There are many support networks locally available to you, that you can reach out to for help and guidance.

Wolverhampton Information, Advice and Support Service offer free 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.

Parent Support Offer - Offer a range of support available for parents which includes:

•    Training events
•    Workshops
•    Coffee mornings
•    Drop-in sessions
•    Useful websites, services and resources

To find out about the Parent Support Offer depending on need visit SEND Early Identification Support Services.

Family Hubs - The City of Wolverhampton has 8 Family Hubs that offer support and SEND workshops to families with children aged 0-18, or 25 for young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

The hubs also provide a wide range of other services including help and advice on benefits and welfare rights, getting into work, relationship building and information about adult education. 

Carer Support Team - specialise in supporting carers of all ages including parent carers, young carers (up to the age of 18 who help care for someone within their family) and adult carers.  

Parent/Carer Consultation Service with Educational Psychology Service - offers a free remote consultation service to parents/carers living in Wolverhampton, and also to parents/carers of children or young people in the care of Wolverhampton Local Authority. They could offer emotional wellbeing support, mental health advice for you and your family, SEND related advice about your child’s life known as transition.

Parent support group

There are support groups that can help parent and carers within Wolverhampton area to feel connected to others in similar circumstances. 

Professionals maybe invited to discuss their services and to advise about further support you can get. The groups are run by either parent carers, local charities or national organisations.

They are a great way of socialising and sharing views. Below are some of the support groups offered to parent and carers.

School coffee mornings - Some schools may run coffee mornings which are a good way for schools to communicate with their SEND parents and carers in a relaxed informal environment. It's also an opportunity for parents and carers to ask questions, share experiences and find out what is happening in school. To find out about your school’s offer please speak with the school.

Voice 4 Parents are a parent/carer-led forum which represents the views and voices of Wolverhampton parents and carers of children and young people aged 0-25 with SEND. The coffee mornings are a great way to connect with other people with similar experiences, to gain information and make friendships. 

Parent & Carer support group Walsall, Wolverhampton & surrounding areas - Are a support group for parents, guardians and carers. They aim to connect members and where appropriate professionals to local support services.

Friendly Faces Disability Support CIC is a disability services and support organisation dedicated to empowering disabled individuals, families and carers. 

Include Me Too is a local charity in Wolverhampton that provide a range of services to disabled children, young people and their families.

Zebra Access - for Deaf, Deafblind and Hard of Hearing people -  is a Deaf led charity based in Wolverhampton that aims to develop opportunities for Deaf, Deafblind and Hard of Hearing people to have better chances in life by providing access to a range of activities. 

Define Fine: Parent Peer Support for School Attendance Difficulties - Are a parent/carer-led organisation set up in response to children and young people who experience school attendance difficulties.

Online Resources

Epilepsy Action - offers advice and information from diagnosis to treatment, guidance about daily living with epilepsy. They also offer online support groups which are a great way of connecting with others, who have experiences of epilepsy, in a safe and relaxed environment.

Mencap - Provide helpful information and advice around Learning disabilities across areas such as education, social care, relationships and friendships as well as a learning disability helpline you can contact.

Guide Dogs - Have a wide range of services with and without dogs to support people living with a vision impairment. Providing support for getting around safely to dog care and welfare, family support with technology, life skills and more.

CustomEyes Books - From Dr Seuss to Shakespeare, from inspirational fiction to educational textbooks, they have large print books available. Each one is custom made, with font size, spacing, colour and more all tailored to your child’s individual needs.

Listening books - An audiobook lending charity for those that find their illness, mental health, physical or learning disability affects their ability to read the printed word or hold a book.

RNIB – the Royal National Institute of Blind People - is the UK's leading sight loss charity. They offer practical and emotional support to blind and partially sighted people, their families and carers.

National Deaf Children’s Society - Providing support on childhood deafness, raise awareness and campaign for deaf children’s rights, so they have the same opportunities as everyone else. Providing advice and guidance including helpline, online group support and more.

Speech and Language UK - Provide families the confidence and skills to help their children with speech and language development. With free resources and services, they can help with understanding what to look out for, child’s speech, language and communication milestones, how to get support and even some simple ways you can help your child at home.

Afasic - supports and provides information for families with children and young adults who have Speech Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) with a focus on Developmental Language Disorder (DLD).

CLAPA - Cleft Lip & Palate Association - is the national charity supporting people born with a cleft and their families in the UK. They bring together people affected by cleft to help them connect with others who share their experiences, welcoming them into a supportive community for life.

Cerebral Palsy Midlands (CPM) - is a charity that support adults with cerebral palsy and other disabilities to live fulfilled and independent lives. They provide a range of opportunities for people to develop their skills, stay active and healthy, be creative, and meet new friends.

Down’s Syndrome Association - is the only charity in the UK providing support for all aspects of Down’s syndrome. Supporting people who have Down’s syndrome, and their parents and carers, throughout their lives, from before birth into older age.

The Pathological Demand Avoidance Society - provides information, training and support for PDA people, parents & carers, and professionals.

Council for Disabled Children (CDC) - is the umbrella body for the disabled children's sector. They provide a collective voice that champions the rights of children, young people and their families and challenges barriers to inclusion. Resources available that parents can access to find out more about disability policy and practice.

Disability Rights UK - is the UK’s leading organisation led by, run by, and working for Disabled people. They work with Disabled People’s Organisations, public bodies, businesses and Government across the UK to influence regional and national change for better rights, accessibility, benefits, quality of life and economic opportunities for Disabled people.

IPSEA - Are the leading charity in the field of SEND law in England and 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.

Changing Our Lives - Challenge social injustice and health inequalities. Working alongside disabled people and people with experience of mental health difficulties to make an ordinary life possible.