Walsall FIS offers up-to-date information, advice and help on services for families in Walsall.
Extra help for children with SEN or disabilities
At times looking after children can be hard for everybody. If your child has a Special Educational Need (SEN) or a disability then this can be even more difficult. If you feel you need or want extra help then there are local and national organisations that can help.
Locally
Children and Young People with a Disability Strategy
Walsall’s strategy is agreed by parents, education, social care and health. It covers the way in which services for children and young people who have a disability and their families should develop. To find out more click here
Children’s Centres
All of Walsall’s 18 Children’s Centres can offer extra support for families with a child who has an SEN or disability. To find out more click here
Family Voice Walsall
Family Voice is a group of parents and carers of disabled children and young adults. It aims to improve education, health and social care services in Walsall. To find out more click here
Holiday Activities
Please download details of activites taking place during February half-term here
NCH Resource Centre
Enables disabled children and young people aged 0-13 years access to local leisure, social and play provision. They also undertake social work assessments on behalf of Walsall, carers assessments and one off direct payments. They offer day care services and 10 weeks of holiday play schemes for children with disabilities during the year.
Telephone: 01922 636662
Walsall’s Parent Partnership (PPS)
Walsall PPS gives parents of children with SEN access to confidential and impartial advice, information and support so they can make informed decisions about their child’s education. They also ensure that parents’ views are heard and understood and that they inform local policy and practice. To find out more about Walsall PPS, to read the annual report, confidentiality and impartiality policies and find details of parents’ events contact them directly.
Telephone: 01922 650330
Short Breaks
To find out who is eligible for short breaks, read the criteria. To find out about short breaks during the Summer holidays, please click here.
Social work service
The social work team is made up of a small number of workers. You can contact them yourself or be referred by someone else such as a doctor, health professional or teacher. All referrals are taken via a duty system.
Telephone: 01922 686510
Support for carers
As a carer you may also like to contact Walsall Carer’s Centre who may be able to offer you additional advice and support. Send them an email
Nationally
There is a variety of support available nationally. Below are some links, though please note this list is not exhaustive.
ADDISS (National Attention Deficit Disorder Information and Support Service)
ADDISS provides information and resources about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder to anyone who needs assistance, such as parents, sufferers and education or health professionals.
Arthritis Care
Arthritis Care is the UK's largest voluntary organisation working with and for all people with arthritis.
ASBAH - Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus
This organisation provides advice, information and support to parents before and after the birth of a baby, around the time of diagnosis and ongoing support.
Royal National Institute for the Blind – RNIB
RNIB can help anyone with a visual impairment, advising on a range of subjects including benefits, mobility, housing, leisure activities and eye health.
National Blind Children's Society
The National Blind Children's Society's mission is to enable blind, partially sighted and visually impaired children and young people to achieve their educational and recreational goals.
The Brittle Bone Society
We support anyone affected by Osteogenesis Imperfecta.
Care Co-ordination Network
Care Co-ordination Network UK (CCNUK) is a networking organisation promoting and supporting key working for disabled children and their families in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Carers UK
Carers UK campaign for the rights and recognition of carers as well as providing advice and information to carers and the people they care for about their entitlements to benefits and other support.
Cerebra – For brain injured children and young people
Cerebra provide support for families and carers of children with brain-related conditions – brain injuries, neurological disorders, mental disabilities, developmental problems.
Challenging Behaviour Foundation
The CBF provides a range of free or affordable resources; it has support networks for parents and carers and is active in promoting understanding and good practice and in influencing policy.
Changing Faces
Although this organisation focuses on facial disfigurements, it also provides support and information about disfigurements to other parts of the body.
The Children's Trust
Provides care, education and therapy to children with multiple disabilities and complex health needs.
Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA)
A support and information organisation for those with and affected by Cleft Lip and Palate, with a range of very useful publications, many available via the website.
Contact a Family
This organisation provides information, support and advice on all disabilities, however rare, and can often put families in touch with one another.
Cystic Fibrosis Trust
This is a charitable organisation focussing on medical research, support of children with Cystic Fibrosis and advice and information to their families.
National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS)
The National Deaf Children's Society is the only UK charity solely dedicated to the support of deaf children, deaf young people, their families and the professionals working with them.
RNID Royal National Institute for the Deaf
RNID is the largest charity working to change the world for the UK’s 9 million deaf and hard of hearing people.
DebRA (Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Research Association)
This is the national charity of the genetic skin blistering condition, Epidermolysis Bullosa, and offers support and information to those affected and their families.
Diabetes UK
Down's Syndrome Association
This organisation provides information and support for people with Down's syndrome, their families and carers, and the professionals who work with them.
Dyspraxia Foundation
The objects of the Dyspraxia Foundation are to support individuals and families affected by dyspraxia.
National Eczema Society
This society offers practical advice and support about the management and treatment of eczema.
The Encephalitis Society
The organisation provides information, advice and support on all aspects of Encephalitis, and is active in raising awareness of and promoting research into the condition.
Epilepsy Action
Epilepsy Action has a very comprehensive website, with details about a wide range of services.
National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy (NCYPE)
The NCYPE is the UK's major provider of specialist services for children and young people with complex epilepsy and other neurological conditions.
Fragile X Society
The Fragile X Society provides support, information and advice to families whose children have Fragile X syndrome.
Family Fund
Give grants for things that make life easier and more enjoyable for the disabled child, young person and their family, such as washing machines, driving lessons, computers and holidays.
Kidz Unlimited
This charity, that is run by Whizz-Kidz, aims to give children and young people the independence to enjoy an active childhood, whether at home, school or play. To find out more download there leaflet here
Mencap
Support people with a learning disability, and their families and carers, to lead a full and valued life.
Sense
Sense is dedicated to helping people who have a visual impairment and/or hearing impairment and additional disabilities.
Spinal Injuries Association
SIA is controlled and run by spinal cord injured people themselves to assist those with similar disabilities get back into an ordinary life following injury.
British Stammering Associaiton
BSA is the only national organisation for adults and children who stammer, run by people who stammer.
Syndromes Without a Name
SWAN has been set up to promote the welfare of children who suffer from undiagnosed conditions and provides support and information to their families.