Parents and Carers - Training and Information Programmes

 In partnership with the Autism Education Trust (AET) we are offering 'Developing Toileting in the Early Years Training' for Parent & Carers of autistic children.

Aims:

• To develop knowledge of how to support autistic children  to achieve toileting independence.
• To understand the importance of working with others to support autistic children to develop independent toileting skills

Learning objectives:

• Understand how autism can impact on children developing independent toileting skills.
• Understand the importance of all adults working together to support the development of independent toileting skills. 
• Consider how to remove barriers to developing toileting skills and how to make reasonable adjustments to support further toileting independence.

Cost:
Free

In Person Dates:    

• 25^th July 10 – 12 pm In Person
  Training Address: 1^st Place Children + Family Hub 12 Chumleigh Street SE5 0RN
  Please check in at the Reception Desk

Online Dates: 

• 28^th July 2pm – 4pm
• 6^th August 1pm – 3pm
• 14^th August 3pm – 5pm

Booking:
To register please click here

Contact: 
If you have any questions please contact: AutismSupportTeam@Southwark.gov.uk

A free session for parents/carers in Southwark and Lewisham about how to get the care package your child requires into adulthood, and how to navigate the system of social care and community sevices.

When: Thursday 18^th September 10am to 2.30 pm

Where: The Living Space1 Coral St, London SE1

Refreshments will be provided

Booking: Is essential via this Eventbrite - Transition to Adulthood Session or by scanning the QR code. Click here to download the flyer with the QR code. ^{(docx, 880kb)}

Email: Nazia nazia@resourcesforautism.org.uk to confirm your booking and answer any further questions

Transition Information Event 

Target audience: Young people with a learning disability who are transitioning to adult services, and their parents/carers

Dates: 7th and 8th October 2025

Venue: Lambeth town hall, SW2 1RW
 

The transition from paediatric to adult healthcare can be a stressful and challenging experience for many young people and their families. For those with complex health needs, the process can feel particularly overwhelming.
 

This event will bring together a wide range of organisations - including social services, primary care teams, specialist colleges, voluntary sector groups, mental health services, and adult therapy teams - from across Lambeth and Southwark. Young people with learning disabilities, along with their parents and carers, are invited to learn more about the services and support available during the transition to adult care.

For parents and carers:

Each parent/carer will be paired with a clinician to map out their child’s transition journey and identify the most relevant services for their needs. They will then have the opportunity to meet representatives from these adult services in one-to-one sessions at the same event.

For young people:

The event will include inclusive, accessible, and interactive activities focused on themes such as independent living, community participation, and health, all centred around the transition to adult services.

You can find more information about the feedback received about the previous Transition event in 2024 on the Evelina London website: Evelina London - Transition to Adult Healthcare

We are facilitating a series of online lunch and learn training to capacity build professionals in Lewisham and Southwark.

By coming to any of our trainings we hope to improve your understanding of autism and neurodiversity whilst equipping you with skills and strategies to better support autistic members in the community.

Dates of next Lunch and Learns coming up are to be confirmed. 

Click here to download the Resources for Autism training flyer ^{(png, 86kb)}

Autism 'Next Steps' is a course for parents of children with a diagnosis of Autism under the age of 5. 'Next Steps' is delivered by the Autism Support Team in Southwark.

What could you achieve through 'Next Steps':

• Be empowered.

• Increase your knowledge of how to support your child in the very important days of early years development.

• Meet other parents.

• Be supported in the time between diagnosis and school placement

What will 'Next Steps'  group sessions focus on?

• Autism and sensory differences

• Social interaction and play

• Social communication- understanding and communicating with others

• Emotions and behaviour

• Routines

• Independence skills

• Resources and support network

Who is the course for?

Parents of children under five who have had a diagnosis of autism and live in Southwark

Cost

Free

Course Length

8 weeks. This includes seven 2 hour group sessions and 1 home visit.

When and where

Confirmed by the Autism Support Team following booking

Contact

Click here to register your interest in the course and for further information please email the Autism Support Team

Useful information 

Each Family is offered 2 places on the course so you can bring anyone who is important in your child's life to learn with you 

Do you have a child on the autistic spectrum aged 5-18 years old?

Are you interested in attending a parenting support programme to gain a greater understanding of your child’s condition?

Cygnet is a six week course run by Southwark's Autism Support Team and is designed to:

• increase parents understanding of autistic spectrum conditions

• help parents develop their knowledge on how a child on the autistic spectrum experiences the world and what drives their behaviour

• guide parents through practical strategies they can use with children

• direct parents to relevant ASC resources

• give parents the opportunity to meet with other parents who have had similar experiences and to gain support and learn from each other

Who is the course for? 

Southwark parents and carers 

Cost 

Free

Course Length

The course runs for six weeks (one day per week) and each session lasts for 2.5 hours.

What the course covers

• What is Autism?

• Communication

• Sensory Issues

• Understanding Behaviour

• Managing Behaviour

When and where

The course runs every term

Contact

Click here to register your interest in the course and for further information please email the Autism Support Team 

For parents of a child on the autistic spectrum, coping with the onset of puberty and their child’s emerging sexuality can be challenging. Knowing what to teach, how/when to teach it and what to expect can be daunting.

This session has a different delivery style to the Cygnet core programme. Because of the nature of the subject matter it was felt that a far more activity-based approach would put parents at ease more quickly and therefore enhance learning and mutual support.

• This is a course for parents – your children do not need to attend
• It is available to parents with children over the age of 9
• It is run face to face 10.00-4.00pm

Location: Southwark Council, 160 Tooley St, London, SE1 2QH

The course will run on the following dates:

27^th March    2025

23^rd May      2025

Book your place https://forms.office.com/e/UAJRpR9AGf

Download a flyer here ^{(pdf, 202kb)}. 

Southwark's Family Early Help Team (FEH) works with parents/carers, our children and family centre and school communities, colleagues from children’s services, health and other key partners to provide the best possible parenting support at times of need to help keep families strong.

The Southwark Council website has full details of parenting support programmes available in the borough.  

If someone with a learning disability has an inheritance left directly to them, it could lead to the loss of their means-tested benefits and support package.  Setting up a discretionary trust can give them financial security and help them to do the things they love.

Mencap's Planning for the Future online seminars will provide you with:

• support and information from Mencap’s Wills & Trusts Service

• the opportunity to hear from a solicitor who specialises in this complex area of law

• the chance to meet other families who are in a similar situation via Zoom.

For further information and to book a free seminar place, please visit the Mencap website. 

Our workshops and information sessions cover a range of topics around caring for your child.

Thanks to a range of funding sources, we are able to offer our suite of workshops as free virtual one-off sessions.   However, we do look forward to being able to offer in-person workshops again in the future, once it is appropriate to do so.  

Workshop topics include:

• Anxiety

• Toilet training

• Money matters

• Handling meetings

• Encouraging positive behaviour

• Education workshops

• Speech, language and communication

• Sleep workshops

• Siblings workshops

• Growing up workshops

• Wellbeing workshops

Dates and times  
Various - visit the Contact website for further details.

Cost
Free

Location
Zoom

Contact

Website
Telephone helpline: 0808 808 3555

Ensure your knowledge of ADHD is up to date by exploring the latest research.

What is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? What are the symptoms of ADHD? How is ADHD diagnosed? Get answers with this course that features fundamental information about ADHD, as well as the latest ADHD research.

Through the course you will learn about ADHD as a developmental disorder, considering controversies related to the condition. You will learn about the diagnosis and best practice treatment of ADHD as you build your empathy towards people with ADHD. You will also learn practical strategies to help the educational and personal development of people with ADHD.

Dates
Start straight away and learn at your own pace. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll find future dates on the Kings College website

Who is the course for?

This course is for people with ADHD and anyone working with children and adults with ADHD. This includes parents and close family members, teachers, and educational (learning disability) assessors in schools and higher education and occupational therapists.

Cost:  Free

For further information and to join the course please visit the Kings College website 

Chattertime free weekly online sessions are for parents and children aged from 15 months-4 years who live in Lambeth or Southwark.  Sessions take place Mondays, 10:30-11:00am and are run by a qualified Speech and Language Therapist.

During the session, we will share advice and support on the development of early speech and language skills. Download further information and registration details here. ^{(pdf, 349kb)}

Chattertime Plus is a free stay-and-play group specially designed to support children with complex communication needs. Whether it's attention, social interaction, behavior, or language skills, we’re here to help your child thrive.

When:  Wednesdays, 1:30-2:30pm

Where: Dulwich Wood Children’s Centre, Lyall Ave, London SE21 8QS

Download a flyer here ^{(jpg, 174kb)}

Free online advice sessions for parents of babies aged 0-15 months who live in Lambeth or Southwark.  Run by a qualified Speech and Language Therapist.

During sessions, we will share advice and support on the development of early speech and language skills.  Download further information and registration details here. ^{(pdf, 272kb)}

Beyond Autism are offering a free course for parents, families and carers. 

Why this course?

Receiving a diagnosis of autism for a child, sibling or family member can be a confusing time. You may be seeking more information about what this means for the individual and their future. Or you may simply want to know how you can help.

This free course is designed to introduce what autism is, and provide information on key topics.

What will I learn?

Our course covers the journey from diagnosis, through transitions and onto adulthood. You will learn about communication, sensory needs and behaviour, amongst other topics.  

Is it the right course for me?

This course is an introduction to autism. It is designed for parents, families and carers of individuals with autism. It should take you about 2-4 hours to complete.

 Please visit the Beyond Autism website for further information and to enroll.

Evelina London offer a range of training courses for parents and any professionals working with children and young people in Lambeth and Southwark.

Training for parents

Courses for parents and carers include:

• how to support school aged children with speech, language and communication at home

• picture exchange communication system (PECS) awareness

• total communication training

• talking mats training

• LEGO® therapy training

• Makaton signing training

• autism spectrum disorder and related disorders support group.

For further details, please visit the Evelina London website.

Training for professionals

Training courses for nursery staff, teachers, teaching assistants and other professionals. The courses include:

• identifying and supporting speech and language communication needs in EYFS, KS1, KS2 and KS3

• supporting children with autism spectrum disorder in EYFS and primary school

• how to run targeted groups in schools in order to develop speech, language and communication skills

• how to maximise learning through questions

• communications commitment follow up sessions (schools only)

• Elklan training (children's centre staff).

For further details, please visit the Evelina London website.

You can register for a variety of free online courses with the OU (Open University).  Please click on the links below for further information and to register: 

• Understanding ADHD

• Understanding Autism

• Understanding Depression and Anxiety

• Making Sense of Mental Health Problems

• Understanding Mental Capacity 

Duration 1.5 hours

As a parent, discovering that your child or young person is experiencing bullying, or is involved in bullying, can be daunting. As parents how we choose to react and how we respond to bullying behaviour is vital to reaching a successful outcome for everyone involved.

Our Bullying Awareness Training for Parents and Carers course is specifically designed to develop awareness of bullying and cyberbullying. The session explores recent guidance, news articles, updates in law and offers a myriad of practical solutions for parents to effectively support their children at a time of need. We empower parents to work collaboratively with the organisation involved.
 

Learning outcomes

On completion of this course, delegates will be able to:

• Understand what behaviours constitute bullying

• Have an awareness of the prevalence of bullying

• Define bullying, banter and conflict

• Explore the impact and effects of bullying on your child

• Learn signs and indicators that your child may be experiencing a bullying situation

• Understand the differences and similarities of cyberbullying

• Know how to appropriately support your child

• Learn more about reporting

• Work with your child's school

Suitable for

This vital parent workshop is delivered as a group session and is ideal for parents, carers, grandparents, community groups and more.

Booking

To register your interest please complete our training enquiry form or visit the Kidscape website for further information.

Duration: 1.5hrs

Our Online Safety and Cyberbullying Awareness for Parents and Carers course will help parents and carers to understand the benefits and the exciting potential of the online world. The session will also highlight potential risks associated with keeping children and young people safe online.

Learning outcomes

The workshop will cover subjects including:

• How children use the internet and technology

• The potential risks children face online

• Harmful content online

• Online radicalisation and extremism

• Sexting

• Sexual offending against children online

• Cyberbullying

• Gaming

• Live streaming

• Support and information for parents and carers to support their children

• How to set up parent controls making things safer at home

Suitable for

This training is delivered as a group session and ideal for parent and carer groups, PTAs, community groups and workplaces.

Booking

To register your interest please complete our training enquiry form or visit the Kidscape website for further information.

The Council for Disabled Children has developed a suite of online training for CDC members and affiliated organisations and services. The courses have been developed to improve knowledge, understanding and practical skills and support in range of key areas that impact children and young people, particularly those with special educational needs and disability. 

eLearning courses include: 

• Expert Parent Programme

• Introduction to Mental Health

• Introduction to Children’s Social Care

• Information, Advice and Support

• Holistic Outcomes in Education, Health and Care Plans

• Delivering Quality Annual Reviews  

• Focus on Health Advice  

• CETRs and DSRs 

• Supporting Children and Young People with SEND and their families: SEND Basic Awareness Training Levels 1 and 2

Each module takes between 30-45 minutes to complete. The training is free to complete online from any computer/tablet. You can complete it at your own pace. 

For further information, please visit our e-learning platform

New users can register for the e-learning platform.

Existing users can log in here. 

The Neurodiversity Family Hub provides services to Children and Young People with neurodiversity and their families, including Speaker Sessions:

What: Each Quarter we will host an evening of knowledge, community and power. Leading experts in the field will deliver talks on a variety of topics, ensuring we keep you in the know and find the opportunity to seek solace in our chosen family!

Where: Mint Street Adventure Playground, Community Centre (Upstairs)

When: Visit the Neurodiversity Family Hub website for details of forthcoming sessions

For further information:

• Click here to download a weekly planning flyer ^{(jpg, 496kb)}
• Telephone: 07703 326474
• Email: info@theneurodiversityfamilyhub.org
• Address: 11 Vine Yard, Borough, London, SE1 1QL

Visit the Neurodiversity Family Hub website

 We're happy to announce that we'll be able to continue to host our free monthly workshops aimed at expecting parents.

Our team will be answering any questions expecting parents have with regards to infant feeding (breast, bottle, combination), colostrum expressing, medication, etc.

Everyone is welcome - partners,  (grand)parent or close friend/support person.

Please find below the dates of the online sessions (free tickets here):

• Wednesday, 5 March, 1-2pm
• Wednesday, 2 April, 1-2pm
• Wednesday, 7 May, 1-2pm
• Wednesday, 4 June, 1-2pm
• Wednesday, 2 July, 1-2pm

Please find below the dates of the in-person sessions (free tickets here):

• Friday, 7 March, 1:30-2:30pm
• Friday, 4 April, 1:30-2:30pm 
• Friday, 9 May, 1:30-2:30pm 
• Friday, 6 June, 1:30-2:30pm 
• Friday, 4 July, 1:30-2:30pm 

Please also see The Breastfeeding Support Group for information about drop ins where pregnant and breastfeeding women and people are supported to start and continue breastfeeding.