Resources for Parents & Carers

Parents, carers and neurodevelopment

While we offer services for children and young people under 18 years old, we recognise that the adults in their lives may also need to access support

Apps and Resources

We have some resources provided below as a starting point. You can contact us if you have additional resources to share or if there are topics you’d like to hear more about.

These resources and helplines are not part of the services provided by Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (unless otherwise stated).

• We are not responsible for the external content mentioned on this site.

Services and Helplines

Autism Wales  

Autism Wales, the national autism website for Wales.  On the site you will find information about what autism is, there are also a wide range of free downloadable resources that have been developed with autistic people, parents/ carers and professionals from across Wales.

ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Charity 

Provides a range of integrated health and education services. See their website for more information. 

AP Cymru

A Welsh Neurodiversity Charity that hold family events. See the AP Cymru website for more information.

Behaviour Support Hub

Welsh Charity and Facebook group with weekly support groups. See their website for more information.

Cerebra

A UK-based organisation that provides research, advice and support to children with brain conditions and their families. Provides a sleep advice service. See their website for more information.

Challenging Behaviour Foundation

UK-based charity that provides information leaflets and videos about challenging behaviour . See their website for more information.

Child and Adolescent Learning Disability Service (CALDS) at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board

Webinar for parents available on YouTube called ‘Understanding Behaviour that Challenges’.

Children and Adults with ADHD 

The UK’s leading non-profit organisation affecting those affected by ADHD. More information can be found on the CHADD website

L.I.F.E – Linking Inclusive Families through social Events

A Welsh charity who aim to organise events for children, young adults, and families with disabilities and/or ALN (Additional Learning Needs). Called Aln Charity on Facebook.

Speech and Language Therapy at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board

Useful ideas, resources, and links to help your child. Talking and Communication – Keeping Me Well  website.

National Autistic Society  

Information on early signs, symptoms, assessment and treatment. See the National Autistic Society website

UK ADHD Partnership 

Supports clinicians and allied professionals to identify and meet the needs of children and young people affected by this disorder. More information can be found on the UK ADHD Partnership website

C.A.L.L Mental Health Helpline for Wales

Community Advice and Listening Line which offered a confidential listening and support service.

The C.A.L.L Helpline is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year to anyone phoning from Wales.
It is a bilingual service, meaning callers can choose to speak to the helpline operator in either Welsh or English.

Find out more about the Neurodivergence support offered by the C.A.L.L Helpline.

Freephone 0800 132 737 or text help to 81066

National Centre for Mental Health  

The National Centre for Mental Health website contains useful information and resources on Autism Spectrum Disorder.   

• Contact Lynne Jones on 07423 694 560 / 01656 647722
• Email families@platfform.org
• Make a self-referral via this online form

The Sleep Charity

Provides information, support, and training on sleep issues for everyone in the UK. See the Sleep Charity website for more information.

Action for Children

Action for Children run a one to one webchat for parents and carers to speak to a qualified parenting coach.

It can be accessed Monday to Friday via webchat and email – check the website for further details.

The Care Collective

Provides the Cardiff and Vale Carers Gateway which supports unpaid carers and acts as gateway to services available locally. Can provide grants and well-being services, free information, advice and assistance. The Care Collective’s website has more information. 

Early Positive Approaches to Support (EPAtS)

8-week programme for families raising a young child (5 years and under) where developmental delay has been suggested. A SOGS-Schedule of growing skills assessment from Health Visitor is needed to access the EPAtS programme.

For Cardiff referrals contact Cardiff Family Advice and Support 03000 133 133.

For Vale referrals contact Families First Advice Line 08000 327 322

Gingerbread Wales

Gingerbread offer free services for single parents, including a helpline, information pages, online forum and friendship groups.

You can contact their helpline on 0808 802 0925 – check their website for opening hours.

Kidscape

Kidscape offer a helpline and email service for parents, carers and other adults who have concerns about a child or young person being bullied.

You can contact their helpline on 02078 235 430 between 9:30 am – 2:30 pm Monday and Tuesday, leave a message or email on parentsupport@kidscape.org.uk

SNAP Cymru

Information, advice and support for parents, children and young people who have or may have special education needs or disabilities. Includes a helpline, casework, discrimination advice, independent advocacy and disagreement resolution services.

The information and advice line is available Monday – Friday 9.30 am – 4.30 pm on 0808 801 608.

Occupational Therapy at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board

Our team of Occupational Therapists from Cardiff and Vale University Health Board have developed several resources you can access including videos exploring key aspects of Occupational Therapy for children and young people.

Please visit ‘videos and resources’ where there is a parent workshop to watch on understanding sensory processing. If you have utilised all resources online and still have occupational or sensory concerns you can request access to direct Occupational Therapy input using our request for assistance page

Toileting Problems

The Neurodevelopmental Service recommend the websites of ERIC the children’s bowel and bladder charity and the Bladder and Bowel UK charity as trusted sources of information to help with toileting problems.

Support in Cardiff

Cardiff Family Advice and Support  

Early help service in Cardiff. They offer advice and support for children, young people and families, as well as the professionals who work directly with them.  

They can also signpost or direct families to other services best placed to achieve their goals. You can find out more on their website.

Phone 03000133133

Disability Benefit Support

Specialist advice for applying for disability benefits such as Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and Carer’s Allowance.

Contact by telephone: 02920 871 071 or email: disabilitybenefitsupport@cardiff.gov.uk

Home-Start Cymru 

Offer friendship, emotional support and practical advice for families who are having difficulties managing parenting for a variety of different reasons, including poor mental health, managing children’s challenging behaviour, disability, domestic abuse, isolation or low self-esteem. Referrals accepted for any child up to 5. Find out more on the Home-Start Cymru website.

 The Index

The Index is for families who have children age 0-18 years, who have a disability or additional need and live in Cardiff. Any parent with a child 0-18 with disabilities or additional needs can sign up to the index by completing the online registration form. By signing up you will receive information about local services, activities, support and events. Find out more about The Index on their website.

One Group / Grŵp Un

Stay and play groups in Cardiff for children 0-5 with Additional Needs and their parents. Advice and support from Health, Education, 3rd Sector & Social Care professionals while your child plays. Term time only. A diagnosis or a referral are not needed.

Information on groups can be found on:
X: @grwp1group
Facebook: Grwp1Group
Or by contacting them via telephone: 029 2067 1466

Support in the Vale

Families First

The Families First Advice Line is the first point of contact for parents, carers and professionals who have, or are working with children and 0-18 residing in the Vale of Glamorgan. The team can offer information and advice on a range of topics, including; Health and Well-being, Family, Housing and Finance, and Education with the aim of supporting families to resolve their difficulties and signpost them in accessing other services. 

Phone: 0800 0327 322. 

The Index 

The Index is for families who have children age 0-18 years, who have a disability or additional need and live in the Vale of Glamorgan. Sign up and you will receive information about local services, activities, support and events. 

Phone:  0800 587 1014 

Rainbow Group

Stay and play group in the Vale of Glamorgan for children 0-5 with additional needs and their parents. Term time only. More information about Rainbow Group can be found on DEWIS.

Resources

Several services within the directorate have come together to produce the following resources:  

• When the world is a strange place