Resources for invisible struggling families

Ed Yourself

Exceptional plain-English explanations of education law, including Section 19 (the duty to provide alternative education), EOTAS, and the “illness or otherwise” duty.

Special Needs Jungle

News, information and informed opinion about SEND. Excellent articles on LGSCO complaints, EHCP processes, and systemic issues.

Cerebra

Legal rights information for families of children with brain conditions.

Find your Local Offer

Special Needs Jungle has a list of every council’s Local Offer website in England. This is the quickest way to find out what local SEND services are available near you.

Find your local council

If you’re not sure which council area you live in, use this link to check. Then search their website for “SEND Local Offer” or “local services for disabled children”.

PDA Society

Free strategy guides for families of demand-avoidant children. Useful even without a PDA diagnosis — if your child escalates in response to requests, instructions, or expectations, this is worth reading.

Naomi Fisher — When the Naughty Step Makes Things Worse

Book and resources for parents whose children do not respond to standard behaviour management. Gentle, practical advice for families facing school avoidance, EBSA, or emotional distress at home.

Ross Greene / Lives in the Balance

Collaborative Problem Solving — a practical, secular approach to conflict with children where standard behaviour management has failed. All resources free. Used in schools, homes, and clinical settings.

PACE Parenting

Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy. A relational approach developed by Dan Hughes for children whose behaviour is driven by fear and attachment needs rather than defiance. Free resources at DDP Network.

Declarative Language Handbook Downloads

Free downloadable resources and practical tools for parents and carers using declarative language strategies with children.

Parenting programmes — ask your local authority

Many local authorities offer free parenting programmes (NVR, Incredible Years, anxiety-focused). Bristol families can self-refer. Elsewhere, ask your child's school, GP, CAMHS, or Early Help team. These evidence-based courses help with challenging behaviour and anxiety.

NVR (Non-Violent Resistance)

Learn more about NVR (Non-Violent Resistance) — an evidence-based approach for families facing challenging behaviour. Resources, guides, and practitioner directory available.

Newbold Hope

For families where a child's behaviour has become violent, dangerous, or overwhelming. Founded by Yvonne Newbold MBE. Free resources, online community, and an introduction to Non-Violent Resistance (NVR). Non-judgmental. No shame, no blame.

Not Fine in School

Active Facebook community and support network for school avoidance families. Practical guides, compassionate advice, and a strong online community for parents and carers.

Newbold Hope Family Support Group

Online community with thousands of members. Weekly Q&A, expert speakers, and a moderated forum. No shame, no blame, no judgement.

PDA Society Community

Forum, Facebook group, and local meet-ups for PDA families. Connect with others who understand the unique challenges of demand-avoidant children.

National Network of Parent Carer Forums (NNPCF)

Every local authority has a statutory Parent Carer Forum. Most parents have never heard of these. They can advocate on your behalf and have formal influence on local SEND services.

Special Needs Jungle Community

Not just news and information — Special Needs Jungle also has an active community for parents to connect, share experiences, and support each other.

Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

You may be eligible even without a diagnosis. Many parents do not apply because they do not realise they qualify.

Carer's Allowance

If your child receives DLA at the middle or higher rate for care, you may be entitled to Carer's Allowance. Most parent carers do not know this. You do not have to be unemployed to claim.

Parent Carer Needs Assessment

You have your own legal right to a needs assessment — separate from your child's. Under Section 17 of the Children Act. Most parent carers have never been told this exists. Ask your child's social worker, or request one through First Response (Bristol) or your local authority.

Family Fund

Government-funded grants (not charity) for families of disabled or seriously ill children. Can fund washing machines, sensory equipment, family breaks, computers. Under-used.

Turn2Us

Searchable database of charitable grants. Many specifically for families of disabled children. Enter your postcode and situation.

Universal Credit — disabled child element

If your child has DLA and you receive Universal Credit, you may be entitled to an additional disabled child element you are not currently claiming. Check your entitlement at entitledto.co.uk

Disabled Children’s Register

Registering your child with your local authority is free and voluntary — and in many areas unlocks a discount card giving access to hundreds of local and national attractions, plus priority access to services.

Access Card

Helps make outings and public spaces more manageable. Does not require a specific diagnosis.

Home-Start

Trained volunteers who come to your home and support families with young children. Free, confidential, and non-judgemental. Around 175 local schemes across the UK.

Not Fine in School

Support network and campaign for families dealing with Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA). Offers practical guides, compassionate advice, and an active community for parents and carers.

Naomi Fisher

Clinical psychologist whose books Changing Our Minds and When Children Can’t Go to School offer gentle, compassionate perspectives and practical advice for families facing EBSA and school attendance difficulties.

Square Peg

Campaign for change in the school attendance system, with resources and advocacy for families experiencing EBSA. Provides understanding, community, and practical strategies.

Tree of Life

A strengths-based therapy where children draw a tree to represent their life, including roots, strengths, hopes, important people, and challenges. Visual, non-threatening, and often delivered by trained school staff. Ask your SENCO if it's available. Free resources at Dulwich Centre.

Play therapy

Place2Be operates in many schools and offers free play therapy. Ask your SENCO if your school has a Place2Be counsellor.

ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant)

Many schools have trained ELSAs who provide emotional support, coping strategies, and help children manage anxiety, friendships, and emotional regulation. Ask your SENCO if your school has an ELSA or can refer for ELSA support.

Emotional regulation through school nurse

School nurses can help children with emotional regulation, anxiety, and wellbeing. They may offer one-to-one support, group sessions, or signposting to further help. Ask your school about access to the school nurse for emotional support.

Lego-based therapy

Lego-based therapy is used in many schools to support social skills, communication, and emotional regulation. Small groups build together, learning teamwork and problem-solving. Ask your SENCO if Lego therapy is available.

Emotion card decks

Emotion card decks like the Therapeutic Treasure Deck are used by school staff to help children identify, express, and regulate emotions. These visual tools are helpful for children who struggle to talk about feelings. Ask your SENCO or school counsellor if these are available.

Occupational Therapy Referral

Occupational Therapy can help with sensory needs. Ask your GP or school for a referral. Sensory integration therapy is different—request it if your child has significant sensory processing differences.

Sirona CIC Occupational Therapy Resources

Free online resources and links for children’s occupational therapy, including sensory support and practical advice for families.

Sensory Circuits (Blog)

Blog post explaining sensory circuits and how they can help children regulate and prepare for learning. Includes practical tips and examples.

Sensory Processing Difficulties (Video)

Short video explaining sensory processing difficulties in children, with practical advice for parents and carers.

Sensory Ladders for Parents and Carers

Guide for parents and carers to help children manage sensory needs and regulation. Practical strategies and visual tools.

Sensory libraries

Before buying expensive equipment, check for a sensory library where you can borrow weighted blankets, therapy tools, and specialised equipment for free. For Bristol, try Gympanzees Lending Library. Elsewhere, search: "sensory library [your area]".

Kelly Mahler — Interoception

Free parent resources on body awareness — helping children understand internal signals like hunger, pain, anxiety, and the need to regulate. Particularly relevant for children who can't identify or communicate how they're feeling.

Understanding Your Child's Sensory Signals (PDF)

Free downloadable guide to sensory signals and behaviours in children. Useful for parents and carers seeking practical advice and explanations.

Carer Wellbeing Grants & Support

Many areas offer wellbeing grants for parent carers, usually through your local authority or carer centre. Grants are for your health and wellbeing—use for breaks, activities, or support. Find your local carer centre via Carers Trust.

Contact — Carer's Assessment

Free information and advice about your legal right to a carer's assessment. You can request one through your local authority or First Response (Bristol).

Carers UK

Information, advice, and community specifically for carers. Helpline: 0808 808 7777

Home-Start

Trained volunteers who come to your home. For when you need another adult present, not another thing to read. Around 175 local schemes across the UK.

Headspace / Calm — free NHS access

Some NHS areas offer free access to Headspace or Calm through the NHS app. Worth checking. Not a substitute for real support but accessible at 2am when nothing else is.

The Carer's Trust

Network of local carer support organisations. Find your local carer centre for in-person support and breaks.

IPSEA

Independent Provider of Special Education Advice. Free legal advice, template letters, tribunal support. The single most important resource for any parent navigating SEND.

IPSEA Template Letters

Ready-to-use letters for requesting EHC needs assessments, alternative provision, and more. Start here if you need to put something in writing today.

SOS!SEN

Free advice service, particularly strong on SEND Tribunal support.

Your Local SENDIAS

Every local authority must provide a free, impartial SEND Information, Advice and Support service. Your local SENDIASS adviser can attend meetings with you for free. You do not have to go alone. Find yours here.

Contact

For families with disabled children. Helpline, guides, and support.
Best first call for parents who don’t know where to start: 0808 808 3555 (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm).

Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO)

Investigates complaints about local authorities. Free to use. In 2024–25 the LGSCO upheld 83% of SEND complaints that went to detailed investigation.

SEND Tribunal

The First-tier Tribunal hears appeals about EHCP decisions, refusals to assess, and disability discrimination by schools. Free to use. You do not need a solicitor.

IPSEA Tribunal Guidance

Step-by-step guide to appealing to the SEND Tribunal.

TheyWorkForYou

Find your MP, see their voting record, and write to them. MPs can make enquiries on your behalf and add political pressure to your case.

FLORA

Bristol City Council’s Families, Local Offer, Resources and Advice team. Free information and advice for families of children with additional needs — available before any formal assessment or diagnosis.

SEND And You (Bristol SENDIAS)

Bristol’s SENDIAS service, providing free, impartial information, advice and support to children and young people with SEND and their families. Can help with EHCPs, meetings, and understanding your rights.

Bristol Parent Carers

A volunteer-run network of parent carers of children with SEND in Bristol. Information, support, events, and community — no diagnosis needed.

Bristol Local Offer

The Local Offer is Bristol City Council’s directory of SEND services, support, and information for families. Find out what’s available in your area, including education, health, social care, and activities. No diagnosis needed to access many services.

First Response

First Response is Bristol’s advice and signposting service for parents. If you’re worried about your child’s needs or wellbeing, call for guidance and support. It’s also the entry point for Family Help (formerly Families in Focus), which offers extra support for families with more complex needs. Ask for Family Help if you need extra support.

Family Help (formerly Families in Focus)

Family Help supports Bristol families with children who have complex needs needing help from multiple services (not urgent child protection). Call First Response and ask for Family Help. Support workers assist with practical issues, emotional support, and connecting to other services.

Free Parenting Programmes — Bristol City Council

Family Help offers free parenting courses for Bristol families. Self-referral, no professional needed. Courses run face-to-face and online.

• Incredible Years (ages 5–10, challenging behaviour)
• Timid to Tiger (ages 3–12, anxiety)
• Parents Plus Adolescents (ages 10–17)
• NVR (ages 8–17, challenging behaviour)

See current list and self-refer: Parenting courses info.

Gympanzees Lending Library (Bristol)

Free lending library for sensory and therapy equipment for disabled children and young people in Bristol. Borrow weighted blankets, therapy tools, and more.

Bristol Disability Register & Pink Card

Register your child with Bristol City Council and receive a free Pink Card — proof of disability that unlocks carer discounts at local attractions including Bristol Aquarium and Aerospace Bristol.

Carer’s Wellbeing Grant

A one-off payment from Bristol City Council for parent carers of disabled children. Can be used for anything that supports your health and wellbeing — short breaks, activities, or simply time to breathe.

First Response

Bristol’s gateway to the Disabled Children’s Service and social care needs assessments. If you think your child needs a social care assessment — or you need a parent carer assessment — this is where to start. Call 0117 903 6444.

Bristol Disability Register & Pink Card

Register your child with Bristol City Council and receive a free Pink Card — proof of disability that unlocks carer discounts at local attractions including Bristol Aquarium and Aerospace Bristol.

Bristol Autism Team

Specialist autism outreach service for children and young people with a diagnosis of autism in Bristol. Supports families and schools with advice, strategies, and training. Referral is usually via your child’s school SENCO.

Bristol Autism Support

The only autism-specific charity in Bristol. Free support for parents and carers of autistic children across BS postcodes, including benefits advice and local activity listings.

Incredible Kids

Inclusive play sessions for children with SEND and their families in Kingswood and Lockleaze. No diagnosis needed. Weekday and weekend sessions available.