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Activities for children with additional support needs (ASN)

Publication date
19 October 2026

What it is

There are a range of different activities in Renfrewshire for children and young people with additional support needs. 

You can see a list of activities, events, and sessions below to find what might work best for your child.

Activities available

Sports activities with OneRen

You can see what disability sports sessions are available (OneRen website).

To find out more, contact Chris Cleary, Active Schools Community Club Development Officer, by:

Music activities with Brick Lane Music Academy

Brick Lane Music Academy provides: 

  • out of school holiday respite for families in Renfrewshire with disabilities
  • support for families 0-3
  • a range of activities in Brick Lane and St Anthony's Johnstone
  • ASN activities for children of primary age
  • band workshop for young people between 11 to 17 years
  • term time music activities.

Term time music activities take place on:

  • Saturday - Musical Tots ASN, for ages 0 to 4
  • Saturday - ASN music session, for ages 5 to 11
  • Saturday - ASN music session, for ages 5 to 11 
  • Saturday 3pm to 3:30pm - ASN music session, for ages 11 to 17
  • Wednesday - ASN after school music, for all school ages. 

Contact information for Bricklane Music Academy:

Marvellous Minds

Marvellous Minds sessions are for parents and carers of neurodivergent children age 0 to 12 years. Diagnosis not necessary and workshops are free to attend.

There are 8 weeks of informative and engaging workshops in a warm, welcoming, and inclusive space, which aims to nurture neurodiversity through exploring:

  • emotional regulation
  • sensory processing
  • self-care
  • play the schema way
  • social communication.

Contact information for Marvellous Minds:

Early Years Scotland

Early Years Scotland provides 24 programmes with free access for parents and children aged 0 to 5 in Ferguslie, Foxbar, Gallowhill and surrounding areas, within local community centres.

Capacity is 12 to 15 families for a range of activities.

Contact information for Early Years Scotland:

Pachedu and School of African Cultures Nkwado Support

Support for families in diverse ethnic communities with with neurodiversity needs, offering:

  • family support workshops and volunteer training
  • one on one counselling
  • peer support groups
  • cultural awareness events
  • resource development
  • social and recreative activities.

Contact information for Pachedu and School of African Cultures Nkwado Support:

Renfrewshire Out of School Care Network (ROSCN)

For families of:

  • children who are neurodivergent who require support either pre or post diagnosis
  • children 0 to 8 years old requiring parenting support and or support for distressed behaviours
  • children with disabilities who require support either pre or post diagnosis.

Activities:

  • Saturday club: for 48 children per day, in 3 sessions of 16 children per 2-hour session
  • OOSC: for 16 children per day for 5 days
  • Spring and summer play scheme for children and young people who have ASN, who have fewer complex needs
  • holiday clubs and after school clubs.

Contact information for Renfrewshire Out of School Care Network (ROSCN):

  • address: Flexi-care Studio, 3006 Mile End Mill, Abbeymill Business Centre, 12 Seedhill Road, Paisley, PA1 1JS
  • email: Lesley Compston, lesleycompston@klascare.com

Youth Interventions

Operating on a Tuesday and Thursday, Youth Interventions (YI) provide a Family Wellbeing Project working collaboratively with RHSCP, Renfrewshire Autism Services and partners bringing additionality to existing services for:

  • families of and children and young people 9 years old and over, with a neurodevelopmental disorder both pre or post diagnosis
  • families of and children age 11 to 16 displaying distressed or risk-taking behaviour
  • respite: children and youth activity groups after school, and Saturday group with youth workers to engage in activities such as art, craft, dance, music
  • family support group: weekly group where families and carers can get together, share their experiences, and enjoy various activities, experience positive parenting behavioural change techniques
  • specialist and practical one to one support for children, young people and families with practitioners who have a robust understanding of context, age, and stage, neurodivergence (the lead is neurodivergent as well as professionally trained) and the impact this can have on lives as well as the complex social.

Contact information for Youth Interventions (YI):

  • address: The YI Children YP and Family Wellbeing Centre, Mossedge Village, 145 Brediland Road, Linwood, PA3 3RX
  • email: Louise Dempsey, louise@youthinterventions.org.uk

Home-Start Renfrewshire and Inverclyde

Home-Start Renfrewshire and Inverclyde provide:

  • befriending support
  • neurodivergent family group - contact service for details
  • Skills for Life Development Courses - childcare included by trained childcare professionals from KLAS Care
  • Mellow Bumps - an 8-week antenatal programme supporting parents-to-be. The aim to decrease stress of expectant parents, helping them to build a relationship with their baby pre-birth
  • Blank Canvas - for women with mild-to-moderate perinatal-mental ill health. An 8-week course to encourage reflection and mindfulness, reducing anxiety and low mood
  • Being a Parent to Autistic Children - in partnership with KLAS Care. A 10-week group supporting parenting, family resilience, and coping
  • Baby and Child First Aid - a 3-hour session delivered in a relaxed style, giving parents confidence to know what actions to take if faced with a medical emergency.

Contact information for Home-Start Renfrewshire and Inverclyde:

Empowering Parents Empowering Communities (EPEC)

This parenting group has a dedicated course for autism, which runs for 10 weeks, and a mainstream course which runs for 8 weeks. 

The course is aimed at children age 3 and over.

This course is supported by community members that have completed the courses and the training to provide an excellent experience that will impact both your and your families life.

The course is for 2 hours a week for about 8 to 10 weeks. You're recommended to attend 80% to get the full benefits from the groups.

In connection with ASN Respite support and KLAS Care's nurture programme, you may be entitled to free access to other services delivered by KLAS Care. This includes Respite support while attending this course. You'll be given more information on this during the course.

All EPEC courses are free to attend and have a free creche if you need it for children that are not attending school yet.

For more information, phone Lesley on 01505331931 or 07584061742.

KLAS Care nurture programme

KLAS Care provide a 10-week support programme that is delivered in or out of school time.

This programme is designed to connect with children age 5 and older that are in need of help to self regulate. It also helps them have one-to-one time with a nurture practitioner that can teach coping strategies to help the child:

  • find who they are
  • and how they can make positive choices in their lives that will enhance their mental and social health and wellbeing.

This programme is designed to run alongside EPEC. Parents are strongly advised to sign up for an EPEC course (this may not be at the same time) to help find a common goal and a shared vision with the whole family's wellbeing.  

All schools within Renfrewshire will be considered but the school, parents and child must agree to this programme.

For more information, phone Lesley on 01505331931 or 07584061742. Or make a request to the Family wellbeing service.

KLAS Care All Inclusive Family Play and Learning

KLAS Care All Inclusive Family Play and Learning provide:

  • whole family support programme
  • trained childcare practitioners and support to children and families with neurodivergent young people and crisis intervention
  • before school and after school care in various venues within Renfrewshire
  • holiday respite for neurodivergent and ASN young people
  • Saturday club (pending) - for ASN and neurodivergent young people
  • support for parents and carers in EPEC.

Contact information for KLAS Care All Inclusive Family Play and Learning:

ASN Respite support every Saturday

ASN Respite support is available every Saturday to all children of age 5 and older with or without a diagnosis.

The support is based at:

Klas Care Well-Being Hub
Hallhill Road
Johnstone
PA5 0SD

You can book sessions online.

There are many options for you to book. All sessions can be booked back to back or you can stick to the allocated slot.

If you live in Renfrewshire you may be entitled to free spaces, terms and conditions apply.

If your child is 4 years old and you are interested in this service, contact Lesley directly by:

More information

You can find more information about activities available for children and young people with ASN and their families through the ASN groups and clubs Renfrewshire Facebook group.