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Support for disabled people and their carers

It might be that your family is struggling at the moment and needs some help. A professional who knows your family can refer you to get support from Children's Services if your family needs support. When a referral is made it goes to the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH). MASH is a multi agency assessment team. They look at all the information they have and make a decision on the best course of action. 

They may decide that your family does not meet the threshold for their intervention. If this happens you may still be offered advice and signposting.  

If they decide your family meets the criteria, the MASH team will then have to decide at what level help needs to be delivered at. It may be that you need help at the Early Help level, the Child in Need Level or the Child Protection Level. 

There are different teams in children services. The Child and Family Safeguarding Team (CAST) is usually the team that carry out Section 17(Child in Need) and Section 47 (Child Protection) assessments. This support is available to all families who meet the criteria, not just families of children with a disability.

Parents can also be referred to parenting courses run by the Early Help Hub. These include;

  • Family Links Nurture Programme - 10 week course
  • Tots Talking - 8 week virtual course
  • Talking Teens - 4 week course
  • Non-Violent Resistance (NVR) - 8 week course
  • Positive and Adverse Childhood Experiences (PAACE) - Child PAACE is an 8 week course, Adult PAACE is a 10 week course

Specifically for families were a child has a disability, there is the Children with Disabilities Team which supports families who have children with the most severe and profound disabilities. These children will usually be in SEN schools and will require constant care, attention and supervision which their immediate family may not be able to provide without support, leading to unmet social care needs. MASH can refer to this team if this is needed and so can CAST. For more information please see 'Social Care support for families with children and young people with SEND' below.

What help can I get from the LA if I am under 18 and have a disability or I am caring for someone under 18 with a disability?

The Children Act 1989 provides the basis in law for most of children’s services’ duties and responsibilities towards children and their families.

We can provide help if you have a disabled child, including:

Some are free of charge, although we might ask you to contribute towards others.

We also have a duty to develop and publish a local eligibility criteria that explains how we will decide whether a child in need, including a disabled child, is eligible for support from statutory services once that child’s needs have been assessed. All Local Authorities have to develop their own criteria so if you move from one LA to another, you will need to be reassessed and that LA's eligibility criteria will be applied when deciding whether to provide support.

To request an assessment you can call Children's Services on 0300 555 1384 or Email childrens.services@hants.gov.uk.

Emails are dealt with during office hours Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. 

What help can I get from the LA if I am under 18 and have a disability or I am caring for someone under 18 with a disability?

The Children Act 1989 provides the basis in law for most of children’s services’ duties and responsibilities towards children and their families.

We can provide help if you have a disabled child, including:

Some are free of charge, although we might ask you to contribute towards others.

We also have a duty to develop and publish a local eligibility criteria that explains how we will decide whether a child in need, including a disabled child, is eligible for support from statutory services once that child’s needs have been assessed. All Local Authorities have to develop their own criteria so if you move from one LA to another, you will need to be reassessed and that LA's eligibility criteria will be applied when deciding whether to provide support.

To request an assessment you can call Children's Services on 0300 555 1384 or Email childrens.services@hants.gov.uk.

Emails are dealt with during office hours Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. 

What help can I get from the LA if I am over 18 and have a disability or am caring for someone over 18 with a disability?

The Care Act 2014 sets out an eligibility threshold for care and support. The eligibility threshold consists of three criteria, all of which must be met. The eligibility threshold for service users is based on identifying:

1. Whether a person’s needs are due to a physical or mental impairment or illness; and
2. Whether those needs mean that the person is unable to achieve two or more specified outcomes; and
3. As a consequence whether there is, or is likely to be, a significant impact on the person’s wellbeing.

There is also a national eligibility threshold for carers.

The carer’s eligibility threshold is based on the three following conditions;

1. Their needs are a consequence of providing necessary care for an adult;
2. Those needs mean that they are unable to achieve specified outcomes, or puts their health at risk; and
3. As a consequence this has a significant impact on their wellbeing. All of these conditions must be met for a carer to be eligible.

For more information please see our Care Act webpage. 

What help can I get from the LA if I am over 18 and have a disability or am caring for someone over 18 with a disability?

The Care Act 2014 sets out an eligibility threshold for care and support. The eligibility threshold consists of three criteria, all of which must be met. The eligibility threshold for service users is based on identifying:

1. Whether a person’s needs are due to a physical or mental impairment or illness; and
2. Whether those needs mean that the person is unable to achieve two or more specified outcomes; and
3. As a consequence whether there is, or is likely to be, a significant impact on the person’s wellbeing.

There is also a national eligibility threshold for carers.

The carer’s eligibility threshold is based on the three following conditions;

1. Their needs are a consequence of providing necessary care for an adult;
2. Those needs mean that they are unable to achieve specified outcomes, or puts their health at risk; and
3. As a consequence this has a significant impact on their wellbeing. All of these conditions must be met for a carer to be eligible.

For more information please see our Care Act webpage. 

Building Support Networks for Carers

Caring for someone with additional needs or a disability can be challenging so seeking help is essential. Support can come from family, friends, neighbours, or formal groups.

Asking for help

It can feel award to ask for help but we all need help sometimes and there is no shame in this. Try sharing practical tasks with family, friends or neighbours to ease daily pressures. This could be things like shopping, transport, errands, or occasional caregiving so you can have a bath or go grab a coffee on your own.  

Where to find support

Social Media

Social media platforms like Facebook make it easy to find local and virtual carer support groups. For example, the Hampshire Parent Carer Network have a Facebook group for each area of Hampshire; Test Valley, East Hants, Havant, Hart and Rushmoor, Fareham and Gosport, Basingstoke and the New Forest. 

Online Resources

Websites such as Carers UK and condition-specific forums offer tailored advice and links to local support groups run by national charities such as the National Autistic Society and Mencap. Contact provide a 'listening ear' service which you can to speak to people with lived experience of being a parent to talk about your emotions and to get reassurance. The charity WellChild has an online community forum where you can link with other parents to gain advice and emotional support.

Family, Friends, and Neighbours

Build connections with the people around you with open communication for emotional support and practical help.

Faith-Based Groups

Religious institutions often offer support so if you attend a local place of worship, let people know you need help and find out what they can offer.

Online Communities

You can attend support groups without having to leave your home. For example, The National Autistic Society, ADHD UK, Carers UK, Forward Carers, PANDAS Foundation, OCD UK, and Motor Neurone Disease Association all have online groups that you can attend.

Developing friendships with local people

Nextdoor connects people with neighbours for local advice and recommendations. Try posting here to find carers or support in your area. Your local library will run events for children and parents and are a great way to meet new people in an inclusive environment. Meetups hosts group events for different groups of people. Have a look at what is happening local to you. 

Building Support Networks for Carers

Caring for someone with additional needs or a disability can be challenging so seeking help is essential. Support can come from family, friends, neighbours, or formal groups.

Asking for help

It can feel award to ask for help but we all need help sometimes and there is no shame in this. Try sharing practical tasks with family, friends or neighbours to ease daily pressures. This could be things like shopping, transport, errands, or occasional caregiving so you can have a bath or go grab a coffee on your own.  

Where to find support

Social Media

Social media platforms like Facebook make it easy to find local and virtual carer support groups. For example, the Hampshire Parent Carer Network have a Facebook group for each area of Hampshire; Test Valley, East Hants, Havant, Hart and Rushmoor, Fareham and Gosport, Basingstoke and the New Forest. 

Online Resources

Websites such as Carers UK and condition-specific forums offer tailored advice and links to local support groups run by national charities such as the National Autistic Society and Mencap. Contact provide a 'listening ear' service which you can to speak to people with lived experience of being a parent to talk about your emotions and to get reassurance. The charity WellChild has an online community forum where you can link with other parents to gain advice and emotional support.

Family, Friends, and Neighbours

Build connections with the people around you with open communication for emotional support and practical help.

Faith-Based Groups

Religious institutions often offer support so if you attend a local place of worship, let people know you need help and find out what they can offer.

Online Communities

You can attend support groups without having to leave your home. For example, The National Autistic Society, ADHD UK, Carers UK, Forward Carers, PANDAS Foundation, OCD UK, and Motor Neurone Disease Association all have online groups that you can attend.

Developing friendships with local people

Nextdoor connects people with neighbours for local advice and recommendations. Try posting here to find carers or support in your area. Your local library will run events for children and parents and are a great way to meet new people in an inclusive environment. Meetups hosts group events for different groups of people. Have a look at what is happening local to you. 

Finding the right support for a holiday as a carer can make all the difference in your well-being. Numerous organisations are dedicated to helping carers have a holiday for carers both accessible and affordable. Some are as a family and some are just for carers to enjoy.

Carers Trust local carer centres will be able to give you information and there are a select number of grants for holidays available.

The Family Fund can provide grants towards the cost of holidays for families on a low income who are caring for a child with a severe disability.

The Home Farm Trust (Hft) produces an annual Holiday Information Guide for people with learning disabilities, carers, organisations and support groups.

The Family Holiday Association provides breaks at holiday sites, or grants to help with the cost of a holiday, to low-income families in need of a holiday away from home. You need to be referred by your social worker, GP or health visitor, or by a charity or other welfare agent.

Honeypot offers countryside respite breaks for young carers.

The Kiloran Trust has a house in west London for carers to stay in with the person they care for.

Over The Wall is a charity that supports children with serious illnesses, and their siblings and parents. It runs fun activity camps in Wiltshire, Dorset, Staffordshire and Scotland for siblings and weekend camps for the whole family unit.

Revitalise provides respite holidays for disabled people and carers.

After Umbrage is a charity providing free, short breaks for anyone who has been caring for someone with a life limiting condition. It also offers breaks to carers within their first 12 months of bereavement.

Little Miracles provide caravan holidays for carers. The six berth caravan (two bedrooms and a pull-out sofa) is accessible with ramps, wide entranceways, an accessible toilet and shower (wet room). The caravan is fully furnished so you can relax in the knowledge that all of your family's needs will be catered for.

Carefree has hundreds of hotels nationwide which donate rooms out of their excess capacity. Through Carefree you can access a 1-2 night hotel stay with a companion, at a time and place that works for you. You just pay a £33 admin fee per break.

The Respite Association provides free self-catering breaks to Carers without the person they normally care for so that they may have a proper break from their usual caring routine. All breaks are for 7 nights (Saturday to Saturday). Parents pay a refundable £50 security deposit.

Sebastian’s Action Trust runs The Bluebells. The Bluebells is the UK’s only purpose built facility, offering accessible breaks exclusively to the families of seriously-ill children. They have two large apartments which can comfortably accommodate a maximum of 8 people and has a wide range of on-site facilities. There is a hydrotherapy pool, music room, sensory room, arts and crafts space, a cinema room, and extensive grounds which include an accessible play area. They are situated in the Basingstoke area.

KIDS have a holiday home to give children, young people, and their families a well-deserved break, all together. Nestled just outside the charming village of Broadway in the Cotswolds. The two-bedroom caravan is a modern, fully accessible gem that’s both spacious and cosy. It sleeps up to six people comfortably.

The Family Holiday Charity offer a wide range of holidays, including self-catered caravans, lodges, and cottages across the UK.  Usually, our funded holidays cover the cost of self-catered accommodation for up to 4 nights, with a contribution towards travel and food costs while on holiday. These holidays are for families on a low income who might not otherwise be able to have a holiday.

Over the Wall offer family and residential camps in Derbyshire for children with medical needs between 8-17. They have medical staff on site at all times to ensure all medical needs are catered for. They also run residential camps for siblings of children with medical needs.

Avon Tyrell SEND weekends can meet the needs of a diverse range of young people with varying complex learning needs including Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) difficulties and challenging behaviours. There team of highly skilled instructors are fully trained and on hand to help your child throughout your stay so you can relax or join in with the activities on offer.

Sunny Days Children's Fund have two static caravans at the Haven Orchards Holiday Village in Essex. The park has many facilities for families including indoor and outdoor swimming pools, club houses, arcades and many sports activities. Families with a child with a disability can be referred by a professional to the charity to stay in one of these caravans. 

Finding the right support for a holiday as a carer can make all the difference in your well-being. Numerous organisations are dedicated to helping carers have a holiday for carers both accessible and affordable. Some are as a family and some are just for carers to enjoy.

Carers Trust local carer centres will be able to give you information and there are a select number of grants for holidays available.

The Family Fund can provide grants towards the cost of holidays for families on a low income who are caring for a child with a severe disability.

The Home Farm Trust (Hft) produces an annual Holiday Information Guide for people with learning disabilities, carers, organisations and support groups.

The Family Holiday Association provides breaks at holiday sites, or grants to help with the cost of a holiday, to low-income families in need of a holiday away from home. You need to be referred by your social worker, GP or health visitor, or by a charity or other welfare agent.

Honeypot offers countryside respite breaks for young carers.

The Kiloran Trust has a house in west London for carers to stay in with the person they care for.

Over The Wall is a charity that supports children with serious illnesses, and their siblings and parents. It runs fun activity camps in Wiltshire, Dorset, Staffordshire and Scotland for siblings and weekend camps for the whole family unit.

Revitalise provides respite holidays for disabled people and carers.

After Umbrage is a charity providing free, short breaks for anyone who has been caring for someone with a life limiting condition. It also offers breaks to carers within their first 12 months of bereavement.

Little Miracles provide caravan holidays for carers. The six berth caravan (two bedrooms and a pull-out sofa) is accessible with ramps, wide entranceways, an accessible toilet and shower (wet room). The caravan is fully furnished so you can relax in the knowledge that all of your family's needs will be catered for.

Carefree has hundreds of hotels nationwide which donate rooms out of their excess capacity. Through Carefree you can access a 1-2 night hotel stay with a companion, at a time and place that works for you. You just pay a £33 admin fee per break.

The Respite Association provides free self-catering breaks to Carers without the person they normally care for so that they may have a proper break from their usual caring routine. All breaks are for 7 nights (Saturday to Saturday). Parents pay a refundable £50 security deposit.

Sebastian’s Action Trust runs The Bluebells. The Bluebells is the UK’s only purpose built facility, offering accessible breaks exclusively to the families of seriously-ill children. They have two large apartments which can comfortably accommodate a maximum of 8 people and has a wide range of on-site facilities. There is a hydrotherapy pool, music room, sensory room, arts and crafts space, a cinema room, and extensive grounds which include an accessible play area. They are situated in the Basingstoke area.

KIDS have a holiday home to give children, young people, and their families a well-deserved break, all together. Nestled just outside the charming village of Broadway in the Cotswolds. The two-bedroom caravan is a modern, fully accessible gem that’s both spacious and cosy. It sleeps up to six people comfortably.

The Family Holiday Charity offer a wide range of holidays, including self-catered caravans, lodges, and cottages across the UK.  Usually, our funded holidays cover the cost of self-catered accommodation for up to 4 nights, with a contribution towards travel and food costs while on holiday. These holidays are for families on a low income who might not otherwise be able to have a holiday.

Over the Wall offer family and residential camps in Derbyshire for children with medical needs between 8-17. They have medical staff on site at all times to ensure all medical needs are catered for. They also run residential camps for siblings of children with medical needs.

Avon Tyrell SEND weekends can meet the needs of a diverse range of young people with varying complex learning needs including Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) difficulties and challenging behaviours. There team of highly skilled instructors are fully trained and on hand to help your child throughout your stay so you can relax or join in with the activities on offer.

Sunny Days Children's Fund have two static caravans at the Haven Orchards Holiday Village in Essex. The park has many facilities for families including indoor and outdoor swimming pools, club houses, arcades and many sports activities. Families with a child with a disability can be referred by a professional to the charity to stay in one of these caravans. 

Home-Start Hampshire

Our experienced staff and trained volunteers help families with children age 0-11 years deal with the challenges they face. They support families in Rushmoor & Hart, Weywater (Bordon, Alton Liphook & surrounding villages), Meon Valley, Gosport, Fareham, Havant and the New Forest.

Home-Start Hampshire

Our experienced staff and trained volunteers help families with children age 0-11 years deal with the challenges they face. They support families in Rushmoor & Hart, Weywater (Bordon, Alton Liphook & surrounding villages), Meon Valley, Gosport, Fareham, Havant and the New Forest.

     NAS online community for autistic adults

We are an online autism support forum with over 3,500 active users. Support is available 24 hours a day, in a safe and welcoming environment.

Mencap's Online Community

Meet other people, share triumphs and challenges, find support.

Mencap’s community is part of HealthUnlocked and is moderated by both Mencap’s community administrators and HealthUnlocked.

Gig Buddies

Our projects are all about supporting people with learning disabilities and autistic people to live the lives they choose.

We match people with volunteers who share their interests, so they can go to gigs, evening events, or simply hang out - as equals and as friends.

Click community for adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults

Click uses group video chat (Zoom) to deliver interesting and stimulating sessions that offer structure, meaningful activity and connection for people who experience social isolation. The service is for adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults, who are over the age of 16.

Serendipity Community Groups | Autism Hampshire

Our Serendipity Community Groups are small, social groups led by members and facilitated by volunteers. They are created and designed especially for autistic adults.

Outsiders Trust – Living life to the full

The Outsiders Club is a private membership, friendship, peer support and dating club, run by and for socially and physically disabled people. Our members have a wide range of physical impairments, including visual and hearing impairment.

Our aim has always been to provide a supportive and respectful place for our members to come and find friendship, guidance and fun.

Clubs – Phab

Phab Clubs are places to belong, places to thrive where disabled and non-disabled people come together to socialise, have fun and build lifelong friendships.

     NAS online community for autistic adults

We are an online autism support forum with over 3,500 active users. Support is available 24 hours a day, in a safe and welcoming environment.

Mencap's Online Community

Meet other people, share triumphs and challenges, find support.

Mencap’s community is part of HealthUnlocked and is moderated by both Mencap’s community administrators and HealthUnlocked.

Gig Buddies

Our projects are all about supporting people with learning disabilities and autistic people to live the lives they choose.

We match people with volunteers who share their interests, so they can go to gigs, evening events, or simply hang out - as equals and as friends.

Click community for adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults

Click uses group video chat (Zoom) to deliver interesting and stimulating sessions that offer structure, meaningful activity and connection for people who experience social isolation. The service is for adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults, who are over the age of 16.

Serendipity Community Groups | Autism Hampshire

Our Serendipity Community Groups are small, social groups led by members and facilitated by volunteers. They are created and designed especially for autistic adults.

Outsiders Trust – Living life to the full

The Outsiders Club is a private membership, friendship, peer support and dating club, run by and for socially and physically disabled people. Our members have a wide range of physical impairments, including visual and hearing impairment.

Our aim has always been to provide a supportive and respectful place for our members to come and find friendship, guidance and fun.

Clubs – Phab

Phab Clubs are places to belong, places to thrive where disabled and non-disabled people come together to socialise, have fun and build lifelong friendships.

The Nimbus Access Card (Access card) physical card acts as a photo ID that can be used to easily communicate your or your child's access requirements to events and venues, so that the venues can provide accessibility to the needs of their visitors.

It also works online with other platforms like ticketing systems, to unlock the access facilities you need.

The card shows a photo ID and translates a persons disability or impairment into symbols, effectively highlighting the barriers they face and the reasonable adjustments they might need.

The Access Card app provides you with a personalised directory of venues, with first-class accessibility information to help you plan your trips.

The Nimbus Access Card (Access card) physical card acts as a photo ID that can be used to easily communicate your or your child's access requirements to events and venues, so that the venues can provide accessibility to the needs of their visitors.

It also works online with other platforms like ticketing systems, to unlock the access facilities you need.

The card shows a photo ID and translates a persons disability or impairment into symbols, effectively highlighting the barriers they face and the reasonable adjustments they might need.

The Access Card app provides you with a personalised directory of venues, with first-class accessibility information to help you plan your trips.

Helpful links