Reaching Families was first established in 2008 by parent-carers to “…empower, inform and support parents and families of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities in West Sussex”.  Reaching Families run a number of projects and services which parents and families of children with SEND continue to find really helpful;

Making Sense of it All – a parent-carer guide covering issues from birth to adulthood, available in paperback and e-book format

Fact Sheets – covering a wide range of issues including major childhood disabilities & associated subjects.  They have been localised to West Sussex to ensure that parent-carers can find out about relevant services & resources here in West Sussex

Animations –  on various issues to help parents who may not be able to attend training or who like things in a visual format

Training Workshops – free half-day workshops on a variety of subjects, including anxiety, ADHD, Autism, behaviour, benefits, EHCP, sensory issues, sleep etc.  Delivered live and via zoom

Training Courses – 2 multi-session training courses Making Sense of All (Foundation course) designed for new parent-carers and Making Sense of Wellbeing covering anxiety, self-care, resilience etc

Face 2 Face – provides emotional &  practical support to parent-carers of children during the period of their child’s diagnosis.  A team of specially trained befrienders can help parent-carers learn more about their child’s diagnosis, share their experience of caring for a child with additional needs, find out about and access other services and prepare for the journey ahead

Counselling – they currently provide subsidised counselling to parent-carers across West Sussex and can offer 3-6 sessions at a subsidised rate of £10 per session (£5 for parents in receipt of work related benefits). Sessions can be accessed in person, by phone or by by Zoom.  Counselling is provided by a BACP accredited practice

Umbrellas – to help parent-carers build networks of mutual support, there are four parent support in Billingshurst, Littlehampton, Worthing and weekly, via Zoom.  The groups provide an informative, supportive, relaxed and non-judgemental environment within which parent-carers can swap life experiences, share hints and tips, seek advice and share information and resources

Facebook Group – Reaching Families Facebook group is the largest of its kind in West Sussex, an engaging and supportive forum of over 4,500 parent-carers providing hints, tips, discussion and advice on an array of subjects including benefits, education and schools, mental health and wellbeing and specific disabilities.

Our website is currently undergoing essential maintenance over the summer.
Please bear with us whilst we bring our website up to date

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