Reaching Families: A parent-carer-led charity

About

This is an independent service, which is not run by the NHS or WSCC.

This service is not checked by WSCC and including it on the Local Offer website does not mean that it is a recommended service.

Before using this service, we recommend you make your own checks. Your checks should include being happy that: the service will meet your needs; staff are properly qualified; policies are in place to keep everyone safe and you know how much the service will cost.

Use this guidance for advice about what to ask to help you make sure that children and young people are happy and protected in clubs, groups and activities. Find out more on our terms and disclaimer.

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Reaching Families is a parent-carer-led charity established to empower, inform and support parents and families of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities in West Sussex. We achieve our mission through the delivery of information, training and peer support to parent-carers.

What we do

• Information: Making Sense Of It All - parent guide covering issues from birth to adulthood available in paperback and ebook format. Factsheets and animations - covering a wide range of subjects and issues on SEND.
• Training: Free workshops on a range of subjects including anxiety, ADHD, ASC, behaviour, benefits, education, resilience, and sleep. Plus 2 courses - Making Sense of It All Foundation Course and Making Sense of Wellbeing. Delivered in person and via Zoom.
• Benefits Advice Service: Supporting parents of children and young people with SEND to apply for Carers Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, and Personal Independent Payments. 1-2-1 advice sessions and support with editing draft applications.
• Face2Face Befriending: Our team of specially-trained volunteers provide emotional and practical support to parents during the period of their child's diagnosis, helping them to find out about and access other services and prepare for the journey ahead.
• Umbrellas: Parent support groups monthly in 6 locations around the county and fortnightly, via Zoom. Providing a supportive, relaxed and non-judgemental environment in which parents can swap experiences, and share information and resources.

Age range

0-25

Wheelchair accessible

Yes

Free to use

Yes

Our users say

Reaching Families offers a unique product in West Sussex. It is comforting to know that the organisation is parent carer led but offers practical tools to assist us in our day to day lives.