Support and care services

South Tyneside Council has a legal responsibility to support families with disabled children and young people.  

Some families will need practical support inside and outside of the home.

The Council is responsible for assessing how best to meet each child and family's needs.

The support you get will depend on your individual circumstances.

Types of support available

Universal support

Support services that are available to everybody, including children's centres, nurseries, clubs, events and other community services.

Targeted support

For families who need additional support to access services, or need specific support for a specific need.

Specialist and social care support

For children / young people whose needs significantly impact their wellbeing, or with multiple / complex needs, who need more support than is available through universal or targeted services.

Extra support

Not all children / young people with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND) need or want extra support.

Most children and young people with SEND can access universal services to support them and their family.

Some children / young people will need specialist support only for a specific condition, and are able to use universal services alongside this.

There is a range of services that can be accessed by everybody in the community.

These services have a responsibility to make sure they are accessible for children with a broad range of abilities and needs.

Services that are available to everyone are known as 'universal support'.

Type of support available

• Services at children's centres
• Services at nurseries
• Library activities
• Events taking place in South Tyneside
• Community services
• Children with Disabilities Network
  Join the Children with Disabilities Network to get information about a range of services and support. You can also take part in days out and events organised for families who have child with a disability in South Tyneside. You can also apply for a Max Card, which gives free and discounted entry to hundreds of local, regional and national attractions.

How to access these services

There are no eligibility requirements for universal support and no assessment is needed.

See a list of universal support services in South Tyneside.

You may feel you need additional support to:

• help your child to access universal or community services
• help your family to care safely for your child
• get help with a specific need

You can request support for a specific service, or to support your child / young person with a specific need.

This is known as 'targeted support'.

These services support children and families to stay together safely and thrive. 

Types of support available

You may be able to access:

• Support with family life (Early Help)
• Advice and support with parenting
• Support for your child / young person to go out and do the things other people their age do
• Support within your home for your child / young person
• Help to go out as a family because you are unable to do so without support for your child / young person
• Support from children's centres

How to access these services

Some services will have eligibility criteria that you will need to meet to be able to access the service.

We may need to carry out an assessment to see what support you need.

The support you will get will depend on the needs of your child / young person and your family.  

To access these services you can:

• Ask for Early Help Support
• Ask your GP for support with health needs
• Ask for advice from the Contact and Referral Team on 0191 424 5010

All children and young people with a disability, as defined by the Children's Act (1989) are 'children in need' and are eligible for a social care assessment from the Council.

However, not all families want or need a full assessment.   

Types of support available

Support from the Council may include:

• Social care direct payment or personal budget
• Shorts breaks and overnight care (Foxden), read our short breaks statement
• Personal assistant
• A support package in the home or elsewhere

We will aim to

• Provide information and advice
• Support your child / young person to access universal services, and targeted services where necessary
• Reduce risk of family breakdown if a family member is unable to fulfil their caring duties
• Co-ordinate packages of care to support your child / young person and your family

How to access these services

We may need to carry out an assessment to see what support you need.

The support you will get will depend on the needs of your child / young person and your family.

See Referrals and assessments (SEN and Disabilities social care).