Support and Guidance for Parents/ carers

Support & Guidance for Parents and Carers

At Diamond Families, we know that supporting a child or young person can sometimes feel challenging. You may be looking for advice, trying to understand changes in your child’s behaviour, navigating SEND support, or simply wondering where to turn next.

You don’t have to have all the answers. We’re here to help.

Our team works alongside children, young people, parents, carers, schools and other professionals to provide practical, compassionate and individualised support.

How We Can Support Your Family

Every family is different, which is why our approach is flexible and centred around what matters to you and your child.

We can provide support and guidance around:

• Emotional wellbeing

• Anxiety and worries

• SEND and additional needs

• Behaviour and emotional regulation

• School engagement and attendance

• Confidence and independence

• Family relationships

• Social and communication skills

• Signposting to other services and professionals

A Different Approach

For some children and young people, sitting in a room and talking about how they feel simply doesn’t work.

At Diamond Families, support can look very different.

Based within 100 acres of Staffordshire countryside, our environment provides opportunities to connect with animals, nature and practical activities while developing confidence, communication, emotional regulation and life skills.

Our approach can include animal-assisted activities, farm skills, outdoor learning, horticulture, mindfulness, sensory experiences and practical tasks.

Sometimes the most meaningful conversations happen while walking an alpaca, caring for an animal, planting something in the garden or simply spending time outdoors.

There is no pressure for lots of talking. We focus on building relationships, creating positive experiences and helping young people take achievable steps forward.

Supporting Parents and Carers Too

We recognise that the wellbeing of the whole family matters.

Parents and carers can sometimes feel overwhelmed by the different services, terminology and processes surrounding education, SEND and emotional wellbeing. Our team can offer a listening ear, practical guidance and help you identify appropriate sources of support.

Where something falls outside our area of expertise, we will try to help you find an appropriate service or organisation that can provide further support.

Useful Support and Guidance

The following organisations provide information, advice and support for children, young people, parents and carers.

Stoke-on-Trent Best Start Family Hub

Information and support for Stoke-on-Trent families covering areas including Early Help, mental health, parenting, education, behaviour, sleep, communication and healthy relationships.

Website: Best Start Family Hub – Stoke-on-Trent

Early Help: Early Help Support

Stoke-on-Trent Family Hubs bring together services for children, young people and families, including support for young people with SEND up to age 25.

Staffordshire Family Hubs

Staffordshire Family Hubs provide information, activities and family support, including parenting support, SEND services, Early Help and practical advice.

Website: Staffordshire Family Hubs

Find a Family Hub: Find Your Local Staffordshire Family Hub

Family Support: Staffordshire Family Support Services

Stoke-on-Trent SENDIASS

SENDIASS provides free, confidential and impartial information, advice and support for children and young people aged 0–25 with special educational needs and disabilities and their parents and carers.

They can provide advice around SEN support, EHCPs, reviews, education law, mediation, SEND Tribunal appeals, exclusions, transport and complaints.

Website: Stoke-on-Trent SENDIASS

Telephone: 01782 234701
Email: [email protected]

Contact – For Families with Disabled Children

Contact is a national charity supporting families with disabled children. It provides information and advice, workshops, events and emotional support for parent carers.

Website: Contact

Free Helpline: 0808 808 3555

YoungMinds – Support for Parents and Carers

YoungMinds provides information and advice to parents and carers who are concerned about a child or young person’s mental health.

Their website includes guidance on anxiety, behaviour, school difficulties, self-esteem, mental health conditions and accessing further support.

Website: YoungMinds – Parent and Carer Support

Parents Helpline: 0808 802 5544

Childline

Childline provides free support for children and young people. Young people can speak to a counsellor about anything that is worrying them by telephone or online.

Website: Childline

Freephone: 0800 1111

Calls are free and do not appear on the phone bill.

NHS 111

For urgent medical or mental health help when the situation is not life-threatening, families can contact NHS 111.

Website: NHS 111 Online

Telephone: 111

NHS 111 can help direct families to the most appropriate NHS service.

Worried About a Child?

The safety and wellbeing of children and young people is at the heart of everything we do.

If you have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a child attending Diamond Families, please contact a member of our Safeguarding Team.

You can also visit our Safeguarding page for further information and contact details.

In an Emergency

If a child, young person or adult is in immediate danger, call 999.

If urgent medical help is required but the situation is not life-threatening, call NHS 111 or use NHS 111 Online.

Not Sure Where to Start?

You don't need to know exactly what support your child needs before getting in touch with us.

Tell us what is happening, what you are worried about and what you would like to change. We can listen, talk through the options available and, where appropriate, help signpost you to other services.

Whether your child needs help rebuilding confidence, reconnecting with education, developing independence or simply taking that first step outside the house, progress starts from where they are now.

Get in Touch

If you would like to find out more about how Diamond Families could support your child or family, please contact our team.

Diamond Families

Together, we create sparkle!