Support

• Telephone helplines - these are often 'freephone' numbers, and occasionally they offer MSN (chat), Skype, Textphone Support and even things like YouTube, Podcasts too!

• Face-to-Face Support from agencies, key workers, professionals

• Parent to Parent Support - this can be face to face, informal, formal, telephone, email or through chat forums

• Practical support and advice, such as Citizen's Advice Bureaux, other local advice bureaux, the local Council, local voluntary agencies, legal advice,Early Support programme, Sure Start, Schools, Community organisations, specialist advice on education etc

Some organisations may offer all of these, some only one or two.

What we do know is parent carers often feel overwhelmed, the support is there but they don't know who to go for what. It will never be easy but we hope to make this better!