Neurodevelopmental support guide

This resource contains information about resources and support services available to all families in Sheffield who need support with their child’s development. Children do not need to have a medical diagnosis to access these resources and services.

Parent and family support

Sheffield Parent Carer Forum

The Parent Carer Forum Peer Support Service is available to all parents of children and young people (aged 0 to 25 years old) with additional needs in Sheffield. The team can help you to understand what type of support or help you need. The Peer Support Workers have lived experience of caring for a child with additional needs and a good understanding of local services.
Phone: 0300 321 4721
Email: peersupport@sheffieldparentcarerforum.org.uk

Sheffield Parent Hub

Sheffield Parent Hub deliver a range of tried and tested programmes, based on international research into what works for families and children. They offer one-off seminars and long group programmes. They cover topics such as problem behaviour, anxiety in children, parenting children with additional needs and more. You can discuss the different options with their parenting specialists.
Phone: 0114 205 7243
Email: sheffieldparenting@sheffield.gov.uk

Family Intervention Service

The Sheffield Family Intervention service work with families to recognise and build on their strengths, and to find solutions that work for the family to meet their needs with support from relevant professionals and the family’s network. This includes working with families who have children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Depending on your family’s needs, support can vary from a single advice session, support to access group-work or you may be allocated an intervention worker for support over longer periods. Education and health workers can refer you to this service, or you can self-refer by phone.
Phone: 0114 203 7485

Sheffield Local Offer

Sheffield City Council has a range of services for children who need additional support. The local offer is a way of giving children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities, and their parents or carers, information about what activities and support are available in the local area.

School SENCO

If you have not already, speak to your child’s special education needs coordinator (SENCO) who will work with you, other school staff and any relevant professionals to develop a plan for supporting your child in education.

SENDIAS

Sheffield SENDIAS offer impartial, confidential information, advice and support to parents and carers of children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities. It covers a range of topics including SEN, disability specific information, education, SEN statutory processes, available services, disability related benefits, grants and funding.
Phone: 0114 273 6009
Email: ssendias@sheffield.gov.uk

Sheffield Inclusion and Attendance Team

This team offer advice and support to schools where children and young people are experiencing barriers to engaging in their education (such as being at risk of exclusion or having poor attendance). The team works collaboratively with schools to consider how to overcome those barriers with a focus on better outcomes for children. Schools can refer through inclusion panels and parents can seek advice via email.
Email: sheffieldinclusion&attendance@sheffield.gov.uk

Sleep

If your child is over 5 years, you can contact the parenting specialists in the parenting hub for sleep support.

Sheffield Parent Hub

Sheffield Parent Hub, Sheffield Children’s Hospital 0 to 19 service and Sheffield Sleep Clinic offer free, regular online sessions about sleep. You can book via the parent hub.

0 to 19 School Nursing and Health Visiting

If your child is aged 2 to 5 years, you can contact the 0 to 19 School Nursing and Health Visiting Service for sleep support.
Phone: 0114 305 3224

Sleep and support services

You can find out more information about sleep and support services.

Sensory

Sensory Service

The Sensory Service at the Ryegate Children’s Centre offer a virtual therapy area which provides parents and carers with knowledge, ideas and strategies to support your child or young person with sensory needs that may be impacting on their everyday life. It covers information and advice about a range of topics such as regulation, toileting, teeth brushing, hair washing and more.

Behaviour

Sheffield Parenting Hub and the Family Intervention Service offer practical help and advice in relation to children’s behaviour. More information can be found in the section above on parent and family support.

Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust

We have compiled information and resources to help adults struggling with their children’s behaviour. These are useful for all children, with or without a diagnosis.

Toileting

Family Intervention Service and Health Visitors

The Family Intervention Service and Health Visitors can offer support around toilet training. Your GP can also provide support regarding toileting issues and can refer you to other services, such as the community continence team, if needed.

ERIC and Bladder and Bowel UK

The Children’s Bowel and Bladder Charity (Eric) and Bladder and Bowel UK also offer advice and information about toileting in children and young people, including those with additional needs.

Emotional wellbeing and mental health

Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust

We have compiled information and resources for supporting emotional wellbeing, ranging from finding ways to describe different feelings to managing ‘melt-downs’ when feelings become too overwhelming. These are useful for all children, with or without a diagnosis.

Gold Digger Trust

Gold Digger Trust is a Sheffield charity working to equip young people (11 to 18 years old) with the confidence and skills to make positive choices for themselves. They offer support for areas such as self-esteem, friendships and relationships, being safe online and more.
Phone: 0114 3271191

Door 43

Door 43 offer support to 13-25 year olds with a range of emotional wellbeing issues such as low mood, emotional regulation, relationships, accessing wellbeing activities and more. The service focuses on early intervention, and they run wellbeing chats, a wellbeing café and time limited 1:1 support.
Telephone: 0114 201 2800
Email: door43@sheffieldfutures.org.uk

The Sheffield Mental Health Guide

The Sheffield Mental Health Guide is an information website with a comprehensive guide to mental health services, support and activities in Sheffield. They have a specific section for children and young people.

Kooth

Kooth is an online mental wellbeing community. Sheffield children and young people can access support directly.

Eating

Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust

The Speech and Language Therapy Feeding team have compiled information and advice to support families with their children’s eating, drinking and feeding skills. There are specific resources for children and young people who avoid or refuse food. These pages also provide links to other relevant services in Sheffield.