Child and Adolescent

Mental Health

Service (CAMHS)

Surrey

CAMHS exists to promote emotional well-being and to deliver preventative mental health services and treatment to children and young people with mental health problems.  CAMHS is a partnership between Surrey County Council, Surrey’s Primary Care Trusts, three NHS delivery trusts for mental health and voluntary organisations. 

CAMHS supports teachers, youth workers and people working with young people

• By giving training and advice around how to spot mental health difficulties
• By offering advice about how to create an environment that helps prevent emotional difficulties developing

CAMHS employs specialist mental health workers

• To work with children and young people with mild or moderate mental health difficulties
• And to support their parents and carers

CAMHS works with psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers and community nurses to provide specialist services

• To support children and young people with complex mental health difficulties
• And to support their family and carers

Click here to link to the CAMHS pages on the SurreyCC website or click on the following to go to www.surrey-camhs.org.uk

The Telephone number for the South West Surrey Helpine is 01483 783344

Surrey County

Council Partnership

Services for

Families

Here you can find all sorts of information about the services available in Surrey to help parents and families, including

• information about how you can help support your children
• upcoming events such as courses, workshops and conferences for parents, carers and practitioners
• the Children’s Information Service which provides information, advice and assistance to parents, child protection services. 

Click here for more information.

Partnership withParents

Operating at arm's length from the LEA, PwP:

• aims to ensure that parents are able to play an informed part in any decisions about the educational provision made to meet their child's special educational needs
• aims to build partnerships between parents, the LEA and schools
• provides information, advice and support to parents of children with SEN at all stages of their child's school life, from pre-school early diagnosis through to school-leaving at 16 or 19 and for those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities to 25.

The PwP Service offers:

• a confidential Helpline for parents
• verbal and written information
• help to complete forms and to understand complex documents and reports
• information sessions and conferences for parents' groups
• advocacy and mediation
• training
• advice on rights and responsibilities
• company at meetings or when visiting new schools
• support through the statutory assessment process (statementing)
• volunteers to support parents as required (Independent Parental Supporters)
• regular surgery sessions at different venues in the county
• information about Surrey County Council's procedures for the identification and assessment of SEN
• support through exclusion for parents of children with SEN
• where appropriate referral on to statutory or voluntary organisations working with relevant agencies to support parents who have difficulty accessing services, perhaps because English is an additional language, because of their culture, or because they have learning difficulties themselves

For more information, click on the web address below, or contact PwP on 01737 737300

www.pwpsurrey.org

Surrey County

Council

Special

Educational

Needs

• Provides information about what special educational needs (SEN) are and...
• How the Surrey Children's Service helps children of all ages with special educational needs.

Click here to link to the website for more information.

South East Region

Special Educational Needs

Partnership

(SERSEN)

SERSEN aims to help establish more effective regional co-ordination of special educational provision and services, in particular for low incidence disabilities, in order to:

• ensure the general availability of services and
• ensure the efficient provision of these services
• allow the DfEE to produce and disseminate examples of good practice in developing regional co-ordination

The partnerships will do this by

• developing more inclusive policies and practices
• improving the efficiency and effectiveness of SEN process and services (including benchmarking and parent partnership services)
• responding to, and engaging effectively with, Government initiatives
• improving inter-agency working locally and regionally

For more information go to www.sersen.uk.net

Contact details:  Lesley Johnson, SERSEN Administrator

SERSEN, Surrey County Council Learning & Children's Development,
Policy & Public Affairs Service, County Hall, Room 150,
Penrhyn Road, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT1 2DJ

Office: 020 8541 9048  Fax: 020 8541 9570

Surrey County

Council

Children with Disabilities

Traveller Education Support is a county-wide team which is part of Surrey Children's Service.Its aims are:

• To promote and support the achievement and development of all children and young people from Traveller families
• To ensure that children and young people from Traveller families have equal and unhindered access to education
• To improve the attainment of children and young people from Traveller families, in line with the strategies of the Commission for Racial Equality
• To provide opportunities for lifelong learning for families and children from Traveller communities
• To provide resources to schools and other agencies to enable them to welcome and support children and families from Traveller communities
• To eliminate all forms of discrimination, including race discrimination and prejudice against children and families from Traveller communities
• To ensure that the culture and lifestyle of the Traveller communities is recognised and valued

Click here to for more information, or contact Angela Flanagan or Sue Hurtley on 08456 009 009 Monday to Friday between 8am-6pm, e-mail angela.flanagan@surreycc.gov.uk

at Loseley Fields Primary School

The River Centre is one of eight Specialist Centres attached to a mainstream school, opened in Surrey in September 2004, catering for the education of Key Stage 2 children with learning difficulties.  Key Stage 2 entry into Surrey’s learning difficulty special schools is gradually being phased out allowing for the development of specialisms within those schools.

The first pupils were Year 3 children but gradually the number of children in the centre is increasing and there are places for up to approximately 16 Key Stage 2 pupils, i.e. four pupils in each year group.  Pupils will almost definitely have a Statement of Special Educational Needs and have already received a high level of learning support within their Key Stage 1 settings.

At Loseley Fields Primary School we see the River Centre as a centre for the inclusion of pupils with moderate learning difficulties within a thriving mainstream Primary School.  Pupils who attend the River Centre come from a wider local area than most of the mainstream school children and those eligible are entitled to school transport provided by Surrey County Council.  

For admissions there is an annual countywide panel process to ensure that pupils selected would benefit from the specialist support provided by the Centre and who meet the criteria for admission.  The River Centre staff work as part of the Loseley Fields Primary School team and provide specialist teaching support for the pupils within the Centre as well as learning support within the mainstream school setting.  The Centre pupils all belong to a Year group class and access the National Curriculum as fully as possible.

Overall, we want our River Centre pupils to fulfil their potential intellectually, emotionally, physically and socially – to be independent and enthusiastic learners and to develop a love of learning, regardless of the barriers that stand in their way.

Click here to link to the Loseley Fields school site special needs page for more information - there is also a River Centre page - or contact Mrs Pam Cookney, Specialist Centre Co-ordinator at the school, tel: 01483 416477

It's all about play!

Disability Challengers is a registered charity, established in 1979, dedicated to providing exciting and challenging play and leisure opportunities to disabled children and young people, through play and youth centres in Guilford and Farnham and through a range of community based projects across the county.

Another significant benefit of their service: it provides families with short-breaks during high pressure times e.g. at the weekend or during the school holidays, enabling them to do ‘ordinary’ activities such as shopping or spending time with their other children.

Who do they support?

...any child or young person with any impairment through their Play (age 3 - 13), Youth (age 13 - 18) and Young Adult schemes (age 18-25). There are no geographical boundaries and young people do not have to be on a ‘disability register’ to access our service – if they can’t access mainstream leisure then they can come to a Challengers scheme.

Their facilities are also open to families, special schools, hospitals, children's homes and other organisations.

What do they do?

They offer a wide range of fun activities for children and young people to take part in. The breadth of activities they provide means that they can offer disabled young people something to do and somewhere to go from the age of 4 to 25. Their Play Schemes are typically based around ‘free play’ where they encourage and support children to make free choices about the activities they take part in. Their Youth Schemes are caring, relaxed and friendly places where disabled young people can make friends, try new activities or just hang out.

To find out more visit www.disability-challengers.org

Family Link

(Surrey County Council):

Short breaks for Disabled children

Respite care for children with disabilities

The Family Link Scheme provides disabled children and young people (0-17) with the opportunity to take short breaks from their families. A regular short break can work wonders for the child giving them new experiences and an opportunity to increase their confidence and develop new friendships.

This practical support also enables parents, brothers and sisters to have a bit of time to recharge their batteries - safe in the knowledge that the disabled child is enjoying experiences with different trustworthy people.

If you would like more information, contact the West Surrey Family Link team from Monday to Friday between 9am and 5 pm on 01483 517950

Or click here to link to the Family Link webpages on the Surrey CC website.

For families with disabled children           

Although some disabled children need hospital care, most live at home with a parent or other family member who may not have expected to be in this position but who has quickly had to become an expert.

When parents find out that their child is disabled they feel isolated and alone because usually they don't know anyone else facing the same problems. They want contact with another family who've been through a similar experience; and they want information about their child's disability and information about benefits and services that may be available to them.

Contact a Family is a UK-wide charity providing advice, information and support to the parents of all disabled children and enabling parents to get in contact with other families, both on a local and national basis.

Click below or on the logo (left) to link to their website.

www.cafamily.org.uk

National Strategies: Gifted & Talented Programme

(Department for Children Schools and Families)

The National Strategies Gifted & Talented Programme caters for the needs of gifted and talented learners aged 4 to 19, in all maintained schools and colleges. Whatever your child’s gift or talent, whatever their background, there will be something in the programme for them.

To find out more, click here to link to the Gifted & Talented pages on the National Strategies website.

NAGC is the UK's foremost membership charity that deals with all aspects of giftedness in children. Individuals, parents and organisations are welcome as members.

NAGC strive to support those who are directly involved with gifted children - parents, teachers, schools and medical professionals - as well as advising policy makers at national and local levels.

Click on the link below to find out more

www.nagcbritain.org.uk

Surrey Connexions

Connexions Surrey offers a service for every young person aged 13-19:

• It provides impartial information, advice and guidance when and where you want it by bringing together all the services that help young people.
• It gives every young person access to a Personal Adviser – someone you can trust and who really will help.
• It encourages all young people to stay in learning from 13-19 so they achieve their FULL potential.

No matter what your situation, it can provide private and confidential help and support to every young person who needs it. Here are some of the services offered, but if an issue you want help with isn't on this list, don't worry. Whatever it is, we'll find a way to support and guide you:

• Careers advice and guidance
• Information on employment, education and training opportunities
• Support with applications for jobs, training, Further Education and Higher Education courses
• Bullying
• Problems at home or work
• Health, personal relationships and sexual health
• Drugs, smoking and alcohol
• Housing
• Transport and getting around Surrey
• Money management
• Personal development opportunities, leisure & hobbies and advice on voluntary work opportunities

For adults, there are pages for parents & carers, and links for Connexions Personal Advisers and other professionals.

Click on the link below to get to access this website.

www.connexionssurrey.co.uk

ChildLine

HELP FOR CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS

ChildLine is the free helpline for children and young people in the UK. Children and young people can call ChildLine on 0800 1111 to talk about any problem – counsellors are always there to help you sort it out.

Or click on the link below for more information.

www.childline.org.uk

HELP FOR ADULTS  -  Worried about a child?

If you're worried about a child's safety or welfare or if you need help or advice, ring the NSPCC Child Protection Helpline on 0808 800 5000

This is a free 24 hour service which provides counselling, information and advice to anyone concerned about a child at risk of abuse.

Help by email, with response within 24 hours: email help@nspcc.org.uk

www.nspcc.org.uk

relateen

a listening

service for

11-21

year olds,

provided by

relate

West Surrey

Help is on hand for young people to feel heard. They have time with someone impartial to discuss the way they are feeling and help to develop coping strategies and to develop their self-confidence.

Last year, relateen's specially trained practitioners provided over 300 hours of counselling and the number of young people accessing this service continues to grow. There is no charge for this service, although donations are welcome and a contribution is asked from anyone over the age of 18 and in full-time employment.

www.relatewestsurrey.org.uk/services-relateen.htm

Skillway

(Godalming)

Skillway aims to work with pupils identified by their schools who find it difficult to work successfully in the traditional school environment. By teaching students manual skills and crafts in small groups Skillway sets out to boost confidence and self-esteem for these young adults.

Students, aged between 14 and 16, come to workshops where tutors work with them to develop at least two different skills and establish a genuine record of success and achievement. Accreditation is offered in a number of different activities with the Open College Network.

Skillway has the support of its eight feeder schools and referral centres and has received national praise and attention from the press and government.

Administration Office: Skillway, Crown Court, Godalming, Surrey GU7 1DY

Telephone: 01483 239 969, E-Mail: office@skillway.org.uk

Workshop (Manager: Greg Bleach): The Old Chapels, Deanery Road, Godalming
Surrey GU7 2HP, Telephone: 01483 414081, E-Mail: skillwayworkshop@talktalk.net

Thinkuknow.co.uk

Childnet

International

ADDRESSING INTERNET SAFETY

Childnet International works in partnership with others around the world to help make the Internet a great and safe place for children. Taking a balanced approach, they seek to promote the positive and highlight the creative and inspiring ways children and young people are using the medium for good, whilst also responding to the negative aspects and dangers for children.

Childnet works in 3 main areas:

• Access and Promoting Quality Content
• Awareness and Advice
• Protection & Policy

Click on the Childnet International 'Button' on the left to link to this site.

www.childnet-int.org

Beat Bullying - shaping attitudes, changing behaviours

Providing children, young people, parents and professionals those all important opportunities to make positive and lasting changes to their lives and outlook, in particular, those so deeply affected by bullying that they can barely face going to school that next morning.

Visit www.beatbullying.org.uk or cybermentors.org.uk for more help and information

The Anti-Bullying Alliance was founded by NSPCC and National Children's Bureau (NCB) in 2002.  It is hosted and supported by NCB.  The Alliance brings together over 60 organisations into one network with the aim of reducing bullying and creating safer environments in which children and young people can live, grow, play and learn.

The page headed Children provides many useful links to services which might help if a child is being bullied.  The page headed Links also provides lots of useful links for children, parents, carers and teachers.

Click below for the Anti-Bullying Alliance website:

www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk

Youngminds

One in ten teenagers find that those feelings get so bad that they want extra help from someone.

Sometimes children feel all those things, but can feel better by helping themselves or talking to someone.

Young minds is a national charity committed to improving the mental health of all children and young people, giving advice, training, campaigning and distributing publications.

Click on the link below to link to this website

www.youngminds.org.uk

Pages for Young People covering all sorts of topics, including:

• Health and Relationships
• Money
• Learning
• Work and Careers
• Leisure
• Travel
• Crime and Justice
• Young Disabled People
• and more...

Click on the link to the left for more information.