Support Groups

Extended Telephone Support Service

Parentline Plus is offering a new Extended telephone Support Service for parents/carers to help overcome any parental concerns ranging from sleep problems to issues regarding drugs and alcohol.Please click below for more information.

Extended Telephone Support Flyer

FAMILY INFORMATION SERVICE

The Family Information Service (Hertfordshire) has replaced the former Children's Information Service and provides a wide range of free and helpful information and support for families.

Family Information Service Flyer

KIDS HUB SERVICES

The Kids Hub services are new information and support services for parents/carers of disabled children and young people across Hertfordshire. Please click below for more information.

Kids Hub Services Flyer 570 KB

FAMILY SERVICES DIRECTORY

Previously known as the Children's Services Directory, the Family Services Directory provides access to information online covering a variety of subjects. Click on the link below for more information.

Family Services Directory

HERTFORDSHIRE BME ADVOCACY SERVICE

Hertfordshire BME Advocacy Service is an independent, free, confidential countywide service which works with communities and agencies to ensure that school environments are free from discrimination or harassment, helping children to feel safe and supported in order to meet their full potential. If you feel your child is experiencing any form of racism, then please click on the link for advice and support www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/mecs/communities/advocacy.shtml

INDEPENDENT MEDIATION SERVICE TO ASSIST IN CASES OF BULLYING

A FREE accesible service for parents and schools dealing with complex bullying issues is available through Parentline Plus and Herts Mediation by following this link www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/hwb/bullying/parents/

COFFEE MORNINGS FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH ADDITIONAL NEEDS

The Ravens Extended Schools Consortium and Children's Centre are holding coffee mornings for parents of children with additional needs on Monday mornings starting in March. Please click below for more details.

Ravens Coffee Mornings Flyer 371 KB

BLUE BADGE SCHEME FOR THE DISABLED

The following link will provide information and advice regarding the blue badge scheme www.hertsdirect.org/interactive

DISABLED PARENTS NETWORK

The Disabled Parents Network is a group of disabled parents who believe that disabled people have the right to have children. They offer a range of services and support including regular newsletters, training sessions and a telephone helpline. Please click below for further details.

Disabled Parents Network Flyer

ARE YOU THE PARENT/CARER OF A CHILD WHO HAS ADDITIONAL MEDICAL NEEDS?

Would your child like to have the opportunity to access a play-scheme, an extended school, a leisure facility, a nursery or a respite care setting?
Does your child need assistance with transport or with a ‘specialist’ care procedure or simply somebody around who knows how to deal with a medical emergency should it arise?

Find out more....

SUPPORTED STAY & PLAY FOR CHILDREN & FAMILIES WITH ADDITIONAL NEEDS

Sopwell and Verulam Children's Centre are running play sessions to support families with children with additional needs. Parents/carers can share experiences with other parents/carers and also enjoy playing with a variety of toys that will help develop social skills. Please click below for more information.

Supported Stay & Play Flyer

ARE YOU THE PARENT/CARER OF A CHILD WITH SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS?

Do you want help and information about Special Educational Needs (SEN) but don't know who to ask?

The Parent Partnership Team offers local, confidential helplines if you would like to talk about your child's needs. They give impartial information and guidance to Parents, Carers and Professionals. They will do their best to find other relevant statutory and voluntary services if you need further support.

CALL HELENA MARKS ON 01442 217143. Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm, Term Time only.

Or for more information go to www.hertsdirect.org/parentpartnership

SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

Hertfordshire Additional Needs Database (HAND) has details of services for children with disabilities. You can find out more information by visiting their website at www.hertsdirect.org/hand

There is also a website that has a directory of groups in St Albans supporting families such as ADHD/Downs Syndrome/Autism support groups, twins clubs and Punjabi/Hindi Mum and baby groups.

Link to website

Also check out our Partners/Links page for more organisations which could be of use

CONTACT A FAMILY CHARITY

Contact A Family is the only UK-wide charity providing advice, information and support to the parents of all disabled children.

OCD CARERS SUPPORT GROUP

Hertfordshire County Council Adult Care Services are offering FREE support groups specifically for OCD carers. Please click below for more details.

Support Group Flyer (Tuesdays) 65 KB

Support Group Flyer (Wednesdays & Thursdays) 77KB

HERTSPEAK SERVICES

Hertspeak is a new project that offers emotional and practical support to children, parents and families that have been affected by parental alcohol use. Please click below for more details.

Hertspeak Flyer

GRANDPARENTS ASSOCIATION

If you are a grandparent and would like information on support groups, grandparent and toddler groups or general advice on many subjects, please click on the link below for more information.

Grandparents Association

GRANDPARENT CARERS SUPPORT GROUP

Are you a grandparent caring for your grand children? Would you like to meet others in the same situation as you? If the answer is yes, then please click on the link below to find out more about a new grandparent support group that you could be part of.

Grandparent Support Group Flyer

GRANDPARENTS' ASSOCIATION

The Grandparents' Association is linking with Extended Schools to offer advice and guidance to all grandparents/carers in the local area. Please click below to find out more.

Grandparents' Association Flyer

Grandparents' Association Leaflet

WELL- BEING THERAPEUTIC GROUP

If you have feelings of anxiety, emptiness, guilt or anger, then the self-help therapeutic group can help you to relieve inner turmoil and restore harmony and well- being.

Well-Being Flyer

PARENT SUPPORT INFORMATION

Please click on the link below for a detailed list of contact numbers and websites for family support services in Hertfordshire including Parentline Plus, Relate, Mencap, Benefits Enquiries and many others.

Parent Support Information

PARENT DROP IN SESSIONS

Are you a Parent/Carer or Teacher? Would you like to speak to a member of the Educational Psychology Team or Behaviour Support Team about your/a child's progress and development? Click below for more information about appointment times and venues.

EP/BST Surgery dates Flyer 319KB

PARENTLINEPLUS

Parentlineplus is a national charity that works for, and with, parents.

Parentlineplus is launching a new online support service for parents/carers of teenage children. Please click on the following link to visit the website GOT A TEENAGER? Or click below to view information regarding the new online support service.

Online Support Service For Parent/Carers Of Teenage Children

HOMESTART ST ALBANS

Providing practical and emotional support for young families in: St Albans, Harpenden, Redbourn, Wheathampstead, Colney Heath, London Colney and Sandridge

Visit their website

BULLYING ISSUES? WANT TO HELP? A website helping Parents to be 'Someone to tell'

CYBER BULLYING

CyberMentors is a website all about young people helping and supporting each other online. If your child is being bullied, or they are feeling a bit low, or maybe they are troubled by something and you're not sure what to do or who to talk to, then CyberMentors is where you can go for help. It doesn't matter how big or small you think the problem is, or whether your child is being targeted online or offline, CyberMentors are there to listen and support you. To find out more, please visit www.cybermentors.org.uk . You can also visit one of the websites listed below for more advice.

Anti-Bully Alliance

Beatbullying

digizen.org

thinkuknow

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