There are many services and support options for parents and carers of autistic children in Bristol, South Gloucestershire, BaNES and North Somerset. We’ve compiled this list to help you find support quickly.
Bristol
Bristol Autism Support
We provide a wide range of support for parents and carers of autistic children living in BS postcodes. We are the only charity providing autism-specific support in the area.
Click here to learn about all of our support options
Helpline: 07835 727394
Email: enquiries@bristolautismsupport.org
Autism Independence
Supporting mainly Somali families and those from ethnic minority backgrounds to navigate the world of autism support.
Click to visit their Facebook page
Bristol (and Surrounding Local Authorities) EHCP experiences
Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) Peer to peer parent support group on Facebook.
Click to visit group
Bristol Black Carers
Support and assistance for Caribbean, African and Asian Carers in Bristol.
Telephone: 01173790084 Email: admin@bristolblackcarers.org.uk
Bristol Parent Carers
For families with children and young adults with disabilities and special needs. Their goal is to work in partnership with authorities in Bristol to shape the services provided for our children and ourselves. They run several support groups; see their website for details.
Address: The Phoenix Enterprise Centre, Russell Town Avenue, Easton, Bristol BS5 9LT
Telephone: 0117 9396645 ext 204
Click to visit website
Bristol Somali Resource Centre
Provides free and impartial information, advice and guidance on a range of issues including welfare, housing, schools and employment.
Email: info@somalicentre.co.uk
Telephone: 0117 907 7994
Carer’s Support Centre
General support for carers, including practical and emotional support, support to complete parent carer assessments, advice, information and signposting. They help to run support groups for parent carers.
Helpline: 01179 965220
Click here for contact form
Click to visit website
Disabled Children’s Team
The Disabled Children Service provides a range of assessments and services for children with disabilities. These include support for you and your family, short breaks, occupational therapy assessments and more.
Address: Knowle West Health Park
Telephone: 0117 903 8250
Click to visit website
FLORA Team
The FLORA team provide information and advice for children and young people with additional needs and their parents and carers. For more information, email flora@bristol.gov.uk or ring 0117 352 6020. (Bristol families only.)
Khaas
Khaas provides services to children with special needs, their siblings and their families from ethnic minority backgrounds.
Telephone: 0117 955 4070
Email: khaas_bristol@yahoo.co.uk
Click to visit website
Murmuration Community Therapy
SEND Parent Nurture Groups
Click to visit website
SAY – SEND and You
SAY (previously Supportive Parents) are what is called a SENDIAS – Special Education Needs Disability Independent Advice and Support – service. They mainly deal with education issues. In Bristol, they offer support through Bristol Parent Carers (see above).
Helpline: 01179 897725
Click to visit website
South Gloucestershire
Incredible Kids
IK run wonderful play sessions for children with disabilities from their current location in Kingswood. Alongside their play offering, staff are extremely knowledgeable and can support parents with a wide range of issues.
Click here to visit their website
Jigsaw Thornbury
Jigsaw is a wonderful charity that provides regular activities such as a lending library, support groups and holiday parties. They also run bookable events in the holidays and after school.
Telephone: 01454 416381
Click here to visit website
National Autistic Society South Glos Branch
NAS South Glos runs support groups for parents and carers and a wide range of excellent activities for children and young people.
Click here to visit their website
South Glos Parents and Carers (SGPC)
SGPC helps to improve services for our children and families living in South Gloucestershire. They provide informal support for parents and carers who have a child with any Special Educational Need and Disability (SEND) from physical disabilities to social communication, anxiety to learning disabilities, etc.
Telephone: 01454 501009
Click to visit website
SAY – SEND and You
SAY (previously Supportive Parents) are what is called a SENDIAS – Special Education Needs Disability Independent Advice and Support – service. They mainly deal with education issues.
Helpline: 01179 897725
Click to visit website
Carer’s Support Centre
General support for carers, including practical and emotional support, support to complete parent carer assessments, advice, information and signposting. They help to run support groups for parent carers.
Helpline: 01179 965220
Click here for contact form
Click to visit website
Bath and North East Somerset
Butterflies Haven
Butterflies Haven offers support for parents and carers of children and young autistic people, with or without a diagnosis. They run various activities for both children and parents, offering practical and emotional support.
Telephone: 07510 075737
Email: info@butterflies.haven.com
FACES
FACES is a support group for families of autistic children. They run a weekly support / social group at the Percy Centre.
Email: info@facesautismsupport.org.uk
Click here to visit their website
North Somerset
Bridging the Gap Together
Offers parent/carer information sessions and activities for disabled children and young people in North Somerset.
Click here to visit website
For Parents by Parent Autism Support Group
This is a Facebook-run NAS Weston group that also has coffee mornings.
Click here to visit group
North Somerset Autism Support Group
Online support group for parents and carers.
Click here to visit group
SAY – SEND and You
SAY (previously Supportive Parents) are what is called a SENDIAS – Special Education Needs Disability Independent Advice and Support – service. They mainly deal with education issues. In Bristol, they offer support through Bristol Parent Carers (see above).
Helpline: 01179 897725
Click to visit website
North Somerset Parent Carers Working Together
NSPCWT helps to improve services for our children and families living in North Somerset. They provide informal support for parents and carers who have a child with any Special Educational Need and Disability (SEND) from physical disabilities to social communication, anxiety to learning disabilities, etc.
Telephone: 07434 678832
Click here to learn more
Springboard Opportunity Group
Springboard is essentially a childcare provider for children with additional needs aged 0-5. They also provide a great deal of parent/carer support.
Email: info@springboardweb.org.uk
Click here to visit website
