The importance of early intervention in supporting children’s development is well established in evidence and practice, especially for those deemed to be at risk.
Children with a
learning disability
A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things.
are at greater risk of many health and social inequalities.
The Mencap Family Support programme supports families with children aged 0 to 7 with a learning disability, global developmental delay and / or
autism
Autism is a disability. Autistic people find it difficult to understand what other people think and feel. They also find it difficult to tell people what they think and feel. Everyone with autism is different.
.
Children do not need to have a diagnosis to access the Family Support Programme.
The Family Support Programme offers a range of centre and
community
A community is the people and places in an area.
based interventions and the family support sites are located at our Mencap Centre in Belfast and in Derry/Londonderry.
Family Support engagement includes:
- Listening ear service / one-to-one support and signposting
- Makaton sessions
- Information sessions on a range of topics including carers
rights
Rights are the things everyone should be allowed to do like have a say, or go to school.
, benefits advice and statementing process - Bespoke workshops to support parents to support their child’s learning and development
- Self-care and wellbeing sessions
- Parent and Toddler Programme for 0 to 3 year olds
- Family Days
- Information Fairs
- Closed Facebook groups
- E-PAtS 8 week parent support programme covering key areas including communication, sleep and behaviours that challenge
- Online resource to support families: www.positiveapproachestosupport.co.uk / www.epats.org.uk. During the Covid-19 crisis Mencap worked in partnership with a number of family carers, practitioners and researchers to produce this resource for families who care for children, young people or adults with a learning disability. It contains information about effective communication techniques, ideas for creating choice and
independence
Independence means doing things on your own. Making your own choices.
, strategies to reduce behaviours that challenge and tools to support well-being. There are also a range of videos and printable resources available.
To find out more about the above programmes please contact the family support team at familysupport@mencap.org.uk.
*All programmes and activities are subject to availability.