Resources and local services for those who think their child may have additional needs and disabilities.

The early years of a child's life are an important time for development. It's important that any special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) are found as early as possible.

Having a special educational need or disability could mean your child has:

  • difficulties with communication
  • difficulties with learning and understanding
  • impaired sensory development
  • behavioural difficulties
  • difficulties relating to other people
  • difficulties concentrating
  • physical needs or impairments 

If you think your child may have sepcial educational needs or a disability:

  • speak to your health visitor, or
  • get help from the Community Children's Health Partnership (CCHP)

The partnership provides all the community child health and child and adolescent mental health services for Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, including support for disabled children, including:

Child Health Disability Services: information about the Local Offer and accessing services.

Early Years Support Practitioner (SEND) Service: information about the team who specialise in working with pre-school children with disabilities and their families.

Children's Therapy Service: works with children and young people who have developmental difficulties relating to communication, movement or functional skills.

You can find information on our website:

Special educational needs and disability in early years: what to do if you're concerned about your child.

Families, Local Offer, Resources and Advice (FLORA)​: the FLORA team give information and advice for children and young people with additional needs and their parents and carers.  

Bristol's SEND Local Offer: a single place of information about services and support for children and young people from birth to 25 years old who have Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND), and for their families and carers.