Getting Advice: Plymouth’s local offer & other support available
Every person is unique. Some may need support to fulfil their potential or cope with certain challenges, others may not.
You don’t need a clinical diagnosis to be able to access support.
In this section, you will find links to each area’s ‘Local Offer’, which explains the support and services that are available for children and young people with Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND) aged 0 to 25 years.
Other information included in this section has been suggested by both professionals working across Devon, Plymouth and Torbay and our Parent Carer Forums. These include links to resources; relevant websites and support offers within your local area. Some of these offers are free to families, some local charities or community groups may ask for a donation or charge for their services.
In addition, there is a wide range information on other services available outside your local area, which you may find helpful.
If you are unable to find a service, ‘Devon Services’ is a directory of all services available in Devon, Torbay and Plymouth that may have what you are looking for Other Directory Listings | Devon Services
A Devon and Cornwall (D&C) Directory has been put together, containing a range of resources in Plymouth, Exeter, Torbay and Devon & Cornwall. You can also sign up to receive latest updates by email. Home | My Site 1
In this section, you will be able to find a wide range of information and resources relating to Early years, Health Resources, Family Support, Schools and Education and preparing your child for adulthood that are available in Plymouth.
For information on Plymouth’s SEND local offer, please visit this website SEND Local Offer – Plymouth Online Directory
Early Years
Plymouth City Council – Childcare
Find Childcare in Plymouth.
Choosing and finding childcare | PLYMOUTH.GOV.UK
Plymouth City Council Early Help
Plymouth have an Early Help and SEND advice line through which you can book a conversation with a Family Support Worker to talk about any worries or questions you may have.
https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/plymouth-early-help-and-send-advice-line
Plymouth City Council – Start for Life and Family Hubs
Our start for Life Offer is a part of the development of Family Hubs (0 to 19 year-olds and 25 with SEND), bringing together families, communities, volunteers and staff across Plymouth.
https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/family-hubs-and-start-life-brochure
Plymouth Online Directory – Local Offer Plymouth
Support for children and young people in Plymouth who are in their early years aged 0 and 5 years old.
https://www.plymouthonlinedirectory.com/plymouthlocaloffer/earlyyears
Plymouth Online Directory – Preschool, day nurseries and childcare
Includes information on Preschool, day nurseries and child care
https://www.plymouthonlinedirectory.com/childrenandfamilies/nurseries
Plymouth Online Directory – Plymouth Local Offer
An Early Help Assessment is a voluntary process for families to share information with a range of local services to help them plan together and get the right support.
Plymouth Safeguarding children partnership Early Help
Early Help means taking action to support a child, young person or their family early in the life of a problem, as soon as it emerges. It can be required at any stage in a child’s life from pre-birth to adulthood, and applies to any problem or need that the family cannot deal with or meet on their own.
https://plymouthscb.co.uk/earlyhelp/
Health Resources
Health for Kids
The Health for Kids website contains information to support you during a child’s primary school years.
https://www.healthforkids.co.uk/plymouth/
Health for Teens
Health for Teens introduces a new and different way for young people aged 11-19 to learn about their health.
https://www.healthforteens.co.uk/?location=Plymouth
Livewell Southwest – CAMHS Neurodiversity
This page offers details about the CAMHS Neurodiversity team, which provides assessment and intervention for children and young people aged 5 to 18 years who are suspected to be neurodiverse. The team promotes, assesses, and works with children and young people who have neurodiversity and associated emotional, behavioural, or mental health difficulties across Plymouth.
CAMHS Neurodiversity | Livewell Southwest
Plymouth Information, Advice and Support Service (PIASS)
Plymouth Information, Advice and Support for SEND (PIAS) provides information, advice and support relating to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) for parents, carers, children and young people within the Plymouth Local Authority area.
https://www.plymouthias.org.uk/young-people-support/information-advice-and-support/
Plymouth Online Directory – Local Offer Plymouth – Events
List of events and what’s on in Plymouth
https://www.plymouthonlinedirectory.com/plymouthlocaloffer/whatson
Plymouth Online Directory – Plymouth City Council Education Psychology
Educational Psychologists apply psychology using the graduated approach to support the educational progress, development, mental health and wellbeing of children and young people from 0-25 years with complex special educational needs and, or a disability.
https://www.plymouthonlinedirectory.com/article/814/Plymouth-Educational-Psychology-Service
University Hospitals Plymouth – Paediatrics
This page provides detailed information about the services offered.
Family Support – inc. social care
Barnardo’s – Family Space
Barnardo’s have developed a virtual family hub offers information, where you can get advice, guidance, and support for all stages of your parenting or caring journey.
Barnardo’s Family Space | Barnardo’s Family Space
Barnardo’s – Families
Barnardo’s have developed these pages to explore and offer advice on not only some of these challenges, but the positive qualities that exist within your family.
Families | Barnardo’s Family Space (barnardos.org.uk)
Livewell Southwest – Children and Young People’s Neurodiversity Wellbeing Team
This team offers a confidential, free advice line available to all children, young people, and their families who are on the Neurodiversity Pathway within Plymouth.
https://www.plymouthias.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Neurodiversity-Wellbeing-Team-Flyer.pdf
Livewell Southwest – Parent resources
Provides trustworthy health information recommended by their children services.
https://www.livewellsouthwest.co.uk/childrens-services/parents-resource-centre
Livewell Southwest – Plymouth Options
Plymouth Options is a free, confidential NHS service provided by Livewell Southwest. It offers talking therapies for individuals aged 16 and over in Plymouth who are experiencing common mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The service aims to help individuals improve their mental and physical wellbeing through various treatments, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and online therapy programs.
https://www.livewellsouthwest.co.uk/plymouth-options
Neurodiversity Navigators
The Navigator roles are to provide support and guidance to Families and Young People that are on waiting lists for a neurodevelopmental diagnosis or those presenting with neurodivergent needs across the entire Devon footprint (including Plymouth and Torbay). They can provide some general guidance and support to access services that are already available. They can provide information and, if needed, they can provide practical support for people to complete forms and attend workshops etc. For those unable to access these resources, the Navigators are adaptable to provide individual advice and guidance around their presenting needs, for example issues with sleep, school difficulties, low level anxieties, and promote positive behaviour strategies.
Neurodiversity Navigator Key roles:
- Support with navigating the complex networks of health, education, social care, community and voluntary services
- A listening ear for all children’ young people and adults
- Informed Advice and Guidance
- Connecting people to community groups, parent/carer forums and statutory services for practical and emotional support
- Support completing forms
- Targeted support with simple personalised support plans
- Advocate when required, but not in place of other advocacy services
For more information regarding Neurodiversity Navigators, please contact livewell.devonndnavigators@nhs.net
Plymouth City Council – CYP and families page
Various links within for families to use.
https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/children-young-people-and-families
Plymouth City Council – Parent and Carer Support
Plymouth Family Hubs site as pages dedicated to information on support for families.
Children, young people and families | PLYMOUTH.GOV.UK
Plymouth Information, Advice and Support Service (PIASS) – parenting programmes
PIAS provides information, advice, and support for parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities. They can offer guidance on a range of issues, including education, health, and social care.
https://www.plymouthias.org.uk/parenting-programmes/
Plymouth Information, Advice and Support for SEND
Plymouth Information, Advice and Support for SEND offers a range of internationally and locally recognised Parenting Programmes that have been shown to work in Plymouth for a wide range of families.
Parenting Programmes – Plymouth Information Advice and Support for SEND.
Plymouth Online Directory – Children, families, schools
Contains links for families depending on what they want
https://www.plymouthonlinedirectory.com/childrenandfamilies
Plymouth Online Directory – Family Hubs in Plymouth
Family Hubs are a place for families, parents, carers, and young people in Plymouth to find support and advice. Each Family Hub provides support for families with children aged 0-19, or up to age 25, and for young people with special educational needs.
https://plymouthonlinedirectory.com/article/3808/Family-Hubs-in-Plymouth
Plymouth Parent Carer Voice (PPCV)
The Plymouth Parent Carer Voice (PPCV) brings together parents and carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Plymouth and the surrounding area to give them the voice in the services that they use.
https://www.plymouthpcv.co.uk/parents-carers/
Relate Devon and Cornwall
Relate Devon and Cornwall offer relationship counselling across Devon and Cornwall. They provide a supportive environment to help you navigate any difficulties in your relationship. More information is available on their website.
SEND news in Plymouth
At Plymouth Information, Advice and Support for SEND (PIAS) we receive lots of useful and interesting information relevant to parents. “Join our Mailing List” to receive notification of when our latest SEND newsletters are published.
SEND Newsletters – Plymouth Information Advice and Support for SEND.
Schools and Education
Livewell Southwest – CAMHS Neurodiversity: School and Education
Livewell Southwest provides information on the local offer, which explains the support and services available for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) aged 0-25 years in Plymouth
CAMHS Neurodiversity: School and Education | Livewell Southwest
Livewell Southwest – Children and Young People’s Neurodiversity Wellbeing Team
A confidential, free advice line available to all children, young people, and their families who are on the Neurodiversity Pathway within Plymouth. They offer advice and support on various topics, including school difficulties and positive support strategies.
Children and Young People’s Neurodiversity Wellbeing Team
Livewell Southwest – Mental Health in Schools Support Team (MHST)
The team will be offering a range of support to schools in Plymouth for children who are experiencing low to moderate feelings of anxiety, phobia, low mood between the ages of 5 years and 17 years old.
Mental Health in Schools Support Team (MHST) | Livewell Southwest
Plymouth Information, Advice and Support for SEND
Plymouth Information, Advice and Support for SEND offers a range of internationally and locally recognised Parenting Programmes that have been shown to work in Plymouth for a wide range of families.
Parenting Programmes – Plymouth Information Advice and Support for SEND.
Plymouth Online Directory – Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP)
Information on Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans can be found on the Plymouth Local Offer page with links to other helpful information.
Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP) – Plymouth Online Directory
Preparing your child for adulthood
Plymouth City Council – Preparing for Adulthood
This service supports young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) as they transition into adulthood. The focus is on person-centred planning to achieve outcomes such as employment, independent living, good health, and community participation. More information can be found on their website.
https://www.plymouthonlinedirectory.com/plymouthlocaloffer/adulthood
Plymouth Online Directory
This directory provides information on the local offer for people with SEND, including support for education, employment, independent living, and health and wellbeing. It also includes resources for family support and benefits. More details are available on their website.
https://www.plymouthonlinedirectory.com/plymouthlocaloffer/adulthood
Plymouth Online Directory – Enhanced Transition Framework
This framework is designed to support educators, families, and young people in planning for a successful transition to adulthood. It includes tools and guidance for additional planning needs. More information can be found on the Plymouth Online Directory.
https://www.plymouthonlinedirectory.com/plymouthlocaloffer/enhancedtransitionp16
Plymouth Parent Carer Voice (PPCV)
PPCV offers resources and support for parents and carers of children and young people with SEND. They provide guidance on health, education, and social care transitions. You can find more details on their website.
Outside your local area
In this section, you will be able to find a wide range of information and resources relating to Early years, Health Resources, Family Support and Schools and Education that are available outside your local area.
Early Years
Ambitious about Autism – Early Years
These resources are designed to help you understand and support your child’s needs from an early age
Understanding autism | Ambitious about Autism
Autism Education Trust – Early Years
Variety of resources that designed to provide valuable insights and practical strategies for supporting neurodiverse children in their early years.
https://www.autismeducationtrust.org.uk/resources
Anna Freud – National Centre for Children and Families
A guide to neurodiversity in the early years.
The Challenging Behaviour Foundation
The CBF has produced various information resources showing how using early interventions methods, such as Positive Behaviour Support, can reduce the severity and frequently of challenging behaviour and improve quality of life.
https://www.challengingbehaviour.org.uk/information-and-guidance/early-intervention/
Somerset Council
Provides a variety of links and resources for you to use.
https://supportservicesforeducation.co.uk/Search?search=early+years
Somerset Parent Carer Forum Early Years Booklet
This booklet is a valuable resource for parents and carers, providing insights into how children learn and develop during their first five years, in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage.
Somerset Safeguarding Children Partnership – Pre-Birth & Early Years Resources
These resources have been put together to help you to work with parents in the pre-birth to early years period.
Pre-Birth Planning Toolkit – Somerset Safeguarding Children Partnership
Health Resources
ASD Bright Ideas
This resource provides autism, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), and visual resources to help children with learning and life skills
https://www.asdbrightideas.co.uk/
The Challenging Behaviour Foundation
Our resources give information about health care, answering your questions on topics such as medication, mental health, consenting to treatment, reasonable adjustments and dental treatment.
Health – Challenging Behaviour Foundation
Therapist Neurodiversity Collective
Offers over 40 free printable neurodiversity infographics and posters, along with educational videos and podcasts for families, therapists, and educators.
Free neurodiversity educational resources for families and therapists
Understood
You can fill in what you would like from the website.
Family Support – inc. social care
Autism Central
This is a resource hub for parents and carers of autistic children, young people, and adults. Autism Central aims to make it easier for families to learn more about autism and the services available to them.
https://www.autismcentral.org.uk/
Bristol Autism Support
There is a wide range of support for parents and carers (including siblings) of autistic children.
Parent and carer support Archives – Bristol Autism Support
The Challenging Behaviour Foundation
Provides resources, advice and tips on how to keep everyone well – parents, siblings and children.
Wellbeing of family – Challenging Behaviour Foundation
The Challenging Behaviour Foundation
Provides information and support about the needs of your family member with a learning disability.
Family Support Service – Challenging Behaviour Foundation
Help Guide
HelpGuide.org has produced ‘Tips for Building a Healthy Relationship’
Tips for Building a Healthy Relationship – HelpGuide.org
Family lives
Family life can be tough, use our live chat online service for support
Parenting and Family Support – Family Lives (Parentline Plus)
Jam up!
Providing digital tools to empower autistic children with everyday tasks
Mencap
Support for parents and carers of children and young people.
Parents & Carers Support – Learning Disability | Mencap
Mindworks
Information and resources for parents and carers.
National Autistic Society
Having your child diagnosed as autistic can be a very emotional and uncertain time for parents, even if you have been seeking a diagnosis for a while. As a parent or guardian, it is likely that you will want to better understand your child’s diagnosis and how you can help them.
Neurodive
Neurodive provides direct support to Neurodivergent young people and their families.
Neurodiversity week
Choose the parent and carers tag.
Resources | Neurodiversity Celebration Week
NHS – advice for single parents
Additional advice for single parents can be found on the NHS page.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/support-and-services/advice-for-single-parents/
NHS Dorset Neurodiversity hub
Support for neurodivergent children and their families
Support for children – Neurodiversity
Somerset Parent Carer Forum – School age booklet
Offers a range of resources for parents and carers of school-age children with additional needs or disabilities.
SPACE
Family support links.
Family Support – SPACE Hertfordshire
Understood
You can fill in what you would like from the website.
Schools and Education
Ambitious about Autism
In this section you will find information about how to access this support, as well as advice on how to communicate with schools and understanding exclusions guidance
Education | Ambitious about Autism
Autism Education Trust school
Variety of resources that are designed to provide valuable insights and practical strategies for supporting neurodiverse children in their school years
Resources to Support Autistic Children and Young People
Bristol Autism Support
Information on national education help services and how to deal with an autistic child’s school-related problems.
School issues and support Archives – Bristol Autism Support
The Challenging Behaviour Foundation
Finding the most suitable school for your child.
Finding a school – Challenging Behaviour Foundation
Mencap
Educational help and support for children with a learning disability.
Special Educational Needs – Learning Disability | Mencap
Neurodiversity Hub
Materials to support neurodivergent primary school students.
Neurodiversity Resources For Students – Neurodiversity Hub<br/> — Neurodiversity Hub
Somerset Parent Carer Forum – School age booklet
Offers a range of resources for parents and carers of school-age children with additional needs or disabilities.
The Wave Project
Inspired by our Theory of Change and delivered by qualified teachers, our Education programmes provide learning and wellbeing benefits for vulnerable pupils.
We know that not all children perform their best inside the classroom environment which is why we have developed these 3 programmes to operate in partnership with local schools.
Improving mental health and wellbeing through Surf Therapy
Understood
You can fill in what you would like from the website.