Help, Support & Advice

The Isabella Trust aims to help improve the quality of life of children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Sensory Processing Difficulties by supporting their Families and Carers

Cheshire Autism Practical Support CHAPS support families with Autism Spectrum Condition or Asperger’s Syndrome (diagnosed or not) Contact support@cheshireautism.org.uk   or if you require details of current activities contact Ruth Bradford on 0844 850 8607

• Attention Card
• Parents meetings
• Children’s activities Please note these are only open to CHAPS members
• Adult services
• Halton Parents Group

Halton Autistic Family Support (HAFS) Group Overview  & Flyer

• What is Autism – Overview
• Autism is?

• Halton Speak Out are a self-advocacy group helping people to speak up for themselves, feel confident, to say what they want and to make changes in their lives.
• Contact – North West provide a freephone helpline, information and advice to families caring for children and young people with disabilities or additional needs
• Halton Healthwatch Advocacy Hub can help people  Tel: 0800 161 5600.
• Advocacy First support people (adults) living in the community
• NYAS – National Youth Advocacy Service provides independent support, advice and information to children and young people so their views and wishes are heard, their rights respected and assisted to give feedback or make a complaint.

After Adoption Yorkshire – counselling, advice, support and information to adopted people, birth parents and birth relatives

Child Bereavement UK – based in Runcorn, providing support and information to bereaved children, young people (aged 0-25) and their families within Halton, St Helens and surrounding areas Bereavement Services Leaflet including Referral Process

Deafness Support Network – support deaf children 0–18 years/families with hearing loss – I’m Hear Leaflet and Referral Form

Dyspraxia Foundation provide information for parents and professionals including a helpline

Family Focused Support -Young Addaction Halton confidential service for those experiencing the effects of another family members’ substance misuse or mental health

Halton Young Addaction provide support for young people aged 10-19 years (25 for those with SEND) around reducing harm, Sexual Health Advice, Needle Exchange and Alcohol Awareness

Halton Young Addaction – advice, support or treatment around risk taking behaviour for children and young people 0-19 years and up to 25 for young people with additional needs – registered with a Halton doctor (GP)

Halton Integrated Recovery Service provides open access support to adults with issues around substance misuse (drugs and alcohol) including family and carer support if they are affected by substance use

HELPS  – subsidised home safety equipment for parents, carers and grandparents of children under 5 years old registered with a Halton Children’s Centres Tel: 0151 511 8409 or 0151 424 4686 or contact Carolyn McAuley 

Halton Adults with Learning Disability Support (HALDS)

Halton Carers Centre – information, activities and support – Information Book – Hospital Liaison Service Leaflet – Young Carers

Halton Disability Partnership –  Support and advice about living with a disability – by disabled people for disabled people

Halton Speak Out works with young people and adults with a learning disability to support their choice and control over their lives

Housing Solutions —– Shelter ——– Nightstop Communities North West (homelessness support)

SPARC (Supporting People Achieving Real Choice) support people with Learning Disabilities/family carers

The Buzz for children (8 to 11 years old)

The Buzz for young people (12 to 18 years old)

Triple P: Positive Parenting Programme (help with your child’s behaviour or learn new parenting skills) -Referral by a professional – Self-referrals not accepted

Working Families  – Information for parents of disabled children

• Foodbank – Runcorn for Runcorn residents 
• Foodbank – Widnes for Widnes residents

Benefits/Allowances/Grants

• Benefits and Welfare Advice
• Carers Allowance
• Family Fund (UK’s largest charity) – grants to families raising disabled or seriously ill children/young people for help with essential items e.g. white goods, clothing, computers/tablets, sensory equipment and short breaks – Family Fund Leaflet ’17
• Free School Meals
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Easy Read Guide – What it is and How to claim it
• PIP Mythbuster and Toolkit
• Universal Credit overview
• Young Carers Break – local grants

Guides

• Children’s Savings and Bank Accounts – some local branches provide support in setting these up including parental controls
• Entitled To – are you missing out on benefits? DWP Entitled To Information Leaflet
• From Child to Adult – Guide to Disability  and Family Finances
• Welfare Rights Fact Sheet

Information, Advice & Support

• Citizens Advice Bureau
• Halton Credit Union if you live or work in Halton you are eligible to apply to become a member
• In Control
• Money Advice Service
• Runcorn Debt Centre  free help to people in debt – check to see if you live in a postcode supported area

A statutory service providing independent, impartial advice, guidance and support to children, young people and their parents around matters relating to special educational needs and/or disabilities; including matters relating to health and social care

What is SENDIASS-How can it help explained?

• Information, Advice and Support
• Advice around preparing for meetings – Information Leaflet
• Young Person Leaflet

Easy Read Guides

• Our Services Explained
• Confidentiality
• EHC Plan Explained
• Personal Budgets Explained
• HSP Easy Read-Local Offer