Family Support Services

Families matter to us

Our Family Support Service offers support to families with children and young adults, up to the age of 25 years, with special educational needs and disabilities. We also provide support to parent carers of adults with learning disabilities in Westminster. Our support can be long term or one-off and we can visit families in their own homes or at other community based sites including Rainbow Family Centre in Westminster and Kids Can Achieve, Harrow.

We work closely with internal and external agencies to offer support to families and their children during the often complex transition from adolescence to adulthood. We support the family to manage the change, to enable them to be able to help the young person to develop the skills and personal confidence needed for adulthood.

We set up activities for parents, carers and siblings of children with disabilities. We run events, workshops and training sessions, as well as annual day trips, residential breaks and parties for parents and carers and siblings.

This independent service is largely funded by Learning Disability Network London (formerly the Westminster Society).

Our Family Service’s Team:

Work with the parent carer / family to identify support needs and desired outcomes.
Provide information, signposting and onward referral to other services, sources of support and specialist advice and information.
Explore options in an impartial manner, which enables informed decision making.
Provide emotional support and tailored practical support e.g. letter writing, attending meetings, phone calls.
Promote self-advocacy and/or advocate on behalf of the parent carer and/or the family.

Alice Gestetner Fund – Apply for a small grant to help your family

Alice Gestetner and her husband David were involved in Learning Disability Network London (formerly the Westminster Society) for many years. Alice was the Chair of the society and after her death in 2000, David created the Alice Gestetner fund.

The Alice Gestetner fund makes small grants on a regular basis to families and people with learning disabilities living in Westminster. The grant can be used for essential items such as beds, refrigerators and washing machines. It can also be used for contributions towards holidays and electronics.

To apply download the form here