Useful resources

There is lots of great information and advice out there on housing and homelessness, neurodiversity, and special educational needs and disability (SEND) support for children and young people. This is not an exhaustive list, but here are some resources you might find useful:

General information, advice and support

Housing information, advice and support

Google your local area + ‘family housing’ / ‘homelessness support services’ to find local services e.g. The Crib (Oldham), The Mustard Tree (Manchester), Llamau (Wales).

SEND information, advice and support

Google your local area + ‘SEND family support services’ / ‘autism family support services’ etc. to find local services e.g. Little Miracles (East Midlands, East Anglia and South East), AFSO (Oxfordshire), Autism NI (N Ireland), Different Minds (Scotland).

Local authority services

Local offer
Each local authority has a ‘local offer’ – a list of all the services for children, young people and families in their area. You can find yours by Googling e.g. ‘local offer Wandsworth’ or ‘local offer Warwickshire’.

SENDIASS
Each local authority has an arms-length SEND Information, Advice and Support Service, called SENDIASS, run by specialist advisors. You can find yours by Googling e.g. ‘SENDIASS Tower Hamlets’ or ‘SENDIASS Lincolnshire’.

Short Breaks
Each local authority has a ‘Short Breaks’ service, offering funding for respite care for disabled children and their families. You can find yours by Googling e.g. ‘short breaks Hounslow’ or ‘short breaks Cornwall’.

Talking services for adults

Operating hours vary – please check individual websites.

  • Samaritans For helpline call: 16 123

  • Contact (formerly Contact a Family) For helpline call: 808 808 3555

  • Gingerbread For helpline call: 0808 802 0925

  • Mind For helpline call: 0300 102 1234

  • Young Minds For parent helpline call: 0808 802 5544

Talking services for children and young people

Operating hours vary – please check individual websites.

  • Papyrus For emergency hopeline call: 0800 068 41 41

  • Childline For helpline call: 0800 1111

Charitable grants