Three Rivers Federation Signposting: free information and support for Devon families.

              

WHERE SHOULD I START?

Quick guide

Routines, behaviour or family life: Devon Family Hubs

Support for you as a parent or carer: Parental Minds

Health, sleep, eating or toileting including for neurodiversity: Public Health Nursing / School Nursing

NHS videos, practical strategies or specialist pathways: Children and Family Health Devon (CFHD)

Independent advice about SEND or school processes: Devon Information, Advice and Support (DiAS)

Money, benefits, debt or household costs: Citizens Advice Exeter and Quids for Kids

Child’s anxiety, low mood or emotional wellbeing: Mental Health Support Team

Not sure where to begin:  Devon's Local offer or speak to your child’s class teacher or the school SENCO

 

We are struggling with routines, behaviour or family life

Devon Family Hubs

Family Hubs are a useful first place to contact if home life is becoming difficult or you are unsure which service may help. They support families with children aged 0-19, and up to 25 for young people with SEND or care experience, by linking families with local health, education, community and family support.

Examples of support

• parenting support and practical ideas for home
• help with family relationships or parental conflict
• support to find suitable local services, groups or activities
• guidance where behaviour, emotions or routines at home are becoming difficult
• free online Togetherness courses, including additional needs, behaviour, sleep and managing emotions

Information line: 0800 538 5458, Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm

Exeter Family Hub: Chestnut Nursery School, 3 Magnolia Avenue, Exeter, EX2 6DJ

Website: Contact Devon Family Hubs

Free courses: Togetherness courses for Devon families

Togetherness registration normally requires a Devon postcode and the access code TAMAR.

I am finding it difficult as a parent/carer and need support for me

Parental Minds

Parental Minds is predominantly there to support the parent, carer or other adult who is supporting a child with emotional wellbeing or mental-health difficulties. It offers a listening ear, practical guidance, hope and family-informed resources.

Examples of support

• feeling overwhelmed while supporting your child
• wanting guidance about how to respond to worries, distress or emotional difficulties
• needing reassurance and support for your own wellbeing as a parent/carer
• finding it difficult to navigate help for your child

Website: Parental Minds

This support is for you as the parent/carer. You do not have to manage alone while supporting your child.

 

I am worried about my child’s health, wellbeing, sleep or eating (including for neurodiversity)

Public Health Nursing / School Nursing

Devon School Nurses provide health information, advice and support for children who live in Devon or attend a Devon school. Families can contact the service directly without a referral. The team can offer advice, arrange confidential appointments where appropriate and signpost to other services.

Examples of support

• healthy eating, physical activity, growth, body shape or size
• sleep routines
• bladder, bowel and toileting concerns
• worries about physical or emotional health
• stress at school or at home, friendships and bullying
• managing a health condition and helping a child access education
• health-related barriers that may be affecting attendance
• advice and signposting where neurodiversity-related needs affect health, wellbeing or access to education

Exeter Public Health Nursing Hub: 0333 234 1902 | exeterphnhub@devon.gov.uk

Eastern Public Health Nursing Hub: 0333 234 1903 | easternphnhub@devon.gov.uk

ChatHealth for parents and carers: Text 07520 631721, Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm, excluding bank holidays

Website: Devon School Nursing Service

Find the correct team: Find your Devon School Nurse

Both hub contacts are included because the school communities sit within the Exeter/East Devon area. Use the “Find your Devon School Nurse” page if you are unsure which team to contact.

I want NHS information, videos and practical strategies, or my child may need specialist health support or an assessment

Children and Family Health Devon (CFHD)

CFHD provides NHS care across children’s physical health, development and mental health. Its website is also a useful self-help portal. Families can use its information, videos, tools and tips before a referral, while waiting, or simply to find practical ways to support their child without the need for diagnosis at all.

Examples of support

• Speech, Language and Communication: speech sounds, language development, social communication, stammering and related needs – including drop-in clinics for under 5s
• Physical and Sensory: developmental delay, movement and sensory needs, neurodisability, pain or fatigue, and eating or drinking difficulties
• Neurodiversity: autism assessment information, resources and quick-read guides
• Mood, Emotions and Relationships: information about anxiety, low mood, emotional regulation, trauma and relationship difficulties
• Specialist Learning Disability, Early Child Development, Community Children’s Nursing and Eating Disorder pathways
• self-help resources on behaviour, anxiety, sensory processing, communication, toileting and mealtimes

Single Point of Access: 0330 0245 321 | CFHD.DevonSPA@nhs.net

Main website: Children and Family Health Devon

Pathways: View all CFHD pathways

Family resources: CFHD online tools and resources

Using the resources does not commit a family to making a referral. Access to specialist care is subject to referral criteria and clinical triage.

 

My child is on the Neurodiversity Pathway and we need advice now

CFHD Neurodiversity Pathway Advice Line

The published CFHD page describes a free, confidential advice line for children, young people and families on the Neurodiversity Pathways in Devon and Plymouth.

Examples of support

• anxiety, diet and sleep
• friendships and school difficulties
• practical support strategies – including in the home environment
• linking with other teams and local services

Telephone: 01752 435404, Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm

Website: Neurodiversity Pathway Advice Line

Pathway information: CFHD Neurodiversity Pathway

We are unsure if they also support children who are below the age thresholds for diagnosis via the ADHD and ASD pathways.  Services can change, so please check the linked page before calling.

I need independent advice about SEND

Devon Information, Advice and Support (DiAS)

DiAS provides free, impartial information, advice and support about SEND to children and young people and their parents/carers. Families can contact DiAS with or without a diagnosis.

Examples of support

• understanding SEN Support and the graduated approach used to assess, plan, provide and review help
• working with school and preparing for meetings
• Education, Health and Care needs assessments and EHCPs
• attendance, suspension or exclusion where SEND may be relevant
• understanding rights, options and next steps across education, health or social care

Enquiry line: 01392 383080. Current opening hours vary by day; messages can be left outside opening hours.

Contact and opening hours: Contact DiAS

Information for families: DiAS parent and carer information

 

We are worried about money, benefits or household costs

Citizens Advice Exeter and Quids for Kids

Financial pressure can affect the whole family. Citizens Advice provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice. Citizens Advice Devon also runs Quids for Kids, a specialist project for families with children who have additional needs, care leavers, young homeless people and foster parents.

Examples of support

• checking benefits and other financial entitlements
• help with benefit claims and income maximisation
• debt, budgeting and financial advice
• housing and household-cost advice
• support with energy bills
• Quids for Kids specialist benefits advice for families of children with additional needs

Citizens Advice Exeter: 0808 278 7845

Citizens Advice Exeter: Get local advice and check opening times

Quids for Kids: Citizens Advice Devon projects and referral information

Exeter City Council: Cost of living, benefits and financial help

Quids for Kids is particularly relevant where a child has additional needs and the family wants to check whether they are receiving all the financial support to which they may be entitled.

I am worried about my child’s anxiety, low mood or emotional wellbeing

Mental Health Support Team in Schools (MHST) - information only

MHSTs provide early help for mild-to-moderate mental-health needs in participating schools. Clyst St Mary and Stoke Canon Primary Schools do not currently have access to an MHST, so families should not rely on this as a local referral route.  However, there are some useful information and links on their website for all.

Examples of support

• The public CFHD pages include useful videos and resources about worry, low mood, helpful routines and parent-led approaches.
• For current support, start with school, Parental Minds, CFHD resources, the School Nursing Service or your General Practitioner (GP), depending on the concern.

Information and resources: CFHD Mental Health Support Team information

Mental-health resources: CFHD mental health information

Clyst St Mary and Stoke Canon families can seek help through the Public Health Nursing team and local charities like

Still unsure where to start?

I do not know what SEND help is available in Devon

Devon’s SEND Local Offer

The SEND Local Offer is Devon County Council’s central directory of information about support and services for children and young people with SEND and their families.

Examples of support

• support in primary school and different types of SEND need
• health, wellbeing and social-care information
• family support, childcare, activities and support groups
• EHCP information and preparing for adulthood
• financial support and key contacts

Website: Devon’s SEND Local Offer

Family support: Support for families of children with SEND