Support groups for parents of children with disabilities

You may find it useful to talk to other parents who have children with disabilities. There are a number of organisations and charities that offer support groups. Just a few of the services available are listed below or ask your health or social worker about support groups local to you.

Disability-specific groups

Some charities and organisations offer support for people with specific impairments or needs. They may be able to advise if there are any similar parents locally or if there are other support groups that exist.

Contact with other carers

Caring can sometimes be lonely, but there are ways to make contact with other carers - either by telephone, the internet or a carer's group.

Contact with other carers

Find out about local support groups

Your local Health and Social Care (HSC) trust may run support groups for carers and for children, young people and families.

Short breaks for children with disabilities

Shared Care Network is a national organisation which provides family-based short breaks for children with disabilities. The organisation represents over 300 national schemes, which link children with disabilities with people in the community who provide regular short-term care.

Visit the Shared Care Network website

Parent Advice Centre

Parents Advice Centre (PAC) is an organisation that provides support to parents. It has four main areas of work ...

Parents Helpline which offers support and guidance to parents with any family problem.
The Parenting Education Project which offers tailor-made and specialist parenting courses to groups and individuals.
The Men's Project which seeks to increase awareness of the issues facing men and boys (especially within families) and to promote their social inclusion.
The Parenting Forum Northern Ireland which provides a platform for the needs and aspirations of parents to be heard.