Local Support
- Early Help
Early Help supports families to identify their own support networks of family and friends who can assist in promoting positive outcomes that are sustainable.
Parents can refer to Early Help through their child’s school by completing the referral form together.
Parents can self-refer by using the online referral form NYSCP or calling NYC 0300 131 2 131. If your query is not urgent, please use the email address [email protected] to liaise with the Customer Service Centre, and you will receive a response within 24 hours. If you believe the situation is urgent, but does not require the police, please call 0300 131 2 131 to make a telephone contact. When prompted, say “Children’s Social Care”. One of the advisors will be happy to support you.
- Portage Service – North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire Portage Service | National Portage Association
Portage is a home visiting educational service for pre-school children with special needs and disabilities. They also run local groups for children and their families.
- Ohana Parent Support Group
Parent support group based in Ripon for families coping with the unique challenge involved in raising a child with special educational needs or a disability.
- SENkind Harrogate
SENkind is an award-winning local parent support group established by two mothers with children on the autism spectrum, Emily and Ashlie. They shared a firm belief that no mother should ever feel alone while navigating the complexities of parenting in the neurodiverse community.
- Knaresborough SEND Parents Supporting Each Other – on Facebook
A parent support group based in Knaresborough.
- Pathways Ripon
Where to Turn | Harrogate & District Community Action
A support group on Facebook who also provide a parent/carer led safe, non-judgmental space to meet other parents, carers and adults who have responsibility for children and young people with SEN, ADHD and autism. No diagnosis necessary, all welcome.
- Autism & SEN Support Group Northallerton – on Facebook
A group where parents of autistic & special needs children can share info, advice & support each other.
- SEND Parent Support Group Richmondshire – on Facebook
Supporting parents and carers of children with SEND in the Richmond and Catterick area.
- Neurodiverse Community Catterick
NDC CATTERICK | Discover Support & Engage Today — NeuroDiverse Community
NeuroDiverse Community Catterick offers a local community space for like-minded parents and carers to connect, share experiences, and offer each other support.
- POSCH @ HCA – on Facebook
POSCH is part of the charity Hambleton Community Action. It is a group aimed at parents and carers of children with additional needs (with or without a diagnosis).
- Embrace Autism Teesside
At Embrace Autism Teesside, we believe in the power of unity. We are a dedicated group of parents, carers, and advocates who have come together to create a haven of resources, support, and community for those embracing autism in the Teesside area.
- Parent Carer Voice
Parent Carer Voice | SEND support and information North Yorkshire
The Parent Carer Forum for North Yorkshire supporting families with children and young people (0-25 years old) with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND). Our vision is to inform, empower and represent the collective voice of families with SEND in the region.
- North Yorkshire Central Branch
A volunteer-led National Autistic Society branch for autistic children and their families in the York, Selby and Hambleton local authority areas. We welcome new attendees at all of our sessions and events, and we are always keen to have new volunteers join our branch team.
- Harrogate & District National Autistic Society Branch
https://www.autism.org.uk/what-we-do/branches/nas-harrogate-and-district-branch
The branch offers support to families in Harrogate, Richmondshire and Craven who have an autistic person in their family.
- Autism Central
Autism Central – peer education programme | Autism Central
Autism Central is the national peer education programme for families and support networks of autistic people of all ages in England. The programme is delivered by Anna Freud and commissioned by NHS England. We offer families education, coaching, and connection through resources, one-to-one peer support, and community events.
- Daisy Chain
Daisy Chain ｜Autism & Neurodiversity
An award-winning charity supporting autistic and neurodivergent children, young
people and adults and their families in the Northeast.
- Time Together
Time Together is a local charity supporting disabled and autistic people to live life well.
- Autism Angels
https://www.autismangels.co.uk/
We provide a range of bespoke services including our NEW Alternative Wellbeing and Learning Provision, Therapeutic Coaching and Equine Therapy, bringing together a community of families on a similar journey. Social, emotional, mental health and wellbeing needs are at the heart of all that we do.
We can support the whole family at our outdoor care farm. Autism Angels has access to a 60-acre farm with a naturally therapeutic environment, including woods, rolling grassland, a river, and specialised equine facilities. We focus on the quality of the sessions, not quantity, either through private or small group sessions that are able to adapt to individual needs and ages. No diagnosis of any kind is needed to access our services.
- Carers Plus Yorkshire (Hambleton & Richmondshire)
Welcome to Carers Plus Yorkshire
We support unpaid family carers from the age of 8 upwards to enable them to be heard, enhance their resilience, improve their wellbeing & make positive changes in their day-to-day lives. We provide both 1:1 and group support and offer independent, high quality, information advice & support through a range of services relevant to our local communities.
- Carers’ Resource (Harrogate)
Local services and support – Carers’ Resource (carersresource.org)
When your child has additional needs, life can be incredibly demanding. While first and foremost you may see yourself as a parent, you are also a carer and that means there is support available and we are here to help you.
- Family Fund
We are the UK’s largest grant-making charity for families raising a disabled or seriously ill child, on a low income.
- Caudwell Children
Autism Sensory Packs | Caudwell Children
Caudwell children is a charity that provide sensory packs which are specifically designed to support children with affordable, fun, educational, and durable tools that help manage sensory experiences.
Groups for Young People
- The Sibling Group – Harrogate
About Our Groups | The Sibling Group
‘Our Sibling Groups are for children ages 5-16, who have a sibling with additional needs but do not have needs themselves. We currently have two groups: one based in Harrogate North Yorkshire. Our main and biggest aim is to create a community for our siblings. Allowing them to create life-long friendships with others who just ‘get it’, giving them a sense of belonging and understanding. We currently have a group based in Harrogate North Yorkshire.’
‘We also run a day provision called Oscar’s Pathway for adults (16+) with Autism and Learning disabilities with complex needs. Our sessions are sensory based, and we cover a wide variety of topics including life skills, sensory exploration, sensory stories, art, cooking/baking. We do run school holiday and Saturday sessions for those 11+ too!’
- SEND youth groups and clubs
SEND youth groups and clubs | North Yorkshire Council
Information about local and regional youth clubs related to special education needs and disabilities.
- Kids Inclusive Social Saturday
https://hadca.org.uk/directory/organisation/5242
Every Saturday during term time. Activities for children of all abilities 5 – 18 years. Specialist staff can support children with disabilities and healthcare issues.
- Girls’ Group
Girls’ Group — Knaresborough Community
Quiet and friendly social group in Knaresborough aimed at girls aged 9-18 who find social situations difficult or too busy and noisy. Crafts and other activities in a supportive and easy-going environment.
- Renew HG1 YP
Young People Wellbeing Sessions | Renew HG1 at Harrogate Baptist Church | Harrogate
A wellbeing cafe and drop-in space for high school students. Our weekly term-time pop-up space is for high school students across Harrogate. Whether they want to just grab a hot chocolate and go, have a quick chat with one of our team or drop in to stay a while, we aim to always be there to listen every Tuesday after school.
- North Yorkshire Youth
Welcome to North Yorkshire Youth | North Yorkshire Youth
We provide positive opportunities across North Yorkshire for children and young people to learn and grow by supporting voluntary youth work projects, clubs, volunteering opportunities, and mentoring via a Buddy scheme.
- Geek Retreat Harrogate
https://geek-retreat.uk/stores/geek-retreat-harrogate/
‘We are on a mission to share our love for all things geeky – from games and superhero movies to anime and sci-fi. Geek Retreat is the friendliest place to meet, eat, trade and game.’
- Boroughbridge Junior Football Club
Boroughbridge Junior Football Club runs a disability football team for boys and girls aged 12 to 17 called ‘Ability for All’.