Signposts are a guide. Take the next step.

Nobody has to do it alone. Pick one link. Make one call. This is how extraordinary begins.

Need help now?

In immediate danger, call 999 or your local emergency number. Need to talk to someone now? Find a free helpline in your country

Find a helpline

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For families and carers

You are not the first family to stand where you're standing. Others have walked this road and built support for you. Don't be alone. We ALL need support.

Contact

Charity for families with disabled children, from birth to 25, anywhere in the UK. They will connect you with local groups and families who get it.

Call 0808 808 3555

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Online Support

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Scope

Charity for disabled people and those who care for them. Advice on benefits, care, work, housing and equipment.

Call 0808 800 3333

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Services & Support

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Parent Carer Forums

Lists parent-led forums in every area of England. Parents in your area are already shaping local services.

Join them.

Online Support

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Your local council

Every council in England must publish what is available locally for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

Online Support

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Mencap

Charity supporting people with intellectual disabilities. A directory of local groups across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and an online community for families.

Find a local group

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Sense

Charity supporting people with complex needs to connect, communicate and live life fully.

Local services and support available in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Information & advice

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Carers UK

If you care for someone, of any age, with any condition ask for help.

Online support groups & helpline

Call 0808 808 7777

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Services & support

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Carers Trust

Find local support for yourself or someone you know who is caring for someone, of any age, with any condition.

Local groups

Find local support

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Who else needs a signpost to a first step?

For each group below there are two first steps: one if this is you, and one if you are the person walking past.

If you walk past someone sleeping rough in England or Wales: send an alert to StreetLink on its website or app. It goes straight to the local outreach team, who will go and find them. Two minutes. That's all it takes. If the person looks under 18, call the police. If it's an emergency, call 999.

If you're sleeping rough in England or Wales: you can use StreetLink It will tell you what support is available locally and put you in touch with the outreach team.
If you're homeless or at risk in Scotland: scot tells you where to go and what help you're entitled to.

Most young people have a family to fall back on. Those leaving the care system often don't. Turning 18 can mean losing everything at once.

If you lead an organisation: sign the Care Leaver Covenant. More than 600 organisations across the UK already offer care leavers jobs, apprenticeships, work experience and mentoring. Amazon, ITV and the NHS are among them. Who are you missing from your workforce?

If you've left care (aged 16 to 25): the Covenant's opportunities listing shows what's on offer, from jobs to discounts. Become is the national charity for children in care and young care leavers.

A sentence ends. The punishment often doesn't. A criminal record can shut the door on work and a home for years.

If you employ people: ban the box. Business in the Community asks employers to take the criminal record question off job applications, so people are judged on what they can do. Talent is talent.

If you have a criminal record: Unlock gives practical advice on work, housing, insurance and when you must tell people about your record.
If you're coming out of prison: Nacro helps with resettlement, from housing to work.

If someone you love is in prison: call the Prisoners' Families Helpline. Families serve a sentence too.

Nobody should be pushed to the margins for who they are. Not for their race, their faith, their disability, their sexuality or anything else.

If you've been treated unfairly: the Equality Advisory Support Service explains your rights under the Equality Act and helps you act. Call free on 0808 800 0082, Monday to Friday 9am to 7pm, Saturday 10am to 2pm. It covers Great Britain.

More than one challenge is never a reason to stop dreaming or have the support you need.

If you communicate without speech, or love someone who does: Communication Matters is the UK charity for people who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), such as symbols, signs and speech devices. Everyone has a right to a voice.

If your child has a life-limiting condition: call Together for Short Lives free on 0808 8088 100. It can help you find children's hospice services, short breaks and other families who understand.

If you, or an adult you love, has a life-limiting condition: the Hospice UK care finder shows adult and children's hospices near you. Hospices are about living well, not only about the end of life.

Some people face homelessness, addiction, mental ill health, violence and prison, all at the same time. Services are usually built for one problem, so they fall through every gap.

If this is you: start with whichever door above is closest to what you need today. Any of them can point you onward

If you run services, commission them or make policy: Making Every Adult Matter works with local areas across England to build services around the whole person. Is your area one of them?

For families around the world

Where ever you live, don't be alone. We ALL need support.

Inclusion International

Global network of family-led organisations for people with intellectual disabilities. Many were started by parents. Browse the members by region to find the one nearest you.

Find your Support

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