Who to contact for advice and guidance
If you think your child has special educational needs, speak to the professionals already working with your child, such as your child’s teacher or GP.
There are local SEND support groups listed on Pinpoint Devon, online groups, training and events to help parents of children and young people with SEND.
All local authorities must, by law, provide an information, advice and support service for SEND. This is an impartial, confidential and free service for parents, children and young people, which provides advice about all aspects of SEND support. In Devon, this services is called DIAS.
- Devon Young Carers
What is a young carer?
A young carer is a person under 18 who provides or intends to provide care for another person. This can relate to practical support, personal care and/or emotional support for any family member or friend of the family who is physically or mentally ill, frail, elderly, disabled or misuses alcohol/ substances.
What do we know about young carers?
Who provides support for Young Carers in Devon?
Devon County Council commissions a Young Carers Support Service to assess and support the needs of young carers in Devon. This service is currently being delivered by Devon Carers. If you think you are a young carer you can contact the service directly or can give consent for another professional or practitioner to make a referral to the service for you on your behalf.
The service can be contacted using the ‘Contact Us’ function on the Devon Carers website or you can call the service using their helpline:- 03456 434 435
What’s the process?
Devon Carers will undertake an assessment for Young Carers aged 4-18 years who make contact with this service. This assessment will then be used by Devon Carers to ensure Young Carers receive the right level of support and advice.
Support offered aims to help young carers to have the same life opportunities as their peers, feel supported at school/college, have good physical and emotional health, access and achieve their potential in education and training, have their voices heard and be prepared for adulthood and independence.
What kind of support may be available to young carers following an assessment?
Getting Advice– Young Carers can access information and self-help through a range of sources that is both age appropriate and personalised. Young Carers may receive support from the service that will enables them to access other services, these may be within your local community. You will also be invited to take part in the Young Carers’ Council co-ordinated by Devon Carers.
Getting Help– For Young Carers with greater support needs due to the impact of the caring role being undertaken. Young Carers will be supported through trips and activities, support groups and mentoring and buddying opportunities to help you have a break from your caring role, improve your health and wellbeing and help you achieve the best outcomes at school for instance.
Getting More Help-For Young Carers with the most complex needs, for whom their caring role is having a profound impact on them and their life. Support is likely to include multi-agency support being co-ordinated through an early help support plan for the young carer and their families to ensure the right help is being received at the right time. Support is also likely to include 1:1 support for the Young Carer from the Young Carers Support Service.
The Young Carers Support Service will help young carers to prepare for adulthood and transition where young carers transition from primary to secondary school for instance and where there may be a likelihood of continuing caring responsibilities post 18.
Devon Carers will also work with other services to ensure that everywhere a young carer asks for help they are given the most up to date information and advice and are able to access the young carers service when it is most appropriate to them.
How is the team organised?
The Young Carers Support Service will be delivered by a team located within your locality area of Devon. There are 4 teams to deliver services in each locality area including:- : North Devon; Exeter; South and West Devon; Mid and East Devon.
There are lead practitioners and support workers for each area and a central ‘hub’ of specialist workers who can advise colleagues, including a schools’ worker and a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) worker.
What is the Young Carers’ Council?
This is a needs-led group where children and young people can do fun activities and have their say on issues that affect them. The group meets quarterly at venues around Devon.
Page updated 19/11/18
