Caring for a disabled child can bring extra pressure: interrupted sleep, financial worries, appointments, uncertainty and the effort of finding support. Feeling stretched does not mean you have failed as a parent or partner. Families deserve practical help, time to recover and someone who listens. A child’s disability is never their fault, and relationship difficulties are not inevitable.
Official service information checked 13 October 2026. This page offers routes to support; the Foundation is not an emergency or domestic abuse service.
Online safety: the leave button opens the BBC; it does not clear browsing history or hide activity from monitoring software. If someone checks your device, use a safer device where possible. Read Women’s Aid’s online safety guidance and Refuge’s technology safety advice before changing settings that might alert someone.
Call 999. If calling from a mobile and unable to speak, listen to the operator and press 55 when prompted to reach police. This works on mobiles and does not itself give police your location. Police guidance for silent calls. For other emergency and accessible contact options, see Urgent help.
When it feels safe, make space to explain what each person needs, share the practical workload and ask for help before reaching exhaustion. Short breaks, parent-carer support, benefits advice and support for siblings can ease some of the pressure. You do not have to manage everything alone.
Advice for parents and unpaid carers of disabled children and young people from birth to 25; a formal diagnosis is not needed. Call 0808 808 3555 or email helpline@contact.org.uk. Advice helpline and contact options.
Listening Ear offers booked 45-minute telephone appointments for emotional support, subject to availability. Contact also publishes a Relationships & caring for a disabled child guide (PDF).
Relate’s relationship services include online and local counselling options. Check charges, availability and any funded partnership eligibility before booking; counselling is not universally free.
If there is fear, coercion or abuse, speak privately to a specialist domestic abuse service first. Couples counselling may be unsuitable or unsafe. Relate uses an initial assessment to decide what help is appropriate and prioritises safety.
Find more practical support in our family and carer support guide and short-break directory.
Disagreements and stress can happen in relationships. Abuse involves harm, fear, intimidation or control and can occur without physical violence. Stress, disability and caring responsibilities never excuse abusive behaviour.
See Refuge’s signs of abuse and confidential support and NSPCC’s guide to domestic abuse. Abuse can happen between partners, former partners or family members, and affect people of any gender.
Children can be harmed by seeing, hearing or experiencing the effects of abuse, even if they are not physically attacked. Fear can affect sleep, learning, confidence and wellbeing. Disabled children may face additional barriers to telling someone, especially where communication, personal care or transport depends on another person. Listen in their preferred way, take concerns seriously and do not dismiss changes in wellbeing as simply part of a disability.
Reassure a child that it is not their fault. Do not ask them to intervene or confront the person causing harm. If concerned about a child, contact the school’s safeguarding lead, local children’s services or the NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (Monday–Friday, 10am–4pm), or help@nspcc.org.uk. Email is not an immediate response service. Children can contact Childline free on 0800 1111, 24 hours a day.
You can ask for advice without having decided to leave. Tell the service how and when it is safe to contact you and ask about communication, language and disability access needs.
Specialist support for adults and children affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence; supports survivors of all genders, including LGBT+ people. One Front Door helpline: 0808 2800 999, Monday–Friday, 9.30am–4.30pm, closed 1pm–1.30pm. referrals@stayingput.org.uk. Staying Put: support and referral routes.
Support for anyone in Leeds over 16 affected by domestic violence or abuse, with support pathways for families and children. Helpline 0113 246 0401 is available 24/7, with translation services. Email hello@ldvs.uk is monitored Monday–Friday, 9.30am–5pm. LDVS support and professional referrals.
Advice, safety planning and support for adults, children and young people affected by domestic abuse. Freephone 24-hour helpline: 0800 052 7222. PDAP; Kirklees Council’s service and contact listing.
Free, confidential support for victims and survivors living in Calderdale. Call 01422 323339. The service closes on bank holidays; check its website for current opening times and other contact options. Calderdale Staying Safe.
Cranstoun provides the local service, including support, assessment and safety planning. Call 0800 915 1561 or 01924 972715; Monday–Thursday, 8.30am–5pm, Friday, 8.30am–4.30pm. Wakefield Council’s domestic abuse support and referral routes. Council confirmation of current provider and contact hours.
Free confidential support for women experiencing domestic abuse, and people supporting them: 0808 2000 247, 24/7. Online contact, advice and BSL support; BSL service Monday–Friday, 10am–6pm.
Support for male victims and people supporting them, including trans and non-binary people who feel the service is right for them. Freephone 0808 801 0327, Monday–Friday, 10am–5pm; info@mensadviceline.org.uk. Advice, webchat and information hub.
For LGBT+ people experiencing domestic abuse, sexual violence, hate crime or other abuse. Call 0800 999 5428 or email help@galop.org.uk. Current helpline hours and specialist services; helpline closes weekends.
Specialist Deaf support covering West Yorkshire, with BSL calls and live chat through its website. Text only: 07800 003421; email da@signhealth.org.uk. Service coverage, self-referral and accessible contact options. This is not an emergency service.
You deserve support that takes disability seriously. A specialist worker can help plan around your circumstances rather than expecting you to manage alone. If safe to discuss, explain:
Do not put yourself at risk to collect belongings or evidence. Leaving can increase danger; ask for individual safety planning rather than announcing plans to the person causing harm. Refuge’s guidance on planning to leave safely.
Tell a trusted professional if a child or an adult with care and support needs is unsafe. For council safeguarding routes and immediate help, use our Urgent help page. You do not need to wait until you are certain before asking for advice.
Dogs Trust’s Freedom service provides free, confidential temporary dog fostering while an owner finds safety and becomes settled. Veterinary treatment and dog expenses are covered. The Yorkshire team can discuss eligibility and a safe contact route: 0800 0834322. Service details and regional contacts. Use a safe device or account if communications are monitored. Checked 13 October 2026.
