Parents caring for a child with additional needs

As a parent who is also a carer, your role extends beyond the traditional understanding of the usual responsibilities of a parent.

While all parents provide care, guidance, and emotional support to their children, a parent caring for a child with additional needs takes on extra, often complex responsibilities because their child’s disability, long-term illness, or additional needs.

These additional demands can sometimes affect your own well-being, physical health and relationships. 

Help to access support

In Denbighshire you may be able to access additional support to enable your child to access childcare, play sessions or other community activities, through programmes such as; Flying Start, the Childcare Offer for Wales, Families First or Short Breaks Wales.

Our Disability Wellbeing Navigators are the key point of contact for families living in Denbighshire who are caring for a child or young person with an additional need and/or disability and will help in:

• Understanding what is available in your community to support you, your child/young person and their siblings
• Accessing parent support groups and courses
• Accessing play and leisure activities
• Advice regarding benefits, such as Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• Advice to understand behaviours that can be challenging
• Using visuals to aid communication, routines and transitions
• Understanding and promoting the importance of good sleep routines
• Support with a child's emotional regulation
• Help to talk to educational settings or health professionals

Further information about the Disability Wellbeing Navigators along with their contact details are in the below information sheet:

Disability Wellbeing Navigator (PDF, 124KB)

Carer's needs assessment

You can get a carer’s needs assessment to find out find out what your needs are and what services can be provided to support you.

Find out how to get a carer's needs assessment.

Carer's Allowance and financial help

The financial help available depends on a number of circumstances.

Find out more about Carer's Allowance and financial help available (external website)

Tell your GP and employer

It’s important that you tell your GP and your employer that you are a carer, and ask them to make a note of this on their records. This is important in the event of an emergency. 

Find out more about planning for an emergency (external website)

Balancing work and caring

If you are working, balancing your caring role with a job can be difficult.

Find out more about balancing work and caring (external website)