Parents and carers in Surrey now have a valuable new resource to turn to when faced with managing challenging behaviour in their young children.

The newly launched Surrey Paediatric Parenting Support Service (SPPSS), made possible by funding from the Mental Health Investment Fund, offers both in-person and online support to families with children up to the age of five.

The service is designed to support families in understanding and managing their child’s development and behaviours, especially when they are concerned their child might be neurodivergent, such as showing traits of ADHD or autism.

One of the key features of the service is that parents do not need a formal diagnosis to access the service.

Instead of jumping straight into diagnostic pathways, the service focuses on helping families understand their child’s individual needs, explore developmental milestones, and develop strategies for managing emotions, behaviours, and daily routines.

This approach is aimed at fostering positive changes and supporting children’s emotional and behavioural growth.

The service recognises that raising a child can be overwhelming, and many parents may feel unsure about where to turn for support.

To alleviate this, SPPSS has made accessing help as easy and convenient as possible. Families can attend workshops or group sessions where they’ll learn valuable tools for child development, emotional regulation, and how to offer the right kind of support at home or in childcare environments. These sessions are flexible, available either online or in person, and families can switch between the two formats if their needs change.

For those who may have difficulty filling out referral forms due to language barriers or limited computer skills, the service provides assistance over the phone with a team member.

Additionally, the service understands that many families have multiple children, so it welcomes babies and siblings to sessions, so parents don’t need to arrange additional childcare.

The support journey begins with a “discovery call,” a relaxed conversation where families can discuss their concerns and determine what type of help will best meet their needs.

Following this initial call, parents can choose to join a six-week online group or a shorter three-week in-person group held at one of the eight Barnardo’s family centres located across Surrey.

The practitioners at SPPSS work closely with families, providing practical tools and strategies designed to help the child’s wellbeing.

Dr Charlotte Canniff, joint chief medical officer for Surrey Heartlands Health and Care Partnership, said:“Thanks to funding from the Mental Health Investment Fund, this fantastic new service is empowering families across Surrey with the tools and confidence they need to help their children thrive.”

Cllr Mark Nuti, Surrey County Council’s cabinet member for health, wellbeing and public health, said: “It’s great to see that funding from the Mental Health Investment Fund is helping families in a flexible way that suits them and improves their day-to-day life when they can feel overwhelmed.”

This new service offers much-needed relief to families in Surrey, ensuring they have the support they need to help their children grow and thrive in a way that works for them.