We are often asked questions that unfortunately, we can’t directly help with. Things like applying for DLA or PIP, information about a particular condition or disability, or counselling services, are all things that we don’t have the expertise to provide – and that are outside of the remit of our service. If you want information, advice, and support on education, the rights of your child to SEND support, or assistance with local process – we’ve got you! But for those other items, we’ll have to point you to other services.
Having had quit a few bits of feedback recently asking for those, we thought it would be useful to compile that information for you here.
Benefits and financial support:
Contact are a charity that provide free advice, and a free phone number – they also have an entire section of their site devoted to DLA and other benefits.
Diverse Abilities can also provide support around DLA, their advice is free, although there may be a charge for assistance in completing forms – double check the details with them please, if you seek support from them.
Family Fund can offer grants for equipment and breaks, as well as offering information on where else to go for financial support.
BCP Council Household Support Fund, for cost of living and winter-warmth help. The fund has opened to applications again, and closes to applications at 5pm on the 9th of February 2024.
Courses and information on specific conditions:
Various courses are available via the BCP Family Hubs, including on Child/Adolescent to Parent Violence, Young Parents groups, and others.
Linwood School run a number of courses for parents(scroll to the bottom of the linked page for the courses on offer), currently they are offering An Intro to Autism and Neurodiversity, as well as courses from the National Autistic Society.
Rossmore Family Hub has an Understanding Autism workshop they have run before, and that is starting again – contact them at rossmorefamilyhub@bcpcouncil.gov.uk or 01202 817771
For courses on other conditions, there are often national charities associated with the condition, that offer “What is…” or “Coping with…” style courses. We can’t list them all, sorry – but a search engine search should be able to find those.
Counselling and Mental Health support:
https://www.kooth.com/ is a moderated community offering self-help articles and tips
https://www.themix.org.uk/ The Mix supports young people with issues from mental health concerns to drugs, and homelessness.
https://www.the-listening-ear.org/ is a local charity offering counselling to children and young people throughout BCP (up to age 19, donation may be requested to access service)
https://thesleepcharity.org.uk/national-sleep-helpline/ A sleep charity recommended by Dorset Mental Health Support Team in Schools
https://camhsdorset.org/ is the NHS service that assess and treat children and young people up the age of 18 who are suffering significant mental difficulties
The following link contains information aimed at children and young people, about what CAMHS does, and how they will try and help.
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/for-children-and-young-people/understanding-camhs/
https://www.supportline.org.uk/problems/children-and-young-people-support/ have links to a wide variety of national support services
In addition, the following links contains information that can be useful for both parent/carers and your child:
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/a-z-guide/
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/my-feelings/
If your child is having suicidal thoughts, we would suggest contacting the Children’s First Response MASH (Multi Agency Support Hub). They support children(and their families) in a number of different situations, and they involve professionals from a variety of different areas, including the school – this would help ensure that the school, as well as other supporting professionals, are aware of your child’s needs and situation.
For urgent mental health support you (or your child) can also call Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust on 0800 652 0190
Hopefully that helps – we will continue to signpost people who we can’t support, of course, as well as providing information, advice, and support to those who we can help.
If you have any feedback on the information on our website, or on our social media, we do have a survey on our Ways of Working, that runs until the 8th of February – we’d be grateful for your input: https://forms.office.com/e/2nKtBrnp4N
