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

https://www.samaritans.org/

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.

https://mindshiftcbt.com/

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

https://www.samaritans.org/

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.

https://www.steps2wellbeing.co.uk/

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.

https://www.ipsea.org.uk/

Contact

Help and information for disabled children and their families.

https://contact.org.uk/

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.

https://www.southampton.gov.uk/schools-learning/send-local-offer/send-services/send-specialist-advice-and-guidance/0-25-service/

 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.

https://sossen.org.uk/

OAP (Ordinarly Availble 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.

https://www.southampton.gov.uk/schools-learning/send-local-offer/professionals/inclusive-education-audit/support/ordinarily-available-provision-guidance/

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.

https://www.southampton.gov.uk/schools-learning/support-inclusion-education/education-and-school-services/school-nursing/

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.

https://hiowhealthcare.nhs.uk/our-services/a-z-list-of-services/mental-health-schools-team-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.

https://www.ipsea.org.uk/

Contact

Advice and support for families with disabled children.

 https://contact.org.uk/

Neurodiversity Team (ND Team)

Information and early support linked to neurodiversity pathways.
https://www.southampton.gov.uk/schools-learning/send-local-offer/southampton-neurodiversity-team/meet-the-team/

Southampton Local Offer
Information about SEND services, support and entitlements in the city.
 Welcome to the SEND Local Offer website

Disability Rights UK

Guide Dogs- Education Service

Every Need LTD

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.

• Children’s Social Care (0–18)

• Jigsaw (Short Breaks)

• Direct Payments

• Early Help

• sleep – healthy together

• Home adaptations (Disabled Facilities Grant)

• Occupational Therapy

• Continence services 

• Community nursing 

• 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.

Children’s Social Care (Southampton)
Assessment and support for disabled children and their families.
🔗 [Insert link]

Short Breaks (Jigsaw)
Short break services to give families time to rest and recharge.
🔗 [Insert link]

Direct Payments
Funding that allows families to arrange their own support.
🔗 [Insert link]

Early Help (East, Central & West)
Support for families experiencing challenges at home.
🔗 [Insert link]

Occupational Therapy & Home Adaptations
Assessment and support with equipment and home changes.
🔗 [Insert link]

Respite –

Mencap

Rose Road

support buddies

Enham trust ?

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

• universal credit

• tax credits

• carers allowance

• Family Fund

• Turn2us
• step change
• christains against poverty

• Scope

• Food banks

• DLA

• scratch 
• energy grants

• Council Cost of Living Support

• water sure

• 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 

saintsability football 

?Milbrook pan disability football team

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?

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

Neurodevelopmental Differences

• Autism

• ADHD

• Dyspraxia

• Sensory processing differences

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

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

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

Youth options

Kooth

Young minds

Young carers 

Siblings

Honey pots

Over the wall