New Support Group for SEND babies and their families

MumsAid have developed a unique specialist support service for mums of babies who have already been diagnosed with, or are at risk of developing, physical, sensory and/or learning disabilities.

The Mighty Acorns group will provide adaptive support as mums adjust to receiving new diagnoses and the impact of caring for their disabled child on family life.  Ongoing support will be provided through weekly support groups from referral until their child’s second birthday.  These will be co-facilitated by MumsAid counsellors and experienced parent volunteers.

In every thousand babies born in the UK, approximately:

• 80 will be born prematurely, with 8 of these having a permanent disability
• 3-4 will suffer from a lack of oxygen to the brain before, during or shortly after labour
• 1 will have Down’s Syndrome
• 1 will have a rare genetic condition leading to disability or ill-health

More than 4,000 babies are born each year in The Royal Borough of Greenwich.  This means that every year around 300 mums in the borough are struggling to come to terms with the effects of a difficult or premature birth of their baby, or a pre- or post-natal diagnosis of their child’s genetic condition.

None of these families know what the future holds, but many are thrown into a world of health professionals, appointments, referrals and forms, while learning completely new skills and terminology.  The first 1000 days of a baby’s life are the most important, but for many families with disabled children they can also be some of the most difficult and exhausting.

MumsAid Mighty Acorns Group will provide advice, support and guidance with navigating benefits such as the Disabled Living Allowance, council housing, health and social care assessments (including Carers Assessments), and appropriate education (in partnership with the SEND Early Years 0-3 Keyworker).