Among the wide-ranging services are:
- advice and guidance for children and families (online and through consultation and liaison with professionals)
- advice, consultation and training for professionals and treatment where required
- risk management advice
- 1-1 and group sessions and family interventions.
There are courses for parents and carers of children and young people with neurodevelopmental needs. We’ve also produced a family-friendly animation which introduces families to our new service and approach. Please see our video for more information.
Out of hours advice line
A new out-of-hours phone line provides advice to parents and carers who are struggling with behaviours or difficulties which could be related to neurodevelopmental need, such as autism or ADHD. It runs from 5pm until 11pm, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Call 0300 222 5755.
New ways of working
In order to better meet the needs of young people we have changed the referral process for young people with neurodevelopmental needs. The Neurodevelopmental Spoke Team comprises Mindworks Neurodevelopmental Therapists, working alongside our Alliance Partners – National Autistic Society, Barnardo’s, Learning Space and Eikon. This means there is wide-ranging expertise within the team to identify and support the needs of young people. Schools and families can access this support by collaboratively completing the Assessment of Needs form, which you can find here, along with information relating to the new referral pathway. Once the primary needs have been identified, support will be provided in the form of workshops, consultations, observations and individual and group work for young people, families and schools.
Surrey Postive Parenting Service provides:
- Parenting groups for parents whose children have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) traits and diagnoses
- One-to-one support for 20 parents unable to access groups
- Groups co-delivered with National Autistic Society for parents whose children have both Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) and ADHD
- Out of hours helpline for parents runs from 5pm until 11pm, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Please call 0300 222 5755.
- School support on ADHD
Partners: Barnardo’s and National Autistic Society
Contact Info: rxx.positiveparentingsurrey@nhs.net
We offer a minimum of six one-to-one sessions for children aged from 6 to 17 years, with staff trained in autism and solution-focused practise.
- These sessions are aimed at exploring strengths, helping to understand behaviours, manage emotions; and strategies to achieve goals
- We use various mediums including play, drama and creative work
- We also work with parents, offering a bespoke and tailored approach to each family
- Where requested we also liaise with the child’s school to share strategies. This is done both virtually and face-to-face. In some instances, a community mentor will continue working with a child in school in order to ‘hand over’ agreed strategies in a more holistic way.
Partner: Learning Space
Contact: emma@learningspace.org.uk
Requests for support can be made through Access and Advice or CCTs.
Courses for parents and carers of children and young people who have neurodevelopmental needs including autism and ADHD co-designed and delivered by National Autistic Society and Barnardo's. These courses provide support to parents and carers to understand both conditions in relation to their child.
Ongoing one-to-one support is also available for families who attend the courses and are identified as having complex circumstances requiring additional support.
Partner: Barnardo’s and National Autistic Society
Requests for support can be made through the Access and Advice team on 0300 222 5755.
Courses for parents and carers of children and young people who are autistic or have autistic traits.
Topics covered include understanding autism, communication, visual supports, understanding and managing behaviour, sensory needs, social skills and puberty.
Ongoing one-to-one support is also available for families who attend the courses and are identified as having complex circumstances requiring additional support.
Partners: Barnardo’s & National Autistic Society
Requests for support can be made through the Access and Advice team on 0300 222 5755
This course is designed for parents who are waiting for a diagnosis for their child or have a child with autistic traits and need help to understand some of their child’s behaviours, explore strategies and meet other parents. Themes include what is autism, strengths and difficulties of children on the autistic spectrum, the impact on family life and school life and strategies for building levels of confidence and self-esteem and reducing anxiety.
- The course consists of four 2.5 hour sessions with an accompanying booklet
- There is opportunity for parents to bring their own issues for discussion
- There is a virtual offer consisting of a video and booklet plus a one-hour group virtual question and answer session
Partner: Learning Space
Contact: emma@learningspace.org.uk
Reqeusts for support can be made through Access and Advice or CCTs.
The Autism (Autism Spectrum Condition) Wellbeing Coordinators provide support primarily to the parent or carer, not the child or young person.
One-to-one support is bespoke depending on family priorities and circumstances, but would typically include:
- Supporting understanding of the child’s needs or diagnosis and how they impact the child or family
- Discussion around particular needs eg behaviour, communication or sensory differences, and strategies that can support the development of these
- Signposting or connecting with relevant services
We also offer:
- Monthly drop-ins for parents an carers to access ad hoc support
- Monthly topic based workshops
There is limited scope to work directly with the child or young person, where a significant need to do so is identified through our work with the family.
A child or young person does not need to have a diagnosis of autism in order for them or their family to be able to access our services, they may instead have social and communication difficulties or autism traits identified by the child, parent, or supporting professionals.
Partner: National Autistic Society
Contact: 01483 521744 or email surrey.familysupport@nas.org.uk
Requests for support can be made through the Access & Advice Team on 0300 222 5755.
This service provides a selection of building-based activities and outings for autistic children, young people and their families to come together in a safe, supportive environment, to develop their social skills, build peer networks and have fun!
These are family events, where parents and carers remain responsible for their children; this is not a short break.
A child or young person does not need to have a diagnosis of autism in order for them or their family to be able to access our services, they may instead have social and communication difficulties or autism traits identified by the child, parent, or supporting professionals.
Partners: Learning Space and National Autistic Society
Contact: emma@learningspace.org.uk or surrey.familysupport@nas.org.uk
Requests for support can be made through the Access and Advice Team on 0300 222 5755.
These events are for children and young people (including parents) with autism or awaiting an ASC assessment.
- The aim is to enable children and parents to build up a network of support and to provide a safe space to achieve a sense of ‘belonging’
- A monthly, two hour evening club for children and their parents at the Phoenix Centre in Tadworth
- Two separate clubs running fortnightly
- Activity days in the Phoenix Centre Tadworth and out in the wider community to be offered on selected days during the school holidays.
Partners: Learning Space and National Autistic Society
Contact: emma@learningspace.org.uk
Requests for support can be made through the Access and Advice Team (0300 222 5755)
If you are offered an appointment with our Community Team or a specialist service we might need to meet with you at the local clinic or your school in order to find out what you think is going on and what you think might help you to make things better.
We have a flexible approach to appointments and are happy to meet you on your own, or with your family or friends. We would normally speak with your parents if they come to the appointment with you.
At your first appointment you will meet someone from our team who will talk to you to find out about your worries and what has been difficult for you and help you think about what you want to achieve and the type of help you feel would benefit you.
Here are some of the professionals you might meet:
- Psychiatrist
- Clinical Psychologist
- Mental Health Nurse
- Psychotherapist
- Family Therapist
- Primary Mental Health Worker
- Neurodevelopmental Community Therapist
You can also contact Surrey Local Offer, the online hub for 0 to 25 year olds (and their families) with special educational needs or a disability.
You can also contact Family Voice Surrey, a local charity which speaks up for the families of children and young people with additional needs in Surrey. They give Surrey parents a strong collective voice, a forum to share knowledge and empowerment to improve opportunities for our children.