Parent support groups and services
If your child has special needs, support groups and charities can help you.
Local charities
- For us Too - Canterbury, Swale, and Thanet
- Includes Us 2 - Ashford, Dover, Folkestone, and Hythe
- Space 2 Be Me - Maidstone, Tonbridge and Malling, and Tunbridge Wells
- We are Beams - Dartford, Gravesham, and Sevenoaks.
You can also find support groups on our community directory for:
Our support services
For early years
- Early Help support. Find local services supporting children with educational, social, and emotional needs.
- Family Hubs. Meet other parents, have fun or get information, advice, and support
- Health Visiting Service. Get under 5 specialist help from community public health nurses.
- Kent Children and Families Information Service (CFIS). CFIS give impartial childcare advice, as well as helping you find childcare.
- Portage. Work with you and help your child to grow through play activities.
- Pregnancy and the first two years. Get help and advice on pregnancy, birth, childcare and looking after your little one.
For children and young people
- Kent Resilience Hub resources. Find resources to help your child grow up and understand their behaviour.
- MASHs centres. A centre giving you the opportunity to see members from health, social care, education, and voluntary services.
- Short breaks. A positive, fun activity for disabled children (0 to 18) to take part in. Short breaks can be anything from an after school activity or weekend club to an overnight stay.
- Support for carers. Discover help and support if you regularly care for another person.
Independent impartial support
- Kent Parent and Carer Together (PACT). A parent carer forum for parents of children and young people with disabilities. Join their forum to help get your voice heard and meet other parents.
- Information, Advice and Support Kent (IASK). A free, confidential and impartial service based in Kent to support you and your family. IASK also offer parent workshops and local events.