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We know that sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. Below you’ll find trusted organisations and services that support families across Southampton and nationally.
If you’re unsure which support is right for you, please contact us — we’re happy to help you find the right place.
Emergency and crisis support services for children, young people and families in Southampton. Includes NHS 111, Samaritans and out-of-hours social care contacts for immediate assistance.
If you or someone you care for is in immediate danger, call 999.
NHS 111
Urgent medical or mental health support
111
Samaritans
24/7 emotional support 116 123
Emergency Duty Team (Out of Hours Social Care)
https://www.southampton.gov.uk/contact-us/emergency-out-of-hours/
023 8023 3344
Parenting a child or young person with SEND can be demanding, and many parent carers experience stress, anxiety or burnout. This section signposts to mental health support, wellbeing services and local organisations in Southampton that support parent carers who are feeling overwhelmed and need help for themselves.
Lighthouse Service
Informal, non-judgemental, out-of-hours mental health support for those in need of extra support in times of difficulty in Southampton. https://www.solentmind.org.uk/support-for-you/our-services/the-lighthouse-centres-bitterne-and-shirley/
Mind (Southampton)
Mental health advice and local support. https://www.solentmind.org.uk/support-for-you/services-in-southampton/
Mindshift App
Empower yourself with evidence-based CBT strategies, personalized tools, and a supportive community.
NHS 111 (Press 2)
Urgent mental health support. 111
No Limits
Counselling and support for children and young people. https://nolimitshelp.org.uk/get-support/
Re:Minds
Peer support for families of neurodivergent children. https://www.reminds.org.uk/
Samaritans
24/7 emotional support
116 123
Steps to Wellbeing
Parent carers can access support by contacting the local Wellbeing Service directly (via self-referral online or by phone), completing an initial assessment, and then being offered appropriate support such as counselling, guided self-help, peer support, or signposting to specialist services.
Advice and guidance for parents navigating school concerns, SEND provision and Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) in Southampton. Includes information about SENDIASS, the 0–25 SEND Team, legal advice services and local support available to families.
SENDIASS
SENDIASS aims to empower parents/carers, children, and young people to play an active and informed role in making decisions about their education, health, and social care.
https://www.southamptonsendiass.info
0300 300 2677
IPSEA
Help children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) get the education they are entitled to by law.
Contact
Help and information for disabled children and their families.
0808 8083555
Southampton SEND Team
The Southampton SEND team provides support, advice, and services for children and young people aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), along with guidance for families and professionals.
023 8083 3013
Email: 0-25service@southampton.gov.uk
Local Offer
The Local Offer is a hub of information about the services and support available in Southampton for children and young people aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
https://www.southampton.gov.uk/schools-learning/send-local-offer/
Cerebra
A National charity dedicated to helping children with brain conditions and their families discover a better life together. Listening to the needs of these families helps us inspire the most helpful research and innovation.
https://cerebra.org.uk/https://cerebra.org.uk/
0800 328 1159
SOS!SEN?
SOS!SEN is a national charity that aims to empower parents and carers of children and young people with SEND to successfully tackle the difficulties they face when trying to secure the right educational provision for their children.
Nation Network of Parent Carer Forums
The National Network of Parent Carer Forums is to champion Stategic Parent Carer Forums locally whilst they ensure that voices are heard shaping policies and services at a national level.
Contact
An organisation offering Support and Guidance for families of disabled children.
Ace Centre
Ace is a charity that provides Assistive Technology and Augmentative and Alternative Communication services for people with complex needs. They Offer assessment, training and information services across the UK.
OAP (Ordinarly Available Provision)
This is the support that all schools are expected to provide and a guide to them can be found to them on the below link.
School Nursing
Offer Support and Advice to the young person and family when they start school in reception, right through until the leave full time education.
MHST ( Mental Health in Schools Team)
A team of Educational Mental Health Practitioners and Cognitive Behavioural therapists who deliver support to schools and colleges in Southampton.
ND MDT (Neuro Diversity Multi Disciplinary Team)
A team that aims to increase everyone’s knowledge and understanding of neurodivergence.
https://www.southampton.gov.uk/schools-learning/send-local-offer/southampton-neurodiversity-team/
Transport
Getting help with transport to and from School or College.
https://www.southampton.gov.uk/schools-learning/support-inclusion-education/school-travel-service/
If you need help with school, EHCPs or education rights, these organisations can support you.
SENDIASS (Southampton)
Free, impartial advice about education, health and care matters.
https://www.southamptonsendiass.info/
Southampton SEND Team (0–25 Service)
The council team responsible for EHCPs and SEND provision.
Email: 0-25service@southampton.gov.uk
IPSEA
Independent legal advice about SEND law and EHCPs.
Contact
Advice and support for families with disabled children.
Southampton Local Offer
Information about SEND services, support and entitlements in the city.
Welcome to the SEND Local Offer website
Disability Rights UK
The UKs Leading Disabled Peoples Organisation (DPO), led by. run by and working for Disabled people. They work alongside other DPOs to influence regional and national change for better rights, equality and better quality of life for disabled people.
https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/
Guide Dogs- Education Service
Offer help and Information about Guide dogs and Support for both children and Adults.
Our Support and Services | Guide Dogs UK
Every Need Ltd
They help by providing bespoke and personalised plans to children and schools to assist with positive change.
Practical help for families needing support in the home, including children’s social care, short breaks, direct payments, occupational therapy and home adaptations. This section outlines services available in Southampton to support disabled children and their families day-to-day.
Southampton Family Trust
They provide a range of services to improve family stability. They run various course about improving relationships with teens. Promote a culture which accesses support at early stages, rather than at crisis point.
Challenging Behaviour Foundation
Making a difference to the lives of people with severe learning disabilities whose behaviour challenges.
Practical support to help you manage day-to-day life at home.
https://www.challengingbehaviour.org.uk/
Children’s Social Care (Southampton)
Assessment and support for disabled children and their families.
https://www.southampton.gov.uk/children-families/childrens-social-care/
Short Breaks (Jigsaw)
Short break services to give families time to rest and recharge.
Early Help (East, Central & West)
Support for families experiencing challenges at home.
https://www.southampton.gov.uk/children-families/childrens-social-care/early-help-for-families/
Occupational Therapy & Home Adaptations
Assessment and support with equipment and home changes.
Incontinence Team
NHS service offering support with toileting for SEND and pads.
https://hiowhealthcare.nhs.uk/our-services/a-z-list-of-services/continence
Health Visitors
Mencap
Mencap are a voluntry organisation who offer services to young people and adults with a learning disability. They are based in portswood.
https://www.southamptonmencap.org/
Rose Road
Rose Road is a charity that provides direct services such as playschemes, out reach, Saturday clubs and SEN advise to children and young adults with complex physical and learning disabilities.
Support buddies
Provides personal support for vulnerable people (8+) and young adults.
https://www.supportbuddies.org/
Enham trust
A charity based in hampshire that supports disabled people to live, work and enjoy life to the full, as independently as possible.
https://www.enhamtrust.org.uk/
Makaton Hub
Help with introducing Makaton and some resources.
WheelChair Services
Services linked to assessment, Wheelchairs and servicing.
Early Years Teachers
A team providing specialist support to those early years, childcare and out of school provisions.
Knight Foundation
Provide support, sensory experiences, equipment and holidays to disabled children, seriously ill children and their carers/ families.
https://www.theknightsfoundation.org/about-us/
Healthier Together- Sleep
Gives advice for good sleep management.
https://www.healthiertogether.nhs.uk/
Kids Digital Laptops
A Charity proving support to SEND children and their families.
https://www.kids.org.uk/digital-inclusion-programme/
Blue Badge
Online application and eligibility criteria for a blue badge.
Online Safety Links
Support with keeping children safe online.
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/
The Sleep Charity
A Organisation that offers support for better sleep.
https://thesleepcharity.org.uk/
Financial advice and support for families of children with SEND, including benefits guidance, grants, cost of living support and debt advice. Includes local Southampton services and national charities offering practical help.
Citizens Advice
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/
Universal credit
https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/how-to-claim
Carers allowance
Carer’s Allowance: How it works – GOV.UK
Family Fund
https://www.familyfund.org.uk/
Turn2us
Step change
Christains against Poverty
Scope
Food banks
DLA
- Scratch
- Energy grants
Council Cost of Living Support
Water sure
- Merlins Wand
- Southampton doing it for the Kids
- Family Action- Welfare Grants
- Itchen Bridge Pass
- Disable Persons Bus Pass
- Access Cards
- DSA ( Uni Students)
- Food bank vouchers from Southampton City Mission – We are able to make referrals to Southampton City Mission food bank. Please click the link to apply for a food bank voucher. We only need a few basic details. Please don’t struggle. https://lamplight.online/in/yrsfj/6e1a4b5d2f5b2f6ab8f84716708b9e017a8431d9a0c8b3ab2fcc251a3dea2f90
Practical financial advice and support.
Citizens Advice Southampton
Free advice on benefits, debt and housing. [Insert link]
Family Fund
Grants for families raising disabled children. [Insert link]
Scope
Advice about disability benefits and financial support. [Insert link]
Turn2Us
Grants and benefits checker. [Insert link]
Southampton City Council Cost of Living Support
Local financial support and hardship help. [Insert link]
Find inclusive activities, sports clubs and social opportunities for children and young people with SEND in Southampton. This section signposts to local groups, SEND-friendly sessions and community activities that help young people build confidence, develop skills and connect with others.
- Level Water (Swimming)
- Wheelchair Basket Ball
- HAF
- Cricket
- Saints Football
- BH Live
- Millbrook Football
- Hamble Football
- Hamble Swimming
- Respite- Rose Rose
- Mencap
- Blue Apple- Thretre @ MAST
- PCF Activities
- City Farm
- No Limits- Youth Club
- Y Services- Youth Club
- SO:Linked
- Fluid Motion theatre
Support for parent carers in Southampton, including peer support groups, wellbeing services and practical advice. Recognises the importance of parent carer mental health and access to local support networks.
Unpaid Carers Southampton
Young Carers
Early Help
Peer support groups
- Yellow door?
- Contact
- No Limits
- Carers Trust
- Carers UK
- Rainbow Trust- Southampton
Unpaid Carers Southampton
Support, advice and social opportunities for carers.
🔗 [Insert link]
Early Help
Family support including parenting and wellbeing advice.
🔗 [Insert link]
Southampton Parent Carer Forum
Peer support, workshops and signposting.
📧 chair@sotonpcf.org.uk
easyread
Nights away – Carer hotel stays
Every child and young person is different. This section includes trusted information about a range of additional needs and conditions.
Breakout Youth
NCDS
Re:Minds – Re:Minds – Supports families whose children/young people have Autism, ADHD or other neurodiverse needs and/or mental health needs – with or without a diagnosis. They run various support groups including a specific crisis care one. They offer a range of services and workshops parents can attend.
SASS
Young Epilpsey
Hope for Epilepsy
Tourettes Action
Makaton.Org
Family Hub
ARFID life UK
Neurodevelopmental Differences
Autism
ADHD
Dyspraxia
Sensory processing differences
- British Dyslexia Association
- EBSA- LO
- ND Team
- Braain
- Hamphire Autism
- National AUtism
- Dingleys Promise
- CAHMS
- SCOPE
- The Brain Charity
- No Limits
- Challenging Behaviour Foundation
- Autistic Girls Network
Hearing & Vision
Deafness
- ncds
- hearing dogs for the deaf
- hearing test link
Visual impairment
MSI (Multi-Sensory Impairment)
- VICTA
- Southampton sight
- Open Sight
- Guide dogs for education
- Clear vision
Physical & Medical Needs
Cerebral palsy
Epilepsy
Mobility needs
Medical equipment support
- wheelchair services
- OT self referral
Continence & Bowel Support
Continence services
Bowel and bladder support
School toileting issues
- eric
- link from Racheal
Communication & Language
Speech & Language
Makaton
Communication tools
Cerebra
Support for families of children with brain conditions and rare genetic conditions.
[Insert link]
Mental Health & Emotional Wellbeing
Anxirty, EBSA
Kooth
ASD bright ideas
NVR???
Specialist dentist
LD
Information and support for young people exploring identity, relationships, puberty and belonging. Includes trusted organisations offering guidance on LGBTQ+ support, healthy relationships and emotional wellbeing.
Gender & Sexuality
Mermaids (if appropriate)
Stonewall
NHS guidance
Local youth groups
Friendships & Relationships
Healthy relationships
Online safety
Consent
Puberty & Body Changes
SEND-friendly puberty resources
Body confidence
Self-esteem & Belonging
Mental health links
Peer groups
Youth support services
This may help – Have a range of self help videos for families on a range of topics including
- Childrens mental health
- Eating disorders
- Gaming and Online safety
- School avoidance
- https://thismayhelp.me
Support for young people exploring who they are and navigating adolescence.
Mermaids (if appropriate)
Support for gender-diverse young people and their families.
🔗 [Insert link]
Stonewall
Information about LGBTQ+ inclusion and support.
🔗 [Insert link]
Brook
Information about relationships, sexual health and growing up.
🔗 [Insert link]
No Limits
Youth support and counselling services locally.
🔗 [Insert link]
Youth options
Kooth
Young minds
Itchen College
Break out Youth
Tauntons College
Online Safety Website
PFA?
Reminds 16-25 Offer
Young carers
Siblings
Honey pots
Over the wall
No Limits- Time 4 You
Carers Trust
Naomi House- Complex
Still Not Sure?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to start, please contact us.
We’re here to listen and help you find the right support.