One of the messages we regularly hear from families is:
“We’ve been told we need to wait for a diagnosis before we can get support.”
But support is often be based on a child or young person’s identified needs and the difficulties they are experiencing not a diagnosis.
You don’t always need to wait for a diagnosis! There are a number of statutory services, organisations and charities that offer a wide range of support you can access now!
- EHC Needs Assessment
An education, health and care (EHC) needs assessment is an assessment of your child or young person’s education, health and care needs. It is the first step to getting an Education, Health and Care plan (EHC plan). An EHC plan can result in additional support and funding for a child or young person with special educational needs (SEN).
Apply for a needs assessment in Shropshire.
- SEN Support in nursery, school or college
SEN Support (Special Educational Needs support) is extra or different help given to children and young people in mainstream schools or early years settings whose learning needs go beyond typical classroom teaching.
Read more about SEN support in Shropshire.
- Early Help and Family Hubs
Early help is a system of support aimed at children, young people, and families as soon as difficulties or emerging concerns begin, rather than waiting until a situation reaches a crisis or requires statutory social care intervention.
Read more about Early Help in Shropshire.
- Children’s Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy (OT) is a healthcare service that helps children develop the physical, cognitive, and sensory skills they need to perform everyday tasks—known as a child’s “occupations” of playing, learning, and growing.
Read more about Occupational Therapy in Shropshire.
- Sensory advice and resources
Shropshire Council’s Sensory Support Services: Information about the services for sensory impairment can be obtained by telephoning 01743 250529 or emailing cs.sensoryimpairment@shropshire.gov.uk
- SENDIASS
Shropshire SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Service, known locally as IASS) is a free, confidential, and impartial service for children, young people, parents, and carers.
Read more about IASS Shropshire.
- Children’s Social Care
Social care covers a range of services that help people with day-to-day living. For children and young people with SEND this may be practical support to help with personal care due to a disability, or a short break activity to enable them to spend regular social time in the community with their peers. The support will be provided when it’s needed and will focus on achieving the best possible social care outcomes for your child, while recognising any additional pressures facing the whole family.
Read more about Children’s Social Care.
- KIDS Shropshire Autism Support Service
Kids Shropshire refers to the Shropshire Universal Autism Support Service, run by the national disability charity Kids.
- PaCC
Parent Carer Community Shropshire- Whatever stage of your SEND journey you’re on, PaCC is here to help. We provide information, peer support, signposting, activities and opportunities to connect with other Parent/ Family Carers (of those 0-25 years), while using the experiences of the local SEND community to help improve SEND services across Shropshire.
Read more about our Community Support Offer.