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Support services in Surrey for parents of children aged 0 to 5

Being a parent or carer of a child or young person who needs additional support means you are a 'parent carer.' It is important that you take care of yourself too and there is help available.

On this page, you’ll find information about support services for parents and carers, along with details of activities available for children aged 0 to 5.

Support for parents and carers

There are a range of local and national services that can support you with your health and wellbeing.

  • Surrey Early Support Service can provide support to families with a child aged 0 to 5 with disabilities or complex medical needs. To be considered children are required to meet criteria (Children aged 0 to 5 years with complex health needs, disabilities, and/or special educational needs (diagnosis not necessary). Involvement (or pending involvement) of three or more specialist health/education professionals. Referrals can be made by a supporting professional using a Request for Support Form.
  • Homestart provides a service to parents, who have one or more children under 5 years old. A carefully selected volunteer, who has parenting experience, can visit regularly and offer emotional and practical support.
  • Togetherness online parenting modules are available for free to all Surrey residents, including a guide on understanding your child with additional needs.
  • Family Voice Surrey champions the needs and rights of SEND families in Surrey: families with children or young adults up to the age of 25 who have special educational needs, chronic illnesses, including mental health conditions, or disabilities.
  • Family centres help families build their confidence and independence. They run parenting and relationship courses, connect families to foodbanks and financial help and offer general support and advice on topics such as physical and mental health.
  • Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum (SMEF) supports and represents the needs and aspirations of the ethnic minority population in Surrey.
  • Action for Carers provide a range of support including information about your rights, moving and handling training, connecting to other organisations.
  • Healthy Surrey offer local health and wellbeing services, as well as self-care information that can help you and your family lead a healthier life.
  • SEND Advice Surrey is Surrey's Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities Information, Advice and Support (SENDIAS) service. They provide information, advice and support to parents, carers and young people with additional needs and/or disabilities (SEND) aged 0 to 25 years. The information, advice and support provided is impartial, confidential, free and at arm's length to the Council. They will listen to your concerns and discuss any issues in confidence.
  • Surrey Young Carers support children aged 5 to 18, living in Surrey who provide practical or emotional care for a family member with a long-term illness, physical disability or learning difficulty, mental ill health or substance or alcohol dependency. They hold group events, one to one sessions with a support coordinator and other tailored support.

As well as the support that is given by your child's early years provider, you may also like to contact one of the following services:

  • Pop Along Heroes is a supportive playgroup for parents and carers of children with additional needs. They provide a safe, non-judgemental space for families; a community of love and support, where families can accompany each other through different stages of diagnosis (or not), hospital appointments, specialists, benefits, equipment, blue badges etc.
  • White Lodge Centre is a charity that delivers specialist services to children, young people and adults who have a range of physical and learning disabilities. All of the services aim to improve the lives of children, young people, adults and their family/carers by delivering person centred services, that meet the needs of the individual and help improve their quality of life and wellbeing.
  • Sparklers provide support for families of children and young people with Additional Needs, Autism and related conditions. They have an open Facebook page for sharing helpful information and events and a closed group that provides a safe space for sharing. They also run coffee, breakfast mornings and playgroups for SEND children and their siblings during the school holidays.
  • Little Portesberries run stay and play sessions for families with children aged 0 to 5 with additional needs and disabilities.
  • Play and Learn Plus in Woking is a free sensory play and learning session for SEND children aged 0 to 5 both pre and post diagnosis. Siblings are welcome.

As well as the support that is given by your child's early years provider, you may also like to contact one of the following services:

  • Guildford Family Centre run 'SENDsory' play sessions for children with additional needs from birth to 5 years. Professionals from Early Support, SEES and physiotherapists regularly attend and are on hand to answer any questions you may have. They also have SEND Family Advice Sessions, available for families with concerns regarding any aspect of their child's development.
  • The Challengers Hub based at Challengers' Guildford Stoke Park Centre offers a range of support to families. This includes workshops, informal groups, drop-ins,1-2-1 support for parents and Family Fun days.
  • Cherry Trees is a charity providing home-from-home, specialist short-break respite visits. These are for children and young adults aged 0 to 19 with a range of complex disabilities including learning, physical and sensory impairments.
  • Hale Family Centre run weekly sensory stay and play sessions on Tuesday mornings from 9.30 to 11am.

As well as the support that is given by your child's early years provider, you may also like to contact one of the following services:

  • Elmbridge Mencap supports children and adults who have learning disabilities, together with their parents and carers in Elmbridge and the surrounding areas. Their facilities include sensory rooms and they host monthly family fun afternoons.
  • Mini Phab Epsom is an inclusive and welcoming toddler group with toys and games, sensory stories, inclusive singing and signing. They offer fun and friendship for parents, carers and children from birth to school age.
  • Stanwell Family Centre have a sensory room available to hire. The room is a safe and calm place for children up to the age of 11. The room is equipped to provide either gentle stimulation or relaxation through touch, sound, smell and a range of visual features.
  • Little Diamonds is a small group for children with additional needs and the parents and carers who care for them. The sessions offer fun activities, sensory resources and a chance to chat to other families. The group runs from Stanwell Family Centre.

As well as the support that is given by your child's early years provider, you may also like to contact one of the following services:

  • All Inclusive Rhyme Time at Horley Library is for children with additional needs and disabilities up to 9 years of age, siblings also welcome.
  • The Rainbow Group is for families who have children aged 0 to 5 with additional needs. There are free activities for your child to enjoy as well an opportunity for you to meet other parents and get advice from an early support key worker. The group runs in Horley and Tandridge.
  • One Step at a Time is a weekly play and communication group for under 5s with additional needs and/ or disabilities plus their parent/ carer at Welcare Family Centre in Redhill. No formal diagnosis needed.
  • YMCA East Surrey have centres in Redhill, Reigate and Horley. There are a range of free activities for young children and counselling, befriending and support services for parent/carers.
  • Sight for Surrey offer a creative and innovative service for children and young people with sight loss. They have habilitation specialist, run events and activities and can assist with accessing benefits and registering as visually impaired.
  • Mole Valley Family Centre have groups for children with additional needs. They also offer counselling, first aid and parenting courses, baby health clinics and speech and language therapy.

Stay and play groups for children under five with Additional Needs

Our Stay and Play groups are friendly, inclusive sessions where children under five with additional needs can explore, play, and have fun. Each session is relaxed and led by the children, helping them grow in confidence and curiosity. We know how important it is to feel supported. Our groups bring families together, offering a place where parents and carers feel understood, encouraged, and never judged.

All sessions are free, unless stated otherwise. No booking is needed. Siblings are welcome, and your child does not need a diagnosis to attend.

Please note: Some sessions only run during term time. Contact details are listed under each group.

Weekly Groups and Activities in Surrey 2026

Monday

Guildford SENDsory Play

Tuesday

Sensory Stay and Play

  • Time: 9.30am to 11am
  • Venue: Hale Family Centre, Upper Hale Road, Farnham, GU9 0LR
  • Contact: 01483 417157 (Kathy)

Play and Learn Plus

  • Time: 9.45am to 11.15am
  • Venue: The Bungalow Family Centre, Sythwood Primary School, Woking, GU21 3AX
  • Contact: 01483 310419 (Suzy)

Wednesday

Mini Meadows

  • Time: 10am to 11.30am
  • Venue: Loseley Fields, Waverley, GU7 3TB.
  • Contact: 01483 532239 or 01883 340922 (Katy)
  • Runs on the first Wednesday of every month

Surrey Heath SEND Play and Stay

  • Time: 9.30am to 11am
  • Venue: Surrey Heath Family Centre, Kingston Road, Camberley, GU15 4AF
  • Contact: 01276 462897 (Carly)
  • Term time only

Thursday

Little Heroes Stay and Play

Friday

Little Portesberries (Little Ps)

  • Time: 10am to 11.30am
  • Venue: Mytchett Community Centre, Camberley, GU16 6AA
  • Contact: 07929 856625 (Michelle)
  • Term time only
  • Small donation requested for hot drinks and snack provided for children

Monday

One Step at a Time

  • Time: 12.30pm to 2pm
  • Venue: Welcare Family Centre, Warwick Road, Redhill, RH1 1BU
  • Contact: 01737 780884

Tuesday

Rainbow Group

  • Time: 10.30am to 12pm
  • Venue: Horley Family Centre, Albert Road, Horley, RH6 7JA
  • Contact: 01293 775777
  • Term time only

VIP Group (for medically complex children)

  • Time: 12.30pm to 2pm
  • Venue: Horley Family Centre, Albert Road, Horley, RH6 7JA
  • Contact:
  • First Tuesday of each month – term time only

Wednesday

Rainbow Group – Holiday Sessions

Thursday

Can Do Group

Little Diamonds Group

  • Time: 10.30am to 2.00pm
  • Venue: Stanwell Family Centre, Hadrian Way, Stanwell, TW19 7HE
  • Contact: 01784 241407,
  • Holiday time only – see Stanwell Family Centre website for dates.

Friday

Mini Phab

  • Time: 9.30am to 11am
  • Venue: St Joseph’s Church Hall, St Margaret Drive, Epsom, KT18 7JQ
  • Contact: 02086 679443
  • Term time only
  • Suggested donation: £3 first child, £2 additional children

Taddies

  • Time: 10am to 12pm
  • Venue: The Children’s Trust School, Tadworth Court, Tadworth, KT20 5RU
  • Contact: 01737 365810
  • Term time only

Weekend and Holiday Sessions

Yorda Adventures

  • Activities for children with additional needs
    Website: YordaAdventures.org
  • Check online for weekend and holiday events.

If you are interested in running a Stay and Play group for children with additional needs, please email earlysupport@surreycc.gov.uk for more information.

Further details of activities for children and young people with additional needs can be found on the Leisure activities for children with additional needs page

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