First Step has been supporting families of babies and children with special needs and/or disabilities for the past 32 years, providing a wide range of family centred and individual child led support.

Families usually contact First Step at a moment of crisis, uncertainty and fear, often with underlying concerns about the health, behaviour or development of their child.  Some may have just been discharged from hospital, and they may or may not have a formal diagnosis of their child’s condition.   Families can be reeling from not knowing what the future holds for them or their child.

Our Family Support Services provide essential support, recognising that the needs of each family and child are unique. As such, this guides the type and level of support provided.  We are known for building long-lasting relationships with families and for accompanying families on what are often long and difficult journeys. First Step believes that nobody knows their child better than parents, so we actively listen to families and the individual ‘stories’ that they have to tell, and craft interventions that will ensure families and children achieve meaningful outcomes.

As Andrea, Mum of Andrew said, “Coming to First Step was the best decision we ever made … There’s no support anywhere else like it.”

We are now completely dependent on fundraising for our income as we are no longer funded by Havering.  So on behalf of every family and child we thank you for your kind donation.