Overwhelmed by the SEND system?
Disability Positive is here to stand by you through every step of your journey.
They offer a wide range of services designed to lighten your load and ensure that you and your child receive the care and support you deserve:
- Advocacy: Let Disability Positive advocate on your behalf, ensuring your voice is heard in all situations.
- Care Support Services: Help tailored to the unique needs of your family.
- Community Connections: Helping you access funding and practical support for short breaks, giving you the respite you need.
- The Buzz & The Sensory Hive: Spaces that provide enrichment and support, fostering a sense of community and connection.
- Befriending Service: Building connections to prevent isolation and offer companionship
For more information on these services, visit Disability Positive
Services Archive - Disability Positive
Cheshire & Warrington Carers Trust is another invaluable resource dedicated to supporting carers through the emotional and practical challenges they face:
- Carer’s Helpline: Available Monday to Friday, providing information, advice, and emotional support to carers.
- Monthly Support Groups & Lunch Clubs: Opportunities to connect with other carers, share experiences, and take a well-deserved break.
- Benefits Advice & Form Filling: Expert help with navigating the complexities of benefits applications, from Blue Badge to PIP.
- Specialist Support: Tailored advice for parent carers and those juggling work with their caring responsibilities.
- Social Events & Wellbeing Fund: Providing carers with the chance to unwind and recharge, with personalised breaks funded through their Wellbeing Fund.
Discover more about their offerings at Cheshire & Warrington Carers Trust
Cheshire & Warrington Carers Trust (cheshireandwarringtoncarers.org)
For families needing free, impartial legal advice, Information Advice Support Services (IASS) is a lifeline.
They provide confidential support to help you navigate the complex SEND landscape:
- Legal Guidance: Understand your rights and the law surrounding school admissions, exclusions, and SEND provisions.
- EHC Plans: Get the support you need throughout the Education, Health, and Care (EHC) assessment process.
- Meeting Preparation & Advocacy: Empower yourself with expert advice and preparation for crucial meetings.
- Resolving Disagreements: Assistance with mediation and tribunals to ensure your child’s needs are met.
Learn more about how IASS can support you by visiting IASS
More to explore
Discover the Local Offer: Your One-Stop -Shop Resource for SEND Support!
The Local Offer is here to provide essential information, services, advice, and support for children and young people aged 0-25 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families.
What Can You Find in the Local Offer?
Getting Started: Find out where to begin your journey.
Parent/Carer Support: Resources and advice tailored for you.
Education, Health, and Care Assessments and Plans: Guidance on assessments and planning.
Early Years and Education: Support for early years and educational needs.
Health: Information on health services and support.
Social Care: Access to social care services.
Preparing for Adulthood: Resources to aid transition into adulthood.
Activities and Short Breaks: Fun and respite opportunities for families.
Funding and Finance: Financial advice and funding options.
Travel and Transport: Information on travel and transport services.
Explore all that the Local Offer has to offer here
Meet other parents-peer support
The best support in the world is connecting to other parents
Tiny Steps - Providing inclusive SEN sessions and activities for children and young people with additional needs. For children and families in the Northwich/Winsford area in Cheshire West and Chester.
Space - Providing accessible play and support to children with additional needs and their families.
Cheshire Autism Practical Support- If you think a member of your family may have an Autism Spectrum Condition, this site can give you information and support as you navigate your way through the emotional journey of life with a dependent who is going to need more help than an average person.
Down Syndrome Cheshire- We support people of all ages with Down syndrome to unlock their potential and lead happy and fulfilling lives by changing perceptions, creating opportunities and educating the wider community.
Facebook Groups
There is of course national support.
CONTACT - have a listening ear service and lots of resources for support. Including free workshops for parents
IPSEA - for free independent legal advice, information and support
Remember, you don’t have to navigate this journey alone. These services are here to support you every step of the way, providing not just practical help, but also the emotional backing you need to keep moving forward. Accessing one of these services open the doors for more. It can be overwhelming we at the PCF will help get you started.
If you have any questions, please email us at: contact.pcfcwac@gmail.com or call 07900 840867
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