Family Advice and Support team

Our  Family Advice and Support team works with disabled children, young people and their families. The team includes  Pass it on Parents, Family Advice Workers and project workers working together to provide co-ordinated support for families.

We are currently funded to work with families who live in Newcastle upon Tyne.

What the Family Advice and Support Team can do for you:

• Do you live in Newcastle?
• Do you have a child or young person with a disability or special needs?

Our Family Advice and Support team (FAS) work with parents and carers of disabled children and young people up to the age of 25 years to provide co-ordinated support.

What the Family Advice and Support Team can do for you:

Information Advice and Support

The team provides information and advice on a range of issues, from helping you to navigate your way around the Local Offer, connecting you with other services, to offering advice on a range of specific issues such as transport, holidays, activities and planning for adulthood.

We can offer you practical information and advice, appropriate to your circumstances and we work across all agencies such as education, social care, health, benefits, leisure and voluntary services.

We can support you in meetings in school and help with Parental Views in the Education Health & Care Plan Assessment process. Our Information Advice and Guidance service will work with you to see if you need more in depth support such as supporting you at Early Help meetings.

In Depth Casework

We can offer in depth advice and support for parents/carers tailored to your individual family’s needs, working with other agencies towards positive outcomes for your family. This support is usually more longer term, and is not time limited, but considers your family’s situation.

For example we can help families prepare for meetings so that the views of parents, children and young people are heard.

Grant Funding Applications

We can provide help and guidance on completing grant funding application forms for items or activities which will help your family or child/young person. (This is often dependent on family income).

Coffee Morning / Drop ins

Come and meet other parent/carers and find out what works for them. Speak to our team face to face to help you get information relevant to your family.

Due to the current restrictions we are not holding in person coffee mornings. Join our Pass it on Parents facebook group to find out about our online coffee mornings.

Workshops / Training

We run workshops and events based on feedback from parents on a variety of topics including “How to use Newcastle Local Offer website” and “Preparing for Adulthood” – preparing parents for when their young person moves from children’s to adult services.

Social Media

Our social media allows you to keep up to date with news and local activities for you and your family.  You can connect with other parents/carers to help each other.

Facebook: Family Advice and Support at Skills for People

This open page provides information on leisure activities, news stories, research projects, details of training events and advice for parents.

Facebook: Pass it on Parents Newcastle

This closed group is for local parents of disabled children and young people.  Once you join you can ask other parents about problems you are having and where to get help and share your experiences with one another. This page also provides information on activities happening locally including coffee mornings and drop in events.

Twitter: @Passitonparents

This twitter feed has information for parents on local activities, campaigns, news stories, support groups etc.