Archive Website of the UK government

Disability-specific groups

Some charities and organisations offer support for people with specific impairments or needs. They may be able to advise on any parent or other support groups that exist.

• Specific needs contacts

Contact with other carers

Caring can sometimes be lonely but there are ways to make contact with other carers, either by telephone, the internet or a carer's group.

Find out about support groups locally

Your local authority may run support groups for carers and for children, young people and families. The following links will let you enter details of where you live. They will then take you to your local authority website where you can find out more.

• Carer support groups and local organisations Opens new window

• Support groups for children, young people and families locally Opens new window

Apply for short-term breaks for carers of children locally

Your local authority may provide services to enable you to take a break from caring for your child. Options might include a short-term place in a care home for your child. Or a paid care worker in your own home so that you and your family can have a break. Short-term breaks for carers are sometimes known as 'respite care'.

The following link will let you enter details of where you live. You will then be taken to your local authority website, where you can apply for a short-term break or find out more.

• Apply for short-term breaks for carers of children locally Opens new window

Short breaks for disabled children

Shared Care Network is a national organisation which provides family-based short breaks for disabled children. The organisation represents over 300 local schemes, which link disabled children with people in the community who provide regular short-term care.

• Visit the Shared Care Network website Opens new window

Parentline Plus

Parentline Plus run groups and workshops in their local offices and they also facilitate nationwide groups over the phone.

• Visit the Parentline Plus website Opens new window

Contact a family

To find a group near you call the helpline on 0808 808 3555 or follow the link below and start your own local support group.

• Contact a family Opens new window

Useful contacts

• Organisations and charities for carers