Social and communication needs - support services
The London Borough of Bromley is committed to providing support to all families with children (0-25) presenting with Social Communication Needs (SCN), including autism.
Social Communication Needs (inc Autism) Family Support Service (SCAN)
The Social Communication Needs (inc Autism) Family Support Service provides information and advice to parents and carers of children with social communication needs. This service is referred to as ‘SCAN’ and helps parents and carers to navigate the support options available in Bromley and nationally.
The SCAN service informs families of the accessible and supportive universal, targeted, and specialist provision available so that families can feel supported at home, in education, and in their community.
The SCAN Service:
- offers a support service accessible by completing the SCAN Referral Form.
- hold regular coffee morning/afternoons in Bromley’s Children and Family Centres which provide a network to support families. On occasion guest speakers will be invited.
- can make a referral to Bromley Mencap’s Specialist Autism Family Support Service.
The SCN family support service sits within Bromley’s Early Intervention and Family Support Services, under the Bromley Children Project, which is a borough wide service that supports all families living in Bromley.
Contact: Monday to Thursday 9:30am to 2pm.
Email: SocialCommunicationNeeds@bromley.gov.uk
Telephone: 0208 461 7259
Other Bromley support services
Bromley Mencap Specialist Autism Family support service
Bromley Mencap Specialist Autism Family support service is commissioned by Bromley Council and compliments the Social Communication Needs (inc Autism) Family Support Service (SCAN). The service is only available through referral from the SCAN Family Support Service and other key professionals.
Their specialist service is delivered by two experienced autism family support workers and offers:
- Short term intensive support to families with children who have social communication difficulties including autism and who have more complex needs.
- A clear action plan written in conjunction with the family to note key issues and goals, and timescales for resolution.
Support could be specifically related to the child’s needs or to the family situation, for example, help with welfare benefit claims and housing. All support will be tailored to the needs of each family.
Many families experience periods that are more challenging when specialist support is required. Once intensive support is completed, families will return to the support of the universal family support service at Bromley Children Project.
Bromley Mental Health Hub
Supporting mental health of children, young people and their families. Find out more about Bromley Mental Health Hub.
Bromley Well
Provide free and confidential services to help improve and maintain health and wellbeing for those 18+. Bromley Well also support young people aged 4-19 who care for others and adults aged 19+ who care for others, including those caring for people with poor mental health.
Find out more about Bromley Well.
Bromley Y
Free support for children, young people and their families. Bromley Y promotes the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children, young people and their parents/carers by enabling change, fostering resilience and helping them build healthy relationships.
Find out more information about Bromley Y.
CASPA
A local charity providing advice, support and life skill development opportunities.
Social clubs for all ages including LGBTQA+, specialist projects, holiday programmes, residential trips, family support, monitored Parent/Carer WhatsApp and much more.
Find out more information abotu CASPA.
CANDI
A not for profit, client-led organisation providing social, vocational and enterprise opportunities for the 16+ Neurodiverse Community. Offering wellbeing and creative workshops and clubs and a safe and supportive space within Rhiannons Café in Bromley.
Find out more information about CANDI.
Social Communication Needs and Autism National support services
National Autistic Society
The UK’s leading charity for autistic people and their families. Their goal is to help transform lives, change attitudes, and create a society that works for autistic people.
Find out more information about the National Autistic Society.
Ambitious About Autism
The national charity for Autistic children and young people. They provide information, training, and support, run a range of high-quality services including the pioneering treehouse school, and campaign to make the ordinary possible for autistic children and young people. For more information, visit Ambitious about Autism.
Autism Education Trust (AET)
AET offer an extensive library of free resources for education professionals, leaders, and parents on topics such as exclusion, good autism practice, positive relationships and a free guide for families and carers.
Find out more information about the Autism Education Trust.
NHS
The NHS provides a wealth of information about SCD and autism including recognising the signs, getting a diagnosis and the support available to families.
Independent Provider of Special Education Advice (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). We also provide training on the SEND legal framework to parents and carers, professionals, and other organisations. For more information visit IPSEA or enquire by booking an appointment.
Autistic Girls Network
The network campaign for better recognition and diagnosis of autistic girls and to support them in finding their identity and feeling understood.
They sign post you to support networks, organisations and resources and provide a safe space to ask questions, raise concerns and share experiences in a private Facebook group.
Read their white paper, Autism, Girls and keeping it all inside.