Information

Support & advice services.

Here's some helpful links to Support & Advice for Parents & Carers.


Please Contact Us if there is something you think would be helpful on this page.

Support & Advice

Information Advice and Support Service

IASS helps parents and carers, children and young people who have difficulties with learning, and or a disability from birth to 25 years. We offer a confidential service which gives parents, children and young people impartial advice and information to make informed decisions.

Email iasservice@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

or visit livewell.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/Services/1279  for more information.


Cheshire West & Chester Mental Health Services

Information regarding mental health services. Some need a referral and some are self referral. It is based on the THRIVE model e.g. Signposting, Getting Help, Getting More Help and Getting Risk Support 

click here  for the  THRIVE DOCUMENT


What is ARFID?

ARFID (Avoidant / Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) is described as a lack of interest in eating, food avoidance based on sensory preferences (textures /smells etc), or fears of what might happen whilst /after eating (such as choking / vomiting). 

click here  for the  ARFID Information Leaflet


Sensory Processing Webinar

Occupational Therapy Webinar on strategies to support families where their child/young person has difficulties with sensory processing

click here  to watch the  Webinar


Sensory Processing Difficulties

The Sensory Service is a multi-disciplinary team based at the Ryegate Children’s Centre in Sheffield. We aim to help parents, carers, school staff and young people to have a better understanding of sensory processing and how this impacts on every day life. We provide information and advice on how to adapt activities and the environment to support children’s sensory needs. The team includes Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Clinical Psychology, Speech and Language Therapy.

click here to access the website


Making Sense of Sensory Behaviour

click here to access PDF information document


Supporting Online Justice Project and the SEND Tribunal

Produced by the Supporting Online Justice project as a resource to help lay users of the justice system access and participate in online hearings for the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal, available with subtitles in six languages along with a British Sign Language version. 

click here to watch the video

click here to watch the BSL video


Digital Story - Supporting my Family – Team around the family (TAF)

A single mum shares her experience of the 'Team around the family' support she accessed in Cheshire West & Chester.

click here to watch the video


Contact

For families with disabled children contact.org.uk

HELPFUL GUIDE FOR FAMILIES WITH DISABLED CHILDREN FROM CONTACT - CLICK HERE


IPSEA  Independent Provider of Special Education Advice

Free and independent legally based information, advice and support to help get the right education for children and young people with all kinds of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). We also provide training to parents and carers, professionals and other organisations.

www.ipsea.org.uk


Mencap

Mencap is the leading voice of learning disability. Valuing and supporting people with a learning disability, and their families and carers.

www.mencap.org.uk

Mencap has launched its new ‘easy read’ GP Learning Disability Register resources which are designed to support people with a learning disability from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities. These resources are specifically aimed at people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities, alongside their families and carers. The resources are now available in ten different languages; English, Arabic, Bengali, Farsi, Urdu, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Italian and Spanish. Their easy read format means the information is accessible for people with a learning disability and autism.

click here for more information and to access the translations


NNPCF

The National Network of Parent Carer Forums.

nnpcf.org.uk


Jargon Buster

A-Z of terms used by professionals and services.

livewell.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/Information/Jargon_Buster


The People's Choice Group

For adults with learning disabilities, learning difficulties and autistic spectrum conditions in Cheshire West and Chester.We provide working sessions to give people a bigger voice on issues that are important and we link with the Learning Disabilities Partnership Board.We provide social sessions to stop people feeling so isolated.Visit our Members & Sessions page for more information.

 https://www.peopleschoicegroup.co.uk/


Transport to and from school – a guide for parents and carers in England

https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/transport/school-transport/england


The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training in Learning Disability and Autism

This training will ensure staff working in health and social care receive learning disability and autism training, at the right level for their role. They will have a better understanding of people’s needs, resulting in better services and improved health and wellbeing outcomes.

hee.nhs.uk/our-work/learning-disability/oliver-mcgowan-mandatory-training-learning-disability-autism


National Autistic Society - Report on the Experiences of autistic young people in the youth justice system.

CLICK HERE to view the Youth Justice Report

Keep up to date on all events coming up and signposting to services and events in the area.
By Joanne Southall June 1, 2025
Keep up to date on all of the works we are involved in to ensure that your experiences are heard, events coming up and signposting to services and events in the area. Read our newsletter and our new BLOG area on our website.
Signposting to local services and events and what is coming up in the PCF events calendar.
By Joanne Southall April 28, 2025
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Keep up to date on all of the works the PCF are involved in with our March newsletter.
By Joanne Southall April 1, 2025
Keep up to date on all of the works the PCF are involved in with our March newsletter.Here are some of the latest updates….
The latest Cheshire West and Chester Council SEND Newsletter is out.
By Joanne Southall March 12, 2025
The latest Cheshire West and Chester Council SEND Newsletter is out, and there are some updates from Amanda Perraton, the new Executive Director for Children and Families!
Our February Newsletter has all the latest from our Volunteer Training Sessions, Events and Info.
By Joanne Southall February 22, 2025
Our February Newsletter has all the latest from our Volunteer Training Sessions, Events and Information. Check out what's available in our area. Booking links for Events, etc.
January Newsletter for all our news and events
By Joanne Southall January 20, 2025
January Newsletter for all our news and events
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Join the Conversation on School Uniforms!
By Joanne Southall June 24, 2025
Cheshire West & Chester are bringing together parents, carers, young people, schools, and organisations across Cheshire West to shape the future of school uniform policies, making them fair, affordable, and supportive for all families.
Join the Conversation on School Uniforms!
By Joanne Southall June 24, 2025
Cheshire West & Chester are bringing together parents, carers, young people, schools, and organisations across Cheshire West to shape the future of school uniform policies, making them fair, affordable, and supportive for all families.
Join the Conversation on School Uniforms!
By Joanne Southall June 24, 2025
Cheshire West & Chester are bringing together parents, carers, young people, schools, and organisations across Cheshire West to shape the future of school uniform policies, making them fair, affordable, and supportive for all families.

Keep up to date with other information, news and events for parents/carers on our website. You can also find us on Facebook. See our past and present news right here.

Click on the articles...

Join the Conversation on School Uniforms!
By Joanne Southall June 24, 2025
Cheshire West & Chester are bringing together parents, carers, young people, schools, and organisations across Cheshire West to shape the future of school uniform policies, making them fair, affordable, and supportive for all families.
Neurodiversity Profiling Tool pilot Study Team would really value your views.
By Lucy Kennerley June 23, 2025
The Centre for Autism Neuro Developmental Disorders and Intellectual Disabilities (CANDDID) study team are evaluating the Neurodiversity Profiling Tool pilot and would really value your views.
By Joanne Southall June 10, 2025
Coffee Events for parents & carers. Everyone is welcome! Parents will be able to catch up with other parents. Children are welcome!
Cheshire Neurodevelopmental Clinical Network - Update
By Lucy Kennerley June 10, 2025
Neurodevelopmental Support Resources West Cheshire Parent Carer Forum has worked with Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Autism service to coproduce a visual online noticeboard, known as a ‘padlet’.
Keep up to date on all events coming up and signposting to services and events in the area.
By Joanne Southall June 1, 2025
Keep up to date on all of the works we are involved in to ensure that your experiences are heard, events coming up and signposting to services and events in the area. Read our newsletter and our new BLOG area on our website.
National SEND/AP Leadership Programme led by the National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTI).
By Lucy Kennerley May 28, 2025
National SEND/AP Leadership Programme led by the National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTI). We were proud to be the only Local Authority (LA) and Parent Carer Forum (PCF) team to take part together.
Koala North West’s Thriving Families programme
By Joanne Southall May 20, 2025
Koala North West’s Thriving Families programme offers one-to-one, tailored support for parents, carers, and children aged 0–19 (or up to 25 with SEND). Whether it's parenting guidance, mental well-being, or strengthening family relationships, we're here to assist you in a way that works best for you.
On May 14th, 2025, families, professionals, and local leaders came together at Ellesmere Port
By Joanne Southall May 20, 2025
On May 14th, 2025, families, professionals, and local leaders came together at the Holiday Inn, Ellesmere Port for our “Preparation for Adulthood” (PfA) event. This pivotal day focused on ensuring that young people with SEND have the right support, from the early teenage years through to adult life.
Invaluable financial know-how for your SEND family
By Joanne Southall May 20, 2025
Last week, we welcomed Rhiannon Gogh—carer, Chartered Financial Adviser, and founder of the Carers Academy—to lead a powerful webinar on financial planning for parent carers.
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By Joanne Southall May 12, 2025
In May 2024, we published the results of our latest Parent Carer Survey — and what we heard was powerful. Families told us, once again, that the system is still not working for them. Communication, co-production, and access to timely support remain major challenges. But this time, something shifted.
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