How Can You Help Your Child
The local offer
The Local offer is an online resource that provides information on the support and guidance available to children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) aged 0 - 25 years and their families.
Children and Family wellbeing service
The Children and Family Wellbeing Service, previously children's centres and Young People's Service, provide services to help with parenting and other support you may need. They support families of children and young people from 0-19 years old and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities up to 25.
Select the image to go to their website:
Advice Sheets
Below are some advice sheets about how to develop your child’s speech and language skills at home. From encouraging early listening skills, breaking down complex instructions, taking turns to the essential nature of play. We hope these help you get started and feel like you are doing something that will really help.
Really Useful Websites
Below are links to a number of websites that provide practical guidance and support to parents. There are some on the My Child page you may also like to refer to. Some of the websites below are also aimed at providing information about older children who have communication difficulties and those who do not use speech as their main form of communication. Click on the pictures below to follow the links:
Cbeebies
Cbeebies has a section on its website all about speech and language development. Discover what you can do to help your child learn to communicate with strategies to help children make themselves understood and express their feelings. The BBC have also introduced an initiative called tiny happy people, which launches fully in 2020, but there is already some good information on the site.
I Can
This site has a number of really useful fact sheets about a range of topics such as iPad and tablet apps, lisps, speech sound development and using visual timetables. There is also a phone number you can ring to discuss your concerns and ask questions.
The Communication Trust
This site has lots of resources for parents of pre-schoolers to 19 year olds. It has videos, packs of downloadable activities and again a phone line for additional support.
The Hanen Programme
Hanen is an organisation that helps parents of children with language delay and/or autism. They have created training packages for parents and have lots of helpful articles and advice sheets on their website.
Makaton
This sight will give you some helpful information about using Makaton signs and symbols. It will give you some examples, but will also explain why they can be of use to support the development of communication. We can provide Makaton training if your child’s therapist feels it is appropriate.
The ACE Centre
The ACE Centre North provides advice and support to children and adults who use alternative forms of communication. They offer training, assessment and advice about alternative communication methods such as communication aids offering information sessions for parents and lots of useful materials.
Communication Matters
Communication Matters aims to increase understanding, awareness and knowledge of the needs of people with complex communication needs. This site also focuses on supporting people who use alternative forms of communication such as pictures or symbols.
Mommy Speech Therapy
Mommy speech therapy is a helpful website of speech tips to help your child speak more clearly.
HelpKidzLearn
HelpKidzLearn is a collection of software for young children and those with learning difficulties to play online. The software is split into five sections: Early Years, Games and Quizzes, Stories and Songs, Creative Play & Find Out About.
Navigate: emotional support for parents
Navigate is a national mentoring service, that provides online emotional support for parents and carers of disabled children who are finding out about their child’s additional needs.
