Family Service

We are here for parents and carers of children with SEND. We provide free 1:1 support and group sessions and workshops to provide advice, information, help with self-advocacy, as well as signposting to other services.

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Two children with face paint holding balloons and craft cups at a family event.

Families matter to us

We are an Advice Quality Standard (AQS) accredited service for parents and carers of children and young people with SEND across London.

We offer information, advice and guidance, group sessions, and 1:1 support to help families navigate the SEND system and access the right support.

Your child does not need an official diagnosis for you to access our service. You can get support while waiting for an assessment or diagnosis.

Our free Family Service is currently available in:

Westminster
Kensington and Chelsea
Hammersmith and Fulham
Camden
Islington
Harrow
Southwark

How can we help:

Depending on what you and your family need, we can offer:

Information, advice and guidance about SEND
1:1 support to build confidence and self-advocacy
Workshops, training and group sessions on SEND, benefits, and wellbeing
Support around schools and education settings
Support with transitions as young people move towards adolescence and adulthood
Opportunities to meet and connect with other families
Signposting to other organisations and sources of support
Opportunities to share your experiences and help shape our service

We also run EarlyBird (under six years old) and Teen Life (10 to 16 years old) parenting courses, licensed by the National Autistic Society, supporting parents to develop their understanding of autism and explore supportive approaches or a wide variety of situations and experiences.

Families matter to us

Our Family Service is shaped by the families we support through co-production. We want families and young people to be at the heart of how our service develops.

To access our family support click on the request for support form below:

Request support

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Alice Gestetner Fund: Apply for a small grant to help your family

Alice Gestetner and her husband David were involved in Learning Disability Network London (formerly the Westminster Society) for many years. Alice was the chair of the charity and, after her death in 2000, David created the Alice Gestetner fund.

The Alice Gestetner fund makes small grants to families and people with learning disabilities. The grant can be used for essential items such as beds, refrigerators and washing machines. It can also be used towards holidays and electronics.

Apply here

How your donations and fundraising helps

Pictures of your help in action.

Adult supporting a child while they play and interact indoors.

Child sitting on mothers lap looking at the camera

Group of parents sitting aorund a table having a discussion

What our families say about us:

You explained everything in a very simple way that I could understand, and you made me feel comfortable and supported. I really appreciate your time, patience and kindness.

Parent

Co-production changes the dynamic. When families are invited into the conversation, not just spoken to, it builds trust. LDN does this well because they genuinely listen. They involve parents in shaping services, not just receiving them. That makes a huge difference because services work better when they’re built with families, not just for them.

Parent

I’m truly grateful for your care, kindness, and dedication. It can be overwhelming dealing with my son’s ASD and ADHD, but your constant support has made my life so much easier.

Parent