A carer is someone who looks after a relative or friend who is frail, disabled or ill
Southwark Carers
Cambridge House
131 Camberwell Rd
London
SE5 0HF
T: 020 7708 4497
Parent Carers
Parent Carer is the term professionals use for anyone who looks after a child with special needs, whether it be a learning disability, physical disability, behavioural problem or other medical condition. Often this person will be the child’s mother or father, but it could be another relative or foster parent. Parents who look after their adult son or daughter may also be referred to as parent carers.
If your child has special needs, you will think of yourself as a parent first and foremost. However, by identifying yourself as a carer you may be able to access some of the specialist services outlined below.
Health and social services
A GP or health visitor is usually the first point of contact when you have concerns about your child’s health. The doctor or health visitor can make a referral to a paediatrician or other health professional.
Once your child has been properly assessed, the appropriate treatments or services for your child will be arranged. Services designed to help you, as a parent carer, are provided following a carers assessment.
If you need advice on any health issue you can contact NHS Direct. They can deal with urgent and non-urgent queries and give free, confidential advice on medical conditions and issues relating to the health service, both locally and nationally.
Education
Around one in five children will have special educational needs at some time in their school lives. These children can often be successfully accommodated in mainstream schools, with additional support. Those children whose needs can only be met in a special school should have the opportunity of links with a mainstream school, to experience being with all their peers in a social or curricular setting.
Links
Contact a Family gives support and advice to parent carers whatever the medical condition of their child. They have a national Helpline and their branch in Southwark is a good contact point for services and other organisations locally.
The following organisations provide services to people with learning disabilities and their carers.
For carers of children with learning disabilities, Mencap is a national charity which provides information, advice and support.
Information is also available from BILD (British Institute of Learning Disabilities).
Only Connect is a local organisation offering respite care, playschemes and other activities. Telephone: 020 7701 0769.
Choice Support runs a variety of services for people with learning disabilities.
Advocacy, advice and information for people with learning difficulties in Southwark is available from the Camberwell Advocacy Project. Telephone: 020 7708 1408.
Toucan Employment is a supported employment service which brings together local employers and jobseekers with a learning disability. Telephone: 020 7582 5981.
Network 81 is a national network of parents working towards properly resourced inclusive education for children with special needs.
NASEN - National Association for Special Education Needs - works to advance the education of those with special needs. They can provide information on recent research on special education needs in the UK.
The National Electronic Library for Learning Disabilities aims to give access to best current knowledge in relation to services for people with a learning disability. Although designed for professionals it contains information which carers may find useful.
The advice sections are currently under development and being added to regularly.
If you can't find the information you need, or have any comments or queries please contact us
Southwark Carers is incorporated as a non-profit making company limited by guarantee number 4146495. Charity number 1085300.