Useful Links

• Government and official sites
• Offical publications
• Educational help
• Bullying and safety issues
• Social services, benefits and health
• Legal help
• General

Government and official sites

• Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF): English government department responsible for school-age education
• Equality and Human Rights Commission: independent body established to stop discrimination and promote equality of opportunity for disabled people among other groups
• Information Commissioner: find out about rights to information held on your child or on school or LEA policies and practices
• Local authorities address finder: find your LEA and the top person to write to
• Local Government Ombudsman: adjudicates on complaints about maladministration by local government
• National Assembly for Wales (Learning Wales): Welsh legislative assembly and devolved government site
• Office for Standards in Education (OfSTED) (England) and Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education and Training in Wales (Estyn) (Wales): inspect schools, publish inspection reports
• Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA): information on the national curriculum
• Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (SEND): independent judicial body which considers parents’ appeals against English LEAs’ decisions on SEN, and parents’ claims about disability discrimination by English schools or LEAs.
• Special Educational Needs Tribunal for Wales (SENTW): independent judicial body which considers parents’ appeals against Welsh LEAs’ decisions on SEN, and parents’ claims about disability discrimination by Welsh schools or LEAs.
• TeacherNet SEN site: comprehensive government site on SEN for schools and LEAs, also useful for parents.

Back to top

Official publications

• Disability Discrimination: Code of Practice for Schools (PDF, 409 KB): guidance on the implementation of Part 4 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 under which claims of discrimination can be brought against schools and LEAs.
• Disability Discrimination Act: Guidance on matters to be taken into account in determining questions relating to the definition of disability: paras D12 to D14 deal specifically with children. This guidance issued 2006.
• DfES Guidance on disability equality in schools: guidance on the implementation of schools' Disability Equality Duty (DED) to promote disability equality and eliminate discrimination.
• Inclusive Schooling: guidance on LEAs’ and schools’ duties to include children with special needs: download from this site, or ring 0845 6022260 to obtain a paper copy, ref. DfES 0774 2001
• Improving Behaviour and Attendance: 2008 guidance to schools and LEAs on exclusion law and practice, also available as paper copy from 0845 6022260, quoting ref. 00573-2008DOM-EN.
• Sick/anxious children:
  • Access to education for children and young people with medical needs: where children cannot attend school because of medical needs, local authorities should ensure they continue their education. Download this guidance, or ring 0845 6022260 to obtain a paper copy, ref. DfES 0732/2001. Also helpful short summary, ref. DFES/0025/2002.
  • Managing medicines in schools and early years settings: 2005 DfES/DoH guidance, contains advice on health care plans etc., to ensure that children requiring medicines receive appropriate support: download from this site, or ring 0845 6022260 to obtain a paper copy, ref. DfES 1448-2005
• Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (SEND):
  • How to Appeal (SEN): PDF version
  • Disability Discrimination in Schools: how to make a claim: PDF version
• Special Educational Needs Tribunal for Wales (SENTW)
  • How to Appeal (SEN): PDF version
  • Disability Discrimination in Schools: how to make a claim: PDF version
  • Notice of Appeal Form (SEN): PDF version
  • Notice of Disability Discrimination Claim Form: PDF version
• Special Educational Needs Code of Practice: download from this site, or ring 0845 6022260 to obtain a paper copy, ref. DfES 0581 2001.
• Special Educational Needs Code of Practice for Wales: download from this site or ring 029 20826078 to obtain a paper copy.
• Technical Guidance Note - Access to personal information held by schools in England and Technical Guidance Note - Access to personal information held by schools in Wales (PDFs): asking for your child's records, how to do it, time limits for responses, and possible charges
• Who does what: Guidance on the roles of social workers, foster carers and care workers in respect of the education of looked after children

Back to top

Educational help

• Advisory Centre for Education (ACE): general advice about state education, also has dedicated exclusion helpline and helpful SEN publications.
• Centre for Studies on Inclusive Education (CSIE): Information and advice about educating children with SEN in mainstream education.
• Citizens Advice Bureau on education in England: CAB's education resource
• Education Otherwise: Support and information for families whose children are being educated outside school.
• Home Education Advisory Service (HEAS): Advice and support for families who wish to educate their child at home.
• National Parent Partnership Network: how to find your local parent partnership service

Back to top

Bullying and safety issues

• Bullying Online: help for parents and children dealing with bullying at school
• Childline: national helpline for children and young people in trouble or danger
• Kidscape: charity committed to keeping children safe from harm or abuse

Back to top

Social services, benefits and health

• Family Rights Group: offers advice and services to families whose children are involved with social services
• Carers UK: offers information and advice to carers of children and adults with disabilities
• Disability Alliance: publications on social security benefits for disabled people
• NHS Direct: information on health and how the NHS should work

Back to top

Legal help

• Citizens Advice Bureau: information on rights in benefits, housing, education, employment and debt, and consumer protection
• Children's Legal Centre: advice on law and policy affecting children and young people, some case work
• CLS Direct: legal information, advice available for those eligible for legal aid
• Education Law Association (ELAS): can help find a solicitor specializing in education in your area.

Back to top

General

• Contact a Family: advice, information and support to parents of disabled children
• National Children's Bureau (NCB): promotes the interests and well-being of children and young people
• Parentline Plus is a national charity for parents, advising on wide-ranging issues such as a new baby, family disagreements, and behaviour.
• Talking Point: information about speech and language difficulties in children
• True Colours Trust gives out grants to help organisations supporting children with disabilities
• Young Minds: children's mental health charity.

Back to top