Health and SEND
Support for parents or carers of children with SEND
These services and organisations can help parents and carers who are concerned about a child or young person's mental health:
The Parent’s Portal by Autism Early Support
The Parent’s Portal by Autism Early Support is a digital platform for Buckinghamshire families and professionals. As part of the council's universal offer to families, the Parent’s Portal provides free online support and guidance services.
Buckinghamshire Family Information Service
Buckinghamshire Family Information Service supports parents, parents-to-be and children and young people from birth to 19, and up to 25 if they have special educational needs or disabilities (SEND).
Bucks SENDIAS
The Buckinghamshire SENDIAS service provides free, confidential, and impartial information, advice, and support for SEND for children and young people aged 0 to 25, and their parents/carers.
Disabled Children's Register (DCR)
Disabled Children's Register (DCR), called the Buckinghamshire Additional Needs Database (BAND) enables the Council to plan and improve local support and services for children and young people with SEND and their families. Families who sign up get access to a Max card, helping families to save money on days out.
- Mencap: mental health advice for people with a learning difficulty and their parents or carers
- Mental health and autism: advice from the National Autistic Society on mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- YoungMinds: confidential online and telephone support to anyone worried about the emotional and mental well-being of a child or young person up to the age of 25
- MindEd: advice to help parents or carers identify, understand and support children and young people with mental health issues
- Action for Children: a guide to children's mental health, and how talking about issues can help to prevent long-term problems
- Healthy Minds Bucks helps people aged 18 or over with common mental health problems such as low mood, anxiety, worry, stress, long-term conditions and employment support
- Carers Bucks can provide help and advice on caring for children with SEND.
- Families and Carers Together in Buckinghamshire (FACT Bucks) is a group of parents and professionals who meet to discuss issues that affect children and young people with SEND in Buckinghamshire.
- The Designated Clinical Officer (DCO) has a key role in supporting joined up working between health services, local authorities and other SEND partners.