Whether you’re still trying to understand what your child needs, or you already know and are looking for the right support, reaching out and making connections can help you feel less alone, more informed, and more confident about what comes next.
This page sets out the different ways we can support you, what that support looks like in practice, and how you can access it or get involved with our work.
You don’t need a diagnosis to get free help from us.
This page focuses on the direct support Bristol Parent Carers provides to families of children and young people with SEND in Bristol.
You don’t need to read everything in one go. Use the dropdowns to jump straight to what’s most useful for you.
Being a parent carer of a child who needs extra support can feel isolating, especially when you’re navigating complex systems, waiting for assessments, or feeling unsure where to turn.
Our parent to parent spaces connect you with people who genuinely understand. They’re a safe, welcoming place to talk things through, share practical ideas, feel listened to without judgement and build confidence, reducing isolation along the way.
We support families of children and young people aged 0–25 with any type of need, including families with identified or complex needs, and those who are undiagnosed or on waiting lists.
You can join one of our sessions and speak in a group or have a one-to-one conversation. You can also contact us through our phone line. Children and young people are also welcome to attend our sessions.
We can provide translation support if English is not your first language and we can also cover the cost of your bus fare. Please keep your ticket and let us know in advance that you will need a refund by sending us a text or email.
Prefer to ask a question first? Contact us.
North Bristol, BS10
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South Bristol, BS4
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East Bristol, BS16
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PINS schools, location varies
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Online sessions, Zoom
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School-based sessions, locations vary
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We work with trusted practitioners to provide free, accessible information sessions for families. These sessions help families better understand topics such as SEND processes and support pathways, Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), wellbeing and mental health, autism, sensory needs, supporting behaviour, and much more.
Sessions are practical, inclusive and grounded in real-life experiences, and they’re shaped by what families ask for. We can offer support for those who have English as an additional language, and some sessions are recorded.
Our events bring together a range of contributors and organisations across Bristol. By attending, families can gain strategies and resources to support their child’s educational, emotional and practical needs, and ask questions directly and get answers there and then.
If you need support to access these events, please get in touch. We’ll do our best to make any adjustments and offer translation support. Where families need financial support to attend, we can refund bus fares.
Prefer to ask a question first? Contact us.
Talking and listening to families is central to our work. Through our Let’s Talk sessions, surveys, questions at the point of booking into practitioner led sessions, and one-to-one conversations, we create opportunities for families to share what’s working well and where things are difficult.
This helps services build a clearer understanding of what everyday life is like for families in Bristol. All voices matter, including those who may feel unheard, marginalised, or unsure whether their experience “counts”.
Our Parent Voice Team gathers anonymous feedback, and our Peer Support Team shares themes (never names or identifiable details). We pass these themes to decision-makers across education, health, social care and the voluntary sector; celebrating what works, raising concerns, and pushing for practical fixes so families can get the right help at the right time.
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