Navigate: emotional support for parents

Navigate is a national mentoring service, that provides online emotional support for parents and carers of disabled children who are finding out about their child’s additional needs.

Eligibility

Navigate is open to any parent or carer who:

lives in England or Wales
has parental responsibility for a child under 18
this child is on a pathway to diagnosis or has received one in the last year

About the service

Navigate is a 6-week programme that puts you in touch with a personal adviser, who will help you to talk about your feelings and concerns.

The service will help you with:

organising your thoughts and feelings
practical advice and suggestions
coping strategies and insights
taking positive actions and helping you with emotional wellbeing

Your personal adviser

You will have weekly catch ups with your adviser online and by phone. Your adviser will work with you on a one-to-one basis, helping you to:

explore your needs and personal goals
agree your 6-week action plan, and
provide you with support, if you need it

Beverley [adviser] has been amazing and speaking to her is like getting a warm hug. Not only does she offer me options of things to try and suggest organisations who may help, she just makes me feel like she really cares about me.

Lo - Navigate customer

Accessing the service

You can apply online or get a referral from the helpline. Contact with your adviser will be online or by phone.

Apply online

If there is no space, we will offer you the opportunity to join a waiting list. We will do our best to point you to supporting information.

British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters

You can access video calls with BSL interpreters, using the InterpretersLive! service.

Access interpreters on mobile, desktop and laptop for free.

Reaching the end of the programme

At the end of the 6 weeks, you will look at what did or did not work and rate your overall progress.

Depending on availability, you may get to choose to start again with new goals.

It's not suitable for everyone

Your adviser cannot help you with:

This service is online or by phone. If you prefer face to face meetings, this service may not be for you.

Office opening times

The Navigate office is open weekdays, 9am to 5pm.

Appointments with your adviser can take place outside of these office hours, and include weekday evenings or Saturday mornings.