Finding support for your family in Bristol
At a glance
There is a lot of support available for children, young people and families in Bristol – but knowing what exists, who it is for and where to start is not always easy.
This guide brings useful support and services together in one place, so you can explore what might be helpful for you or your family.
You do not need to read it all at once. You can dip in and out, look through the sections that are most relevant to you, and come back to it when you need it.
Finding the right support
Families often tell us that one of the hardest things is simply knowing where to go for help.
You might know that your child or family needs some extra support, but not know which service to contact. You might be waiting for other support to begin, looking for help alongside something you already receive, or just wanting to understand what is available locally.
The Bristol SEND Support Services guide has been created to make that a little easier.
It brings together information about services and organisations that support children, young people, parents, carers and families across Bristol.
What can I use the guide for?
You can use the guide to explore different types of support available locally and find organisations that may be able to help.
That might include support with things such as:
- family life and parenting
- emotional wellbeing and mental health
- SEND and additional needs
- practical or financial difficulties
- activities and community support
- advice and information
- support for parents and carers
- help for children and young people
Some services may have their own eligibility criteria or referral process, so it is always worth checking the individual service information before getting in touch.
You don't need to know exactly what you need
Sometimes families know something is difficult but don’t yet know what kind of help would make a difference.
That is okay.
Have a look through the guide and see what feels relevant. One organisation may also be able to signpost you to another service if they are not the right place to help.
Read the Bristol Support Services guide
You can explore the full guide online below.
If your child has SEND
If your child or young person has, or may have, special educational needs or disabilities, Bristol Parent Carers can also help you understand the support available.
Your child does not need to have a diagnosis for you to contact us or come along to many of our sessions.
We can help you find information, understand local services and connect with other parent carers.
Can't find what you need?
Finding your way around services can be difficult, particularly when you are already dealing with a lot.
If you cannot find the support you are looking for, get in touch with us and we will do our best to help you find the right place to start.
And if you find that a service listed in the guide is no longer available, information has changed, or there is something important missing, please let us know.
Hearing what is and isn’t working for families also helps Bristol Parent Carers work with services across Bristol to improve support.