Support for Parent Carers

Bournemouth Specific

Bournemouth Parent Carer Forum

Bournemouth Parent Carer Forum offer specialist consultation and participation service that give parents/carers a voice, and help to shape health, social and education service for children from 0-25 years old with special educational needs, complex medical, social, emotional and behavioural disabilities.

For more information, please contactMarion Burgess on 07585404335, email: , orvisit:

Bournemouth SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Service)

SENDIASS provides information and advice about special education needs and disabilities for people who live in Bournemouth. They help children and young people up to 25 years old and their families. If you have child with Special Educational Needs they can:

Provide you with up to date information and advice according to your needs.

Understand letters and reports from the school, pre-school, or local authority, and prepare for meetings.

Help you to contact other agencies and groups who may be able to help.

They operate a part time, term time service and are available Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9am to 2.30pm.

For more information, please call01202 451970

Bournemouth parent/carer group (Including parents/carers of adults)

A group held monthly on Fridays during term time, from 1.30-3.00pm at Malmesbury Park School, Lowther Road, Bournemouth, BH8 8LU.

For more information, please contact Marion Burgess on 07585 404335

Bournemouth parent/carer group (Autism specific)

A group help monthly on Thursdays during term time, from 2.00-3.00pm at Bishop of Winchester Academy, Mallard Road, Bournemouth, BH8 9PW.

For more information, please contact Carolyn Tayloron 01202 512697, or email:

Poole Specific

Poole Parent Carer Forum

Poole Parent Carer forum is a friendly group of parent carers who have children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities aged 0-25 years. They support and train parent carers to enable them to have input and be involved with shaping services alongside professionals who provide health, education, adult and social services.

For more information, please contact Sharon Mooreon 07852 422089 or email:

Poole SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Service)

SENDIASS provides information and advice about special education needs and disabilities for people who live in Poole. They help children and young people up to 25 years old and their families. They offer free impartial and confidential advice, information and support on special educational needs and disability, including social care and health issues.

For more information, please contact Poole SENDIASS on 01202 261933 or email:

The Mix

The Mix us a support group run by parents for parents and carers of children with autism, behavioural and developmental problems. Held at the Rossmore Library, Herbert Avenue, Poole, BH12 4HR, 10am–12pm every second Monday of the month. You don’t need to have been given a diagnosis, just drop in for a coffee and a chat. Refreshments are provided.

For more information, please contact Sara on 07966 971983, or email:

General

SIBS

SIBS a youth club who provide activities for young people aged 5½ to 17, who have a sibling with a learning disability, or who attends a special school for children with learning disabilities. It is for people living in Bournemouth, Poole, or East Dorset. SIBS is £5 per day for each child to attend.

For more information, or to register your interest, please call 01202 885176 (there should be someone available to take your call between 9am and 4.30, Monday – Friday. However, please do leave a message, and they will get back to you, or email:

Family Support Clinic

Offering guidance and support for the parents and carers of children and young people with a learning disability. Clinic sessions are designed to provide you would short-term support and guidance in relation to issues you child may encounter as they grow up. Appointments are help at The Bungalow, Castle Hill House, 65 Bournemouth Road, Parkstone, BH14 0EN.

For more information, please contact Children’s Community Learning Disability Service on 01202 885176

Where’s Your Head At?

The Parents/Carers and Service Users Group is a meeting of parents/carers, service users, and health professionals who meet monthly to discuss issues and ideas on how to improve the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service.

If you are interested in joining the group, please email

Coping with CHAOS (Children’s Helpers and Other Support)

Coping with Chaos us a parent run organisation that supports families caring for child/ren or a young person with a disability or special educational need throughout Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole. Support includes play opportunities, signposting and advice, and activities.

Also offered is Face to Face parent befriending service, support for parents to parents.

For more information, please call 01202 855105, or email:

January 2018