children & family services
What we Do
Counselling & Psychotherapy
The Counselling and Psychotherapy Team is made up of qualified therapists with a specialism in children and young people. The sessions enable children with ongoing difficulties to explore their experiences in a safe and non-judgmental space. In addition to 1:1 therapy, we offer a range of groups designed to build resilience and increased social and emotional competence. Our adult counsellors provide support to parents whose children are using our services if they are in need of additional support.
Parenting & Family Support
We provide a range of early intervention groups and services, specialist help and advice to neurodiverse children and their families in the Jewish community. Most families who turn to Norwood face a range of difficulties and need help and support.
Our team of family support and social workers offer the following:
- emotional and mental health support
- specialist advice and guidance
- advocacy on behalf of neurodiverse children and their families
We provide a range of group and individual support to provide parents and grandparents with the skills and resilience to manage difficult circumstances and meet the needs of their children. We also have a range of groups and courses for families impacted by neurodiversity and autism.
We also provide Short Breaks services for children and young people with neurodevelopmental disabilities.
You can contact us
Email: families@norwood.org.uk
Phone: 020 8457 4745 (Mon-Thu 9am-5.30pm Fri 9am-1pm)
Dates/price correct at time of publishing, subject to change without notice.*
*E&OE
Financial assistance is available for those who may require it. For more information, email families@norwood.org.uk  or phone
020 8457 4745
our services for children and families
Navigating Teen Anger: A parent’s guide
It is satisfying seeing our neurodivergent teens grow into wonderful young adults although at times this can be challenging for any parent.
Please join us at our 2-hour workshop where we will:
• Increase our understanding of anger
• Explore the needs of parents and teenagers and how to reduce conflict
• Discuss positive communication
• Look at how to manage difficult, often challenging behaviours and extreme emotions
• Work together for a more cooperative and cohesive home
When: Runs termly, please contact for details, 7:00pm-9:00pm
Where: The Kennedy Leigh Family Centre
Cost: £10pp
For more information: Email: families@norwood.org.uk
Exploring autism
A 6-week parenting programme designed for parents and carers of children and
young people who may recently have had, or may be waiting for, a diagnosis of autism.
The group focuses on providing a comprehensive understanding of autism, together
with tailored strategies and behaviour management tools. A supportive environment
is maintained whilst highlighting the uniqueness of each autistic child.
When: 10am-12:30pm
Where: Kennedy Leigh Family Centre
Cost: £72 per person
Contact: To find out more, please email: families@norwood.org.uk
Exploring autism for Grandparents
Two-part Workshop
Do you have a grandchild with autism? Would you like to understand more about
autism and how it might impact your family? If so and you would like to meet other
grandparents in a similar position, this two-part workshop is for you!
When: Runs termly, please contact for details
Where: Kennedy Leigh Family Centre
Cost: £30
Contact: To find out more, please email: families@norwood.org.uk
One to One Parenting Support
Taking place at a time to best suit you, these six tailormade one-to-one parenting
sessions are designed to empower you with personalised strategies, specialist guidance
and support with parenting children and young people who may be neurodivergent or
have neurodevelopmental disabilities. The course will help develop bespoke techniques
to nurture healthy relationships, effective communication, positive behaviours and build
confidence to help create long-lasting harmonious family dynamic.
When: At mutually convenient dates
Where: Kennedy Leigh Family Centre
Cost: £72pp
Contact: To find out more, please email: families@norwood.org.uk
non-violent resistance
The NVR Parenting Approach supports adults caring for young people, aged 3 – 18 years, who present with  challenging and/or violent behaviours.
This 9-week course focuses on how to better understand and manage your child’s behaviour and improve family relationships and communication, despite the difficulties.
It offers practical tools to enable and empower parents to feel confident in their responses to challenging behaviour including the unique difficulties children with special needs might display.
When: Runs termly, 10am-12:30pm
Where: Kennedy Leigh Family Centre
Cost: £120pp, includes a parenting manual
Contact: To find out more, please email: families@norwood.org.uk
Psychotherapy
Our therapists work with the systems around the child including the parents, schools, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). This is because we understand that therapeutic outcomes are improved by offering a joined up approach, helping to prevent issues from escalating. We believe early intervention is vital in ensuring that more serious mental health issues are avoided in the future.
We use an attachment-based model to help children and young people process loss, trauma, challenging developmental stages and complex family relationships. Each case is carefully assessed to ensure a suitable match with one of our team. Sometimes this involves supporting the parents in addition to the children.
Rainbow Group
Rainbow Groups offer support to parents and carers who have children aged 0 – 11 who
are neurodivergent or have learning disabilities. They provide an opportunity for parents
to talk about their feelings, receive emotional and practical support and information
share with other members of the group.
Where: Kennedy Leigh Family Centre
Cost: £80 per term
Contact: To find out more, please email: families@norwood.org.uk
Rainbow Plus
Rainbow Plus is a monthly Group which offers support to parents and carers of older
children aged 11+ who are neurodivergent or have learning disabilities. They provide an opportunity for parents to talk about their feelings, receive emotional
and practical support and information share with other members of the group
Where: Kennedy Leigh Family Centre
Cost: £40 per term
Contact: To find out more, please email: families@norwood.org.uk
Siblings Groups
Children’s Group, school years 3-6
The Siblings Group meets monthly and offers an opportunity for brothers and sisters
who have a place to have fun, share experiences and feel safe to discuss their feelings.
Where: Kennedy Leigh Family Centre
Cost: £40 per term
Contact: To find out more, please email: families@norwood.org.uk
Talking Teens
Talking Teens is a 4 week parenting programme designed for parents of secondary school teenagers aged 11 – 18. The aim of this programme is to ease the transition from childhood to adolescence, by encouraging positive parenting and relationship building. The sessions cover effective communication, relationship building, managing conflict, building self esteem and managing problem behaviour.
When: Runs termly, please contact for details, 10am-12.30pm
Where: Kennedy Leigh Family Centre
Cost: £65 to include parent manual
Contact: To find out more or book, please email: families@norwood.org.uk
After School Clubs
CHILDREN’S GROUPS, AGES 5 – 11 AND 12 – 18
We provide inclusive play opportunities for neurodiverse children and young people,
enabling them to participate in activities after school whilst being fully supported by a
dedicated and skilled staff team. We offer after-school clubs for children between the
ages of 5 – 11 years and 12 – 18 years. We create fun programmes to meet each person’s
individual needs. There’s a wide range of activities on offer, including:
• Arts and crafts • Cookery • Dance • Music • Sports • Sensory play
When: Various weekday afternoons, please contact us for details
Where: The Hub
Cost: £21 per child
Contact: To find out more or book, please email: families@norwood.org.uk
Unity / Short breaks
Unity provides a range of short breaks that enable disabled children and young people to explore new opportunities and have fun whilst broadening their social networks and promoting independence. We provide inclusive play opportunities for children and young people, enabling them to take part in activities and to go out on trips whilst being fully supported by a dedicated and skilled staff team.
We offer holiday schemes and Sunday clubs for children between the ages of 5-11 years and 12-18 years in North West London.
Our fully trained staff team support children and young people with learning disabilities, autism, physical disabilities, and complex health needs. They also undertake tube-feeding and administer medication. We are based at the Buckets & Spades Lodge which is fully accessible for wheelchairs, with ceiling track hoists and adapted bathrooms with changing facilities.
The centre also includes:
-sensory room
-an adventure playground and outdoor space
-a soft play room
Unity runs Sunday clubs:
-5-11 years Sunday: 10am-1pm
-12-18 years Sunday: 2pm-5pm
Unity runs holiday schemes throughout the year during the school holidays, including half terms. We also run additional trips including visits to theme parks, zoos and specialist adventure playgrounds and swimming pools.
Monday-Friday: 10am-4pm
For further information please email: referrals@norwood.org.uk
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be Jewish to access Children and Family services?
Our services are primarily aimed at the Jewish community but we will always try and provide support, advice and signposting to anyone who contacts us.
Where do the children and family services take place?
We have a children and family centre in Hendon and The Hub in Finchley There is onsite parking available, and all our facilities are accessible with specialist changing facilities and hoist systems in some rooms. Please contact us if you have specific requirements.
How do I know what groups or sessions are running at the moment?
Please contact us for details or click here.
I need some help but I'm not sure which Norwood service I need?
Please get in touch and one of our team will work with you to understand your needs and work out how we can help.
Why choose us?
Established in 1795, Norwood is the Jewish community’s oldest charity and has had Royal Patronage since 1815.
We support and empower neurodiverse children and their families and people with neurodevelopmental disabilities to live their best lives.