Crisis support

Resources recommended by families and professionals

A selection of recommended resources for families and professionals to help manage crisis situations involving children and young people with SEND.

Help with behaviours of concern, including violence

Help with neurodevelopmental needs (eg autism, ADHD) pre, during or post-diagnosis

  • Cumbria Autism Family Support Project is funded by Cumbria County Council and signposts families of children who have been diagnosed with Autism
  • Daisy Chain Project is a national phone support service that offers personalised advice, guidance and signposting, including bespoke visual resources and strategies and interventions
  • The National Autistic Society has lots on information about understanding and how to deal with behaviours of concern.

Help with mental health issues

  • Kooth is a Cumbria wide service that offers online mental health counselling and support. Children and young people can log on and talk instantly to a trained professional 7 days a week (Mon to Fri 12pm to 0pm, Saturday and Sunday 6pm to 10pm)
  • Place to Be has resources, activities and more – parents of younger children found this particularly helpful
  • Anna Freud Centre has a self-care section and also lots of other support (bereavement, parents section, crisis text support)
  • The Mix for under 25s has apps and tools and discussion boards – parents of older children found this particularly helpful

Help with sensory issues

  • Cumbria Occupational Therapists recommend the Glasgow and Clyde Occupational Therapists website which has lots of information about understanding and responding to sensory needs as well as sensory questionnaires to complete which will recommend personalised sensory strategies

National phone lines/online support available any time

  • Children and young people can freephone Childline on 0800 1111 and speak to a counsellor, or have a 1 to 1 online chat about anything that is troubling them
  • Children and young people and parents/carers can Freephone The Samaritans on 116 123 and speak to a trained advisor about anything that is troubling them
  • Children and young people can free text Shout 24/7 on 85258 if they are struggling to cope and need support about urgent issues via text from trained advisors