Family Support Service provided by Daisy Chain
What is the neurodevelopmental service?
A support service for young people aged 0-18 years and families of those affected by neurodevelopment diversity, jointly commissioned by the CCG and local authorities for those who live in Tees Valley.
Our aim is to provide support and services for children, young people and their families who display traits associated with neurodevelopmental diversity: autism, sensory processing, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
What is meant by neurodevelopmental diversity?
A neurodevelopmental diversity is the name given to a group of disorders associated with the functioning of the neurological system and the brain. This can include developmental brain dysfunction which presents diversities with motor function, learning, language and communication.
What are the aims of this service?
A person-centred approach will be taken, with families and young people at the heart of the support offered. We work from the position that society is the disabling factor rather than the child’s diversities.
The aim of this project is to improve the experience and outcomes of those with a neurodevelopmental diversity by:
- Supporting parents/carers to increase their confidence and develop a strong understanding of their child’s needs.
- Providing short group sessions for children and young people to support social skills, communication and relationship building.
- Provide opportunities to make links and build relationships within the local community with the Family Support Team, a range of professionals who may be able to support the family, and other parents/carers who can provide peer support to each other and understand the challenges and highlights that they face.
What will the service offer?
The service is needs based, and tailored to the requirements of each individual family. Support offered may include
- Peer support drop in sessions
- Bookable 1:1 parent telephone support appointments
- Multi-agency drop-in sessions, where a range of professionals/services will be in attendance, providing a ‘one stop shop’ for families
- Parent learning opportunities around topics such as emotional regulation, visuals, understanding behaviour and puberty. Topics will vary depending on need, we are always open to suggestions if parents/carers have a specific subject they would like us to cover.
- Children and young people sessions to support social communication and interaction.
Where will the services be delivered?
The Family Support Team will be based in Family Hubs and other venues in your local community. Please get in touch for further information about specific sessions near you, or join our Facebook group for more details.
Who can attend?
Parents/carers of those aged 0-18 years can access the service provided within their local authority area if they:
- Have concerns their child may have autism/sensory processing/ADHD/FASD
- Are undergoing diagnosis for autism/ADHD/FASD
- Have a diagnosis of autism/ADHD/FASD
This service is for families pre, during and post diagnosis.
How do I get involved?
For further information about the service, to book a 1:1 appointment or any Parent Learning sessions, please call the family support team on 01642 531248 or email family.support@daisychainproject.co.uk
Alternatively, parents and carers are welcome to drop in to one of our parent support groups. To find out where your closest session is held, call us on the above number, or download flyers for each local authority here.