Child and family support for behavioural issues

Mumsnet special needs webguide has links to tons of useful organisations

If your child has behavioural issues, you may be referred to Child and Family Support services.

Provision varies from area to area: some areas have Child and Family Support centres run by their local social services, while others have a service with a similar name run by local charities.

Young children

A child and family support worker will visit you at home or you may be asked to go to a local centre. Some parents find this advice helpful, while others find it less than useful.

Although you may feel cynical, if this is the first step on the hamster-wheel of support services, it is sometimes better to just climb aboard and start jogging.

"Child and family support seems to be the first service that you are referred to when there is a behaviour issue. My son and I went there when he was about three but generally they seemed to want to only speak to me. I went once every week, taking time off work unpaid. There were two people who asked many questions about my son's behaviour and my reaction to it etc. He had a major meltdown and went wild, trying to rip the door off its hinges. I stayed in my chair and watched their reaction and they shouted to me: 'Do something!' I said: 'No, that's your job - you tell me what to do!'" Chocol8

Mumsnet Talk special needs forums

Older children

For older, school-aged children, you may be referred to a Behavioural Support Unit or Pupil Support Unit.

To confuse you, these have different names for different parts of the country, but the gist is that they are run by the local authority and are part of a school's tools in tackling behavioural issues.

Generally, they will advise on strategies for dealing with behaviour. Sometimes behavioural support may also be given within the school setting itself.

"Behaviour is our main concern, but the behaviour support unit plus a parenting course have helped enormously." Tclanger