Support for Parents
We recognise how difficult parenting can be at times and we are here to support you. We hope that you find the information on this page useful. Please click on the links to be redirected to websites to access further information and if we can be of any more help don't hesitate to give us a ring.
Essex Local Offer
Find out about help available for children and young people (aged 0-25).
This is called the Local Offer.
Essex Family Support Service
It aims to:
- support families to build healthy family relationships
- promote safe choices and wellbeing
- support people to connect with others
- promote communication and conflict resolution
http://www.essexlocaloffer.org.uk/listing/essex-family-support-service/
Family Solutions
This service provides support for a range of issues, to families in Essex.
http://www.essexlocaloffer.org.uk/listing/family-solutions/
The MAZE Group
The MAZE Group is for families of children and young people with additional needs across North Essex. They run free monthly drop-in sessions, a specialist weekly programme and additional workshops to guide, advise and support families of children with additional needs.
- Email: themaze@btinternet.com
- Telephone: 07809 900161
- The MAZE Group website
Autism Anglia
Autism Anglia is an independent charity which provides care and support to autistic
children, adults and their families in East Anglia. Services offer personalised approaches that provide each individual with the necessary skills and strategies to enable them to realise their own strengths and abilities.
The charity also seeks to promote greater knowledge and understanding of autism
through training, education and supplying information to the public and professionals.
Tel: 01206 577 678
Email: info@autism-anglia.org.uk
Mental Health Support
YoungMinds
They provide young people with tools to look after their mental health. They empower adults to be the best support they can be to the young people in their lives. And they give young people the space and confidence to get their voices heard and change the world we live in. Call the Parents Helpline: 0808 802 5544 (Monday to Friday 9.30am – 4pm, free for mobiles and landlines)
Essex Mental Health Services
https://eput.nhs.uk/our-services/essex/essex-mental-health-services/
Place2Be
https://www.place2be.org.uk/our-services/parents-and-carers/supporting-your-child-s-mental-health/
N.O.W's the time for change
N.O.W’s the time for change provides therapeutic and healthcare coaching to improve emotional wellbeing and mental health. Encapsulating elements from a number of different approaches depending on the needs of the individual and family to improve resilience, emotional wellbeing and mental health. NHS funded or privately funded 6 or 12 Week Resilience & Emotional Wellbeing Course (children age of 4+ with or without diagnoses).
Tel: 0345 366 9755
Email: natasharalph@nowsthetimeforchange.com
Website www.nowsthetimeforchange.com
Advice from Place2Be's child mental health experts
Practical tips to support children’s wellbeing and manage behaviour:
https://parentingsmart.place2be.org.uk/
Advice can be found on over forty topics including:
- Understanding sibling rivalry 
- My child is lying, what does it mean, what should I do?
- My child has trouble going to sleep
- My child says ‘I hate you!’
- Cultural identity: who am I?
NHS - Children's and Adolescent's Mental Health Service
How it can help
The Southend, Essex and Thurrock Children's and Adolescent's Mental Health Service (SET CAMHS) support people with a range of mental health difficulties faced by young people.
SET CAMHS offer a range of both individual and group talking therapies such as;
- CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)
- DBT (Dialectical Behavioural therapy)
- trauma focused therapies
- play based therapies
- art and creative therapies
- psycho-dynamic therapy
- family therapy
- group Therapy
- medication
Age
0 to 18, or up to 25 years for those with special educational needs
Eligibility
0 to 18 year olds (or up to 25 with SEND) who are in need of support with their emotional wellbeing or mental health difficulties
How to access
Self-referral by the child or young person themselves or their parent or guardian.
Or referral by a professional such as a teacher, school nurse or GP.
Opening hours
If you need urgent help or out of hours help, call 0800 995 1000
Mind - Mid and North East Essex
How it can help
We are your local mental health charity. At Mid and North East Essex Mind we believe no one should have to face a mental health problem alone. We’re here for you. Whether you’re stressed, depressed or in crisis.
We offer lots of different types of help to all ages. The way you access our services depends on the type of support you need and where you live.
To see what’s available for you or someone you care for visit either the section for Adults or Children and Young People on our website.
Age
All ages
Eligibility
Open to all
How to access
Contact by phone or email
Independent SEND advice
SENDIASS
Essex SENDIASS is a confidential and impartial information, advice and support service on issues related to special educational needs and disability (SEND).
Due to the central government’s guidance for COVID-19 the SENDIASS staff are
working remotely and have adapted our ways of working to hold virtual meetings
instead of face to face work.
Tel: 0333 013 8913
Email: send.iass@essex.gov.uk
Text: 0786 000 3010
Families InFocus
Families InFocus (Essex) are a leading independent parent led registered charity
providing holistic support to families of children with disabilities and special needs
(aged 0 to 25) across Essex, who require advice, information and support, particularly at times of change, challenge and crisis.
Our service is accessible to all families from Essex whatever their background, as long
as at least one child or young person in the family between the age of 0 to 25 has a
disability or special need.
We aim to give caring, practical and confidential support whilst empowering
families, to consider the choices available to them and make the best use of available services.
Tel: 01245 353575
Email: helpline@familiesinfocusessex.org.uk