Local Support Groups and Services

Support and Advice

Our Index of useful links and resources

Index

It is difficult to know where to start and who to turn to when your child/young person is diagnosed with special educational needs. You can find information, support and resources offered locally below.

Mind

A mental health charity who provide confidential help, support and legal advice related to mental health issues.

Wandsworth’s SEND Local Offer

Wandsworth’s SEND local offer is the services, activities and providers that the council expects to be available locally for children and young people from 0 to 25 who have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The SEND Local Offer website sets out what these services, activities and providers are and how to access them.

For advice or information about Wandsworth’s SEND local offer you can also call or email the DCR team on 020 8871 8907 dcr-wand@wandsworth.gov.uk

Wandsworth Information Advice and Support Service (WIASS)

WIASS is a free service providing confidential and impartial information, legal advice and support to children and young people (aged 0-25) with special educational needs and/or disabilities and their parents.

(Also known as SENDIASS)

SEN Talk

SEN Talk is a local non-profit organisation working specifically supporting children and young people with autism and attention deficit disorders and/or other social communication needs, and their families.

Wandsworth Autism Advisory Service (WAAS)

Wandsworth Autism Advisory Service is a multi-agency team with professionals from education, teaching, SEND, Speech and language therapy, multi therapy team, occupational therapy and psychology service. They offer lots of advice and support for parents and carers of children and young people with autism.

WAAS advice and resources

Timers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4_qm0Xg0JM
Now/next boards https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_v8gTDP8XRM
Visual timetables https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUzxUP_98wU
Choice Boards – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTfxmwQmAdo
Objects of Reference – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DToroO2DxA
Sensory Circuits – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFQ_rWM9Qdk
Sensory Processing – An introduction to sensory processing A Parent Workshop with Vicky Robinson (OT) https://fis.wandsworth.gov.uk/-kb5/wandsworth/fsd/-service.page?id=lp-umVfaI-U
Managing Challenging Behaviours Webinars (3 part series)
Five Calming Strategies
Talking with your child about their autism diagnosis leaflet https://search3.openobjects.com/-mediamanager/wandsworth/-fsd/files/talking_with_your_child-_about_their_autism-_diagnosis_handout.pdf

Useful links to help you cope at home: https://search3.openobjects.com/-mediamanager/wandsworth/-fsd/files/-seful_links_to_help_-paretns_cope_at_home.pdf

WAAS Sibling groups

WAAS aim to run regular groups for children and young people who have an Autistic sibling. Groups normally run in the school holidays. Complete the group screener and you will be contacted with dates of when these are taking place.

Wandsworth Carers Centre

Wandsworth Carers Centre is a registered charity that has been providing support to to unpaid carers in Wandsworth since 1995. They can provide help, support, advice and guidance on a range of issues relating to caring for a child or young person with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

Wand Cards

The WAND Card is for children and young people under 18 years old with special educational needs, disabilities or complex health needs. The WAND+ Card is for young people 18 to 24 years old. Wand cards provide families with concessions and discounts that are available from participating businesses and services in Wandsworth. Wand cards can also help avoid the need for lengthy explanations when asking for existing concessions and assistance within the borough.

Support and Advice

Index