Disabled Children’s Service
A specialist service which provides a range of support and services to disabled children, young people and their families across Devon. For more information about the type of support offered, click here Disabled Children's Service (DCS) - Education and Families. Information about now to request advice and/or an assessment can be found here, Request an assessment - Education and Families.
DIAS
Devon Information, Advice and Support (DIAS) service provides an impartial, confidential and free service for parents, children and young people. They can help you to understand more about the SEND support that is available including the support your child should receive at school. For more information, visit Home - Devon Information Advice and Support.
Cerebra
This organisation supports families of children with brain conditions who have complex medical, educational and social support needs. Cerebra provides guides, factsheets and other resources offer comprehensive and current information on a wide variety of issues – physical, social, sleep and legal – that parents and carers of children with brain conditions may be facing. For more information, visit Get Advice and Support - Cerebra.
Contact
Contact is a charity that supports parents and carers of children with additional needs. This service offers advice and guidance around the Disability Living Allowance application process. For more information, click here Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
Local support for neurodiverse adults, young people and children
This is a new programme, which provides high-quality and accessible autism information, education and coaching for families, and carers before and after diagnosis. This service offers 1-2-1 support for families and more information is here Autism Central - South West Hub - Bristol Autism Support, and you can self-refer for support using this form Bristol Autism Support Request for WAC 1-1 support (office.com).
Parent Support
South West Autism Support offers a wide range of bespoke services to families and professionals across the South West of the UK. They can offer support to parents who need to make sense of their child's behaviours and difficulties. Practical help can also be given to parents whose child is diagnosed or awaiting diagnosis. There is a charge for this service, and you can find out more at
www.southwestautismsupport.com/services.html.
Autism and Us parent programme and Autism themed workshops
Programme and themed workshops for parents/carers or Devon primary and secondary school children, pre or post-diagnosis. Attending the ‘Autism & Us’ parent programme gives you opportunity to develop your understanding of autism and look at practical solutions to managing and supporting your child’s presenting needs, whilst also connecting with other parents/carers.
Website: Autism and Us - Education and Families.
Calmer Lives
A virtual service offering advice, guidance and support to neurodiverse families and individuals across the South West and beyond. Funded support can be accessed through Early Help or patients can contact them direct if able to pay privately. For more information, visit At Your Side (calmerlives.co.uk).
A Kind of Magic Animal Centre
There is a small farm centre with animals near Kingskerswell that runs wellbeing events for families. Please visit www.facebook.com/kofm16/ for more information and how to book a session. You can message the centre via the Facebook page to book a session or email kofm@btinternet.com.
Bale’s Farm
Bale’s Farm offers a therapeutic outdoor learning provision for children between the ages of 5 and 19. They offer farm therapy sessions and fun days, and their website is here www.balesfarm.org/about-the-farm and their Facebook Page is www.facebook.com/Bales.Farm.Outdoor.Learning.
Activity groups/support groups
Teignmouth Neurodivergent Hub
A regular activity group for families and neuro-diverse children to meet and take part in activities for a wide range of ages. Sessions can include forest school, Saturday socials and a range of other activities. The group is based in Teignmouth, and their Facebook Page is https://www.facebook.com/tneurohub/, and their contact email address is tneurohub@outlook.com.
Tissues for Issues Group
This is a peer support group for parents who have children with additional needs. The group regularly runs events such as picnics, coffee mornings and a Youth Clubs. Members do not have to attend any of the face-to-face groups, and there is a private Facebook group to join to receive online support if preferred. More information is here https://tissuesandissues.org/home, and the private Facebook group is https://www.facebook.com/groups/1998466853749511. For more information, contact Jackie at 07796470009 or email tissuesandissues@outlook.com.