Anxiety and mental health resources
The NHS Every Mind Matters website has a range of information available about mental health and wellbeing – click here
Mind is the leading national mental health charity. It offers a mental health Helpline, a specialist legal helpline providing advice about mental health law and also has a range of online resources on its website. For more details – click here
Young Minds is a national charity that supports the mental health of children and young people, with Helpline, Textline and webchat support available and a range of online resources on its website for children and their parents/carers. For more details – click here
Anxiety UK is a specialist national charity which runs a helpline service and online support groups, along with workshops and courses about managing and reducing anxiety and stress – click here
The NHS in Berkshire has published a booklet to support young people in times of emotional distress. It looks at issues including anxiety, body image, relationships and anger and where to get help. The Little Blue Book of Sunshine can be downloaded at this link – https://www.berkshirewestccg.nhs.uk/patient-information/self-care/the-little-blue-book-of-sunshine/
Slough Borough Council’s public health team has information available about wellbeing and mental health support in the town – click here
Kooth is a free online support network to help children and young people who are struggling with mental health difficulties, with counsellors available online to support them. The service is available to 11 to 18-year-olds in Reading, Wokingham and West Berkshire and 11 to 19-year-olds – or up to 25 for young people with SEND – in Bracknell Forest, Slough and Windsor & Maidenhead – click here for more details and to register for the service.
And Kooth has published an FAQ for children and young people about how the service works and a guide for parents and carers to help them spot warning signs of possible mental health issues and how to support their child.
Click here to download the FAQ for children and young people.
Click here to download the guide for parents and carers.
Autism and disability websites, support services and forums
- ABLEize Berkshire Disability Resources – lists disability and special needs groups, clubs and support services – https://www.ableize.com/disabled-groups-and-clubs-by-county/berkshire/
- Alafia Reading – supports black and minority ethnic families with children with additional needs – https://acrereading.org/alafia/
- Ambitious About Autism – http://www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk
- ASD Family Help (Wokingham and West Berkshire) – http://www.asdfamilyhelp.org
- Asperger and ASD UK online forum – http://www.asd-forum.org.uk/forum
- Asperger’s Syndrome Foundation – http://www.aspergerfoundation.org.uk.
- AutAngel (Reading) – http://www.autangel.org.uk
- Autism Education Trust (AET) – http://www.autismeducationtrust.org.uk
- Autism Family Support Oxfordshire – https://www.afso.org.uk/
- Autism Independent UK (SFTAH) – http://www.autismuk.com
- Autism Kids on Tour – reviews of days out, holidays, restaurants, accommodations, products and activities, plus blog posts about autism and parenting – https://autismkidsontour.com
- Autism Links – a directory of autism advice and services in the UK – http://www.autismlinks.co.uk
- Autism Spectrum Coalition – http://www.aspergersyndrome.org/
- Autism West Midlands – information sheets about autism to download in Polish, Arabic, Somali and several South Asian languages http://www.autismwestmidlands.org.uk
- Autistica UK – funds autism research – https://www.autistica.org.uk/
- BILD – British Institute of Learning Disabilities – http://www.bild.org.uk
- Bullying Online – http://www.bullying.co.uk
- Carers Trust – http://www.carers.org
- Cerebra – charity for families of children with brain conditions – http://www.cerebra.org.uk
- Child Autism UK – https://www.childautism.org.uk
- Chinese Autism Support Group – Chinese/English bilingual booklet about autism available to download – https://chineseinwales.org.uk/autismchinese/
- Communicating with an Autistic Child: a parents’ guide – http://www.wiseoldsayings.com
- Contact – charity supporting families with disabled children – http://www.cafamily.org.uk
- Dental Care advice for autism – https://www.emergencydentistsusa.com/autism-and-dental-care/
- Dingley’s Promise, supports under-5s with additional needs & disabilities and their families in Reading, Wokingham and West Berkshire – http://www.dingley.org.uk
- Discover – UK network which connects autistic people and families with autism researchers seeking participants for studies https://www.autistica.org.uk/get-involved/take-part-in-research
- Equality and Human Rights Commission – challenges discrimination and protects human rights – http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/
- ERIC – Education and Resources for Improving Childhood Continence – http://www.eric.org.uk
- Family Fund – provides grants to families raising disabled or seriously-ill children aged 17 or under – http://www.familyfund.org.uk
- Learning Disability England – https://www.learningdisabilityengland.org.uk
- Living Well with autism – US parent-run website with lots of ideas and free or inexpensive resources – http://livingwellwithautism.com/welcome
- Living with a partner who has Asperger’s – https://natalieroberts.com/files/10-unhealthy-habits-when-your-partner-has-aspergers.pdf
- Mencap – a leading UK charity working with people with a learning disability and their families/carers – http://www.mencap.org.uk
- Reading Mencap – http://www.readingmencap.org.uk
- Me2 Club – supports children and young people with additional needs and disabilities, aged 5-19, living in the boroughs of Reading and Wokingham, so they can attend mainstream activity clubs – http://me2club.org.uk/
- National Autistic Society (NAS) – http://www.autism.org.uk
- NAS Autism Services Directory – NAS Information Service – https://www.autism.org.uk/directory
- NAS South Bucks branch – https://www.facebook.com/sbucksbranch
- NAS Surrey branch – https://nassurreybranch.org/
- NAS West Berkshire branch – https://www.facebook.com/NASWestBerksBranch/
- PACIP – the parent carer forum for Windsor & Maidenhead – https://www.pacip.org/
- Parenting Special Children – Berkshire special needs charity – http://www.parentingspecialchildren.co.uk
- PDA Society – information, support and training about pathological demand avoidance – https://www.pdasociety.org.uk
- Phoebe Caldwell’s autism training films – http://www.phoebecaldwell.co.uk/films.asp
- Reading Families’ Forum – http://www.readingfamiliesforum.co.uk
- Reading, Wokinghham and West Berkshire Carers’ Hub – https://www.tuvida.org/berkshirehub
- Reading Neurodiversity League is a local Facebook group for autistic adults, including those with an Asperger’s diagnosis, and for adults with ADHD – https://www.facebook.com/groups/429744577689050/
- SEND Voices – Wokingham’s parent carer forum – https://www.sendvoiceswokingham.org.uk/
- Sibs, a national charity supporting brothers and sisters of disabled people of all ages https://www.sibs.org.uk/
- Special iApps, a range of education apps for children with SEN, including autism – https://www.specialiapps.org/en
- Special Voices. Slough’s parent carer forum – http://specialvoices.co.uk
- Stand Out for Autism (Maidenhead) – http://www.standoutforautism.com
- Stepping Forward, Reading-based disability advice and support charity, providing training and advocacy support – https://www.stepping-forward.org.uk/
- Swings & Smiles, a playcentre for children with special needs and their families in Thatcham, West Berkshire https://www.swingsandsmiles.co.uk/
- Dr Temple Grandin’s website – http://www.templegrandin.com
- The Carers Trust – www.carers.org
- The DIY Garden website has advice about how to create a sensory garden at home – https://diygardening.co.uk/create-sensory-garden/
- The Dyspraxia Foundation – www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk
- The Engine Shed (Reading) special interest club for autistic children, young people and adults (siblings also welcome) who love trains – http://www.theengineshed.org.uk and http://www.facebook.com/theengineshed/
- Professor Tony Attwood’s website – www.tonyattwood.com.au
- Wenn Lawson’s website – autism consultant and psychologist – www.mugsy.org/wendy
- West Berkshire Parent Carer Forum – https://www.wbpcf.org.uk/
- West Berkshire PDA Support Group – www.westberkspdasupportgroup.co.uk/
- Wrong Planet online community for people with Asperger syndrome, Autism and other PDDs – http://wrongplanet.net/
Autism Berkshire works in partnership with organisations across Berkshire with the aim of providing the best possible services for people living with autism and their families.
Local Offer provision from councils
Under the Children and Families Act 2014, all local authorities must publish a Local Offer guide, detailing what support is available for families of children with special educational needs. For details of Local Offer provision in your council area, click on the relevant link below.
- Bracknell Forest – www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk
- Reading – www.reading.gov.uk
- Slough – www.slough.gov.uk
- West Berkshire – www.westberks.gov.uk
- Windsor & Maidenhead – www.rbwm.gov.uk
- Wokingham – www.wokingham.gov.uk
Health Services
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Trust – www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk – runs the CAMHS and adult autism diagnosis services.
The trust has a dedicated website for its services for Children, Young People and Families – https://cypf.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk
Berkshire West NHS Clinical Commissioning Group – https://www.berkshirewestccg.nhs.uk/ – contracts Autism Berkshire and Parenting Special Children to provide the Berkshire West Autism & ADHD Support Service.
The following Local Healthwatch organisations monitor health and social care services on behalf of patients and service users:
- Bracknell Forest – www.healthwatchbracknellforest.co.uk
- Reading – www.healthwatchreading.org.uk
- Slough – www.healthwatchslough.co.uk
- West Berkshire – www.healthwatchwestberks.org.uk
- Windsor, Ascot & Maidenhead – www.healthwatchwam.co.uk
- Wokingham – www.healthwatchwokingham.co.uk
Education Information Advice and Support Services
These are statutory services offering information, advice and support to parents and carers about special education needs (SEN), including Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP). Their staff can go into schools to support parents and carers over educational, health and care matters.
- Bracknell Forest – www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/informationadviceandsupportservice
- Reading – https://www.readingiass.org/
- Slough – https://www.slough.gov.uk/educational-support-services/slough-send-information-advice-support-service-sendiass
- West Berkshire – www.westberksiass.info
- Windsor & Maidenhead – www.ias-rbwm.info
- Wokingham – https://www.sendiasswokingham.org.uk/
Other education websites
- ACE Education – independent advice about state schools – www.ace-ed.org.uk
- Autism Education Trust – www.autismeducationtrust.org.uk
- IPSEA (the Independent Panel for Special Educational Needs) is a charity providing support and training about SEN laws for parents – www.ipsea.org.uk
- Adviza, based in Reading, provides a single point of access for young people in Berkshire to help them prepare for the transition to work and adult life – https://www.adviza.org.uk/
- Do2Learn offers a variety of free resources for people with special needs – www.do2learn.com
- Network 81 offers advice on opportunities and training for children with special educational needs – http://www.network81.org.uk/index.shtml
- Skill, the National Bureau for Students With Disabilities – www.skill.org.uk
- Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal
– www.gov.uk/courts-tribunals/first-tier-tribunal-special-educational-needs-and-disability - Studying in the UK as a Disabled Student – Graduate student Caroline Mathiasen, who is hearing impaired, looks at the rights of disabled students, the support available at universities and funding – https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/2018/august/studying-uk-disabled-student
- The Shine Team is a specialist support service helping autistic children aged 4 to 18 who are being educated in mainstream schools in the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead and also supports 19 to 25-year-olds at college – http://www.theshineteam.com/
- The Transition Information Network, run by the Council for Disabled Children, provides information about the transition process for disabled young people, parents/carers and professionals – https://councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/transition-information-network
- What is an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)? – https://educationadvocacy.co.uk/what-is-a-ehcp/
Further education courses, tailored for individuals with special educational needs, are offered by:
- BCA (Berkshire College of Agriculture) – https://www.bca.ac.uk/student-information/support-safeguarding/additional-learning-support/
- Reading College – https://reading.activatelearning.ac.uk/college-life/supporting-you/learners-with-learning-difficulties-and-or-disabilities/
- Newbury College – https://newbury-college.ac.uk/high-needs?highlight=WyJkaXNhYmlsaXRpZXMiXQ==
- Windsor Forest Colleges Group – https://www.windsor-forest.ac.uk/support/support-with-your-learning.html
Employment
- Access to Work is a Government scheme to help the disabled and people with mental or physical health conditions. Grants for equipment and other support are available in some circumstances –https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work
- Adviza, based in Reading, provides a single point of access for young people in Berkshire to help them prepare for the transition to work and adult life – https://www.adviza.org.uk/
- Dimensions, based in Theale, offers support into employment for people with learning disabilities and autism – www.dimensions-uk.org
- Graft Thames Valley aims to eradicate barriers to employment for disabled or disadvantaged people struggling to find a job – www.graft.org.uk
- Incluzy is an inclusive disability jobs website, with lots of useful information and guidance for employees and employers – incluzy.com/
- The National Autistic Society offers employment and training advice for autistic people who are looking for work – https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/employment
- The Shaw Trust provides training and work opportunities for people who are disadvantaged in the labour market due to disability, ill health or other social circumstances – https://www.shawtrust.org.uk/
- A Guide to Workplace Bullying, by Amy Forester, offers advice and information for people who may be experiencing bullying or discrimination at work – www.autoenrolment.co.uk/guides/workplace-bullying
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Spectroomz is a site that links up prospective employers with autistic freelancers who find it easier to work from home and avoid the stress associated with traditional workplaces – www.spectroomz.com
Benefits
- Department for Work & Pensions Benefits information
https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits - For Personal Independence Payment (PIP) enquiries:
Telephone 0800 121 4433
Textphone 0800 121 4493 - For Disability Living Allowance (DLA) enquiries:
Telephone 0800 121 4600
Textphone 0800 121 4523 - For Universal Credit enquiries:
Telephone: 0800 328 5644
Textphone: 0800 328 1344 - For Employment & Support Allowance (ESA) enquiries:
Telephone 0800 169 0310
Textphone 0800 169 0314 - For Carer’s Allowance enquiries:
Telephone 0800 731 0297
Textphone 0800 731 0317 - Citizens Advice https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk
- Reading Community Welfare Rights Unit – www.readingcommunitywelfarerightsunit.co.uk
- EntitledTo provides free calculators to help you work out your entitlement to benefits and tax credits – www.entitledto.co.uk
- Civil Legal Advice – free and confidential advice from as part of legal aid – https://www.gov.uk/civil-legal-advice
- Cerebra: Foundation for the brain injured child provides a free guide to claiming Disability Living Allowance (DLA) – https://cerebra.org.uk/download/disability-living-allowance-dla-guide/
- The National Autistic Society offers a range of information about benefits – https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/benefits-and-money/benefits
Other websites
The Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner ‘s Office runs the Victims First website to help victims of crime. It includes information and advice, including signposting to services to help victims of crime to cope and recover from the impact of the crime.
The Stop Loan Sharks project aims to combat unlicensed illegal money lending and to protect vulnerable people from exploitation.
The project has published a guide on how to spot if someone may be being exploited by loan sharks. It is designed to help health and social care professionals but contains information that parents, carers and friends may also find useful. A 24-hour Helpline is also available on 0300 555 2222.
Click here to download the guide.
