Hart & Rushmoor Branch

The following useful contacts are listed in alphabetical order
(so that you can find them easily)

Aldershot Garrison special needs group
A parent led support group for special needs children and young adults.
01252 343753  http://www.aldershotspecialneedsgroup.hampshire.org.uk/

AFASIC
A charity which supports children and young people with speech, language and communication impairments and their parents and carers.
0845 355 5577  info@afasic.org.uk   http://www.afasic.org.uk/

Carers UK
Carers UK is the voice of carers.
Carers line: 0808 808 7777 info@carersuk.org   http://www.carersuk.org/

Challenging Behaviour Foundation
Offers support, information and advice, and can supply a free information pack.
01634 838739  info@thecbf.org.uk     http://www.thecbf.org.uk/     

Childen’s Services  (Social Services)
For an assessment for Social Care Services, telephone Hampshire County Council on 0845 603 5630. You may be referred to the Disabled Children’s Team or the Child in Need Team, depending on your circumstances. Ask for a “carers assessment” and/or a “core assessment” so that they can identify the needs of you and your family. (The eligibility criteria is currently, in June 2009, being reviewed so it may change soon.)

Contact A Family
The Contact a Family freephone helpline is staffed by experienced advisers and is a one stop shop for parents and other family members caring for a disabled child.
0808 808 3555  helpline@cafamily.org.uk   http://www.cafamily.org.uk/  

The contacts for Hampshire are:

Direct Payments
In order to receive these you need to have a Social Worker, ask them for more details. For an assessment for Social Care Services, telephone Hampshire County Council on 0845 603 5630.
For information on Direct Payments or if you would like to talk to an Enham Support Worker call 01264 345862 or e-mail direct-payments@enham.org.uk  

Disability Challengers
Challengers play and youth schemes are places for disabled children and young people to play, make friends and have fun. 1-2-1 support is available to those who need it. For those aged 4 – 25yrs. Challengers also run family fun Sundays.
01483 579 390  http://www.disability-challengers.org.uk/  

Hampshire Autistic Society
Advice, support and various other services, mainly in the Southampton area. They also run the Alert Card scheme which informs Hampshire police that a person has an ASD.
01489 880881  info@has.org.uk   http://www.has.org.uk/  

Hampshire Children’s Information Service
Information on childcare, early education and related services in Hampshire for
children and young people 0 -19 years, including those with additional needs.
0845 603 5620  childcare@hants.gov.uk   www3.hants.gov.uk/childcare/cis.html   

Hampshire County Council
Children’s Services: covers Education and Social Services.
01962 846452   childrens.services.enquiries@hants.gov.uk  www.hants.gov.uk/

Insight
Parents of ASD children who meet up on the last Monday of the month in Aldershot.
Sarah Lees:   01252 332684

Joint Information Link
The Joint Information Link (JIL) is a record of children who have mild, moderate, severe or profound disabilities in the county of Hampshire. It is entirely voluntary and you can remove your details at any time should you wish to. JIL also produce a regular newsletter, LinkLines full of useful information.
01962 846123  joint.information.link@hants.gov.uk  

Parent Action Group for special play
PAG organise various activities for Special Needs children in Rushmoor and surrounding areas.
07847 273238  info@pagforspecialplay.co.uk   www.pagforspecialplay.co.uk/  

Parentline Plus
An organisation offering support, advice and free courses/workshops for parents and carers of any children (not necessarily with special needs.)
Phone Parentline free, 24 hours a day on 0808 800 2222  http://www.parentlineplus.org.uk/
For info on courses: 023 8064 5900 / HantsInfo@parentlineplus.org.uk  

Sibs
Sibs is the UK charity for people who grow up with a disabled brother or sister. They offer information for parents as well as the siblings.
01535 645453   http://www.sibs.org.uk/  

Speakeasy Advocacy
Aim to give a voice and support to people with Learning Disabilities, Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome in Basingstoke.
01256 332795 (Leave a message & they’ll call back) http://www.speakeasyadvocacy.org.uk/  

Support in the Alton area
Available at Bushy Leaze School, call 01420 87675 to find out more.

Support in the Bordon area
Available at Hollywater school, call 01420 474396 for more details.

THOMAS Training
The Hampshire Outline for Meeting the needs of the under 5s on the Autistic Spectrum. The course aims to develop and improve the educational and early years experience of children autistic spectrum disorders.
Contact the Hampshire Teaching and Leadership College for details of your nearest course:
 01962 844288  htlc.courses@hants.gov.uk   http://htlc.hants.gov.uk/  

TOP  (THOMAS Outreach Project)
TOP offers between 5 – 15 hours weekly input for children with an ASD. Referral is via health visitor.

Young Carers Project in Rushmoor and Hart
To find out what is available, contact Kandy Redwood at Hampshire County Council.
01252814788   kandy.redwood@hants.gov.uk