Contact - For families with disabled children

16/06/2026

Does your child or young person have a health passport? 📋

A health passport is a document that helps healthcare professionals understand your child better. It can include information about:

💚How they communicate
💚What helps them feel safe
💚 Sensory needs and triggers
💚 Medical conditions and medications
💚 Things they may find difficult
💚 How they express pain or distress

For many families, a health passport can also reduce the need to repeatedly explain their child's needs to different healthcare professionals. Instead of having the same conversations over and over again, important information is available in one place for staff to refer to.

Sharing a health passport before a hospital appointment, admission or emergency visit can help staff provide more personalised care and reduce stress for both your child and your family.

Many NHS trusts provide their own templates, often called a health passport, hospital passport, learning disability passport or communication passport.

If your child/young person doesn't already have one, try searching your local NHS trust's website or asking your GP surgery, learning disability nursing team, paediatrician or hospital for a template.

💡 Keep a digital copy on your phone so it's always available if you need unexpected medical care.

Has a health passport helped your family? We'd love to hear your experiences in the comments 👇

Here's a good template from the NHS website: https://f.mtr.cool/sbjatbpesx

16/06/2026

15/06/2026

Every family with a disabled child deserves support. Your miles can help make that happen. ❤️

We’ve got 10 guaranteed charity spots at the incredible London Landmarks Half Marathon next April for runners who join Team Contact.

Skip the ballot and register today for this iconic closed-road run through central London — and help us change lives along the way.

Only 10 spots available, so register today! ��

https://f.mtr.cool/pqphalxfvp

15/06/2026

There is growing debate about whether social media access should be restricted for under 16s.

Many families have concerns about online safety, harmful content and the impact social media can have on children and young people's well-being. At the same time, some young people use online communities to access support, information and friendships they may struggle to find elsewhere.

We'd like to hear from parent carers:

💬 Would you support tighter restrictions on social media for under 16s?

💬 What benefits and challenges has social media brought to your family?

Share your thoughts in the comments 👇

Sir Keir Starmer has announced a social media ban on under-16s and plans to impose curfews on older children.

15/06/2026

📢 New support for families in Denbighshire and Wrexham 📢

One for our Contact Cymru families! If you're raising a disabled child or a child with Additional Learning Needs (ALN), finding the right support can sometimes feel overwhelming.

That's why we're delighted to launch 'Stronger Futures', a new project offering practical information, advice and support to parent carers across Denbighshire and Wrexham.

Through the programme, families can access:

💚One-to-one support from a specialist Parent Adviser
💚 Help with benefits, finances and forms
💚 Guidance on education, health and related issues
💚 Friendly Coffee & Chat sessions with other parent carers
💚 Information about local services and support available in the area

Support is available for families of children and young people aged 0–25, including those who are still waiting for a diagnosis.

Whether you're just starting your journey or have been navigating services for years, we're here to help.

📍 Families can refer themselves directly, and professionals are welcome to signpost families too.

Find out more and book an appointment today 👇

This advice applies in Wales only. We’re delighted to be launching Stronger Futures, a new project supporting families of disabled children and children with Additional Learning Needs (ALN) across Denbighshire and Wrexham.  The one-year programme is funded by the Neumark Foundation. Through it,...

11/06/2026

This week is Carers Week, and this year's theme is Building Carer Friendly Communities. Find out more here: https://f.mtr.cool/ubmipcthik

Earlier today we shared the government's consultation on improving support for unpaid carers in paid employment. This includes a proposal to make carer's leave paid - something Contact already offers to the parent carers who work with us.

We know that many carers want to work, but might need help to balance employment with caring responsibilities. Too often carers are foced to leave work against their wishes because this support isn't there. We want to see all workplaces take steps to ensure they are genuinely carer friendly.

We're sharing an older blog from two of our employees, Jade and Jaime, who explain why making accomodations is so important, the benefits carers bring to a workplace, and how any workplace can do more if they really want to:

This Carers Week, parent carers from Contact share why flexible working is more than a perk - it’s a lifeline.

11/06/2026

Unpaid carers in work - what support do you need?

A government consultation is asking unpaid carers and parents of seriously ill children what extra support you need to work.

The consultation includes reviewing unpaid carer’s leave, introduced in 2024, and consideration of a new paid carer’s leave alongside a “right to return” to work after a period of intensive caring.

Find out more in our news story: https://f.mtr.cool/jsjksykavv

You can take part in the consultation online until 1 September 2026:

We are seeking views on the employment rights that are available to people with unpaid caring responsibilities and parents who have a seriously ill child.

10/06/2026

We support this statement from National Autistic Society, Mencap and Mind:

Our charity has joined Mencap and Mind to respond to today’s Supreme Court ruling that removes the framework known as Cheshire West, warning that it strips fundamental human rights protections from potentially hundreds of thousands of disabled people.

10/06/2026

The government has updated its home-to-school transport guidance for compulsory school-aged children.

The update reflects a change in free school meals eligibility and how that relates to school transport for low-income households.

Please note that this update does not change eligibility for children who qualify for transport because of special educational needs, disability, or mobility difficulties

Read more 👇

The government has updated its home-to-school transport guidance for compulsory school-aged children. The update reflects a change in free school meals eligibility. This in turn determines eligibility for school transport for children from low-income households. The guidance continues to recognise e...

10/06/2026

Last week, MPs from across the House took part in a Westminster Hall debate on home-to-school transport.

The debate covered issues including transport for children with SEND, the impact of rising costs on local authorities, safety concerns, and the challenges many families face accessing education when suitable transport is unavailable.

If you weren't able to watch the debate live, you can read the full Hansard transcript here: https://f.mtr.cool/dmdhygwnij