Rainbow Rogues is a support group for families who have pre-school children who have additional support needs and/or a disability.  

The group was formed in 2005, initially as part of the Surestart initiative, as a response to a community audit which highlighted the needs of local families. The most significant gap for families was the lack of information and support, either when a child was first diagnosed with a disability, or when parents became aware of a developmental issue. 

Fifteen years later, very little has changed with parents still identifying the same issues in the lack of intervention, advice, information and support.  Parents feel isolated and uninformed on how to manage their child’s needs and how to cope with their own emotions and stress at a time of crisis. Until a child is old enough to attend a pre-school setting there is no coordinated system to support the whole family. In addition, although the local authority has a presumption of inclusion in all their settings, parents are seldom actively engaged in making choices or decisions.  

The group has close working relationships with the local early year’s networks and professionals such as Homestart and Health Visiting teams who refer new families to the group.

Rainbow Rogues is a member of the Ellon Early Years Network, Ellon Local Learning Partnership and Ellon Health and Wellbeing Group.  As a long-standing provider of specific support to young families, Rainbow Rogues can offer advice and support to other services and agencies on matters relating to disability and early years, as well as taking formal and informal referrals.

We are a registered charity and rely on donations and grants to run our sessions.  There is absolutely no cost to families to attend.