ADHD medication supply disruption:
For the latest updates and information on the national supply shortage of medication prescribed to help manage ADHD symptoms, visit the Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System website
Accessing support and resources
On this page you can access resources in the community that you can access without a diagnosis whilst you wait for an assessment or before a referral has been made.
ASD Advice Line
01702 372251 Tuesday and Thursday between 12:30pm to 2:30pm.
This line can be accessed by anyone wishing to speak to a member of the Team. The aim of the duty line is to increase communication between patients, clinicians and the wider MDT and to answer any queries or discuss any worries they may have.
Specialist Health Visitor Advice Line
07581 067371 Friday’s 12.30pm to 2.30pm.
This line can be accessed by anyone regarding a child up to the age of 8 years.
Occupational therapy Advice Line
01702 372250 Monday to Friday 12.30pm to 2.30pm.
This line can be accessed by anyone wishing to speak to a therapist. The aim of the duty line is to increase communication between therapists and the wider MDT, answer any concerns or queries to alleviate stresses and to discuss any potential referrals and whether these may or may not be appropriate.
Physiotherapy Advice Line
01702 372252 Monday to Friday 12.30pm to 2.30pm.
This line can be accessed by anyone wishing to speak to a therapist. The aim of the duty line is to increase communication between therapists and the wider MDT, answer any concerns or queries to alleviate stresses and to discuss any potential referrals and whether these may or may not be appropriate.
SALT Advice Line:
01702 578601 Monday to Friday 9.30am to 11.30am.
Local support
Below is a list of local groups, websites, charities and resources for children and young people with SEND and their families/carers.
Essex Family Forum – Supporting your neurodiverse child: this pack is available to download, or you can request a hard copy: https://essexfamilyforum.org/resources/nd-pack
Essex Local Offer: the Local Offer provides information, advice and guidance on local services and support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) aged 0 to 25 and their families. https://send.essex.gov.uk/
Essex SENDIASS: SENDIASS (SEND Information, Advice and Support Service) offer free, confidential and impartial information, advice and support service on issues related to Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND). This includes information and processes related to health and social care. https://www.essexsendiass.co.uk/
Parent Carer Forums (Essex Family Forum): Parent Carer Forums are groups run by parents and carers of children from a local area in England. Their aim is to make sure that services in their area meet the needs of local disabled children and their families. https://essexfamilyforum.org/
Local Support Groups and Charities
Little Heroes: https://littleheroesasd.co.uk/
SEND the Right Message Charity (STRM): https://strmsupport.co.uk/
SAFE (Supporting Asperger Families in Essex): https://safeessex.org.uk/
SNAP Charity: https://www.snapcharity.org/
The MegaCentre Rayleigh: http://www.megacentrerayleigh.co.uk/
Toileting support: https://eric.org.uk/
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Southend, Essex and Thurrock Children’s and Adolescent’s Mental Health Service (SET CAMHS) (Previously known as EWMHs) https://www.nelft.nhs.uk/set-camhs
Essex Family Forum – Supporting your neurodiverse child: this pack is available to download, or you can request a hard copy: https://essexfamilyforum.org/resources/nd-pack
Southend SEND Independent Forum – guide to your neurodevelopmental journey: https://www.southendsendindependentforum.co.uk/ndguide
Livewell Southend Local Offer: the Local Offer provides information, advice and guidance on local services and support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) aged 0-25 and their families. www.livewellsouthend.com/SENDLocalOffer
Southend SENDIASS: SENDIASS (SEND Information, Advice and Support Service) offer free, confidential and impartial information, advice and support service on issues related to Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND). This includes information and processes related to health and social care. https://www.sendiasssouthend.co.uk/
Parent Carer Forums (Southend SEND Independent Forum): Parent Carer Forums are groups run by parents and carers of children from a local area in England. Their aim is to make sure that services in their area meet the needs of local disabled children and their families. https://www.southendsendindependentforum.co.uk/
Local Support Groups and Charities
Cake Club SEND Sessions: https://www.livewellsouthend.com/directory-record/4524/cake-club-send-sessions
Chaos and Calm: https://www.livewellsouthend.com/directory-record/2928/chaos-and-calm
Little Heroes: https://littleheroesasd.co.uk/
Making Waves All Age SEND Group: https://www.livewellsouthend.com/directory-record/4896/making-waves-all-age-send-group
SEND the Right Message Charity (STRM): https://strmsupport.co.uk/
SAFE (Supporting Asperger Families in Essex): https://safeessex.org.uk/
SNAP Charity: https://www.snapcharity.org/
The MegaCentre Rayleigh: http://www.megacentrerayleigh.co.uk/
Toileting support: https://eric.org.uk/
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Southend, Essex and Thurrock Children’s and Adolescent’s Mental Health Service (SET CAMHS) (Previously known as EWMHs) https://www.nelft.nhs.uk/set-camhs
Therapies services
Therapy services for early years providers
Therapy Services for Families
National support
Below is a list of national and international websites, charities and resources for children and young people with SEND and their families/carers.
Website
Autism Friendly screenings: https://www.autismfriendly.uk/autism-friendly-screenings/
The National Autistic Society: www.autism.org.uk – for advice on sensory issues visit www.autism.org.uk/sensory
Resources for Autism: a charity providing practical support suggestions for children and adults with ASD. www.resourcesforautism.org.uk
Tony Attwood Website: Useful articles, links to his published works, resources, and research https://tonyattwood.com.au/
Speech and Language UK: https://speechandlanguage.org.uk/information-and-support/
Dimensions: a non-profit organisation which supports people with learning disabilities and people with autism to live the life they choose. https://dimensions-uk.org
The Incredible Five Point Scale: can be useful for talking about and managing emotions. www.5pointscale.com
Cerebra Sleep Advice Service: https://cerebra.org.uk/get-advice-support/sleep-advice-service/
Mencap: provides support for people who have a learning disability https://www.mencap.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do
The Challenging Behaviour Foundation: https://www.challengingbehaviour.org.uk/
Books
The Abilities in Me – Gemma Keir and various. A series of picture books focussing on children with a variety of needs: ASD, sensory processing disorder, ADHD, speech delay, Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, tube feeding and more.
Websites
ADDitude magazine – Inside the ADHD mind: www.additudemag.com
NHS: Living with ADHD: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/living-with/
The National Attention Deficit Disorder Information and Support Service (ADDISS): http://www.addiss.co.uk/
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) https://chadd.org/about/
ADHD Kids http://adhdkids.org.uk/
Black Girl Lost Keys: Black Neurodivergent Resources https://blackgirllostkeys.com/
Young Minds – ADHD and mental health: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/mental-health-conditions/adhd-and-mental-health
PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) – PDA Society https://www.pdasociety.org.uk/
Mencap: provides support for people who have a learning disability https://www.mencap.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do
The Incredible Five Point Scale: can be useful for talking about and managing emotions. www.5pointscale.com
The Challenging Behaviour Foundation: https://www.challengingbehaviour.org.uk/
Books
Smart but Scattered Teens: The “Executive Skills” Program for Helping Teens Reach Their Potential – Richard Guare and Peg Dawson – Book on how to teach your teenager the skills needed for success in school and beyond
All Dogs Have ADHD – Kathy Hoopmann – This book takes an inspiring and affectionate look at Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Women With ADHD: A Life-Changing Guide to Overcome the Hidden Struggles of Living with ADHD – Roberta Sanders – includes debunked myths and 15 effective tips to positively transform your live.
My Doctor Says I Have ADHD: A Child’s Journey – Dr C.R. Yemula – An interesting and informative story format, for children aged 6 to 12 years.
The Abilities in Me – Gemma Keir and various. A series of picture books focussing on children with a variety of needs: ASD, sensory processing disorder, ADHD, speech delay, Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, tube feeding and more.
Rainbow Trust – supports children, siblings and families of children with a life threatening or terminal illness.
Telephone: 01372 363438
Email: [email protected]
Online referral form also. Referrals from parent/carer or professionals.
Gold Geese – Supporting Children with Cancer in South East Essex. Gold Geese support ranges from funding for mental health therapy, food shop vouchers, toys and gifts, weekend trips away and practical help with travel to and from hospitals.
Email: [email protected]
Registered Office Address: Kingsley House, 22-24 Elm Road, Leigh-On-Sea, Essex SS9 1SN
The Joshua Tree – supporting families affected by childhood cancers.
Websites
NHS: Tourette’s syndrome:https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tourettes-syndrome/
Tourette’s Action: https://www.tourettes-action.org.uk/
A section specifically put together for young people: https://www.tourettes-action.org.uk/78-young-people.html
A comprehensive guide to Tourette’s for young people https://www.tourettes-action.org.uk/storage/downloads/1487860486_TS–the-simple-truth—A-guide-to-TS-for-children-and-young-people.pdf.
They also have a ‘video wall’ – a collection of videos made by children and young people with Tourette’s syndrome: https://www.tourettes-action.org.uk/23-your-ts-videos.html
Tourette Association of America: https://tourette.org/
Dedicated sections on children (aged 0-12): https://tourette.org/about-tourette/overview/living-tourette-syndrome/children-with-tourette-0-12/ and teens (aged 13 to 17): https://tourette.org/about-tourette/overview/living-tourette-syndrome/teens-13-17/.
Resources for parents: https://tourette.org/resources/overview/tools-for-parents/
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children: https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/conditions-and-treatments/conditions-we-treat/tourette-syndrome
Mencap: provides support for people who have a learning disability https://www.mencap.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do
The Incredible Five Point Scale: can be useful for talking about and managing emotions. www.5pointscale.com
The Challenging Behaviour Foundation: https://www.challengingbehaviour.org.uk/
Books
Piper Saves a Pigeon – Shannon Kernaghan (ages 6+)
Why do you do that? – Uttom Chowdhury and Mary Robertson (ages 8-16)
Nix your Tics! Eliminate Unwanted Tic Symptoms: A How-to Guide for Young People – Dylan McKinley (ages 10+)
Tic Talk: Living with Tourette Syndrome: A 9-Year-Old Boy’s Story in His Own Words – Dylan Peters (all ages)
The Tourette’s Survival Kit: Tools for Young Adults with Tics – Tara Murphy and Damon Millar (teens)
Can I Tell You About Tourette Syndrome? – Mal Leicester – ideal for people aged 7 and upwards, as well as parents, friends, teachers and other professionals working with children with Tourette’s syndrome.
If you are concerned your child is at risk of harm or harming others please take your child to your nearest Accident and Emergency Department.
NHS111 Mental Health: Dial 111 and select the option for mental health crisis (24 hours a day)
Affinity Programme An early intervention project for children and young people who are at risk of exclusion from education due to emotional dysregulation. Essex wide.
The programme provides support to the child, their family and their school where there are concerns for risk of exclusion. they support with the development of emotional regulation skills.
Age: 5 to 16
Referrals into the service must be made via the child or young person’s school.
Enquiries
Contact phone: 0300 247 0074
Enquiries email: [email protected]
Enquiries website: https://essexfamilywellbeing.co.uk/services/affinity-programme/
Homestart
Helping children get the best start: Various support for children and their families
Self referral for support via Online form on website
Contact number: 01245 847410
Essex Children’s Social Care – Children with Disabilities Team and Family Solutions Team
Support for children with additional needs aged 0-15 years
Telephone: 0345 603 7627 and ask for the Children’s Line or complete online form. Referrals from parent/carer or professionals.
KidsInspire – Children’s Mental Health Charity based in Essex
Parent contact for support and advice:
Parent contact numbers: Please email or call our Therapy Support Services Team to discuss
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01245 348707 or 07908 829550
Young Person contact for support and advice:
Please email or call our Therapy Support Services Team
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01245 348707 or 07908 829550
A member of our team will be available Monday-Thursday between 9.00am to 5.00pm, and 9.00am to 4.00pm on Friday.
Southend, Essex and Thurrock (SET) CAMHS | NELFT NHS Foundation Trust Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service
Online referral form by professional or parent.
If you feel your child is in crisis and in need of urgent mental health support: 24 hour 7 day a week service.
Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm.
Call SET CAMHS – Freephone 0800 953 0222
After 5.00pm if your concerns escalate about your child outside of these hours please call Mental Health Direct on freephone 0800 995 1000. Out of Hours / Weekend or Bank Holidays.
Social Stories – Social Stories are used to teach children about a range of common emotions such as happiness, anger, sadness, fear, excitement, frustration, and more. These emotions are presented using clear and descriptive language, along with visual aids, which can include images or drawings. Social stories benefit children in many ways, including promoting self-regulation skills, developing theory of mind, improving social-emotional skills, providing clear expectations, literacy exposure, and simple sequencing.
Trustlinks Adult and Children Mental Health Support Projects in Essex
Contact: 01702 213134
Email: [email protected]
Young Minds – Children’s Mental Health Charity
Call Parents Helpline for free on 0808 802 5544.
Open Monday to Friday. You can call us:
From 9.30am – 4pm on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays
From 9.30am – 6pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Cerebra Charity https://www.youtube.com/user/cerebracharity/featured
Down’s Heart Group https://dhg.org.uk/
Down’s syndrome Association https://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/
Movement Matters www.movementmattersuk.org