If you're worried about your child's development or wellbeing and you think they need extra support, speak to their GP, health visitor, teacher or nursery worker first.
Ask for advice about what to do next to help your child. If you or your child needs more significant support, contact the children's services team at your local council for a needs assessment.
Visit the following site for advice
Needs assessments
A needs assessment is carried out by the children's services team at your local council and determines if your child needs more specialised support.
Children's services must work with you when making decisions about your child, so discuss with them the type of help that would best meet the needs of your family.
Apply for a needs assessment on GOV.UK
Family support
Family support can include help looking after your child, such as:
- day care for children under 5 years old
- help with parenting – such as parenting classes
- courses or family support workers
- practical home help
- access to a Children's Centre
Support services may also be provided by education or health authorities, or by voluntary organisations.
Many of these services are available to all families. Check your local council's website to see what's available in your area.
You may also find support from these charities:
- Family Lives – provides information, advice, guidance and support on any aspect of parenting and family life. Their helpline number is 0808 800 2222
- Gingerbread – provides single parents with advice and practical support. You can call the Gingerbread Advice Service on 0808 802 0925
- Relate – provides relationship support, including help for children and young people and help with family life and parenting
- Single Parents – provides single parents with help, advice and support
- YoungMinds for Parents – provides advice about mental health and behaviour problems in children and young people. You can call the parents' helpline on 0808 802 5544
- Family Rights Group – provides parents or other relatives with advice about their rights and options when social workers or courts make decisions about their children's welfare. Their advice line number is 0808 801 0366
Children with special educational needs and disabilities
Additional help is available for parents and children with special educational needs and disabilities.
- get an overview of the help available if you have a disabled child on GOV.UK
- find out about the support available for children with special educational needs (SEND) on GOV.UK
- GOV.UK has information about the SEND help and support available from local authorities, schools and colleges
- How to care for a child with complex needs explains the support available for parents whose child has been diagnosed with a long-term condition
- How to care for a disabled child includes practical advice about everyday hands-on caring, such as feeding, going to the toilet, and moving around