Council opening hours throughout Christmas
Some Westmorland and Furness Council offices will be closed over the Christmas and New Year Bank Holidays. Read the full list of Council opening hours during the festive period.
Parent carers
This page explains the support available for parent carers of children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), including advice, resources, and ways to connect with local services.
A parent carer provides care to a child who needs additional support.
Parent carers are less likely to:
- see themselves as carers
- be recognised by other people, including some professionals, as parent carers
Being a parent carer
Being a parent is the most important relationship you will have with your children. It is important that you are recognised as carers and have additional support as appropriate.
If you see yourself as a parent carer, you are more likely to get and be offered support.
Support
You can call our Multi Agency Children's Hub on 0300 373 2724 to get information about assessments for children and their families.
We have partnered with Carers Support Cumbria. The service can provide you with a carers assessment and offer advice/support,
The support plan can include:
- signposting to information/services
- health and wellbeing support
- social activities
- personalised support services
- respite care
You can self-refer to Carers Support Cumbria. You don't need a referral from someone else to access the service. However, if you prefer, you can ask a relative or professional, such as a General Practitioner (GP) to contact them on your behalf.
Other help and support
Carer Support Carlisle and Eden
Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities Alliance Cumbria (SENDAC) Parent Carer Forum