Support for Parent Carers
Find out what support we offer to parents who are looking after a child with additional needs.
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Do you look after a child or young person with a disability, mental health condition, life-limiting or long-term illness, or other care need?
If you do, we are here to support you.
At Carers in Hertfordshire, we offer free support if you live in Hertfordshire or live elsewhere and care for someone in the county. Our services include:
• One-to-one support, information and advice from an Advisor, by phone, online, at events, or through mentoring.
• Courses and workshops to build your skills and knowledge, support your wellbeing, or give you a break from caring. Some are delivered with partner organisations such as the Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) New Leaf Recovery and Wellbeing College.
• A Carers’ Passport, providing access to offers and savings from local and national businesses. The card can also be used as ID to show you have a caring role.
• Opportunities to have your say and share your experiences with our staff and health, social care and community services to help shape and improve support in Hertfordshire.
We have supported current and former carers since 1995. Find out more on our About Us page.
Supporting a child or young person with a mental health condition
Caring for a child or young person aged up to 18 with a mental health condition can mean taking on additional responsibilities and support. While the care you provide can play an important part in their wellbeing and recovery, looking after your own health and wellbeing is important too.
We offer specific support for registered carers looking after a child or young person with a mental health condition. This is available whether or not the young person is receiving, or waiting for, support from the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Service (CYPMHS).
Our monthly online support and information group for parents or carers of a child accessing or waiting for a CYMPHS.
The group meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 7pm, on Zoom. It is facilitated by Carers in Hertfordshire and provides an opportunity to meet other parents and carers, share useful information and learn more about children and young people’s mental health. There are sometimes themed sessions to learn more about specific topics such as self-harm, eating disorders and managing anxiety.
Having your voice heard and further support
If you live in Hertfordshire and care for a child or young person with SEND or other care needs, you may also want to join Herts Parent Carer Involvement (HPCI), Hertfordshire’s parent carer forum.
HPCI brings together parent carers to share their experiences and help shape education, health and social care services for children and young people with SEND and their families.
To find out more, visit Herts Parent Carer Involvement or call 07840 360245.
Hertfordshire’s SEND Local Offer –Hertfordshire’s SEND Local Offer is your one-stop-shop for information, support, services and activities available for children and young people with special educational needs, and their families. The Local Offer has been created by parents and professionals and is hosted by Hertfordshire County Council.
www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/localoffer
Hertfordshire Additional Needs Database (HAND) –Hertfordshire County Council’s voluntary database for children and young people aged 0-25 who have additional needs or a disability which has a substantial impact on their everyday life. HAND offers a monthly newsletter, information, concessions at some leisure facilities, and opportunities to influence planning of services.
You can access HAND here and for the newsletter visit sendnews.hertfordshire.gov.uk/subscribe
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) –SENDIASS provides impartial and confidential information, advice, and support to parents and carers of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and young people and children with SEND. They can help with information and advice on a range of topics such as local services, Education, Health and Care (EHC) Needs Assessments, and personal budgets.
To contact the service call 01992 555847 (9.30am to 3pm Mon to Thurs and 9.30am to 2pm Fridays) or visit the SENDIASS website via this link.
Short Breaks Local Offer – Short breaks offer disabled children and young people the chance to spend time out with others doing fun activities and socialising whilst supported by a trained worker. This gives families a break from caring. Activities include holiday and Saturday clubs, computer skills, and canoeing.
The service provides up to 40 hours of activities per year to people aged five to 19 with SEND that live in Hertfordshire and meet other criteria. Families may be able to access more hours. You can learn more about the service via the website – www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/microsites/local-offer/courses-and-activities-in-hertfordshire/short-breaks.aspx
What you tell us
Here is some feedback we have received from parent carers who have attended our relaxation sessions and other workshops and events.
“It was great to socialise with other carers and get the chance to relax for a while.”
“Totally uplifting, really fun, totally made me forget about my stresses and struggles for a few hours – great information available too.”
“The event was really helpful, as a parent carer and sole parent, life can be isolating, so it was really nice to touch base with so many friendly faces. The relaxation event itself was wonderful.”
For more information on our services, please call 01992 58 69 69.
