Are you a parent carer?

A child with a disability or additional needs will often require extra care and support from their parents and those around them.

Parents sometimes don’t recognise they are a carer as they are ‘just doing what a parent would do’ but if a parent needs to give more care and support to their child than would usually be expected, they have a care role.  

A child does not need to have to have a diagnosis for the parent to be a parent carer.

Other adults who are a primary carer for a disabled child can use the support offered to parent carers, for example, a grandparent who has their disabled grandchild in their care because the child’s parents are unable to care for them.

How we can help

Carers Support Centre can provide information and advice regarding issues relating to your care role.

For parent carers of children up to the age of 18 and living in Bristol, we have a dedicated Parent Carer Support Officer who can provide individually tailored support where needed.

We can help with things such as:

• Finding ways to have a break from caring
• Information about support or accessible activities for your child
• Referrals, or help with filling in forms
• Understanding processes, such as how to request a Parent Carer Needs Assessment
• Linking with parent carer networks
• Knowing about other services that can provide support

Walk and Talk

Our friendly support worker leads group walks offering a listening ear and providing support to help carers in your caring role.

We have a special Walk and Talk coming up for Parent Carers.

How to get in touch

Contact our friendly CarersLine staff.

CarersLine can help with general enquiries and will refer you to our Parent Carer Support Officer if more support is needed.  

The Bristol Carer’s Wellbeing Grant

Parent Carers in Bristol can apply for a Carer’s Wellbeing Grant. 

This grant is for parent carers of disabled children up to 18 living within the Bristol Local Authority. It is a one-off payment of up to £300 to enable carers to purchase something that will benefit their wellbeing either by giving them a break or easing the pressure of the care role. It can be applied for once every 12 months. 

Further help and advice for parent carers

Autism Central

A national, centralised support for parents and carers of autistic children and adults with local hubs.

Each region also now has an Autism Central hub, and Bristol Autism Support is the Southwest regional hub.

Bristol Parent Carers

A non-profit organisation based in Bristol, consisting of volunteer parent carers of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

As a pan-disability charity, they provide information and support to all families, regardless of their child’s type of need or diagnosis status.

Independent Provider of Special Education Advice (IPSEA)

A registered charity (number 327691) operating in England. IPSEA offers free and independent legally based information, advice and support to help get the right education for children and young people with all kinds of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

South Glos Parent Carers

A local parent carer forum working to give a voice to parent carers of children (aged 0-25) with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

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