BROMLEY LOCAL SEND OFFER

Help and support for parents and carers

Adult with child on swing

Supporting a child or young person with additional needs can feel challenging at times. There is a wide range of support available in Bromley to help you connect with other parents, get advice, and take part in activities that support your wellbeing.

Connecting with other parents and carers who understand your experiences can make a real difference.

Bromley Parent Carer Forum (BPCF)
  • A local forum led by parent carers of children and young people with SEND.
  • Offers support, training and opportunities to influence local services.
  • Free to join for Bromley families.
  • Helps ensure parent carers’ voices are heard in shaping services.

Your Voice in Health and Social Care (YVHSC)

  • A local charity working with Bromley Council and NHS partners.
  • Delivers the Bromley Parent Engagement SEND Service (BPESS).
  • Gives parents opportunities to share their experiences and influence services.
  • Supports co-production and improving SEND services across Bromley.  
Information, Advice and Support Service (IASS) – Bromley

Provides free, impartial and confidential advice for parents, carers and young people (0 to 25).

Support includes:

  • Education, Health and Care plans (EHC plans, often referred to as EHCPs)
  • Understanding your rights
  • Communicating with schools
  • Support at meetings

Alongside advice and formal support, you can find many opportunities across Bromley to connect with others, learn new skills and take time for yourself. Find out more.

Caring for a child or young person with emotional wellbeing needs can feel overwhelming at times. Support for parents and carers is an important part of helping children thrive.

Bromley Well mental health and wellbeing service 

Provides information and advice about local mental health services, therapies and support options, and helps adults understand how to access them.

SEND Information, Advice and Support Service (IASS)

Offers confidential and impartial advice to parents, carers and young people aged 0–25 about SEND services, rights and support pathways.

Navigate (Scope)

A national one‑to‑one mentoring service offering emotional support for parents of disabled children (up to age 18), especially around diagnosis or during the first year after diagnosis.

Oakonsult

A charity supporting parents and carers of children with disabilities through one‑to‑one coaching, wellbeing workshops and supportive group spaces. They aim to help families build resilience, improve emotional wellbeing and feel empowered in their caring journey.

YoungMinds Parent Helpline

Free, confidential advice for parents and carers worried about a child or young person’s mental health.

SLAM carers support and Families Under Pressure 

Provides practical advice, reassurance and simple strategies for families supporting a child or young person with mental health needs.

Bromley mental health and wellbeing toolkit

A local resource developed for parents and professionals bringing together information and support options

(Please note: this document is not accessible to people using screen readers.)

The Mix 

Support for parents and young people under 25, offering help with mental health, family relationships, housing, education and life challenges.

As well as advice and formal support, there are many opportunities across Bromley to connect, learn new skills and take time for yourself.

Obimi

A local organisation supporting families of children with SEND.

Activities include:

  • Parent/carer meet-ups (e.g. Brunch & Unwind)
  • Creative workshops and wellbeing sessions
  • Safe spaces to connect with other parents
  • Focuses on wellbeing, inclusion and building community.
Bromley Parent Voice (BPV)
  • Regular coffee mornings and informal drop-ins
  • Themed sessions and listening events
  • A relaxed space to meet other parents and share experiences
Home-Start Bromley

Offers group activities and support including:

  • Coffee & Chat sessions
  • Walk-and-talk groups
  • Parenting support groups
  • Specialist programmes (e.g. fathers’ groups)

Also provides one-to-one home visiting support

Aims to reduce isolation and build confidence for parents

Social Communication Differences including Autism Parent and Carer group
  • Meetings for parents and carers to discuss topics on masking, burnout, diagnostic pathway, interests and hobbies, employment
  • Meetings take place in person or online
Adult Autism Social Group
  • Regular evening meet-ups for adults late to diagnosis or exploring the possibility of being autistic
  • A relaxed space to meet other join others with similar experiences
Bromley Y

Runs workshops, webinars and groups for parents and carers

Topics include:

  • Managing anxiety and stress
  • Supporting your child’s emotional wellbeing
  • Building resilience
Bromley Well

Offers free wellbeing support and activities, including:

  • Carer support groups
  • Social meet-ups
  • Workshops and training
  • Wellbeing activities

Helps carers look after their own health and meet others locally

Children and Family Centres (0 to 5 years)

Offer a range of free and low-cost activities providing a friendly space to meet other parents and access support:

  • Stay and play sessions
  • Baby groups and health clinics
  • Parenting support and advice
  • Speech and language drop-ins

Read the Children and Family Centre Activity Guide.

Bromley Children Project – Parenting Courses

Free courses covering:

  • Positive parenting
  • Communication and behaviour
  • Building family relationships

Delivered locally in community settings.

Helps build confidence and practical skills.

Best Start in Life

Advice and support 
for your child’s development – from pregnancy to childcare right through to starting school.

Inclusive groups and community organisations offer:

  • Creative arts and music sessions
  • SEND friendly activities
  • Social and community events

Example:

  • CANDI community – inclusive events and social spaces for neurodiverse families
Simply Connect

Search for:

  • Local support groups
  • Activities and events
  • SEND friendly services

Regularly updated with what’s happening across Bromley

Children & Family Centres

Discover:

  • Stay and play sessions and early learning activities
  • Support for parents and carers, including parenting programmes
  • Health support such as health visiting and wellbeing sessions
  • Targeted family support and early help
  • Advice, guidance and signposting to local services
  • Inclusive activities for children with additional needs
  • Opportunities to connect with other families in the community

Read the Children and Family Centre Activity Guide.

Bromley Parenting Hub

You can also access a wide range of services through the Bromley Parenting Hub. It includes:

  • Mental health support (e.g. Bromley Y)
  • Carer support (e.g. Bromley Well)
  • Early years support
  • Family services and advice

These services support families’ wellbeing and day-to-day needs.

Your views help improve services in Bromley.

You can get involved through:

You can also attend events such as SEND Matters Live, where you can ask questions and share your experiences with local services.

Find out more on the Have Your Say page.

Quick summary

You can get support by:

  • Talking to other parents through forums
  • Getting advice from IASS
  • Attending coffee mornings and events
  • Joining local groups and activities
You are not alone

Whether you need advice, someone to talk to, or time for yourself, there are people and services here to help.

As well as local services, national organisations can offer additional advice, helplines and online communities:

These organisations provide expert advice, resources and support available online or by phone.