Local support

The Parent Partnership Service is neutral and does not recommend any particular organisations. 
 
The National Autistic Society (NAS)
This is a charity for people with autism (including Asperger syndrome), their families and carers.  The NAS provides a wide range of services, including an autism helpline, a befriending scheme, advocacy for education service, parent support service, schools, day centres and residential settings.

Local service:

Lewisham Autism Support
Lewisham Carers Centre
Waldram Place
Forest Hill
SE23 2LB 
Tel: 020 8699 3066
Email: lewishamproject@nas.org.uk
 
Signal
Parent support group for autistic children and their families in Lewisham.

Carers UK 
Carers UK is a charity set up to help the millions of people who care for family or friends. It offers help to every carer, including young people.

Local service:

Carers Lewisham
Waldram Place
Forest Hill
London  SE23 2LB
Helpline: 020 8699 8686 
Email: info@carerslewisham.org.uk
 
Children First Lewisham
Lewisham Centre for Children and Young People. It supports families and their children, and brings together specialist community services for health, disability, mental health, education and social care - all working closely with the voluntary sector.
 
Children’s Centre Services (Lewisham) 
Children's Centre services are there to provide a central point of information and support for families with children aged 0-5. Groups and activities, information about childcare and early years education and health provision are just some of the services available for young children.

Children’s Centre Services Area 1
Hatcham Oak Centre
020 7740 9820
 
Children’s Centre Services Area 2
Ladywell Centre
020 8690 3729
 
Children’s Centre Services Area 3
(Torridon Library)
020 8314 6236
 
Children’s Centre Services Area 4
(Bellingham)
020 8314 3232
 
Contact a Family 
Provides support for families who care for children with disabilities and special needs. Has links with over 900 support groups and helps with linking families sharing the same disabilities for friendship and advice, especially for the rare medical conditions. A variety of useful fact sheets and booklets is available.
 
Local service:

Contact a Family Lewisham
Leemore Central Community Hub
Bonfield Road
London SE13 5EU
Tel:  020 8297 8056
Email: lewisham.office@cafamily.org.uk 

Deaf Access
Provides a diverse range of groups and services aimed at supporting independence and empowerment in Bromley.

Dyslexiawise
Dyslexia association of Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich and Lewisham.
 
Family Information Service 
The Family Information Service is a free and impartial service for parents and carers of children and young people aged 0 - 19. They provide accurate information on a wide range of things including registered childcare provision, leisure activities and family support.

London Borough Of Lewisham First Floor
1 Laurence House
Catford Road
London
SE6 4RU
Tel: 0800 085 0606
Email: fis@lewisham.gov.uk

KIDS
Working with disabled children, young people and their families. Kids London SEN Mediation Service aims to settle disputes that arise between parents and local authorities/schools about the special educational needs of children, and how best to meet those needs    

LAMP in schools
Lewisham Action on Mediation Project, is a voluntary, independent and accredited mediation service. LAMP provides a wide range of mediation, facilitation and training services to all who live, work or attend school within the borough of Lewisham.

Old Fire Station
340 Lewisham High Street
London SE13 6LE
Tel:  020 8690 0760
lampmediation@hotmail.com

MENCAP National Centre 
Provides information, advice and support to children, young people and adults with learning disabilities, and their families. The Royal Society MENCAP has a team of people working in Bedfordshire, to promote and support people with learning disabilities, their parents and carers.  There are 5 voluntary local societies and 13 Gateway clubs which offer varied programmes of leisure and fun.   

Local service:  

Lewisham Mencap
72 Lee High Road
SE13 5PT
Tel:  020 8852 4100

Occupational Therapy Service 
The service aims to provide a child centred, ‘needs’ led provision which is based upon childrens’ performance of everyday activities of self care, school, work and leisure/play.

Kaleidoscope
Lewisham Centre for Children and Young People
32 Rushey Green
Catford  SE6 4JF
Tel: 020 7138 1337

Kaleidoscope
Kaleidoscope - Lewisham Centre for Children and Young People is the first centre of its kind in the UK. It is a significant development towards supporting families and their children, and brings together specialist community services for health, disability, mental health, education and social care - all working closely with the voluntary sector.
 
Lewisham Portage Service 
A home visiting service for pre-school children with special needs.

75 Amersham Road
New Cross
London SE14 6QQ
Tel: 020 8691 1777
Email: portage@leys.org.uk

Pre-School Learning Alliance
The Pre-school Learning Alliance is a leading early years membership organisation and one of the largest providers of quality childcare in England. They offer support to over 15,000 settings and impact positively on the care and education of over 800,000 young children and their families every year.

Local service:

Lewisham Pre-School Learning Alliance
The Kabin
Forster Park Primary School
Boundfied Road
Catford
SE6 1PQ
Tel: 020 695 5955
E-mail: lewisham@pre-school.org.uk
 
Voluntary Action Lewisham
This facilitates other voluntary organisations in Lewisham with the help to get them started. Help can be given through the Community grants initiative.

Other useful local contacts

Lewisham Special Educational Needs Assessment Team: 020 8314 7453
Lewisham Educational Psychology Service: 020 8314 7041
Lewisham Social Services Duty Desk: 020 8314 6106
Lewisham Social Services Out of hours: 020 8314 6000
Family Information Service: 0800 085 0606
Lewisham Central Library: 020 8314 9800
Catford Library: 020 8314 9113
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) Catford: 0870 126 4037
Lewisham Emergancy Housing: 020 8314 7007
Benefits Enquiry line for People with disabilities: 0800 88 2200
Kaleidoscope: 020 7138 1100
Lewisham Safeguarding Children Board: 020 3049 1664
Lewisham Inclusion Service Early Years Team: 020 8314 8166
Lewisham Attendance and Welfare Service: 020 8314 6272
Lewisham Admissions Team: 020 8314 8282

National organisations

A list of national support and other relevant organisations is also available.