This page provides information sessions available to support parents/ carers of children and young people under 18 with suspected or diagnosed neurodiversity. You can access these supports with or without a diagnosis, and each session is run by trained Mindworks professionals.
Group support
Group support can help in different ways, such as:
- Connecting you with others who share similar experiences
- Improve your social and communication skills
- Increase your self-esteem and awareness
- Make you feel accepted and understood
Description
These sessions look at and explore the developmental differences of your child or young person might be experiencing. These sessions will equip you with helpful strategies to support the development and confidence of your child/ young person. In these sessions, we can also support you with signposting to further advice, information or services.
Age range
We support parents/ carers whose child/young person is aged 5-11 years old.
Location
These sessions are held in person at your child/ young person’s school.
Who runs these sessions?
- The National Autistic Society provides these sessions in Spelthorne, Elmbridge, Guildford, and Woking.
- Eikon provides these sessions in Runnymede, Surrey Heath, and Waverley.
- Barnardo’s provides these sessions in Epsom and Ewell, Reigate, Banstead, Mole Valley, and Tandridge.
How do I access this support?
Please speak to your child/ young person’s school.
Description
This course is an in-depth course that explores topics including understanding autism, communication, visual supports, understanding and managing behaviour, sensory needs, social skills, and puberty. Your child/ young person does not need to have a diagnosis of Autism to attend this course. It will provide you with the skills, strategies, and confidence to support your child/ young person to thrive. Ongoing one-to-one support is also available for families who attend the courses and are identified as having complex circumstances requiring additional support.
Age range
We support parents/ carers whose child/young person is aged 5-18 years old.
Location
These are held in person, but also online
Who runs this course?
The National Autistic Society
How do I access this course?
You can apply to join this course by emailing surrey.familysupport@nas.org.uk
Description
These topic workshops aim to equip you with skills, knowledge, and strategies to support your child/ young person. Some of the topics covered include anxiety, sleep, toileting, and transitions to adulthood. Your child/ young person does not need to have a diagnosis of Autism to attend this course. Each workshop runs for two hours online and there are opportunities to ask questions and to chat.
Age range
We support parents/ carers whose child/young person is aged 5-18 years old.
Location
These workshops are available to all those in Surrey and are held online.
Who runs these workshops?
The National Autistic Society
How do I access these workshops?
You can apply to join these workshops by emailing surrey.familysupport@nas.org.uk
Description
The Positive Parenting Service aims to support parents/carers of children (6-18 years old) who have a diagnosis of, or who are awaiting a diagnosis of ADHD. This support and advice is delivered in an 8 week programme; within your local community or online via zoom, during school hours, or in the evenings.
We support parents by helping them to:
- gain confidence and skills as parents when living with a child with ADHD
- exploring how positive parenting is beneficial to the family as a whole
- discuss strategies for effective behaviour management
- have the opportunity to meet with other parents
- understanding the importance of clear communication for a child with ADHD
Age range
We support parents/ carers whose child/young person is aged 6-18 years old.
Location
These workshops are available to all those in Surrey. If you would like to attend a face-to-face session at your child's school, please let us know the name of your child's school by emailing us: surreypositiveparenting@barnardos.org.uk.
Who runs this course?
Barnardos
How do I access this service?
This service is open to self-referrals. This form needs to be completed and sent to surreypositiveparenting@barnardos.org.uk. If you can send this as a password-protected document or send the email encrypted this would be the best method. If you would like support with this, email surreypositiveparenting@barnardos.org.uk asking for support before sending us your completed form, and we will happily assist you.
Description
Finding Balance provides parenthood support for parents/carers of children and young people who experience emotional dysregulation. The support aims to help parents/carers to understand the needs of the child and provides a safe space for exploration and reflection on how best to respond to distress in a helpful way. It promotes developing self-regulation and supports parents/carers to feel confident in finding proactive steps and strategies to meet their child’s needs and reduce the levels of distress they experience.
These course includes five weekly group sessions followed by four bi-weekly individual sessions.
Age range
We support parents/ carers whose child/young person is aged 5-12 years old.
Location
These workshops are available to all those in Surrey and are held online.
Who runs this course?
Eikon
How do I access this group?
Please speak to your child/ young person’s school or your GP. They will be able to make a referral through Mindworks Surrey Access and Advice team.
Description
These sessions look at a range of topics using a Neurodivergent lens, these topics include:
- Routines
- Boundaries
- Sleep
- Personal Hygiene
- Online life
We will explore practical strategies and approaches to support your young person. This group runs for six weeks.
Age range
We support parents/ carers whose young person is aged 12-16 years old.
Location
This group is available to all those in Surrey and is held online.
Who runs this course?
Eikon
How do I access this group?
Please speak to your young person’s school or your GP. They will be able to make a referral through Mindworks Surrey Access and Advice team.
One-to-one support
Description
This one-to-one support is offered to parents/carers who have joined the National Autistic Society workshops, and complex challenges have been identified by practitioners.
Age range
We support parents/ carers whose child/young person is aged 5-18 years old.
Location
These workshops are available to those who live in Surrey and are held face-to-face and online.
Who runs this course?
National Autistic Society
How do I access this support?
A NAS practitioner will contact you if these needs have been identified during a workshop
Description
Bespoke Parenthood Support is for parents and carers of children who already have a good understanding of need but may benefit from a more personalised approach to new or revised strategies. You may have received parenthood support before and have all the foundation knowledge that you need, but you may benefit from this highly individualised approach to supporting your child or young person.
Age range
We support parents/ carers whose child/young person is aged 5-18 years old.
Location
These workshops are available to those who live in Surrey and are held online.
Who runs this course?
Eikon
How do I access this support?
Please speak to your young person’s school or your GP. They will be able to make a referral through Mindworks Surrey Access and Advice team.
Help us improve our website
Please take a moment to share your thoughts and help us enhance our website by completing our short survey here.