Family support

There is lots of help to support families with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

We have a separate section on financial support, including financial planning, grants and entitlements.

The information below is about support groups and service providers. 

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Services (SENDIASS)

Walsall SENDIASS provides free and impartial support to children and young people with SEND as well as their parents and carers. It aims to raise awareness of the options available to those using the service, as well as support people to make informed decisions about these options. 

Families and Carers Empowered (FACE)  

FACE is Walsall’s Parent Carer Forum. Their aim is to enable parents and carers to share their knowledge of what does and doesn't work. They also aim to help service providers and commissioners focus their efforts on effective, high quality support. To find out more visit their website. 

The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Organisations Group (SENDIOG) 

This is a network of organisations who provide free and impartial advice to children, young people and their families. For resources, more information and to search for support groups in your area, visit the SENDIOG website. 

Support for parents in the Armed Forces

The Children’s Education Advisory Service (CEAS) provides personalised, impartial advice to service and eligible MOD civilian families on a wide range of educational issues. This advice allows families and commands to make their own, informed, decisions.

Disabled children and young people’s team

Walsall's disabled children and young people’s team is a specialist social work team. We work with children and young people aged from 0-18 who have a complex disability and are permanent residents in Walsall. To find out more visit our webpages. 

Support with autism

Autism West Midlands (AWM) 

AWM helps you to understand autism and how you can help your child. AWM offers a range of services and lots of useful information. Visit their website to find out more. 

Collingwood Autism Support 

• Address: Collingwood Centre, Collingwood drive, Great Barr, Birmingham, B43 7NF
• About us: A support group for parents & carers of children with autism. Supportive facebook group for those not in the Collingwood area.
• When: Meet twice a month, Tuesdays 7pm to 9pm. 
• Contact details: 07823 333910 or 0121 360 1484
• Email: collingwoodcommunitycentre@gmail.com  

Hope Autism Network 

• Address: Manor Farm Community Association, King George Crescent, Rushall, Walsall, WS4 1EU
• About us: Parent support group that meets monthly on Tuesdays 9.15am to 11.15am. Visit their website for details. 
• Contact details: 07939 966 379
• Email: info@hopeautismnetwork.com
• F: @HopeAutismNetwork T: @AutismNetwork  

United support group CIC advocates for autism and ADHD 

• About us: A non-profit organization working within the community offering support and advice to schools and families across the West Midlands.
• What: There are group sessions including coffee mornings and workshops.
• Contact details: 07400 509957 / 07455 524196
• Email info@unitedsupportgroup.co.uk

Parent and Carer support group (Walsall, Wolverhampton and surrounding areas)  

Parent and carer support group is a voluntary organisation supporting parents and carers of children and adult dependents who have special educational needs, disabilities and life limiting medical conditions.

They offer a membership (opportunities to join throughout the year) which provides a plethora of support - more details can be found here:

https://walsallwtonpcg.co.uk/group-membership-application-form/

Physical peer support groups

• When: Peer Support Groups are Tuesdays 9:30am -11:30am 
• Where: Walsall - Pavilion in the park -​​​​​​ Willenhall memorial park - Wolverhampton- Low hill community Centre
• Cost: Each sessions costs £1 for members and £2 non members, which includes a drink
• Contact details: Alison Fisher 07939 487052 
• Email: walsallwtonparentgroup@gmail.com
• Website:  https://walsallwtonpcg.co.uk/ or https://www.facebook.com/WalsallWtonPCG/

Walsall Carers Centre 

Walsall Carers Centre offers help and guidance to all carers. Our aim is to provide information on a range of services and to offer links to other sites that you may find useful. Please visit the website for more details.

Useful Facebook support groups 

• Walsall Families in the Know (Walsall Families Information Service)  
• Autism and Sensory Processing Support UK 
• UK Autism Spectrum Parents Support group 
• FaceWalsall