Support organisations

Support organisations

Local support groups:

  • ACCT – Aspergers Children and Carers Together is a parent-led support group for children and families affected by Asperger’s Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism. They run activity groups for children and teenagers with Asperger’s and Autism, as well as family days out and other trips. Siblings are welcome too.
  • Autism Hope is a support group for parents of children with autism of all ages. They are based in the North of Sheffield and meet monthly. Children are welcome to come along.
  • CLIMB (Carers Living in Mountain Boots) is a peer support group for parents and carers of children with additional needs. They meet fortnightly in Handsworth.
  • Epilepsy Action is the UK’s largest epilepsy membership organisation. The Sheffield branch acts as a support group to people with epilepsy, their families and friends, as well as providing information and educating the public about the condition. The group holds monthly meetings for mutual support and advice about epilepsy in a friendly group.
  • PDA Support Group is a group for parents and carers of children and young people with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). They meet monthly, alternating between venues in Sheffield and Rotherham. They don’t have a website or Facebook page, but you can email pda.rotherhamsheffield@gmail.com for more information.
  • Sheffield Autistic Society is a local charity for people with autism (including Asperger’s syndrome) and their families. They provide support and information and campaign for a better world for Sheffield people with autism and Asperger’s syndrome.
  • Sheffield Deaf Children’s Society is a local charity run by parents and friends of deaf and hearing impaired children living in Sheffield, Rotherham and Chesterfield, and the surrounding areas of South Yorkshire. The group gives deaf and hearing impaired infants, children and their families the chance to get together for mutual support, to exchange information, and to have fun.
  • Sheffield Down Syndrome Support Group (SHEDS) is a support group for families who have a child with Down Syndrome and live in and around Sheffield. Their aim is for families to provide advice, support and friendship to each other and to exchange information on how to best support their children.

Sheffield City Council services:

  • Autism Team: Supports mainstream schools to meet the needs of pupils with autism and related conditions. Runs a dedicated phone service that is staffed by experienced teachers from the team; available Monday-Thursday, 1-4pm, term time only. Tel: 0114 2506800
  • Educational Psychology Service: Works with families and staff in educational settings to support the education and development of children and young people.
  • Sheffield SEN and Disability Information Advice and Support (SSENDIAS): Formerly known as Parent Partnership. Provides impartial, confidential information, advice and support to parents/carers of children and young people (0-25) with disabilities and special educational needs in relation to education, health and social care services, disability benefits (e.g. DLA/PIP forms), support groups and leisure opportunities.

Support for siblings:

  • Sheffield Young Carers: Offers support to children and young people (8-25 years) who provide care for a family member, e.g. a disabled sibling.
  • Sheffield Adult Sibling Support Group is a local peer support group run by the national charity SIBS. It is for adult siblings (aged 18 and over) of people with lifelong disabilities. Although based in Sheffield, siblings from across South Yorkshire (and beyond) are very welcome to join.
  • SIBS is a project at the University of Sheffield that offers siblings of children with a disability aged 8-12 years the opportunity to take part in free activity days (once a month, on Saturdays).
  • SENSE run a virtual service for siblings aged 5-18 years. They provide weekly activities such as film nights, book clubs, cooking, games nights, crafts etc., as well as one-to-one support.

Other local services:

  • ADHD Project: Run by Family Action, this service provides information, support and training for families with a child or young person with ADHD.
  • Child Disability Register: A register of children and young people, aged 0-25, who live in Sheffield and have a disability or life-altering medical condition. The register helps the local authority and NHS Sheffield to plan services for disabled children and young people. Registration is voluntary.
  • Disability Sheffield promotes independent living for disabled people in Sheffield. They run a PA (personal assistant) register and provide information, signposting, advocacy, training and employment support.
  • PACES is a leading specialist centre in Sheffield for children with cerebral palsy and other motor disorders.
  • Sheffield Carers Centre: Offers advice, information and support to anyone in Sheffield who provides unpaid care for someone else, regardless of whether the cared-for person is a child or an adult. Services include benefits and legal advice, counselling, employment support, telephone befriending, and more. Publishes a regular newsletter.
  • Sheffield MENCAP and Gateway: Sheffield Mencap and Gateway provides a range of services to anyone in Sheffield with a learning disability and to their families. These include regular social clubs and activities, learning opportunities and a children’s performing arts group.
  • Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind: Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind offers a wide range of services for people of all ages who are blind or visually impaired. Services for families include a comprehensive benefits advice service, a play group, leisure clubs and events, and support groups.

National charities:

  • Contact provides information and advice on any aspect of caring for a disabled child, including education and benefits.
  • IPSEA provides free legally-based advice on educational issues for parents of children with special educational needs.
  • Cerebra strives to improve the lives of children with neurological conditions, through research, information and direct, on-going support.
  • The Family Fund provides grants for families raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people.
  • OCD Action OCD Action has a vision of a time when OCD is well understood and everyone gets the treatment and the support they need when they need it.

Please note: This list is not comprehensive. The information on this page is provided for reference purposes only. It is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications or abilities of any individual or organisation listed. Inclusion in this article does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation; nor does omission imply disapproval.