Tips from disabled parents about what helps them keep family life organised. 

What do you think helps? Send us your top tip and we’ll add it to the list. Email info@norfolkparents.org.uk



1. Check out your benefits.
Life’s more expensive when you’re a disabled parent.

Make sure you’re getting all the benefits you’re entitled to.

Get specialist info from Disability Rights Norfolk 

 http://www.ncodp.org.uk/drn , phone 01508 491570
or
West Norfolk Disability information Service WNDIS

http://www.wndis.org.uk/, phone 01553 774599



2. Ask for support before life gets really difficult.

3. If you contact Social Services tell them you're a Disabled Parent.
If you ask for support make sure they know you have children depending on you. 

4. Complain if services don’t work for you.

Tell whoever is arranging your services.

If that doesn’t work, get someone you trust to help you.

5. Get help sooner
If you’re in hospital and you’ll need support when you go home, ask to speak to the hospital social worker.

This helps to get support more quickly.  

6. Tell children about visiting parents in hospital.
If you can, tell children in advance what to expect so they won’t worry so much.

Where is the hospital? What will they see?

How will you look and sound to them? 

Who else will they see and how will they look and sound?

7. Help children keep a routine
Help your children create a “My Life” timetable if someone else will be looking after your children while you’re resting or in hospital.

This helps children (and any carers) keep their routine.

It helps you tell them all will be well while you’re not there.

The children can say what they usually do and when, what their likes and dislikes are, what they need for school on which days and who they see.