Family and Children Quick Reference Guide: Waveney
Our Quick Reference Guides are away to find specific signposting and support based on your area.
This information sheet is for families who are worried about autism/ADHD/additional needs. The services below are here to support you on your journey. Please reach out to them for help. Although a clinical assessment for neurodevelopmental differences such as autism or ADHD is helpful for some families, a diagnosis is not required to access SEN support. It is important to remember that having a name for your child’s condition does not change who they are.
It is helpful to think about what goals you and your child are aiming for so that you can access the support available to help achieve these goals.
General advice and support
- Just One Norfolk is the ‘go to’ health website for Norfolk and Waveney families and includes a range of information and support for families to access including sleep issues, parent, and child emotional health.
- Ambitious About Autism guide to autism in the early years provides guidance and practical support about autism for families of children under 5 years old
Support for my child/ young person in school
- Speak to your child’s school Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO).
- Review the Suffolk County Council SEND Local Offer
- Look at the advice pack developed for schools and professionals.
- ADHD Foundation resources for schools and families
Support for myself and my family
- Look at Suffolk SENDIASS for free impartial advice about SEND for children, young people, parents and carers.
- Positive Behaviour Strategies (PBS) online course offers some practical strategies to help you support your child in a positive way.
- Suffolk Parent Carer Forum for mutual support and advice.
- Recovery College provides free online training about autism for adults.
- ASD Helping Hands provides workshops, activity days and residential breaks for children, young people and their families.
- Autism Anglia Resource Hub provides links to support and activity groups for families
- Suffolk Family Carers specialise in supporting young carers and their families.
- Autism Central provides resources, online drop in and support for families.
- The Source (Suffolk) Information, advice and sources of support for young people aged 12– 25 years in Suffolk.
- PDA Society provides expert resources on pathological demand avoidance
Support for my child/ young person with sleep difficulties
- NANSA sleep service for families of children with SEND experiencing sleep difficulties
Support for my child/ young person with mental health difficulties
- Just One Number All requests for mental health support for 0-25 year olds across Norfolk & Waveney (excluding crisis) are processed by Just One Number. Referrals can be made online by the parent/carer or by the child or young person
- Suffolk Parent and Carers Together (PACT) is a support group for parents and carers of children and young people with mental health issues
- Discovery College offers free educational online courses and webinars on mental health
topics for 16 – 25 year olds - Childline – call 0800 1111
- Papyrus – UK Charity specialising in the prevention of young suicide
- Samaritans – call 116 123
- This May Help – advice for supporting your child’s mental health
Support for my child/young person in mental health crisis
- NHS 111 Mental Health Option 2 – 24 hour urgent mental health support. Dial 111 and select option 2
- SHOUT 85258 – 24 hour crisis text service for mental health – Text “shout” to 85258 for urgent mental health support
If at serious risk of imminent harm dial 999 or attend nearest Accident and Emergency
Information about the neurodevelopmental condition assessment pathway
- Neurodevelopmental assessment pathway for advice to /carers seeking assessment
- NHS Right To Choose Neurodevelopmental Assessment Services information
- Family Action provide a support service for both parents of children and young people in Norfolk and Waveney who are awaiting assessment by the Neurodevelopmental Service or who have been diagnosed with ASD or ADH
Support with Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) processes
- Education Health and Care Plan Support Suffolk County Council
- Suffolk SENDIASS provide EHCP resources for families
Last Updated April 2025 Next Update April 2026