SENDIASS (Tameside Special Educational Needs & Disability Information, Advice and Support Service)
(formerly known as Tameside Parent Partnership Service – PPS)
What kind of things does Tameside SENDIASS provide?
SENDIASS aims to encourage and develop partnership between children, young people, parents/carers, schools, the local authority and all other partners who are involved in working to identify, assess and meet the special educational needs of children and young people.
- Confidential and impartial information, advice and support to children, young people and their parents/carers on Education matters and Health and Social Care matters in relation to education.
- Information, advice and support on subjects including local policy and practice, personalisation, personal budgets, preparation for adulthood, the law on SEN and Disability, Health and Social Care.
- Information, advice and support throughout the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) assessment process and review process. Also information about existing Special Educational Needs (SEN) Statements and review process.
- Information, advice and support about SEN Support in settings, schools and further education.
- Individual casework.
- Support in preparing for and attending meetings.
- Help in filling in forms and writing letters/reports.
- Support in resolving disagreements, including Disagreement Resolution, Mediation and Tribunals.
- Signposting to other local or national sources of advice, information and support.
- Links to local parent support groups and forums.
- Information about Tameside’s Local Offer www.tameside.gov.uk/localoffer
- Address:
- Jubilee Gardens
- Garden Fold Way
- Droylsden
- M43 7XU
Ashcroft School
Location: Stockport
Ashcroft School is an independent special school catering for children and young people aged 5 to 18 years who have struggled to cope in other settings because of their individual barriers to learning. At Ashcroft School we pride ourselves in working with each student offering a bespoke education package. We cater for pupils with complex emotional needsincluding ADHD, ASC and acquired brain injuries working closely with local authorities to support looked after children.
Ashcroft School provides 25 hours of learning per week and offers a broad and balanced curriculum adapted to reflect individual needs.
We adopt a variety of methodologies, often not available in mainsteam schools, to ensure we work flexibly with each young person. We have high expectations of our students and are committed to raising achievement. Our teams work flexibly to fulfil the varying curriculum and social needs of our students. We focus on ensuring our students develop lifelong learning skills which in our timecan lead to the successful completion of accredited courses, including GCSEs, thereby increasing their opportunity to access futhur education, training and employment. For furthur information regarding these can be found by searching "Ashcroft programmes" at
Together Trust or
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdOzCpQnuxA
- Address:
- Ashcroft School, Together Trust Campus, Schools Hill, Cheadle, Stockport, SK8 1JE
For more information:
The National Autistic Society
Would you like to receive confidential emotional support from another parent? Parent to Parent is a UK-wide confidential telephone service providing emotional support to parents and carers of autistic children and adults. The service is provided by trained parent volunteers who offer telephone support from their own homes. The Parent to Parent volunteers are based across the UK, so parents don’t have to share information with someone in their local area. “It was great to speak to someone who had been in my position and understood so much of what I am going through and what my son is going through.” Our volunteers have personal experience of autism and the impact it has on their own families. They can give other parents the opportunity to talk through problems and feelings. They can suggest helpful strategies, or provide a non-judgmental listening ear.
You can call at any time, day or night, and leave a message on our 24-hour answerphone. Please be aware that you will not speak to someone immediately as this is not a manned line. If you leave a message, we will call you back as soon as possible at a time which suits you.
- Address:
- The National Autistic Society, 393 City Road, London, EC1V 1NG
For more information:
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Bridge College
Location: Manchester
Bridge College is a non-residential specialist FE college. We meet the needs of students up to the age of 25 years with learning difficulties and disabilities, complex needs, communication disorders and autism.
With our new state of the art campus, we have access to a wide range of leisure and community facilities in Manchester as well as parks and open spaces. This means our students can learn in lots of different settings and develop the skills needed for life as an active and valued young adult in your community. Students can experience our hydrotherapy pool, our sensory rooms and our rebound room within a wide programme of activities.
The effective multi-disciplinary assessment informs the young person's learning programme and identifies the appropriate learning environment and support strategies. This actively enables the young person to engage in a range of challenging and fun sessions. Schools. Parents/carers and other agencies are invited to path planning meetings to support transition and consistency from college to home environments.
Our belief is that everyone should have the chance to achieve their potential, there are no exceptions.
Our college is part of the Together Trust, a charity that is approaching its 150 year anniversary of working with young people with learning disability and autism.
Phone now on 0161 487 4293 to arrange a visit. We look forward to meeting you.
- Address:
- Bridge College, Openshaw Campus, Whitworth Street, Manchester, M11 2GR
For more information:
Building Opportunities
Location: Stockport
We have developed a provision offering a number of construction based vocational activities. These offer students the opportunity to gain industry recognised qualifications at level 1 and 2 in a range of specialist areas. The centre is registered to deliver Ascentis and BTEC qualifications which allow us to design tailored packages to meet the needs and interests of each individual student. Not only do we focus on gaining skills, we incorporate relationship building, personal growth and development in the context of a strong real world work ethic as well as teaching complementary skills such as IT, technical literacy and numeracy skills. By delivering core learning around personal development, students not only gain experience, they gain interpersonal skills too- opening up even more opportunities! Building oppurtunities is perfect for students who are interested in practical activities.
We work with schools, academies, studio schools, free schools, special schools, PRus and local authorities to provide opportunities for individual students or classes to spend half/ whole days with us and undertake programmes of study, resulting in Level 1 and Level 2 outcomes in "Construction and the Built Environment". At building opportunities we work with students in a way that enables them to understand the benefits of hardwork and dedication by giving tailored advice and quality support, providing a backdoor route into academia.
If you would like furthur details on any of the options available, please contact us on: 0161 475 0788 or 0161 283 4832 or visit Together Trust or https://www.youtube.com/user/Thetogethertrust
- Address:
- Building Opportunities, Water Street, Stockport, SK1 2BP
For more information:
Down's Syndrome Association
Location: Middlesex
Information and support for young people with Down's Syndrome, their families, carers and practitioners who are working with them. Please visit the website below for further information.
Open: The helpline is available from 10.00am-4.00pm (Monday to Friday)
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- Langdon Down Centre, 2a Langdon Park, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 9PS
For more information:
Family Support Services - Together Trust
Location: Cheadle
Together Trust's Family Support Services provide a range of therapy, advice and consultancy services directly to mainstream, special and independent schools, nurseries and FE colleges, as well as to families, local authorities and social care services.
The Together Trust also provides a wide range of care, special education and community services for children and adults with behavioural challenges, learning difficulties, physical disabilities, complex health needs and autism.
We welcome contact from parents/carers and professionals who are interested in any of our services, as it gives us the opportunity to explain more about ourselves and to answer any questions that you may have.
In addition to local authority funded services, our services can be purchased by families, carers, and service users over the age of 18 or their brokers via a direct payment, individual budget, individual service fund or personal/private funds. We are also able work with brokerage services to deliver tailored packages of support to meet your budget and goals.
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- Together Trust, Schools Hill, Cheadle, SK8 1JE
For more information:
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Newbridge, Together Trust
Location: Cheshire
Newbridge is part of the Together Trust, a voluntary organisation offering a range of innovative and vibrant community services for adults with learning disabilities, autism and/or complex health needs.
Our people shaped services offer: Happiness, Inclusion, Resilience, Positive Relationships and Well being.
Newbridge tailor make programmes to suit the individual needs of people aged 18 to 30 years, providing a diverse range of exciting and varied activities with opportunities to develop vocational and independence skills, as well as the chance to socialise.
We offer a comprehensive programme of activities which includes art, baking, sensory sessions, gardening and relaxation. You can learn new skills in our 'Café Xperience', Newbridge's on site restaurant that serves other young people accessing the service and staff five days a week. We also enjoy getting out and about regularly in our specially adapted vehicles, using the local leisure centres for swimming, football, basketball and the gym. We offer personalised programmes to suit your needs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eYRhWXRZ1E
Opening Times: Mon - Fri: 9:30am to 3:30pm
Cost: Newbridge Centre services can be funded via individual budgets or direct payments. We also work with brokerage services to deliver tailored packages of support to meet your budget and goals.
Other: Newbridge offers a range of innovative and vibrant community services for adults with learning disabilities, autism and/or complex health needs aged 18 to 30. Our wide range of flexible services are available to people with individual budgets or direct payments. We also work with brokerage services to deliver tailored packages of support to meet your budget and goals, providing opportunities to develop vocational and independence skills as well as the chance to socialise. We offer personalised programmes to suit your needs.
Address: NewBridge Centre, Cromer Street (off Newbridge Lane), Stockport, SK1 2NY
For more information:
Sense Childrens Specialist Services
Location: Wakefield
Sense is a national charity that supports and campaigns for children and adults who are deafblind. We provide tailored support, advice and information as well as specialist services to all deafblind people, their families, carers and professionals who work with them. In addition, we support people who have a single sensory impairment with additional needs.
In order to be clear and open about the support we can provide to families we have developed a core offer of support which is available to all children and young people:
- We will get in touch within two working days from when you first contact Sense
- You will meet a Sense specialist within eight weeks of first getting in touch with us
- You will have your own identified worker
- You will have the opportunity to attend at least one family event per year
- We will keep in touch through an annual contact
- You will have access to the information and advice service
- We will offer you the chance to join Sense through our membership programme
- An outcome of Sense supporting you may involve our working alongside your local authority to provide an individual service solution tailored to your needs.
This offer is provided through Sense's work as a charity.
Children's Specialist Service can also offer other support at times of particular need, including:
- Help when your child is first diagnosed - including giving you practical ideas about how to develop your child's skills, and advice on suitable play activities.
- Assessments that look at your child as a whole - which focus on what your child can do.
- Extra support at times of crisis - such as when a family is under considerable strain.
- Support with significant periods of change for your child (transitions) - such as starting school and moving into adulthood.
- Resource libraries which lend sensory toys and equipment (nearest resource based in Wakefield).
The support offered in this way will be time limited, depending on the level of family need.
Our aim is to always start with what a child is able to do and then look at how that can be built on. When we support a family we begin by finding out what their key issues are and work in partnership with the family (and other professionals) to help resolve these.
- Address:
-
Pemberton House, 122 Westgate, Wakefield, WF1 1XP
For more information:
- Telephone: 0300 330 9256
- Visit: Sense
Together Trust SEND Disagreement Resolution and Mediation Services
Location: Stockport
Disagreement Resolution (DRS) & Mediation Services are designed to help settle disagreements surrounding the provisions provided for a child/ young person with special educational needs/ disabilities and how their needs can best be met. Here at Together Trust, we have been providing these services to a number of Local Authority areas to enable parties to have their voice.
Mediation is specifically linked to decisions relating to an EHC Needs Assessment and/or Plan and is a statutory service commissioned by the Local Authority. Mediation must be considered by parents, carers or young people before submitting an appeal to the First Tier Tribunal. Your right to appeal decisions are time limited and advice must be sought within 2 months from the date of your letter from the LEA.
Families have the option to choose whether or not to take part in a mediation meeting. Should you choose not to go to mediation, a certificate must be obtained from your mediation adviser to confirm this option has been considered. You will not be disadvantaged at a Tribunal should you feel mediation wouldn't be productive at this stage and Tribunal will not take account of whether or not mediation has taken place.
Disagreement Resolution applies to any aspect of SEN regardless of whether or not the child or young person is being assessed for or has an EHC plan, and can be used at any time with the agreement of parties involved.
DRS covers a range of disagreements including:
• The performance of duties.
• Any aspect of SEN provision.
• Health and social care disagreements during the processes related to an EHC needs assessment.
We welcome contact from parents/carers and professionals who are interested in our services. Our mediation co-ordinators are available to provide impartial and unbiased information and guidance on DRS and Mediation, including the timescales involved in the process, and to answer any questions that you may have to enable you to make an informed decision.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oZJezf2KTc
Opening times: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm (office hours)
- Address:
-
Together Trust Centre, Schools Hill, Cheadle, Stockport, SK8 1JE
For more information:
Afasic
Location: London
Around 6% of children starting school have speech, language and communication needs (SLCN)- and on average of 2 in every classroom.
Afasic is the UK Charity representing children and young people with speech & langage communication difficulties, working for their inclusion in society and supporting their parents and carers.
Our Advice and Information Services provide support to thousands of people every year, including helpline and email support, free to download factsheets and access to our local networks.
Helpline: 9.15am -2.30pm Monday and Tuesday,
10.30am -2.30pm Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Referral Method: Self referral, ring the helpline number or contact us via the website and email.
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- Afasic, 1st Floor, 20 Bowling Green Lane, London, EC1R 0BD
- Telephone: 0300 666 9410
- Fax: 020 7251 2834
- Visit: Afasic
Henshaws Society for Blind People
Location: Manchester
We provide expert care, advice and training to anyone affected by sight loss, right where it's needed most. Our specialist staff within the Children and families service can offer personalised support, advice and guidance for parents, children and siblings who may be affected by sight loss covering Greater Manchester and Merseyside. This can come in many forms including (but not limited to) school holiday activities, courses to promote independence (IMCYP), support at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, one-to-one information and support from staff, and the Parent and Toddler Group. Contact us to find out more about our pathway to Independence - a bespoke package of support, activities and training which is tailor-made to the needs of your family.
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- Old Trafford, Atherton House, 88-92 Talbot Road, Manchester, M16 0GS
For more information:
Meridian, Together Trust
Location: Stockport
Meridian Short Break Services can be funded via individual budgets or direct payments. We also work with brokerage services to deliver tailored packages of support to meet your budget and goals. For further information and to arrange a service visit please contact us on 0161 485 7235, email us at enquiries@togethertrust.org.uk or visit www.togethertrust.org.uk
Meridian- short break care provision for children and young people with autism and associated challenging behaviours, learning and communication difficulties.
Accredited by the National Autistic Society, Meridian provides a secure, well-equipped outdoor play area, sensory rooms and communal living areas where young people are encouraged to develop their life skills.
- Address: Meridian Respite Centre, 64 Station Road, Stockport, SK8 7BH
For more information:
- Telephone: 0161 485 7235 / 0161 283 4848 / 0800 013 0014
The National Autistic Society Family Services and the Greater Manchester Autism Consortium
Location: Manchester
We are a Greater Manchester-wide project co-funded by the 10 Local Authorities to provide independent and specialist information and advice to people with autism, family carers and professionals. We are also funded to work with Local Authorities around developing and improving services for those living with autism.
We can advise and offer support on a range of issues affecting children and adults with autism, with and without additional learning disabilities. We follow up most of the calls we receive by sending relevant information to the caller and, where appropriate, signposting them to other services in their local area.
We also offer an email service which enables us to inform people of relevant training, leisure activites etc.
Referral Method: Self Referral, Telephone or by Appointment.
Cost: Free
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9am-5pm
Email: mari.saeki@nas.org.uk or Debbie.waters@nas.org.uk
National Autistic Society National Helpline Tel: 0808 800 4104
- Address:
- Anglo House, Chapel Road, Manchester, M22 4JN
For more information:
Together Trust
Location: Stockport
The Together Trust is a charity that offers care, support and special education to children, adults and families. Our services are based in North West England and the surrounding areas; however we accept referrals from all over the UK.
We believe everybody deserves an equal chance in life. There are no exceptions.
This includes those with behavioural problems, learning difficulties, physical disabilities and autism spectrum conditions. Everyone has the ability and the right to experience joy, happiness and hope.
Together Trust can accept direct referrals for some services however for more information please contact us on 0161 283 4848 or visit www.togethertrust.org.uk
The Together Trust is a voluntary organisation providing a wide range of care, special education and community services for children and adults with autism, learning difficulties and/or complex needs.
At the Together Trust we believe everybody deserves an equal chance in life. There are no exceptions. We provide a wide range of support services including fostering, residential, community, family support and specialist educational support through our schools and college.
We can also offer families and carers a wide range of training, consultancy and support to help people make choices and have control. We accept referrals from all over the UK with our services based in the North West of England and the surrounding areas.
In addition to local authority funded places, our services can be purchased by families, carers, and service users over the age of 18 or their brokers via a direct payment, individual budget, individual service fund or personal/private funds.
View our videos on YouTube-https://www.youtube.com/user/Thetogethertrust
- Address: Together Trust Centre, Schools Hill, Cheadle, Stockport, SK8 1JE
For more information:
Social Emotional & Mental Health Inclusion Service (SEMH)
Location: Hyde
The service offers a time limited intervention to non-maintained early years settings and to foundation stages within schools to promote positive behaviour. All SEMH staff are trained in behaviour management and de-escalation techniques. Each intervention includes work with target groups of children, staff and parent workshops and monitoring visits following the intervention.
Open: 9.00am-4.00pm Monday to Friday (service delivered term time only)
Referral details: By application from the school or Early Years setting to the service.
Access/Facilities: Parking and Disabled Access
Age Range: 3-16 years
For more information:
Children's Community Occupational Therapy Team
Location: Hyde
Assessment of children with additional needs and the needs of their carers. In particular ensuring safe access in the home environment to toilet, sleeping and washing facilities within the the Local Authority's agreed guidelines for provision of equipment and adaptations. Enabling optimum independence and advising carers in the provision of care.
Open: Monday to Wednesday 8.30am-5.00pm, Thursday 8.30am-4.30pm and Friday 8.30am-4.00pm
Referral Details: By telephone
Facilities: Disabled access and parking
Age Range: 0-18 years
- Address: Rowan House, Grange Road, Hyde, SK14 5NY
For more information:
Children's Physiotherapy
Location: Hyde
A child and family centred physiotherapy service that takes place at various locations across Tameside. Please contact the service for further information.
Referral Details: By professional
Access/Facilities: Please contact to arrange a suitable venue
Age Range: 0-16 years (0-19 years if the young person is in college)
- Address: Rowan House, Grange Road South, Hyde, SK15 2DX
For more information:
- Telephone: 0161 366 2052
- Visit: http://www.tamesideandglossop.nhs.uk
CLASS
Location: Denton
CLASS aim to enable pupils with Social Communication difficulties including Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD), or with Specific Language Impairments (SLI) to reach their maximum academic and social potential in an inclusive educational environment.
We have an outreach team working with Portage teams, in maintained and non maintained preschool settings and mainstream and special primary and secondary schools. We also have a primary and a secondary ASD Resource base attached to mainstream schools.
We offer training to schools, parents and other professionals.
We have a resource library with a big selection of books and resources to do with ASD and Specific Language Impairments
Open: School Hours
Referral Details: Through setting or Portage worker
Access and Facilities: Disabled Access and Parking Available
Cost: Free to LA schools and to early years settings
Age ranges: 2-16 years
- Address:
- St John Fisher Primary School, Manor Road, Haughton Green, Denton, M34 7SW
For more information:
Community Speech and Language Therapy
Location: Ashton
Speech and Lanugage Therapy will assess all aspects of communication and offer advice and direct therapy. The service is for children who may have difficulties:
- Understanding spoken language
- Speaking clearly
- Using age appropriate spoken language
- Interacting with others (also non- verbally)
- Feeding and chewing
- Stammering
- Learning vocabulary
Open: Please contact the service for more details
Referral Method: By parents or through professionals (with parental permission)
Access/Facilities: Disabled access and parking
Age Range: 0-16 years
Cost: None
- Address: Tameside Hospital, Fountain Street, Ashton, OL6 9RW
For more information:
Family Information Service (FIS)
Location: Stalybridge
Offers impartial information, advice & support to parents, carers, professionals & providers on:
- Ofsted Registered childcare ie Childminders, Private Day Nurseries, Pre-school Playgroups & Out of School Clubs.
- Free Entitlement Funding (FEF) - free 15 hours of childcare for 2, 3 & 4 year olds.
- Information for parents / carers with children with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND).
- Leisure activities ie Time for a Rhyme, Active Tameside, Children's Centres activities, etc.
- Financial support relating to childcare ie 30 hours of free childcare for working parents, tax free childcare, etc
- Family Support & Parenting Courses.
- Advice to people seeking a career in childminding or setting up a childcare business.
Opening hours: Monday to Wednesday 8.30am - 5.00pm. Thursday 8.30am - 4.30pm & Friday 8.30am - 4.00pm
Referral Details: By telephone or email
Access and Facilities: Disabled Access
- Address: Ridge Hill Children's Centre, School Cresent, Stalybridge, SK15 1EA
For more information:
Contact a Family
Location: Salford
Contact a Family is a UK charity providing advice, information and support to families with disabled children. We can put families in touch with support groups for specific medical conditions as well as linking individual families affected by a rare disorder.
We have a web based linking service whereby parents can register to be contacted by other families across the world affected by a particular condition. Our freephone has a specialist welfare rights advisor and can provide information and advice on benefits. We also have fact sheets on a range of subjects and regular national and local magazines and newsletters. Some information is available in community languages and they have access to Language Line interpreters over the telephone.
They also offer advice and guidance to parents who wish to staff a local or national support group. The team includes volunteer, parent reps and family support workers.
Publications include "Contact a Family directory" - Specific Conditions. Rare disorders and UK Family Support Groups. Price £35 (new edition every year). An electronic version can be found on our website. We provide information fact sheets on different subjects including transition , aids and adaptations and benefits and run family events and parent workshops throughout Greater Manchester.
We also offer a Hepline Service: 0808 808 3556
- Address: St James' House, Pendleton Way, Salford, M6 5FW
For more information:
Hope for Paediatric Epilepsy
Location: Droylsden, Tameside
"Hope" offers support and friendship to parents/carers and siblings/children with epilepsy. The Group meets on the third Tuesday of every month at Slide and Seek and also on the last Wednesday of every month at Rowan House, Hyde when you can speak to Carolyn Taylor, Epilespy Specialist Nurse and other professionals.
Referral Method: Drop-in
Facilities: Accessible parking and disabled access
Age Range: 0-16 years and their parents
Cost: Slide and Seek £1.50 per child
If you would like further information about the Group then please do not hesitate to contact the number provided.
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- Jubilee Gardens, Gardenfold Way, Droylsden, M43 7XU
For more information:
- Contact: Kelly Wray/Joanne Smith
- Telephone: 08719 963 185/07999 360 278
Our Kids Eyes
Location: Droylsden
Our charity provides support, advice, information and lots of activities and events throughout the year for Tameside families who have children with special needs.
Our charity is run soley by Parent Volunteers and their aim is to make Tameside the best place to raise a child with Special Needs. As a parent run charity we know first hand the impact having a child with special needs has on the whole family, especially siblings.
OKE has over 500 families registerd with us and the children have a wide variety of special needs, such as ADHD, ASD, Downs Syndrome, visual and hearing impairements, learning disabilities and physical disabilities.
Parents can also receive confidential advice and support on a whole range of subjects.
If you would like more information then please do not hesitate to contact the service on the number provided.
Open: Monday to Friday 9.30am-2.30pm
Referral Details: Self Referral
Access and Facilities: Parking and disabled access, Baby facilities (open all year round)
Cost: Contact for details
- Address: Jubilee Gardens, Gardenfold Way, Droylsden, M43 7XU
For more information:
- Telephone: 0161 371 2084/371 2087/371 2066
- Fax: 0161 371 2088
- Visit: Our Kids Eyes
Home-Start Oldham, Stockport & Tameside
Location: Manchester
Homestart provides support and friendship to families in their own homes. It also offers breastfeeding peer support to new mothers across Tameside and Glossop. Families must have at least one child aged under 5. Volunteers, who are parents themselves, are recruited, trained and supported to visit families in their own homes on a weekly basis for as long as the family needs support. Volunteers offer emotional support and practical help to families who are experieincing difficulties, for whatever reason, with young families in order to help parents provide the best possible start in life for their children.
Open: According to the families needs
Referral Details: Self referral / Telephone/ Drop-in/ By appointment / Through other agencies
Access/Facilities: This service is offered to families in their own homes
Age Range: Available only to famlies who have a child under 5 in the household
Cost: Free
- Address: Ryecroft Hall, Audenshaw, Manchester, M34 5ZJ
For more information:
- Telephone: 0161 344 0669
- Fax: 0161 344 0669
Respect for All Counselling
Location: Denton
Counselling and play therapy for people of any age who are learning disabled or on the autism spectrum, their carers and family members of any age together with couple counselling.
Councillors all have experience of learning disabilities, autism spectrum conditions and/or being a carer. The service is mobile and can travel to a venue that suits the client and can do home visits if preferred at a suitable time to suit the individual. At present the service can offer eight free sessions and this can sometimes be extended.
Referral Method: By telephone
Age Range: Any age
- Address: 3 Windmill Close, Denton, M34 2EU
For more information:
Tameside Portage Service
Location: Droylsden
Portage is a multi agency home visiting service for pre school children with additional needs, the families need to live in Tameside and be happy to participate and practice agreed activities between Portage visits. The child needs to be 0-3 years with additional needs or developmental delay and attend less than ten hours if in an early years setting. Families are visited for an hour or so on a regular basis. The Portage Workers are trained nursery nurses working in Education, Health and local Children's Centres and have a wide range of experiences working with children and families. They will bring along a selection of toys for a fun play session, during these sessions the parents are encouraged to join in and share their child's likes and dislikes and any concerns they have regarding their child's development. A variety of assessment tools may be used to help identify strengths and weaknesses, the emphasis is on the positive such as what the child can do. Each session is tailored to meet the family's individual needs. The child must not be attending any setting to recieve support from the portage team.
At the end of each visit the portage worker and parent decide on an activity that can be practiced daily which is fun for the family to enjoy together.
Open: Monday to Friday 8.00am-4.45pm (Preferably telephone due to staff being in and out at various times of the day)
Referral Details: Self Referral or from professional with parents/carers permission
Access and Facilities: Disabled Access and Parking Available
Cost: None
Age range: 0-3 years
- Address: Tameside Portage Service
- Mossley Children Centre
- The Rowans,
- Mossley, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL5 9DR
Team For Children With Hearing Impairment
Location: Audenshaw
The Hearing Impairment Service is a peripatetic team that supports children and young people (0-19) with varying degrees of hearing impairment.
Support is available through a matrix scoring system and is according to individual need. This may be by giving guidance and advice, but can include varying levels of in-class support and individual tuition.
Most of our children attend their local school, however some children need very high levels of support and attend either a specially resourced junior or secondary school.
Open: Monday to Friday, 8:30am-4:00pm
Referral Method: Open Referral from; schools, parents, ISCAN etc
Cost: Contact for Details
Age Range: 0 - 19 years
- Address: Ryecroft Hall, Manchester Road, Audenshaw, M34 5ZJ
For more information:
Enabled People
This website is intended to be a starting point for disabled people in the UK, whether you have only just found out that you may need assistance or whether you have had an impairment for some time. It's for everyone who considers themself to have a disability of any kind.
For more information:
New Diagnosis
If you would like more information then please see the Early Support Website.
For more information visit Early Support
website.
Action for Kids
Location: London
At Action For Kids we help disabled children, young people, their parents and carers in three main ways. We provide mobility aids, Work Related Learning (WRL) and offer family support services. In fact we try never to say no and will help in any way we can to enable disabled children and young people lead full and independent lives.
- Address: Ability House, 15a Tottenham Lane, London, N8 9DJ
For more information:
Barnardos
Barnados works with children on a number of issues that range of drug misuse to disability. It believes it can bring the best out in every child and runs almost 400 projects around the UK.
For more information:
- Telephone: 0151 488 1100
- Fax: 0151 488 1101
- Visit: Barnardos
Dial a Dream
Location: London
This charity works to help make a reality of the dreams of a child suffering from a diagnosed life limiting or life threatening illness.
- Address: 7 Addison Road, Wanstead, London, E11 2RG
For more information:
Direct Gov Website
This website has descriptions of the roles of the many professionals you may meet when Caring for a disabled child.
For more information visit Direct Gov
website.
Down Syndrome Educational International
Location: Cumbria
Works to improve education for young people with Down syndrome. The website provides reliable information for young people and their families.
- Address: Down Syndrome Education International, 6 Underley Business Centre, Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, LA6 2DY
For more information:
Down's Syndrome Association
Location: Middlesex
Information and support for young people with Down's Syndrome, their families, carers and practitioners who are working with them. Please visit the website below for further information.
Open: The helpline is available from 10.00am-4.00pm (Monday to Friday)
- Address: Langdon Down Centre, 2a Langdon Park, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 9PS
For more information:
IPSEA - Information and Advice
A registered charity offering free and independent advice to parents of children with Special Educational Needs in England and Wales.
For more information visit IPSEA
website.
Kids
Kids works directly with those children and young people who have a disability, provides support to young people and their families and offers training for those practitioners working inclusively with them. For further information please visit the website.
For more information visit Kids
website.
Scope
Scope is all about changing society for the better, so that disabled people and their families can have the same opportunities as everyone else.
They work with disabled people and their families at every stage of their lives. They offer practical support - from information services to education and everyday care. Scope challenges assumptions about disability and they influence decision makers and show what can be possible.
Open: 9am-5pm weekdays, closed weekends and Bank Holidays.
For more information:
See and Learn
See and Learn is a language and reading programme of activities designed to help children who have Down syndrome learn to talk and read.
For further information about this please visit the website provided.
For more information visit See and Learn
website.
Sense Children's Specialist Services
Location: Wakefield
Sense is a national charity that supports and campaigns for children and adults who are deafblind. We provide tailored support, advice and information as well as specialist services to all deafblind people, their families, carers and professionals who work with them. In addition, we support people who have a single sensory impairment with additional needs.
In order to be clear and open about the support we can provide to families we have developed a core offer of support which is available to all children and young people:
- We will get in touch within two working days from when you first contact Sense
- You will meet a Sense specialist within eight weeks of first getting in touch with us
- You will have your own identified worker
- You will have the opportunity to attend at least one family event per year
- We will keep in touch through an annual contact
- You will have access to the information and advice service
- We will offer you the chance to join Sense through our membership programme
- An outcome of Sense supporting you may involve our working alongside your local authority to provide an individual service solution tailored to your needs.
This offer is provided through Sense's work as a charity.
Children's Specialist Service can also offer other support at times of particular need, including:
- Help when your child is first diagnosed - including giving you practical ideas about how to develop your child's skills, and advice on suitable play activities.
- Assessments that look at your child as a whole - which focus on what your child can do.
- Extra support at times of crisis - such as when a family is under considerable strain.
- Support with significant periods of change for your child (transitions) - such as starting school and moving into adulthood.
- Resource libraries which lend sensory toys and equipment (nearest resource based in Wakefield).
The support offered in this way will be time limited, depending on the level of family need.
Our aim is to always start with what a child is able to do and then look at how that can be built on. When we support a family we begin by finding out what their key issues are and work in partnership with the family (and other professionals) to help resolve these.
- Address: Pemberton House, 122 Westgate, Wakefield, WF1 1XP
For more information:
- Telephone: 0300 330 9256
- Visit: Sense
Starlight Children's Foundation
Starlight Children's Foundation grants wishes to seriously and terminally ill children and entertains over half a million children every year in hospitals and hospices throughout the United Kingdom.
All Starlight's activities are aimed at distracting children from the pain, fear and isolation they can often feel as a result of their illnesses.
When Starlight began in 1986, we helped just four children; today we help over 500,000 children every year all over the UK. Wherever possible, we include the whole family, strengthening family bonds during difficult times and providing happy memories for everyone to share, no matter what the future may hold. Starlight receives neither Government nor lottery support.
Open: 9.00am - 5.30pm Monday to Friday
Referral Details: Self Referral
Cost: Free
Age Range: 4-18 years.
For more information:
The National Autistic Society
The society exists to champion the rights and interests of all people with autism and to ensure that they and their families receive quality services appropriate to their needs.
The website includes information about Autism and Asperger Syndrome, the NAS and its services and activities.
Open: Monday to Friday 10.00am - 4.00pm
Referral Details: No Referral necessary
Cost: None
Age Range: All ages
For more information:
Home-Start Oldham, Stockport & Tameside
Location: Manchester
Homestart provides support and friendship to families in their own homes. It also offers breastfeeding peer support to new mothers across Tameside and Glossop. Families must have at least one child aged under 5. Volunteers, who are parents themselves, are recruited, trained and supported to visit families in their own homes on a weekly basis for as long as the family needs support. Volunteers offer emotional support and practical help to families who are experieincing difficulties, for whatever reason, with young families in order to help parents provide the best possible start in life for their children.
Open: According to the families needs
Referral Details: Self referral / Telephone/ Drop-in/ By appointment / Through other agencies
Access/Facilities: This service is offered to families in their own homes
Age Range: Available only to famlies who have a child under 5 in the household
Cost: Free
- Address: Ryecroft Hall, Audenshaw, Manchester, M34 5ZJ
For more information:
- Telephone: 0161 344 0669
- Fax: 0161 344 0669
-
Volunteers
For more information please download this file:
Inscape House School- Together Trust
Location: Stockport
The Together Trust offers a range of educational services for young people and adults with multiple and complex learning disabilities including autism spectrum conditions (ASC) and complex emotional difficulties.
All services are accessible to young people across the UK.
Inscape House School
Inscape House School is a non-maintained day special school in Cheadle, Cheshire. We take referrals from all over the UK. Our school can meet the needs of children and young people aged 4 to 19 years with autism spectrum conditions and related social communication difficulties. Inscape is operated by the charity the Together Trust.
Young people within the autism spectrum share a pattern of differences affecting social understanding and social skills, communication and social imagination. We believe that each young person has individual strengths which can be harnessed to support their learning.
We believe that the following, makes all the difference?
Skills and strategies. Personalised approaches. Shared Understanding. 'Power with' approaches. Independent and valued citizen.
This response starts with attempting to see the world from their perspective and from there, teaching them skills and strategies to cope with the demands of everyday life.
Skills: Things the person has learned to do independently in any aspect of their lives.
Strategies: Things that help the person to learn and maintain skills.
Crucially, strategies need to be 'owned' by the person with autism and should
reduce dependency on staff 'telling' them what to do.
In doing this, we work in close collaboration with families, appreciating that parents and siblings have a unique understanding of the young person with autism.
Some students may contribute using signs and symbols or photographs and video, others may play an active role in their annual reviews. We also have a very active student council with representatives from every class.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJwpzKK7jG8&t=115s
- Address: Inscape House School, Together Trust Campus, Schools Hill, Cheadle, Cheshire, SK8 1JE
For more information:
Rainbow Trust Children's Charity
Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity supports seriously ill children and their families in the family home and local community. Families who have a child or young person up to the age of 18 with a life threatening or terminal condition (for example cancer, some neurological conditions, babies in neonatal intensive care) are eligible and referrals can come from any source.
We enable families to manage everyday life while caring for a sick child and to make the most of time together; providing expert, practical and emotional support via a Family Support Worker. Families have complete choice about the type of support they receive - wherever and whenever they need it.
Rainbow Trust’s support can include short breaks from caring, family activity days, drop-in groups, support with hospital visits, including transport to and from appointments, support for siblings and bereavement support.
To find out more about the services available in your area, please contact Sean Tansey on 0161 628 2194.
https://rainbowtrust.org.uk/
Helping Hands Home Care
Manchester
Helping Hands area national home care agency with multiple locations throughout the UK. Their Manchester branch covers the whole of Manchester area, including Tameside. Services vary from your needs, some services offered by Helping Hands include:
Palliative care, Dementia care, Live in care, Respite care, Domiciliary care, overnight care and many more. Contact them today to learn more about how Helping Hands can help you or your loved ones.
Address: 154 Bury New Road, Whitefield, Manchester, Cheshire, M45 6AD
To make a referral please click
here.
Or you can give us a call:
0161 638 3061
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Family Information Service
St Peters Children Centre
Trafalgar Square
Ashton-under-Lyne
OL7 0LL
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