Devon County Council -useful links

Local Offer Website

The Local Offer has information for families of children and young people with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities(SEND), from birth to the age of 25. Information from different agencies, services and resources for children and young people with SEND and their families. 

https://new.devon.gov.uk/educationandfamilies/special-educational-needs-and-disability-send-local-offer

Support for different types of need and links to useful websites

https://new.devon.gov.uk/educationandfamilies/special-educational-needs-and-disability-send-local-offer/support-for-different-types-of-need

Parental Advice and Support- Devon Information Advice and Support (DIAS) can support parents, carers, children and young people with SEND and their service is impartial and confidential.

Home - Devon Information Advice and Support (devonias.org.uk) 

Further support and advice for parents can be accessed from DIAS. This organisation is able to provide impartial and independent advice, support and information on special educational needs and disabilities. Telephone: 01392 383080 Email: devonias@devon.gov.uk

Website:www.devonias.org.uk

We’ve got a new and improved telephone and email enquiry service!

To help more families get the expert advice they need, when they need it, while at the same time keeping waiting times down we have introduced a new helpline.

This means that when you call, or send a message in, our experienced and knowledgeable support team are on hand to deal with your enquiry using a solutions focused approach. That means we will help you find a clear and positive way forward with the issue you have that day.

You get the advice you need, when you need it, and help to take the next step. You can come back to us whenever you need more information or support.

The enquiry line is open 10am-3pm Monday to Friday and our web contact form is available 24/7 at http://soc.devon.cc/KRaOB

https://www.facebook.com/100063584830085/posts/pfbid02pcTL3zNFN1CCsbxqDkt3CshRjqBdUENF5LXwZ8xWh7PKCLZRrs3zxAU1b9wFkhexl/?sfnsn=scwspmo 

Reference: The Key

DIAS- jargon busting! Terms related to SEND are explained in this fact sheet:

https://devonias.org.uk/documents/2021/02/jargon-buster.pdf/

DIAS- helpful SEND websites

Helpful SEND websites - Devon Information Advice and Support (devonias.org.uk)

Contact

Free advice and information helpline for parents and carers with a child/ren with a disability from birth to 25 years, living in any part of the UK.

Contact - for families with disabled children | Contact

Contact- education and learning advice

Education & learning | Contact

Contact- emotional support through a free, listening ear telephone line service

Listening Ear | Contact

Autism and Us Programme- offered by Devon

Autism and Us’ Parent Programme (Summer Term 2024):   Support from the Communication and Interaction Team - Education and Families (devon.gov.uk)

Support for parents/carers of Devon primary and secondary children who are either on the autism assessment waiting list or who have received a diagnosis of autism.

Our ‘Autism & Us’ programme delivered this academic year will once again be offered during the forthcoming summer term of the 2023-24 academic year for parents/carers of Devon DCC primary and secondary school children, pre or post diagnosis. 

We are delighted to announce that we are offering access for families of CYP (Children & Young People) who are currently on the autism assessment pathway, in addition to families of CYP who have received an autism diagnosis.

Attending the ‘Autism & Us’ parent programme gives you an 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.

Full programme details and application process below:

Autism & Us programmes:

• 4 weekly ‘live online’ sessions (approx. 2hrs each) related to the following topic/themes:
• weekly ‘live online’ sessions (approx. 2hrs each) related to the following topic/themes:

Apply direct by email to: educationlearnersupport@devon.gov.uk

To secure a place on either of the above programmes, or express your interest for forthcoming programmes.  We will confirm your booking request, and provide you with a direct link to the event. They will be delivered on line ‘live’ via the Microsoft TEAMs platform.

Additionally we will also be offering the following very popular themed/topic based workshops, which lead on from the above programmes for themes/topics that may be a priority area for you against your child’s presenting needs:

Apply direct by email to: educationlearnersupport@devon.gov.uk

To secure a place on any of the above topic based workshops. We will confirm your booking request, and provide you with a direct link to the event. They will be delivered on line ‘live’ via the Microsoft TEAMs platform.

Watch the AET brand-new animated video!

Further local groups for Communication and Interac and children wit additional needs, offering supportive networks for children, young people and families are:

AIMS: An activity and support group based in Dawlish  Home - AIMS Families

Tissues and Issues https://www.facebook.com/groups/1998466853749511

South Devon Autism Forum - Events Page - Home | Facebook

Asperations Group - Home | Facebook

National Autistic Society exeter@nas.org.uk

Early Help run an online group Early Help Online Support Group for parents of children with ASC (diagnosed or undiagnosed) – monthly group if parents would like an invitation then they can email us with their email

earlyhelpsouthsecure-mailbox@devon.gov.uk

Parent  Talk  Action for Children-  this has a chat function  parenttalk.org.uk/devon  where parents can talk to professionals – other parents have found this really good.

Single Point of Access (SPA) team- parents can telephone the SPA team and request to talk to a duty worker with Autism experience for general advice-0330 0245 321 

Parents can phone the SPA 0330 0245 321 and request to talk to a ASD duty worker for general advice

Parents/carers of children who are experiencing challenges- the Alice Cross Centre, Teignmouth from 7th September 2023, 10.30am -12pm every Thursday until the end of term, but not during school holidays. Tea and coffee will be provided. This group is for parents/carers of children who are experiencing challenges to give you the opportunity to meet others, share tips/advice and have time to talk. No sign up is required, just pop along.

Early Help provision

Multi Agency Early Help Offer- more information can be found at Devon Children and Families Partnership https://www.dcfp.org.uk/early-help/

A one minute guide to Early Help in Devon - Devon Children and Families Partnership (dcfp.org.uk) 

Early Help is the extra support your family can get if you need it. It may be that you want to prevent a problem, or change things for your family before the problem becomes more serious.

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It is not a specific service or team, it’s an approach that brings together people from a range of services and teams who will work together with your whole family to help improve the situation for everyone.

By identifying and building on your strengths as a family we can help and support you to find long term solutions to your issues, as well as developing your skills to help you manage any future challenges.

Ethnic Minority and Traveller Achievement Service (EMTAS) – Devon

Advice for schools to remove barriers and inequalities in attainment and achievement for children and young people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic and Traveller heritages, as well as those learning English as an Additional Language (EAL), including anti-racism and bilingual resources.(Ref: Devon EMTAS website)

Ethnic minority and traveller support - Support for schools and settings (devon.gov.uk)

Supporting Ukraine

Home - Supporting Ukraine (devon.gov.uk)

Homes for Ukraine – Resources - Devon Children and Families Partnership (dcfp.org.uk) 

Homes for Ukraine – Resources - Devon Children and Families Partnership

Homes for Ukraine – Resources Introduction. Homes for Ukraine is a national official scheme to find homes for Ukrainian adults and children escaping war.. Some people have also arrived through informal routes and therefore may not be known to the scheme.

www.dcfp.org.uk

Government Benefits Calculator Check benefits and financial support you can get - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

This includes information on children’s Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children with a disability or having additional needs.

Medical needs

School Nurse- Public Health Nursing team- Devon

Devon’s Public Health Nursing (PHN) team can be contacted for advice and reference to the following websites provide a wealth of information.

The PHN central hub can be contacted on 0333 2341 901, there is a school nurse on duty, Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. Alternatively, come and speak to Mrs Courtenay, Inclusion Leader to consider if a referral to this team would be helpful for your child.  

Information about the services offered by this team.

Public Health Nursing – Education and Families (devon.gov.uk)

This includes a wide range of health needs that may be affecting your child, for example, sleep problems, toilet training, bladder and bowel problems and much more!

Useful links – Education and Families (devon.gov.uk)

For general health information, the below websites contain useful age specific information:

Under 5 Years Old: https://www.healthforunder5s.co.uk/devon/  
5 to 11 Years Old: https://www.healthforkids.co.uk/devon/
11 Years+ : https://www.healthforteans.co.uk/devon/   

Children and Family Health Devon leaflets - Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

Healthier Families - Home - NHS (www.nhs.uk). 

Health for Kids provides information for primary school aged children and includes games, videos and quizzes. The site consists of four different worlds: Staying Healthy, Illness, Feelings and Getting Help. Each world is populated with different areas for children to learn about their health.

There is a separate area for grown-ups for in-depth guidance and localised information (www.healthforkids.co.uk/devon)  

Healthy Bodies | Health for Kids Grownups

Healthy Minds | Health for Kids Grownups

Health Issues | Health for Kids Grownups

Mental Health and Well Being

CAMHS Duty Line - parents can phone the Single Point of Access (SPA) 0330 0245 321 and request to talk to a duty worker – either the CAMHS duty worker or Autism duty worker for general advice. Note, this is not a crisis phone number.

Social and Emotional, Mental Health-some useful strategies and support for young people

Parents Mental Health Support | Advice for Your Child | YoungMinds

Parent Talk - Support for Parents from Action For Children

Children's mental health - Every Mind Matters - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Anxiety – Devon’s update and suggested strategies of support:

Anxiety is the most common psychological condition among children and young people, according to Anxiety UK’s Operations Director, Dave Smithson. Yet the signs of anxiety are not always obvious for parents to spot.

Anxious child or young person - how would I know? - News (devon.gov.uk)

Speech and Language- support and strategies for parents

Parent Portal | Home (speechandlanguage.info)

Parent Portal | Home - Speech and Language

Welcome to the Parent Portal, our award-winning speech and language support website for parents, carers and families. At Speech and Language Link, we understand that supporting your child’s language learning, alongside everything else that life demands from you, can be challenging.

speechandlanguage.info

Stammering Support

https://actionforstammeringchildren.org/support/for-parents/

Toileting, Bladder and Bowel

ERIC is the national charity dedicated to improving children’s bowel and bladder health. There are a wealth of resources and supportive on their website or you can contact them on, 0808 1699 949, Monday to Thursday, 10am to 2pm on freephone.

Home - ERIC