Local support

Oxfordshire Specialist Advice Service (OSAS)

A service provided by Oxfordshire County Council that offers telephone and email advice about benefits, money advice, budgeting and other welfare issues. The service is ran by a team of specialist advisors who can signpost to services that can provide further support.

Special Educational Needs Support Services (SENSS)

SENSS is a countywide Special Educational Needs (SEN) teaching and advisory support service. The Communication and Interaction Service is part of the Oxfordshire SEN (Special Educational Needs) support services. Their specialist advisory teachers can offer tailored support to schools in working with a child with autism.

Oxfordshire SEND Local Offer

The local offer for Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) brings together information about education, health and care services for children and young people from 0 to 25 with SEND.

NDC: Education Support

Oxford Health Neurodevelopmental Diagnostic Clinic (NDC)’s page on accessing support for education.

Early Help Children’s Services

One joined up service for supporting children aged 0-19 (up to their 25th birthday if children have special educational needs with an Education Health and Care Plan in place) and their families. The Early Help Team work closely with partner agencies to provide a range of services including open access and programmes related to parenting, school readiness and access to education, employment and training (EET).

OASIS (Oxfordshire Autistic Society Information and Support)

OASIS is a charity run by parents for parents/carers who are bringing up children/young adults with autism. They offer informal coffee and chat groups, evening meetings with professional speakers, subsidised courses and family play days during school holidays.
The services are available to young people and families with an autism diagnosis or those who are going through the assessment process.

SHaRON (Support Hope and Resources Online Network)

SHaRONoffers support, information and advice. SHaRONis a support network for parents and carers of young people with autism or parents and carers who have children waiting for an autism assessment. It is moderated by Autism Assessment Team clinicians, other autism professionals, staff from voluntary agencies across Berkshire and also offers the opportunity for families to receive parent to parent support.
If you are interested in joining, please email us at: sharon.jupiter@berkshire.nhs.uk Please include your child’s name, and your name and contact details.

The Autism Group

The Autism Group is a Maidenhead based charity committed to supporting and enhancing the lives of young people on the spectrum, their parents, and carers. Their focus is on offering support for parents of children and young people from pre-school age up to 30 and social opportunities for children and young people with autism aged 9 to 30 through our clubs. Parent support includes support groups across East Berkshire, one to one support and free parent workshop sessions which are delivered by qualified team members who are also parents of young people on the spectrum.

Parenting Special Children

They offer specialist parenting support to families of children and young people with Special Needs and/or Disabilities in Berkshire.

GEMS Berkshire

GEMS is for children and young people who are diagnosed with, or who may have, autism and/or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The service also supports parents and carers. Whatever stage of your autism/ADHD journey you are at – pre-assessment or post-diagnosis – GEMS offers a single point of contact where you can access information, advice and support.

GEMS offers information, support, workshops and courses to parents and carers of children with autism and ADHD within East Berkshire. They also offer a variety of workshops and activities for children from age 5 and young people up to the age of 19

Autism Berkshire

Autism Berkshire was founded as the Berkshire Autistic Society in 1990 by a group of parents of children with autism, related conditions and challenging behaviours. They are the leading autism charity in Berkshire and deliver quality specialist services, training and social and leisure activities throughout the county, guided by a team of trustees with personal and professional experience of autism.

Autism Family Support Oxfordshire

At Autism Family Support Oxfordshire we use understanding, expertise, and a lot of fun and care to support the development and wellbeing of children and young adults on the autism spectrum, and their families

Autism Bucks

Aiming to support autism, autistic adults and carers in Buckinghamshire through a wealth of information & advice and social gatherings.

Youth Enquiry Service

Youth Enquiry Service (YES) is a charity based in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, that offers free and confidential support and counselling to 13-25 year olds who have any concerns or difficulties in their life, feel confused or no one they can to talk to.

SPACE support Chesham and South Bucks

SPACE Chesham and South Bucks is a support group for parents and carers of children with ADHD, Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Challenging Behaviour. A parent-led group, aiming to provide a space where you can find advice, support and information, meeting monthly for a friendly coffee morning with speakers and discussions.

South Buckinghamshire’s National Autistic Society

South Buckinghamshire branch of the National Autistic Society, a support group for people with autism. The service includes parent support group, social group for young adults over 16 years, speaker evenings, newsletter, Rainbow Club for 5 to 11 year olds as well as family activities including Autism friendly cinema screenings, swimming, bowling, indoor play centre and other days out.

Greater Resources for Autism Supporting Parents and Siblings (GRASPS)

Greater Resources for Autism Supporting Parents and Siblings (GRASPS) is a voluntary-run, inclusive support group for families, young adults, and adults, affected by Autism in Buckinghamshire, providing a supportive private forum, events and monthly support meetings. Please note, to join the group, the group need to be contacted via their email address: contactgrasp@gmail.com

Carers Bucks

Carers Bucks supports the health and wellbeing of unpaid carers and supports unpaid carers e.g. parents of children with a physical or learning disability, those looking after someone with a mental health condition. Support groups can cover topics such as working with professionals, mindfulness, understanding stress, anxiety and depression in carers.

Buckinghamshire College Group

Buckinghamshire College Group offers a wide range of high-quality supported learning opportunities for young people with learning difficulties and, or disabilities. These help to develop independence and skills, and provide a chance to prepare for the next step in life. The Aylesbury Campus provides a Supported Internship Study Programme designed to help young people with special educational needs to prepare for adulthood and to move forward into employment. Please note, students must be in receipt of the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

Autism Oxford

Autism Oxford offer a range of services such as living well with neurodiversity (waitlist initiative), training, assessments, therapies and ongoing support.

SENDIASS

SENDIASS Oxfordshire works within the bounds of the legislation, guidance and quality standards to ensure it provides impartial information, advice and support to parents and carers of children with SEND, and children and young people themselves through the CHYPSS (Children and Young People’s Partnership Service) element of SENDIASS.
It promotes partnership between parent and carers, Children, Education and Families Services, schools and other agencies.