Family Autism ADHD Support
Professionals who may be involved with your child / Family.
Somerset Autism and ADHD Services Directory
1. Somerset SENDIAS (Special Educational Needs & Disability Information, Advice and Support Service)
Provides free, impartial information, advice, and support to parents, carers, and young people about SEND processes, EHCPs, school support, and mediation.
🔗 Visit SENDIAS Somerset Website
​
2. Somerset County Council SEND Team
Responsible for coordinating the EHCP process, reviewing support for children with SEND, and offering guidance to schools and families.
🔗 Somerset Local Offer - Education, Health, and Care Plans
​
3. Somerset NHS Children’s Therapy Services
Delivers Speech & Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Physiotherapy to children with developmental, communication, and motor needs.
🔗 Children’s Therapy Services - Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
​
4. Occupational Therapy (OT)
Supports children with sensory processing difficulties, motor coordination, self-care, and functional independence, which is especially important for those with Autism and ADHD.
🔗 More about OT in Somerset - Children’s Therapy
​
5. Speech and Language Therapy (SALT)
Helps children with speech, language, communication, and social interaction challenges. SALT support can include alternative communication methods such as PECS or Makaton.
🔗 Speech and Language Therapy - Somerset NHS
​
6. Somerset Autism Assessment Service (CAMHS Neurodevelopmental Pathway)
Provides Autism diagnostic assessments for children under 18. Referrals are made via CAMHS or Paediatrics following concerns raised by parents, schools, or GPs.
🔗 Somerset NHS Neuro developmental Pathway
​
7. CAMHS (Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service)
Offers assessment and treatment for mental health issues in children and young people, including ADHD diagnosis and support. CAMHS also helps with anxiety, low mood, and emotional regulation.
🔗 Somerset CAMHS Website
​
8. Paediatricians (Community Child Health)
Specialists in child development who provide medical assessments for developmental conditions, coordinate ADHD medication, and support referrals for Autism assessment.
🔗 Community Paediatrics - Somerset NHS
9. Educational Psychology Service (EPS)
Works with schools and families to assess learning, emotional, and behavioural needs. EPS is involved in advising schools and contributing to the EHCP assessment process.
🔗 Educational Psychology Service - Somerset Council
​
10. Somerset Parent Carer Forum
A parent-led charity offering peer support, workshops, and opportunities to influence local SEND services through consultation and feedback.
🔗 Somerset Parent Carer Forum Website
​
11. Somerset Virtual School
Supports education for children in care (Looked After Children) and helps schools develop effective SEND support for vulnerable pupils.
🔗 Somerset Virtual School Info
​
12. PFSA (Parent and Family Support Advisors)
Based in schools, PFSAs offer parenting support, behaviour management advice, and help signposting families to relevant services for Autism and ADHD.
🔗 PFSA Information via Somerset Council
​
13. Children’s Social Care – Disability Social Work Team
Provides specialist social work support for families with children who have disabilities, including Autism and ADHD, where additional social care support is needed.
🔗 Children’s Social Care - Somerset Council
​
14. Young Somerset
Charity providing early help and mental health support for young people, including wellbeing practitioners who work in schools and community settings.
🔗 Young Somerset Website
​
15. SENDIAS Tribunal Support Service
Specialist service supporting families who need help with SEND Tribunals, appeals, and disagreements about EHCPsor school provision.
🔗 Somerset SENDIAS Tribunal Support
​
16. Somerset Carers Service
Provides information and advice for parent carers including guidance on respite, support groups, and carers' rights.
🔗 Somerset Carers Service Website
​
17. Portage Service (Early Years)
A home-visiting service for pre-school children with developmental delays or SEND, offering practical strategies for early learning and development.
🔗 Portage Information via Somerset Council
​
18. Somerset Short Breaks for Disabled Children
Supports access to activities, clubs, and respite services for children with disabilities, including Autism and ADHD.
🔗 Short Breaks - Somerset Local Offer
​
19. Parent Support Groups
Local peer support groups for families with children with Autism and ADHD:
-
Coffee, Chat & Support CIC (Taunton, Bridgwater) – Offers coffee mornings, SEND clinics, legal surgeries, stay and play sessions, and home visits.
🔗 Coffee, Chat & Support CIC Facebook private group -
​
20. Specialist Teaching and Advisory Service (STAS)
Works with schools to enhance inclusive teaching practices and provide advice for pupils with Autism, ADHD, and social communication needs.
🔗 STAS Information on Somerset Council
​
21. SEND Local Offer Somerset
The central online directory of all SEND services in Somerset, including health, education, social care, and community groups.
🔗 SEND Local Offer Somerset
​
Childrens and Young Peoples Neurodevelopmental Partnership
CYPNP
We bring together Paediatrics, Paediatric Psychology, Children and Young People’s Therapy Service (Occupational Therapy and Speech and Language Therapy), CAMHS, Educational Psychology, across Somerset. We offer NICE compliant assessments for autism and/or ADHD, which are conducted by a multidisciplinary team. All children and young people who have been through the pathway will receive a detailed report explaining the outcome of the assessment.
Speech and Language
SALT
Here are a few things your child may be displaying which may mean a Speech and Language therapists would be beneficial. This does not mean your child will get a diagnosis and many children benefit from this service. ​​​
​
Language learning: Difficulty understanding words, following instructions, or telling stories
Speech: Difficulty speaking fluently, stammering, or making only a few sounds
Communication: Difficulty communicating basic needs, interacting with others, or playing
Cognitive changes: Decreased memory or problem solving skills​
Your child may benefit from Speech and Language therapy (SALT). Speak to your childs HV/GP or setting. If they dont agree or you have no luck then you can self refer.
Ocupational Therapist
OT
If your child is challenged by one of the following, you may want to consult an
occupational therapist:
Unable to concentrate and focus at school.
Easily distracted.
Difficulty following instructions and completing work.
Tires easily with school work.
Poor impulse control.
Hyperactivity or low energy.
Difficulties around food
Sensory seeking
Stimming
Spinning
Walking ( either on tip toes, feet turned in etc)
Difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep
Playing differently to their peers
Difficulties around toileting
Difficulties moving around safely
Difficulties dressing themselves
Difficulties with coordination
Overeating ( may be linked with regulating themselves)
​
Please talk to any professionals already involved with your child or you can self refer, When making a self referral for OT please don't forget to complete the additional form.
Educational Psychologist
EP
Every school and college in Somerset has a linked Educational Psychologist (EP). EPs have a broad approach to service delivery that includes strategic support and training to schools, supervision for staff, a consultation approach using a team around the child model as well as specialist assessment and advice for individual children and young people.
​
If your child requires an EHCP then an Ed Psych would be involved in writing the report.
Children with Disabilities Service
The Children with Disabilities Service offers an assessment for disabled children and
their families. Following this, families will be supported to access the most
appropriate resources to meet their identified needs
​
​Support, equipment, short breaks and care for disabled children and those caring for them
Portage
Children with additional needs, such as learning disabilities, may be referred to Portage. Portage is a home visiting service that helps parents and carers support their child's development. between birth and statutory school age
Who is Eligible?
Children with significant developmental delays in at least two areas of development
Children who are not receiving other targeted interventions that take up more than 50% of their week
​
Families who agree to the referral and understand the aims of Portage
Practitioners work with families and their young children individually in their homes, or in small groups, to support the child’s development through play. Our aim is to provide bespoke teaching and learning opportunities to develop skills, confidence, and enable families to feel included in their community.
​
You will be referred by your GP/ Paediatrician/HV or by the multidisciplinary team.
Transition Workers ( Virtual School)
-
As of 1 April 2025, the Children’s Autism Outreach Team (CAOT) merged into the Virtual School, with staff now called Transition Workers. Their mission remains: supporting autistic (diagnosed or undiagnosed) and neurodivergent children aged roughly 0–18, especially during educational transitions or when facing barriers in school.
-
Their role has broadened to include those on the Neurodevelopmental Partnership Pathway, or with presentation suggestive of autism, even without a formal diagnosis
NEW VIRTUAL SCHOOL ( Not a school)
A newly formed team that extends the purpose of the Virtual School in Somerset. The Statutory Virtual School supports Children Looked After (CLA) and Previously Looked After Children (PLAC). In addition, the Virtual School now supports children and young people in the most complex education situations.
Although we are not a ‘real’ school with buildings and classrooms, we are a team of educational professionals working across Somerset. We are committed to ensuring all Somerset children and young people with acute needs and additional vulnerability, including our Children Looked After (CLA), enjoy education and achieve good outcomes that prepares them well for adulthood – whether that be in a real school they attend, or an alternative education provision they access.
The Virtual School team is made up of a range of experienced practitioners with a background in education, and with extensive knowledge and experience in SEND and additional vulnerability.
The team’s areas of expertise include:
-
Children Looked After
-
Identification and removal of barriers to learning
-
Neurodiversity
-
Gypsy Roma Traveller communities
-
Transitions
-
NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) advice and intervention
The new virtual school covers the following:
-
Early Identification (Birth to Year 1);
-
Transitions and Flexible Education (Year 2 to 8);
-
Preparing for Adulthood (Year 9 and above);
-
Disputes and Resolutions.
Special Educational Needs Coordinators
SENCO
Develop and implement SEN policy
SENCOs work with the headteacher and governing body to develop and implement the school's SEN strategy and policy.
Provide support
SENCOs arrange support for children with SEN, including tailored support and referrals for support.
Work with parents
SENCOs work with parents to help their child, and to reassure them.
Work with staff
SENCOs help staff to support children with SEN, and provide professional guidance to colleagues.
Work with other agencies
SENCOs work with local council support services and other professionals, for example, in health services.
SENCO qualifications
SENCOs must be qualified teachers, or the headteacher, working at the school. They must also have the National Professional Qualification (NPQ) for SENCOs.
SENCO role in schools
SENCOs work in a variety of settings, including mainstream schools, alternative education provision, and Pupil Referral Units (PRUs).
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
CAHMS
A department made up of different teams that offer mental health assessments and intervention to children and young people (up to the age of 18 years), as well as signposting to other appropriate services.
They operate at different sites within Taunton, Yeovil and Wells, they also offer support to young people in the community and in their homes.
