Parents who are caring for a disabled child may need support, information or advice specific to their individual need.

Social Services

Social Services can assess your child's needs, and if they are eligible can arrange practical support. Following a carers assessment, Social Services can also arrange support for you, such as access to short breaks. Currently, Social Services arranges breaks in private and voluntary sector residential homes. On occasions, foster care may also be available for short breaks.

Children and families in need

The Children and Young People Service First Response and Assessment Team offers advice and support to children and families who are experiencing difficulties and need help. If they cannot help, they will tell you where to go for the support you need.

Children with disabilities

Social Services gives support and advice to children with disabilities and their families. They can provide information on a range of services including help for carers and respite care (where the child goes into residential care for a short while to give the carer a rest), social services, disabled parking bays, and equipment and adaptations to help around the home. They can tell you about other local services and facilities that might be useful and process applications for Taxicards, disabled parking permits (Blue Badges) and Freedom Passes.

Counselling and support

The Children and Young People's Services can offer a range of services to children and young people up to school-leaving age, and their families, who are having difficulties. (see our child and family consultation page).

Direct Payments

You can use Direct Payments to help with the costs of caring for a disabled child. You can use it to pay for respite care and for the personal care of your disabled child. For more information on how to apply and what you can use Direct Payments for please see our Direct Payments page.

Community safeguarding and intervention (Family Support)

The Children and Young People's Services Community Safeguarding and Intervention Team can offer continuing support for families or carers who have already been assessed. Families may need support if a child or a carer is ill or has a disability, or if the child is on the Child Protection Register.

Asylum seekers

Children and Young People's Services Services can help asylum seekers who are not entitled to social security benefits or help from the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) and have no other means of support. If you are claiming political asylum, you are entitled to be assessed for the same range of social services as other residents in the borough. In certain circumstances they will refer you to other agencies.

Fostering and adoption

Foster carers provide a family home for children and young people who, for some reason, cannot currently live with their own families. There are many different kinds of fostering - from emergency and short-term care, to long-term fostering. An allowance is paid to help people to become foster carers.

For more information, contact the Fostering and Adoption Team via Waltham Forest Direct on 020 8496 3000.

Pre-school and out-of school services

If you have young children, you might be eligible for a range of childcare services including local Sure Start programmes. There is also a range of recreational activities for older children provided through the Youth Support Service.

How to get help

Call Waltham Forest Direct on 020 8496 3000 and ask for the Family Support Service. Also see the section on "Getting in touch" for further details.

Health

Health visitors

Based in health centres and clinics, they work with families with children under 5.

School Health Service

School nurses regularly visit all schools in Waltham Forest to monitor the health needs of children. Special schools may have a nurse based on site.

Physiotherapists

Help people with a wide range of joint problems, chest conditions, incontinence, pain or difficulties in moving, balance or control of their limbs.
Tel 020 8535 6793

Paediatric Home Care Nursing Team

Provides nursing care and support at home to families with children aged from birth to 16.
Tel 020 8535 6738

Child and Family Consultation Service (CFCS)

A team of specialist mental health workers who support children and young people and their families where there are psychological or emotional concerns.
Tel 0844 600 1247
Fax 0844 493 0277

Margaret Centre

Supports families at difficult times - after a child has died, when a child is terminally ill or when a child has suffered a significant loss, for example loss of a limb.
Tel 020 8478 5151
Fax 020 8926 5001

NHS Direct

A 24-hour nurse-led helpline providing confidential healthcare advice and information.
Tel 0845 4647
Web www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

Arts and Leisure

Artsline provides information on arts, leisure and entertainment.
Tel 020 7388 2227
Fax 020 7383 2653
Minicom 020 7388 2227
Web www.artsline.org.uk

Waltham Forest Pre-School Learning Alliance
Tel 020 8556 3434
Fax 020 8556 2779

Schools in Waltham Forest
For information about schools in the Borough
Web www.vtwf.co.uk

Integrated Mainstream Support Service
Works with children in mainstream schools who have additional needs, for example, those with a specific learning difficulties.
Tel 020 8496 1533
Fax 020 8496 1532

Waltham Forest Parent Partnership
Information and support to parents of children with special educational needs.
Tel 020 8496 5230 or free phone 0800 587 2521

Educational psychologists
Accessed via nurseries, schools and colleges, occasionally directly by parents.

Sure Start

Sure Start is a national government funded organisation which aims to achieve better outcomes for children, parents and communities by:

  • increasing the availability of childcare for all children
  • improving health, education and emotional development for young children
  • supporting parents in their role and in developing their employment aspirations

Sure Start also provides information about working in the field of childcare.

Waltham Forest Family Information Service

This service provides details of all childcare services for children aged up to 14 years (or 16 if your child has a disability). They can also give advice and information on financial benefits for carers and parents.

Carers

Waltham Forest Carers Association
Advice, information and support to carers in Waltham Forest.
Tel 020 8531 9652

Voluntary organisations

Autism London
Tel 0845 603 7954
Fax 020 8504 5205
Web www.autismlondon.org.uk

Contact a Family
Information and advice about children's disabilities and support services.
Tel 0808 808 3555
Fax 020 7608 8701
Web www.cafamily.org.uk

DIAL Waltham Forest
Information and advice on all aspects of disability.
Tel 020 8539 8884
Fax 020 8539 8077
Email info@dialwalthamforest.org.uk

ELHAP
A charity running day and respite care for adults and children with disabilities.
Tel 020 8550 2636

Family Fund Trust
Eases the stress on families who care for severely disabled children under 16, by providing grants and information related to the care of the child.
Tel 01904 621 115

Hamara
Provides various services including play schemes and a sitting service for children and young people aged up to nineteen who have a disability and live in Waltham Forest.
Tel 020 8503 7270
Fax 020 8503 6582

Waltham Forest MENCAP
Supports people with learning disabilities and those who care for them. Organises a range of clubs for children and young people with learning disabilities.
Tel 020 8556 3445
Fax 020 8532 8247