white goods, days out, holidays, beds, equipment, clothes etc.
Turn2us: Click here to visit website
A national charity that helps people in financial hardship to gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and support services – online, by phone and face to face.
Benefits and Services
Talk to a Benefit advisor
Carers Support West Sussex Benefit Advice Service: Click here to visit page
Click the above link to read more about our benefits services. Alternatively, contact us by email, phone to book an appointment to talk with our Benefit Advisor.
Reaching Families Advice Service: Click here to visit website
Benefit Information and resources
Cerebra: Click here to visit website
Step by step guide to claiming Disability Living Allowance and how to appeal a decision
Scope: Click here to visit website
Benefit information and appeal resources
Disability Rights UK: Click here to visit website
Contact: Click here to visit website
National Organisations
Information, advice, training, resources, and template letters for writing to official bodies such as the local council, social services, education and health providers
Cerebra: Click here to visit website
Contact for Families: Click here to visit website
National Autistic Society: Click here to visit website
Education
West Sussex Information, Advice and Support Service (IASS): Click here to visit website
Help and support for parents in getting the right education for their child. Advice and one to one support with statutory assessments and statements or Education Health and Care Plans (EHCP) annual reviews, appeals and tribunals.
IPSEA: Click here to visit website
Free independent legally based advice around getting the right education for your child. Advice line, Tribunal advice line and downloadable template letters and resources.
Workshops
Reaching Families: Reaching Families Training
Mind workshops and online training: West Sussex Mind | Course Catalogue
Contact: Workshops and events
Expert Parent Course: Expert Parent Programme
Aims to help parents understand the (health) system
Renaissance Legal: Events for Families & Carers of Disabled & Vulnerable People
Webinars, events and written resources around future planning.
Renaissance Future Planning Guide: Planning for a Disabled & Vulnerable Childs Future
Parents of Autistic Adults 16+ may like to join our friendly group for Carers of Autistic Adults or attend our PAPA workshops to explore the complexities of living with and supporting an autistic adult: Visit our page here
Domestic Abuse Services
Worth Services: Click here to website
They support young people from the age of 13-17 years old; they also support adults. Phone: 033 022 28181 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) Text: 07834 968539.
My Sister’s House- Young Futures Peer Group – For young women between the ages of 15 and 19 who have experienced or who are at risk of experiencing domestic abuse. This is a six-week programme on Mondays 4.30pm until 6pm 01243 697800 either self-refer RISE Together Younger Futures Referral Form or professional referral RISE Together Younger Futures Referral Form
DART (Domestic Abuse Recovering Together)
Over ten weeks, mothers and children aged 7-14 meet for a weekly two-hour group session. Email DART@mysistershouse.info Phone: 01243 697800 and ask for the DART Team.
Paragon-Supporting Children and Young People who may have witnessed Domestic Abuse
Children and young people’s team can provide support to those aged five and up. By providing a safe space and individual sessions, we hope to allow children and young people to explore their emotions and feelings to make sense of their experiences. Contact 01329 825930 email enquiries@theyoutrust.org.uk
Counselling
Young People’s shop:
Provides support for Parents and Carers-they have pre-recorded webinar’s provided by CAMHS Parents & Carers | The Young People’s Shop They also provide counselling for young people 11-25 years in the Chichester and Arun districts. They also provide an emotional support drop-in service and now have a sensory room Young People | The Young People’s Shop 01243 839093 contact@yps-south.org.uk Mon-Fri 2pm until 6pm
CASS: Click here to visit website
UK counselling and neurodiversity coaching service that was designed to support neurodiverse people with e.g. autism and ADHD traits Contact – CASS admin@casscounselling.co.uk 07769 218986