Mum and daughter hugging with an overlay of words

Systems Generated Trauma: when asking for help causes harm

Our new report reveals a widespread pattern of ‘Systems Generated Trauma’ and calls for urgent action to redesign public services that are meant to support, not break, the most vulnerable families.

Mum and daughter hugging with an overlay of words
2 young boys, one in a supportive seat, playing in a blue yellow and orange tent, with toys on the grass around them, bottom left, Cerebra count me in lottery logo

Join the Cerebra 'Count Me In' Lottery

By joining our lottery, your weekly ticket will help transform lives and you'll have the chance to win £1,500 every Thursday!

2 young boys, one in a supportive seat, playing in a blue yellow and orange tent, with toys on the grass around them, bottom left, Cerebra count me in lottery logo
Presenter in the front of a classroom showing a slide show to people with their backs to the camera

Sleep Training for Professionals

We now offer two OCN accredited sleep training courses with a focus on specialist SEND sleep support.

Our Essential sleep training course (OCN Level 3) will give you an introduction to sleep, and the beginnings of the ability to support children with additional needs with their sleep.

Our Intermediate sleep training course (OCN Level 4) is designed to give future sleep consultants all the necessary tools to fully assess and support the sleep of children with additional needs.

 

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Front cover of the impact report 2024 with a small girl smiling and using crutches and a team member looking on and smiling

Our Impact Report for 2024 is here!

We are driven by a simple yet powerful belief that every child with a brain condition deserves to thrive. Everything we do is focused on supporting children, families, and carers to achieve this goal.

Our latest impact report highlights just some of the initiatives we have delivered, and the children and families we have supported.

Front cover of the impact report 2024 with a small girl smiling and using crutches and a team member looking on and smiling

Discover Irwin Mitchell

As the largest dedicated medical negligence law firm across England and Wales, the Irwin Mitchell specialist team has decades of experience in cases involving complications during pregnancy and childbirth including birth injury.

Over 500,000 children in the UK live with a brain condition

This can make everyday activities such as learning, playing or simply experiencing the world a huge challenge. Through our research we offer solutions and advice to help these children and their families enjoy lives full of hope and discovery.

Research is the foundation for all our work

Whether we're providing an innovative solution to a problem or new research on an existing condition, we partner with our experts to produce research-driven, evidence-based services, advice and support.

Can you help?

We rely on donations to continue our vital work helping children with brain conditions and their families discover a better life together.

I need advice on

Nervous child clinging to mum

Cerebra response to the Government’s ‘School’s White Paper and SEND Reform’ proposals

Cerebra has issued an initial response to the Government’s proposed SEND reforms, focusing on the rights of disabled children, the desire to push disabled children to ...

20 Years of Breaking Barriers for Disabled Children: Leadership of Innovation Centre Changes Hands

Since 2005, the Cerebra Innovation Centre (CIC) has transformed the lives of over 3,000 families, proving that 'designing to enable' can unlock a world of adventure ...

Systems Generated Trauma: Families blocked from seeing their disabled loved ones

ITV News has today released a story highlighting the very real and devastating affect Systems Generated Trauma has on families. Read the full article here. Cerebra ...

What is an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and how to apply for one

Navigating your child’s education can be daunting especially if your child has special educational needs. The purpose of this article is to explain how to apply ...
Girl asleep in bed with a sheep toy and pink butterfly pajamas

It Changed Our Life: Finding Sleep Strategies That Actually Work

For many five-year-olds, life is about play and imagination. This is certainly true for one little girl, E,  we recently supported. E is autistic, a fan ...

From Heavy Days to Brighter Nights: Callie’s Sleep Journey

Callie Meet Callie. She is five years old, autistic, and full of life. She’s high-energy, loves swimming, Barbies, and dressing up. Like many girls her age, ...

Students enjoy Hydrobeatz in their music class

In January, our Innovation Centre supplied Sandfield Park School with a Hydrobeatz floating music station. Instead of using it in the pool, they have used it ...
a woman hugging two small children

Join the campaign to withdraw the FII label

This is a campaign led by survivors, clinicians, social workers and academics. The campaign is calling for: Immediate withdrawal of the FII label and associated guidance ...
happy disabled boy painting with his family

Supporting Siblings Webinar Review

The 'Supporting siblings and the sibling relationship when a child is autistic or has a learning disability' webinar was presented by Dr Louise Rixon and Julie Tattersfield ...

Things to consider after a difficult birth and following your child’s diagnosis of cerebral palsy

Giving birth to a child is an eagerly anticipated, exciting and life-changing experience. But regrettably, sometimes mistakes in maternity care can happen and tragically, these can ...

Celebrate St David’s Day with a £9 mystery tour!

To celebrate all things Welsh, Wales-based coach holiday company, Leisuretime by Toureasy are proud to offer a St David's Day Special, priced at a very special ...

Celebrating 20 Years of Cerebra’s Sleep Service and Innovation Centre

We are incredibly proud of all that our Sleep and Innovation teams have achieved over the past 20 years, and celebrated in style earlier this month ...

I need advice on

education and transport

Getting the right education for your child – and sometimes just getting them there – can be a challenge.

We have guides to help you access the the right education for your child in England and Wales.

We also have guides on school transport in England and Wales.

DLA and accessing public services

We have a wide range of resources that help parents and carers access legal, social and financial help.

Download a step-by-step guide to filling in the Disability Living Allowance Claim Form.

Our Accessing Public Services Toolkit offers solutions to common problems when dealing with statutory agencies.

View information in our Legal, Social and Financial section.

getting some sleep

At Cerebra we provide support and advice to help your child – and everyone in your family – get a good night’s sleep.

Download our Sleep Guide or look at our other sleep resources.

Tackle some of the most common sleep problems with some quick tips from our Sleep Cards.

Contact our sleep team for one-to-one help.

stress and emotional wellbeing

We all know that mental health is as important as physical health. Here are some resources to help you look after yourself and your loved ones.

Our Looking after your own wellbeing as a parent carer guide looks at the importance of looking after yourself if you are a parent or carer of a child with a brain condition.

We also have a Guide to Anxiety to help you spot signs of anxiety in your child and how to help them.

toilet training and continence

Toilet training can have a number of different causes and as a result require a range of approaches to manage and resolve issues.

Our Guide for Parents helps you understand your child’s individual needs when toilet training.

Our infographic Guide to Toilet Training is a visual aid to help you understand common problems and offers techniques to help.

managing behaviour

Some behaviours are challenging for professionals and teachers as well carers and parents looking after children with a brain condition.

Download our Managing Challenging Behaviour Factsheet.

Our Guide to Pain helps you identify and manage pain in a child who is unable to communicate verbally.

understanding my child's condition

Knowledge based on current research gives you the power to help your child, whatever their diagnosis.

You can borrow a book on your child’s condition from our library to help your understanding.

Our Services

We offer a range of free services that enrich the lives of children with brain conditions and support their families and carers.

Sleep Service

Sleep Advice Service

Advice and support helping you and your child get a good night’s sleep.

Library

Toy and Book Library

Borrow specialist books and toys from our free and easy to use library.

Parent Guides

Parent Guides

Comprehensive guides to legal, social, financial, educational and health issues. 

Cerebra Innovation Centre

Cerebra Innovation Centre

See how our dedicated team in Swansea might help your child with an incredible invention.

LEap

Legal Rights Service

Get information and help about your legal rights to health and social care services.