Northumberland

Support is available across Northumberland to help families access the right advice and guidance at an early stage. Early help aims to identify and respond to needs before they become more difficult, supporting children, young people and families to stay well and thrive.

Family Hubs are welcoming spaces where families can access advice, parenting support and wellbeing activities. They work alongside partners in health, education and the voluntary sector to help families identify needs early and connect to the right services.

Groups and activities include Relax Kids, Charged Up Kids, and other parenting and wellbeing programmes that promote confidence, resilience and family relationships.

Families and professionals can contact Early Help First Contact for advice or to discuss concerns about a child or young person. With consent, an Early Help Assessment (EHA) can be started to bring together the right support from different agencies.

The Early Help approach in Northumberland is strengths-based and partnership-focused, helping families to access timely, coordinated support without the need for formal social care involvement.

The Rainbow Guide is a newly developed parent-carer resource that gives an easy overview of local services, what they provide, and how families can access support.

There are services in Northumberland that can help with neurodevelopmental needs, emotional wellbeing and behaviour. Support is based on what a child needs, not on whether they have a diagnosis.

You don’t need to wait until problems get worse to ask for help.

HINT (High Incidence Needs Team)
HINT is made up of four Education Support Teams:

  • Emotional Wellbeing and Behaviour Support Team
  • Autism Support Team
  • Speech, Language and Communication Support Team
  • Specific Learning Difficulties Support Team (Dyslexia & Dyscalculia only)

The key aim of HINT is to develop and enhance the skills and practices of school staff to improve educational outcomes for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and promote their successful inclusion in educational settings across Northumberland.

The HINT team work closely with the young person, their parents/carers and school staff to try to ensure that every point of view is heard and used to inform the recommendations made.

Cygnet Programme
The Cygnet Programme is a free course for parents and carers of autistic children aged 5-18 in Northumberland. Delivered by the NCC Autism Support Team, the programme helps families better understand autism and develop practical strategies to support their child.

The Parent Factor (Barnardo’s) - programme which has been written specifically for parents of children aged up to 16 years who have a clinical diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Northumberland Parent Carer Forum is the Department for Education’s recognised parent carer forum in Northumberland. They work in partnership with the Local Authority, Health and Social Care services to improve outcomes for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and their families.

Communication is key to what they do. They listen to experiences, knowledge and views of families. Working in co-production, they ensure your views are heard at every stage of planning and decision making. They need to hear about your experiences to ensure they can bring the parent carer voice to the local authority, ensure you are fully represented at the table and are able to develop the quality, range and accessibility of SEND provision.

The steering group is made up of a voluntary group of Northumberland parents and carers of children and young people (0-25) who have special educational needs and/or disabilities.

SEND Local Offer

The SEND Local Offer brings together information about support for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in Northumberland.

It includes information on:

  • services and support in education, health and social care
  • activities and community groups
  • eligibility and pathways
  • advice for young people transitioning to adulthood

The Local Offer helps families understand what support is available, how it works, and how to access it.

Online safety for families and children with SEND

Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP) support

Families who think their child may need additional support in school can request an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment.

The assessment looks at the child’s strengths and needs, and whether an EHCP is needed to help them access learning and make progress.

SENDIASS, school staff and the Local Offer can help families understand this process.

Through 0‑19 Service (health visiting/school-nurse team), families can get advice about sleep routines, settling and child development support for younger children.

Local Family Hubs Northumberland may run parenting workshops or drop-ins offering advice around sleep, routines and general wellbeing.

General signposting: families can get support from early help, school nursing, or their GP - especially if sleep issues are linked to emotional, neurodevelopmental or medical needs.

Mental health and emotional-wellbeing services such as Children and Young People’s Service (CYPS) can provide support for children and young people whose emotional wellbeing needs more help. Referrals will be accepted from any professional working with child, young person or their family.

School-based support via the Be You Mental Health Support Teams in Northumberland - including school mental health teams, counselling or emotional-wellbeing support.

Voluntary and community services (through VCSE charities, local support groups) -often helpful for peer support and coping strategies.

Everyday support: talking to school, family hubs, health visitors. Support is available even without a formal referral.

  • For younger children, 0-19 Service (health visitors/family health practitioners) can support with feeding, early eating or weaning difficulties.

For older children or where eating is affected by emotional or sensory needs, parents can ask their GP, school, or SEND services to consider referral to dietetics, nutrition support or integrated health services.

The local SEND and 0–19 / Early Help networks can help families access targeted support if eating difficulties link to SEND, sensory processing or emotional wellbeing.

If eating difficulties are causing concern, a GP may discuss referral for more specialist support.

  • Eating Distress North East (EDNE) is a charity offering independent confidential services to people affected by eating distress across the North East
  • Beat, UK’s eating disorder charity

The Northumberland Speech, Language & Communication Service supports children and young people (birth–19 years) who have speech, language or communication needs.

The county runs an integrated “Early Years / SEND & Early Years” offer through Family Hubs for younger children, supporting language development, early intervention and communication support.

Targeted support and specialist intervention is available for children with ongoing or significant needs in communication, sometimes alongside SEND support, therapy and school-based adjustments.

Through Family Hubs, community groups and local leisure services - there are often inclusive activities, clubs, and play sessions aimed at children and young people (including those with additional needs).

For children with physical, developmental or neurodivergent needs, school-based support and SEND services might offer adapted PE or physical activity support — via inclusive education services under the Local Offer.

Families can speak to their 0–19 Service / health visitor or school about being referred to more specialist physical therapy, adapted sports, or community inclusion programmes - depending on needs.

The Northumberland SEND Local Offer provides a full overview of support available for children and young people (0–25 years) with SEND - including what to expect in schools, how to request assessments, and educational support pathways.

The Northumberland Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) offers advice and support to families navigating SEND, education plans, meetings, appeals, and understanding their rights. 

If a child needs extra support, schools can access help from specialist services such as inclusion support, speech and language therapy and learning support through SEND/Education services.

Family Hubs across Northumberland organise free activities, courses and group sessions for families; these are inclusive and often open to children with additional needs.

The SEND Local Offer leisure/social/community sections list accessible clubs, group activities and leisure opportunities for children and young people with SEND.

Local charities and voluntary-sector organisations (VCSE) also run clubs, peer support groups, activity sessions - helpful for social, leisure and community inclusion.

SEND Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS)

SENDIASS is a free, confidential and impartial service for families of children and young people with SEND.

They can help with:

  • understanding rights and entitlements
  • navigating SEND processes and paperwork
  • support during meetings
  • education plans (EHCPs), appeals and disagreements
  • signposting to local support

SENDIASS can support families at any point, whether you’re exploring concerns for the first time or already involved in SEND processes.

IPSEA, leading charity in the field of SEND law in England, providing free and independent legal advice and support to families of children and young people with SEND

First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability)

Citizens Advice Northumberland