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Livewell Bathnes
Livewell Bathnes is the local offer for B&NES and has information about support available in the area, and details of groups and upcoming events for children and young people with SEND and their families. You can sign up for the free Rainbow Resource Scheme card which offers free or reduced cost of admission for selected leisure venues and attractions.
IPSEA - Independent Provider of Special Education Advice
The IPSEA is the Independent Provider of Special Education Advice for parents and carers. Their website is a useful source of information about SEND law and statutory processes.
Contact - Charity for Families of Disabled Children
Contact is a charity for families of disabled children, providing information and advice on a range of topics across education, health, care, and benefits.
B&NES Carer’s Centre
The B&NES Carer’s Centre can offer a carer’s assessment to look at family support needs and what the Centre can offer to help, including breaks for carers.
Young Carer’s Service
The Young Carer’s service also offers a range of support for sibling carers aged 5-25 including emotional support groups and activities and breaks with other young carers.
Parent Carer Forum
The Parent Carer Forum is a group of parent carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. Their aim is to improve services and raise awareness of SEND.
Groups for Children/Young People with SEND who attend Mainstream School
There is a list of activities here for those who have SEND but attend a mainstream school.
Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Young Minds
Young Minds provide mental health advice and resources for both parents and children and young people.
CAMHS - Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
CAMHS support young people with emotional, behavioural, and mental health difficulties. You can self-refer to the service using the online referrals form.
Anyone concerned about a child or young person’s mental health, or a child or young person themselves, can phone the children’s mental health helpline and speak to mental health experts over the telephone. The numbers to call are: 9am-5pm on a weekday - 01865 903777; or 5pm-9am on a weekday or on weekends 01865 901000.
School Nurse Service
The School Nurse Service has a confidential telephone drop-in service.
For Young People
Off the Record is a charity based in Bath who offer counselling, advocacy, and support to young people.
Mentoring Plus provides mentors to work with young people to support them with their social and emotional needs. They have some groups which you may be able to self-refer into.
Youth Connect South West supports young people aged 11-25 struggling to engage in education or training, and run youth groups. See the website for more details.
Early Years
Services are available through the Children’s Centre, including programmes for support, and Portage workers who work directly with children at home to support with emerging needs.
Autism Groups
The FACES support group is run by parents of children with ASD to share experiences and advice. Children and young people are welcome to attend, and activities are provided for them. The groups are held monthly at the Percy Centre in Bath.
In Keynsham, the Butterflies Haven is a weekly group for children and young people with ASD (diagnosis not needed).
Additionally, the Specialist Autism Support Service has an advice line and a padlet of information that you may find useful.
ADHD
The ADHD parent’s guide published by Spire has information to help you understand ADHD, and ideas to support your child, especially at school. The ADHD Foundation also provides lots of information and resources.
Continence
ERIC, the Children’s bowel and bladder charity, has information for children and their families as well as guidance to make sure children are fully supported at school.
Speech and Language
The Children’s Speech and Language Therapy Service has an advice line open every Wednesday during term time from 1 pm - 4 pm. Call 01225 831 752 to speak to a therapist.
Financial Advice
Citizens Advice offers support with completing forms. They can offer appointments and have drop-ins at Keynsham, Bath, and Midsomer Norton.
Contact has tips on completing the DLA form, with question-by-question guidance. Their free advice line number is 0800 808 3555.
There is a useful step-by-step guide for applying for DLA that can be downloaded from Cerebra.