I need help, but it doesn't have to be right now

If you need support

To help with your child’s behaviours of concern, including violence and/or to help prevent future crises, there are a number of routes to try depending on your child’s situation. The aim of these options is to pull together a team of professionals to support your family.

My child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)

If your child has an EHCP, but the provision they are receiving is not meeting their needs, you may be able to request an early EHCP review and invite all the professionals working with your child.

How to access support Cumbria wide:

speak to your child’s Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo)
the SEND Information, Advice and Support (SENDIAS) Service is an impartial, confidential advice and support service may also be able to help

My child may or may not have an EHCP

If your child does not have an EHCP, (or they do have an EHCP but an early EHCP review is not appropriate) then an Early Help Assessment can be opened. Any professional from a service that supports families can initiate an Early Help Assessment.

How to access support across Cumberland

speak to a professional who works with your child or if you want more information phone the dedicated early help advice and guidance number on 0300 3033 896, or email early.help@cumbria.gov.uk
the SEND Information, Advice and Support (SENDIAS) Service is an impartial, confidential advice and support service may also be able to help.

My child has a learning disability and/or autism

If your child has a learning disability and/or autism, you may be able to get some support from the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). CCGs have a responsibility to ensure that children and young people with autism and/or a learning disability who are at risk of admission to a specialist learning disability or mental health inpatient setting (Tier 4) receive support that they need. They can do this in a number of ways including:

holding information about a child on a support register and monitoring risk over time
facilitating urgent multidisciplinary team meetings (Local Area Emergency Protocol – LAEP) with the aim of preventing inappropriate Tier 4 admission
coordinating and chairing Care Education and Treatment Reviews to ensure there is a robust, holistic person centred plan that meets the child’s needs

More information can be found at: Care, Education and Treatment Reviews (CETRs)

View the top tips on avoiding crisis on admission to an inpatient mental health hospital:

Sometimes a child with a learning disability/autism is not at risk of being admitted. However if there is significant risk of family or placement breakdown, the CCG may be able to coordinate and/or support a multi-agency response.

How to access support in the South of Cumberland (including Millom)

A professional (health, education or social care) will need to make a routine referral or urgent request to Morecambe Bay Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) once they have received consent from parent/carers and/or the young person themselves if appropriate. Ask your Care Coordinator for more information if you think this may be helpful. Learning Disability, CAMHS and SEND teams are all aware of the referral and notification process

How to access support: North and West Cumberland

A professional (health, education or social care) will need to make a routine referral or urgent request to North Cumbria CCG once they have received consent from parent/carers and/or the young person themselves if appropriate. Ask your Care Coordinator for more information if you think this may be helpful. Learning Disability, CAMHS and SEND teams are all aware of the referral and notification process.