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Local SEND information and advice

Browse local services, community groups, carers’ resources and family support across Torbay.

  • Bay Benefits

    Sevice offered by Carers Aid Torbay to unpaid carers and their families. Their entitlements advisor will work through the benefits process with unpaid carers.

    Details

    The service aims to support unpaid carers to fill in benefits  forms such as:

    • Carers Allowance
    • Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
    • Attendance Allowance
    • Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
    • Universal Credit
    • Disability Living Allowance
    • Blue Badge applications

    If applications for benefits are turned down, they can also help guide you through the appeal process.

    How to access

    Call the Bay Benefits line to arrange an appointment with an entitlement adviser.

    A referral form is also available from the website.

    The service gets very busy so please contact them for an appointment in good time. If you leave it to the last minute they may not be able to support you.

    Opening hours

    Tuesday and Thursday, 9am to 3.30pm.

    Areas covered

    Torbay.

    Contact

    Phone: 07530 790354
    Address: Carers Aid Torbay, The Olive Carers Centre, St Edmunds, Victoria Park Road, Torquay TQ1 3QH
    Website: Bay Benefits

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  • Carers Aid Torbay

    Free practical and emotional support for unpaid Carers in Torbay. Includes advocacy, wellbeing checks, action planning, information, training and help to access services.

    Details

    Carers Aid Torbay helps unpaid Carers manage the pressures of their caring role.

    The Enabling Service listens to Carers’ concerns and helps them decide what support they need. Staff can agree an action plan and help carers move forward at their own pace.

    Support can include:

    • advocacy and support at meetings
    • Carer’s health and wellbeing checks
    • emotional and practical support
    • events, workshops and support groups
    • training
    • entitlements and benefits

    Eligibility

    The service supports unpaid Carers who live in Torbay.

    How to access

    Carers can contact Carers Aid Torbay directly or download a referral form from their website.

    Opening hours

    The Enabling Service is open:

    • Monday, 9am to 4pm
    • Wednesday, 9am to 4pm
    • Friday, 9am to 1pm

    Opening times may change. Contact the service before visiting.

    Areas covered

    Torbay.

    Cost

    Free.

    Contact

    Phone: 01803 323510
    Address: Carers Aid Torbay, The Olive Carers Centre, St Edmunds, Victoria Park Road, Torquay TQ1 3QH
    Website: Carers Aid Torbay

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  • Devon in Sight

    Free support for anyone affected by sight loss across Devon. It helps people access advice, equipment, training and wellbeing support.

    Details

    Support includes:

    • confidential information and advice
    • information about sight conditions
    • advice about services and equipment
    • independent living support
    • assistive technology
    • daily living equipment
    • training to maintain independence
    • emotional support
    • health and wellbeing support
    • telephone groups and seminars
    • employment support
    • home safety checks
    • events for people affected by sight loss

    Age

    People of all ages affected by sight loss.

    The service also supports family members, friends and carers.

    Eligibility

    The service supports anyone affected by sight loss across Devon.

    How to access

    Contact Devon in Sight by phone, email, WhatsApp or through its online contact form.

    Opening hours

    The helpline is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 2pm.

    Opening hours may change.

    Needs supported

    • Blind and partially sighted

    Areas covered

    Devon.

    Cost

    Support and guidance are free. Some events and services may have separate arrangements. Ask Devon in Sight for details.

    Contact

    Email: info@devoninsight.org.uk
    Phone: 01392 876666
    Address: Devon in Sight, Splatford Barton, Kennford, Exeter EX6 7XY
    Website: Devon in Sight

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  • Dimensions for Autism (DFA)

    A not-for-profit organisation run by and for adults who have an Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) without a learning disability in Devon

    Details

    Dimensions for Autism offers:

    • In-person support groups across Devon, including Torbay, Exeter, Newton Abbot and Barnstaple
    • Online support groups and discussion sessions through Discord
    • An online community for Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) adults without a learning disability who cannot attend in-person groups
    • Monthly community outings and social activities
    • Peer support from other ASC adults
    • Information and advice about autism and local support
    • Support for people who are newly diagnosed
    • A women’s group for ASC women without a learning disability
    • An LGBTQ+ group for ASC adults without a learning disability
    • A young adults’ group for ASC people aged 18 and over without a learning disability
    • Information about the Devon and Cornwall Autism Card

    The organisation provides opportunities to meet other autistic adults, reduce isolation and share experiences in a supportive environment.

    Age

    Adults aged 18 and over.

    Eligibility

    Open to adults living in Devon who have an Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) without a learning disability.

    How to access

    Visit the website to find information about local groups, events and support opportunities.

    Needs supported

    • Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) without a learning disability

    Area covered

    Devon.

    Cost

    There is no charge to attend Dimensions for Autism groups.

    For some venue-based meetings, voluntary contributions are welcomed to help cover venue and refreshment costs.

    Contact

    Email: trishdarke.dimensionsforautism@gmail.com

    Facebook: Dimensions for Autism | Facebook

    Online group chat using the Discord platform

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  • Family Help

    Family Help offers universal and targeted services to children, young people and their families.

    Details

    Our Family Help service is available to children and their families and is made up of two types of services that combine to form Torbay’s Early Help offer. These are universal services and targeted services.

    • Universal services include: Post-16 education, schools, early years settings, housing and finance advice and support, family hubs, children’s centres and youth centres, GP surgeries, libraries, maternity services, specialist public health or community nurses and community connectors
    • Targeted services include: Early Help Panel, Family support, health professionals, mental health services, special education needs support services, jobcentre plus, school attendance and exclusion support, domestic abuse services, alternative provision, housing services, police, substance misuse services and targeted youth services.

    Register and complete an Early Help assessment on the children’s portal

    Our Family Help universal offer covers an range of services which are available to all children and families.

    • Housing and cost of living surgeries
    • Youth Homeless Prevention Service
    • Family Group Conference
    • Parenting drop-ins
    • Parenting Teens Group
    • Reducing Parental Conflict/EPIC partnership for whole family support
    • Youth Service

    Visit the family help topic for more information and contact details.

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  • Family Intervention Team (FIT) for Early Help

    The Family Intervention Team offer focused family support to families with complex needs through targeted support. We work flexibly and creatively with parents and their children in their homes and in groups, to increase the skills, confidence and abilities of…

    Details

    The Family Intervention Team offer focused family support to families with complex needs through targeted support. We work flexibly and creatively with parents and their children in their homes and in groups, to increase the skills, confidence and abilities of all family members to live their daily lives in a positive and safe way.   

    Details

    What happens at an Early Help Assessment

    A FIT worker will meet with you and your family to understand:

    • what is happening at the moment
    • what is going well
    • what you would like to change.

    FIT workers will listen to all members of the family to make sure that everyone has a voice.

    Support offered by the FIT team

    • Team Around the Family (TAF): Bring together professionals that are working with you and your family. We will make a plan together to help you achieve your goals.
    • Parenting support – FIT workers can deliver parenting support (Solihull parenting programme) for up to 8 weeks giving you strategies and support as your child grow and develops.
    • FIT workers can give advice and signposting to relevant support services including: housing, finance/ benefits support, mental health services, community services / hubs and youth services.
    • FIT workers will support you & your family for up to 16 weeks

    Contact

    Email:  earlyhelp@torbay.gov.uk
    Phone: 01803 208100

    Go to the SEND directory main menu

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  • Healthwatch Torbay

    Healthwatch Torbay is an independent champion for people who use health and social care services. It gathers local experiences and uses them to help improve services. It also provides information about accessing local support. Details Their work covers all areas of health…

    Details

    Healthwatch Torbay is an independent champion for people who use health and social care services. It gathers local experiences and uses them to help improve services. It also provides information about accessing local support.

    Details

    Their work covers all areas of health and adult social care. This includes GPs, hospitals, dentists, care homes, pharmacies, opticians and more.

    Healthwatch Torbay listens to people’s experiences of health and social care services. People can share positive experiences or explain what could improve. They use this information to identify common issues and areas for improvement. It shares findings with organisations that plan and provide local services.

    Healthwatch also:

    • provides information about local health and social care services
    • publishes news, reports and advice
    • visits local communities to gather feedback
    • seeks views from people who services may not usually hear
    • runs events and community engagement activities
    • offers an Easy Read feedback survey

    People can share their own experience or provide feedback for someone else. They should have permission before sharing identifiable information about another person.

    Age

    People of all ages who use health and social care services in Torbay.

    Parents, carers, relatives and advocates can also share feedback.

    Eligibility

    Open to anyone who wants to share an experience of a health or social care service in Torbay.

    How to access

    Contact Healthwatch Torbay by phone or email.

    People can also:

    • complete the online feedback survey
    • use the Easy Read survey
    • attend a local event
    • speak to the team during community engagement activities

    People can share feedback without giving their full name or contact details.

    Opening hours

    The freephone line is open Monday to Thursday, 10am to 4pm.

    Areas covered

    Torbay, including Torquay, Paignton and Brixham.

    Cost

    Free.

    Contact

    Email: info@hwdpt.org
    Freephone: 0800 520 0640
    Address: Freepost-RTCG-TRXX-ZZKJ, Paignton Library and Information Centre, Great Western Road, Paignton TQ4 5AG
    Website: Healthwatch Torbay

    Go to the SEND directory main menu

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  • SEND Family Voice Torbay (SFVT) – Parent Carer Forum

    SEND Family Voice Torbay is an independent Parent Carer Forum recognised by the Department of Education.  We are a small, independent, passionate group of volunteers, dedicated to listening and responding positively to the views of parents and carers of SEND…

    Details

    SEND Family Voice Torbay is an independent Parent Carer Forum recognised by the Department of Education. 

    We are a small, independent, passionate group of volunteers, dedicated to listening and responding positively to the views of parents and carers of SEND children and young people.  Our aim is to make life just that little bit easier by providing mutual support and exchanging information through to influencing policy and practice. We receive an annual grant from the Department for Education, to strengthen and sustain parent carer participation.

    SEND Family Voice Torbay work with Torbay Council, the local NHS and other partners to help bring about improvements in SEND services and say hearing from local families vital.

    We want to listen to and respond to the needs of parents for our SEND children and young people helping them access services and co-produce a positive change in the planning, commissioning, delivery and review of services. Championing the voice of parents and carers and ensure that the voice of lived experience is heard at every level. This means your voice!

    We aim to use our collective voice for change by working co-productively with Torbay Council and other agencies to improve communication and remove barriers for the benefit of SEND families in Torbay. We are welcoming being part of the National Network of Parent Carer Forums, which brings together over 150 parent carer forums in England. Together, these local forums reach over 80,000 families.

    Contact Details

    Facebook: SEND Family Voice Torbay | Paignton | Facebook

    Email: admin@familyvoicetorbay.onmicrosoft.com

    Website: Family Voice Torbay

    Office: Parkfield House, Paignton.

    Go to the SEND directory main menu

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  • SENDIASS Torbay (Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities, Information, Advice and Support Service)

    We provide impartial information, advice and support to parents/carers & children/young people in relation to special educational needs and/or disability issues for children/young people aged 0-25.  Working across education, health and social care our officers provide confidential and impartial advice,…

    Details

    We provide impartial information, advice and support to parents/carers & children/young people in relation to special educational needs and/or disability issues for children/young people aged 0-25. 

    Working across education, health and social care our officers provide confidential and impartial advice, as well as ensuring that parents and carers’ views are heard and understood and that they understand their rights, roles and responsibilities.

    SENDIASS Torbay supports parents through a range of ways including phone or email contact and face to face meetings. We have recently started running coffee mornings for Parents to be able to share thier experience and learning with each other and gain new information from us and other professional invited speakers. (Please see the flyer, attached within the downloads section on the right hand side of this webpage, for more information including dates, times and venues)

    We also provide a signposting service to direct parents and carers towards the organisations that is best suited to help them, ensuring that they are empowered to make informed decisions about their child’s future.

    SENDIASS Torbay can support parents and carers and children or young people in any of the following areas:

    • Preparing for and  attending meetings with schools, local authorities and other professionals
    • We have a confidential telephone helpline, with answering service in case we are unable to answer your call first time. We aim to return all messages within 2 working days.
    • Helping to write official letters and complete forms
    • Explaining the meaning of official documents
    • Assisting in the statutory assessment process
    • Referral to the correct organisation or contact

    We can provide advice on

    • The Special Educational Needs (SEN) systems and processes
    • SEN provision in schools
    • The statutory assessment process
    • Education and Health Care Plans
    • Annual reviews
    • Transitions
    • Transport
    • Specialist provision/support services
    •  Appeals to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (SENDIST)
    •  Disagreement resolution services
    •  Local policies
    •  SEN code of practice

    Any service provided by SENDIASS ensures complete confidentiality for each individual case, we only take direct referrals from parents/carers & children/young people, or from a professional on thier behalf. We only make contact with a parent/carer or child/young person if it has been agreed that we can do so, and we have a dedicated confidential enquiry line. We can and will liase with other professionals on your behalf, with prior written consent. Contact us to find out more about how you can get involved.

    SENDIASS-trifold-leaflet-updated-09-11-2023Download

    Contact:

    Phone: 01803 207884 (inquiry line open 10am – 2pm Mon – Fri and 24 hour answerphone facility)

    Email: sendiass@torbay.gov.uk

    Sendiass Torbay | Torquay | Facebook

    Website: Sendiass Torbay | Torbay

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    SENDiASS logo

  • Support for unpaid Carers

    Free advice and support for unpaid Carers through their GP surgery and Torbay Carers Service, including health and wellbeing checks, emotional support and training.

    Details

    .An unpaid Carer supports a relative, friend or neighbour who could not manage without their help.

    This support may include:

    • shopping or preparing meals
    • attending appointments
    • helping with personal care
    • providing emotional support
    • checking that the person is safe

    Carer Support Workers work with GP surgeries across Torbay. They can discuss how caring affects the Carer’s health, wellbeing and daily life.

    Support may include:

    • a Carer’s health and wellbeing check
    • information about local services
    • practical and emotional support
    • help to plan for emergencies
    • support to take a break from caring
    • Carers’ groups and activities
    • courses about caring, health and wellbeing
    • advice about work, education, training or volunteering
    • help to access a carer’s assessment
    • advice about benefits and financial support
    • support to join Torbay Carers and get a Carer Passport

    Eligibility

    The service supports unpaid Carers who care for someone living in Torbay.

    How to access

    Contact the Carer Support Worker at your GP surgery. See their contact list for details and opening times

    Carers can also contact Signposts for Carers. The service provides confidential information, advice and help to find suitable support.

    Opening hours

    The Signposts for Carers advice line is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

    Carer Support Worker availability varies between GP surgeries.

    Areas covered

    Torbay.

    Cost

    Free.

    Contact

    Signposts for Carers

    Email: signposts@nhs.net
    Phone:01803 666620
    Address: Torbay Carers Service, Paignton Library, Paignton TQ4 5AG
    Website: https://www.torbayandsouthdevon.nhs.uk/services/carers-service/

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    NHS Perinatal and Infant Mental Health

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Date- 10/8/2023

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