Find a list of helpful services and links to websites providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autism in Surrey.
Advocacy services
Advocacy services are independent. They listen to you, and help you make choices and have your say. An advocate can help you speak at meetings and get problems sorted. They make sure other people listen to you.
POhWER provides advocacy support in Surrey.
Healthwatch Surrey in partnership with Surrey Independent Living Charity (SILC) can support you to make a complaint to the NHS to make sure you are in control of decisions made about you and your views are heard.
Support young people moving to adulthood
This page has links to services in Surrey helping young people during their transition to adulthood.
If you are between 14-25 years old and also have an Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP), have a look at our Preparing for adulthood pages to see how the Transition Team can support you through your transition to adulthood.
Surrey County Council has a team which supports young people during transition into adult life. It has a separate section of its website for information about special educational needs and disability.
The council also has services and information about children's social care.
Surrey Local Offer has information and services for children and young people up to age 25 with special educational needs or a disability.
SEND Advice Surrey provides information and advice to parents of children with special educational needs.
Family Voice Surrey is a network of parents, carers, and families of young people who have special educational needs and disabilities. It is run by parent volunteers.
Care Quality Commission
Care Quality Commission is the independent regulator of health and adult social care in England.
You can find information, publications, and services on their website.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding is about keeping you safe. If you feel in danger or unsafe, you must tell someone.
In an emergency dial 999 for the emergency services such as the police.
You can call the Surrey County Council adult social care helpline. If you need to speak to someone urgently, out of normal office hours, call the emergency team.
The Surrey Safeguarding Adults Board has information on their website about what to do if you have a safeguarding concern.
Surrey Safeguarding Adults Booklet Easy Read (PDF)
Surrey Fire and Rescue
Stay safe by booking a free visit from Surrey Fire and Rescue. The team can provide personalised advice about fire safety at a time convenient for you.
The government has a booklet about making your home fire safe, including an easy read version.
Surrey Police and hate crime
All hate crimes should be reported. True Vision is a website you can use to do this.
Surrey Police has easy read information about hate crime and how to stay safe when you are out and about available to download on their website.
The Pegasus card can help people with a disability or illness who find it hard to communicate with the police. Find out how to get a Pegasus card on the Surrey Police website.
The Surrey Positive Behaviour Support Network
Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is a way to understand a person's behaviour. It is the preferred way for working with people with learning disabilities who show behaviours that challenge.
The Surrey Positive Behaviour Support Network raises awareness of PBS in Surrey. This brings together individuals, family carers, support providers, professionals, and the community.
You can find information and events organised by the network on their website.
Join the Surrey Positive Behaviour Network to receive information and invites to events. To become a member, email ldcommunications@surreycc.gov.uk with:
- Your name
- Your organisation (if applicable)
- Your contact address
- Your email address
If you are not able to email, please phone Tom Moore with your details on 01737 737132.
Bild.org is another organisation with information and advice about PBS.
What is positive Behaviour Support Easy read (PDF)
End of life care
It can be difficult navigating information and making decisions about end of life care.
Caring to the End is an information guide to end of life care for carers of all ages across Surrey. It was developed by local NHS organisations and Surrey County Council.
End of life care training is also provided by Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care which is funded by the NHS.