It can be a difficult time for parents and carers when they feel that their child needs support, and they are trying to work out what to do to help them.

Parents may be aware of the difficulties early on, before or at the birth, or this may be noticeable at a later stage in the child or young person's life, for example when they enter a certain stage of education. If you are worried about your child’s development, then it’s important that you speak to someone.

Here are a few advice and support services available within Wolverhampton for further support services please visit Wolverhampton Information Network about advice and support options. 

Who can I talk to about health

If your child is 0-5 years old you can contact your health visitor and share your concerns about your child’s development. They can work with you to figure out how to identify what is happening and plan support.

If your child is over 5 years old you can contact your GP or school nurse and they may be able to help or refer you onto specialist services if they feel this is needed.  Your GP or school nurse may recognise the signs of additional needs straight away, but it will also help if you can talk about what you have noticed such as:

• the way your child interacts
• moves around
• learns
• speaks

To find out more about different types of health professionals and the support they could offer view Health and Wellbeing.

Who can I talk to about their learning

When you are worried about your child’s learning, please visit I think my child needs help in education, who can I speak to. 

For information on support offered as well as to learn about the graduated approach within your child’s school visit What support will my child get in school?

For further support you can contact Wolverhampton Information, Advice and Support Service (WIASS). A statutory and confidential service working with parents, carers, children and young people. The service offers free and impartial information, advice and support on matters relating to a child or young person's special educational needs or disability from birth to 25 years.  

Visit Wolverhampton Information, Advice & Support Service website

You can also contact IPSEA which is a charity in the field of SEND law in England that provide free and independent legal advice and support to families of children and young people with SEND. They also provide training on the SEND legal framework, and influence policy at both a local and national level.

Help in your local area

Find parent/carer support groups that you can join by visiting Support for parents/carers.

Children and young people and their families sometimes need advice, guidance or help with everyday tasks. This could include: 

• socialising and making relationships 
• being independent 
• moving about (or being moved) freely and easily 
• keeping safe

There are support groups, charities and local support that can help. These are services anyone can access. 

View Local support available

Find out what activities you can join through Leisure and short breaks.

Find Parent/Carer support groups that you can join.

If you and your child need more help

Find out what else is available if you have support in place, and it is not enough.  

Some children and young people have needs which require more specialist services and they may need help in getting more support that a social worker will assess for. 

Contact Children's Social Care - Disabled Children and Young People's Team to request an assessment of your child’s needs. 

Find support for families and young adults and families.

There are different levels of support depending on your child’s needs. Social Care will work with you and your child to understand your child’s needs and decide what support would help. The support you need may change over time.

As a parent or guardian who may be caring for a child or young person with additional needs, you may be eligible for additional support from Carer Support Team.