Parents & Carers

CLAPA is committed to safeguarding the people of all ages and backgrounds who use our services. Click to find out more about how we make safeguarding a priority.

For parents and carers of a child with a cleft, CLAPA is a link to the rest of the UK cleft community, and the practical and emotional support we provide goes above and beyond what is available within the NHS. Our aim is to work with families and the NHS Cleft Services to give parents and families the best possible support from the moment of diagnosis.

Join Our Parent Support Group on Facebook

  • Need to Talk?

    Find one-on-one support from trained parent volunteers who've been through it all before. Whatever you're facing, you're not alone - get in touch today.

  • Events

    Information about all our upcoming events.

  • Help With Feeding

    Check out our information pages on feeding babies born with a cleft, including practical tips from nurses and other parents.

  • Online Support

    Join our parent support group on Facebook to find10,000 parents and carers like you all over the UK sharing photos, stories and advice.

  • Treatment Timeline

    Learn all about cleft treatment from birth to diagnosis.

  • Your Stories

    Read stories and interviews from parents about their experiences with diagnosis, surgery and beyond.

  • Financial Support

    Information on government benefits, grants and other funds to help with the extra costs of caring for a child born with a cleft.

  • Support with Surgery

    Advice for coping with your child's surgery, including hospital packing lists, aftercare, and more.

  • Photo Gallery

    CLAPA's photo gallery features hundreds of images of babies born with a cleft before and after surgery.

  • Starting School

    How you can help your child's school support them to reach their full potential.

  • Family Focus Group

    CLAPA is very excited to launch a new focus group specifically for parents, carers and grandparents to help shape the services CLAPA provides for families.

Find information on your child's treatment pathway, from diagnosis through to adulthood.

Treatment Timeline