Support groups
Lewisham SENDIASS
The Lewisham SEND information, advice and support service (SENDIASS) can give you advice, information and support on all SEND matters. You can also call them on 020 319 2163 or email lewisham@kids.org.uk.
Lewisham Parent & Carers Forum
Lewisham Parent and Carer’s Forum (LPCF) is a voluntary group of parents and carers of children and young people (0-25) with special/additional needs and disabilities (SEND) living in the London Borough of Lewisham.
Contact Lewisham
Contact - For families with disabled children offer information and advice regarding your disabled child’s needs, for families with children and young people aged 0-25 years. Call the Lewisham Office on 020 8297 8056 or email lewisham.office@contact.org.uk
SIGNAL Family Support
SIGNAL Family Support is a mutual support group for the families of autistic children and young people (ages 0-25) living in the London borough of Lewisham. SIGNAL hold regular meetings and workshops on all aspects of autism, mostly for parent members but also sometimes for young people. SIGNAL cover topics such as mental health, puberty, social skills, and home education.
Special Kids in the UK
Special Kids in the UK is a charity by and for parents of children with SEN. They have a support forum and arrange Special Kids get-togethers, where you can meet families in similar situations and make new friends.
YoungMinds
YoungMinds is a leading charity committed to improving the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people.
If you’re worried about a child or young person's behaviour or mental health, you can contact their parents’ helpline
for advice and support.
Autism drop-in
Families can get post-diagnosis support on the first Monday of the month, 10am–12 noon at Kaleidoscope, 32 Rushey Green SE6 4JD.
A family support coordinator from the National Autistic Society will be available to give you information and advice to help you support your autistic child's needs.
Netmums Coffeehouse
Netmums Coffeehouse is an online forum where you can talk to other parents to get advice and support.
Lewisham Autism Support
Families can be referred to Lewisham Autism Support via the Communication Clinic at Kaleidoscope. They offer advice about autism and strategies and services that can support families of children and young people up to the age of 18 with autism. Call 020 8699 3066.
Beyond Autism early years group
The Early Years' Group supports families and empowers parents/carers to be more confident in their own and their child’s ability. It is for children aged 15 months up to 5 years. Beyond Autism work with children who have speech delay, social communication differences and/or autistic traits, providing a free support group for parents to attend with their child.
Down’s Friendship and Creativity Group (DFCG)
DFCG is a charity that aims to help families of children with Down’s Syndrome. They offer targeted programmes, activities and residential breaks which help to enhance creativity and hidden talent as well as working to strengthen and improve coordination, communication and listening skills. They also offer presentations and seminars for parents. Call 07930 393942 or email dfcg13@hotmail.com.
Working Families
Working Families aims to help working parents and carers, and their employers, find a better balance between responsibilities at home and in the workplace.
Portage Team
Portage is a regular home visits service, working in partnership with parents and the main carers of pre-school children with developmental delay. They work to support the development of play, communication, relationships and learning, and tailor the strategies to support individual needs of the child and family and multi-agency working. Call 07557 860822.
If you would like to add a support group to this list, email local.offer@lewisham.gov.uk.