Autism and pathological demand avoidance (PDA) Expand National Autistic Society: https://www.autism.org.uk/ https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance The PDA Society - https://www.pdasociety.org.uk/ In many cases, NHS patients in England have the legal right to choose where to have their NHS treatment. This is known as “Right to Choose” and can often include who carries out assessments for conditions such as autism. If you or your child are facing a long wait for assessment and wish to find out more about Right to Choose, further information is available on the NHS's website and from the National Autistic Society.
Benefits and grants Expand Contact - https://contact.org.uk/advice-and-support/benefits-financial-help/ Contact’s free 'Helpful Guide for Families with Disabled Children' can be downloaded here and ordered in hard copy Contact’s website hosts a Grant Finder Tool to help families who are in need of financial assistance e.g. to pay for specialist equipment, therapies and housing adaptations. You can find other useful information on aids, equipment and adaptations, help with education costs, home improvements, transport and leisure discounts. Citizens’ Advice - https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/contact-us/ Disability Law Service - https://dls.org.uk/ Parents in Need - https://www.parentsinneed.org/ - a charity which funds professional reports needed for a SEND Tribunal appeal.
Bullying Expand Bullying UK (part of Family Lives) - https://www.bullying.co.uk/ Childline - https://childline.org.uk/
Childcare Expand Contact - https://contact.org.uk/advice-and-support/work-childcare/ Childcare Choices (childcare eligibility check) - https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/
Discrimination Expand The Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS) has a helpline (0808 800 0082) and online chat which is able to provide free advice and information about the Equality Act 2010 and the Human Rights Act 1998. EASS can advise you on identifying the correct protected characteristic (the thing that means you/your child can’t be discriminated against), the sector and the prohibited conduct which applies to your circumstances, or its online information may help you to do this. If you feel you need support in resolving an issue, EASS may be able to contact the organisation who has treated you/your child unfairly on your behalf. EASS provides assistance and advice across England, Scotland and Wales, in different languages and in some cases with specific accessibility support for people with learning difficulties and hearing impairments. EASS also has some helpful resources, including education specific template letters. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is an independent legal body with the responsibility to encourage equality and diversity, eliminate unlawful discrimination, and protect and promote the human rights of everyone in Britain (see Scotland and Wales sections below). It enforces equality legislation on protected characteristics, such as disability. The EHRC has produced technical guidance for schools in England which outlines the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 for schools in relation to the provision of education and access to benefits, facilities or services, both educational and non-educational. The guidance contains case studies which can be helpful in putting duties into context. The EHRC also has Technical guidance on further and higher education and Public Sector Equality Duty: guidance for schools. There is also information about disability discrimination in college and university which can be found on the Scope UK website.
Elective home education Expand Education Otherwise: https://www.educationotherwise.org/ Home Education Advisory Service (HEAS): https://www.heas.org.uk/
Educational psychology Expand If your child has not been seen by an educational psychologist, you can ask their school to refer them to their local service or (if appropriate) request an EHC needs assessment. You can search for independent educational psychologists in your area using: the British Psychological Society’s directory of chartered psychologists - https://www.bps.org.uk/find-psychologist the Association of Child Psychologists in Private Practice - https://www.achippp.org.uk/
Employment issues (including apprenticeships) Expand ACAS - https://www.acas.org.uk/getting-legal-advice ACAS helpline - 0300 123 1100 Contact - https://contact.org.uk/advice-and-support/work-childcare/ Disability Law Service - https://dls.org.uk/ If your issue concerns or may count as whistleblowing please see ACAS whistleblowing at work - https://www.acas.org.uk/whistleblowing-at-work Protect - https://protect-advice.org.uk/ For free, confidential whistleblowing advice you can call Protect on 020 3117 2520 or complete this form https://protect.tfaforms.net/f/Contact-the-Advice-Line
Exclusions Expand The School Exclusions Project can provide advice and representation at the point of exclusion, at Governing Body Hearings, Independent Review Panels and for SEND Tribunal appeals - https://www.schoolexclusionproject.com/ The School Exclusions Hub hosted by Coram contains resources, template letters, and existing resources - https://schoolexclusionshub.org.uk/ Parents and carers of children who have been permanently excluded from a school in London can self-refer to Coram’s School Exclusion Clinic for free legal representation using this referral form - https://schoolexclusionshub.org.uk/referrals/ The City School Exclusion Service (CITYSES) can provide free casework and representation for families in Greater London navigating permanent school exclusions. Support is available for meetings with school governors to challenge a permanent exclusion, and Independent Review Panels to contest governing body decisions. CITYSES does not provide representation at SEND Tribunal hearings or conduct litigation. Download a leaflet about the service, or visit their website for further information -https://www.citystgeorges.ac.uk/about/facilities/specialist-facilities/schools-exclusion-service Watkins Solicitors has partnered with the University of Bristol to offer free legal advice to parents of children who have been excluded from school. Support can include explaining the Independent Review Panel process, helping parents prepare for the hearing, drafting written statements, and organising and submitting supporting evidence. Parents can get in touch with the team by emailing [email protected] or by visiting the University of Bristol Law Clinic website at bristol.ac.uk/law/law-clinic.
Family law Expand Coram Children’s Legal Centre - https://childlawadvice.org.uk/clas/contact-child-law-advice/
Finding a nursery, school or college/information about schools Expand Finding a school As a first step, you should look on your local authority’s (LA) local offer, and that of any neighbouring LAs. You can search by LA on the Department for Education directory of schools - https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/ You can also search by LA on the list of Section 41 special schools and colleges maintained by the Department for Education - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/independent-special-schools-and-colleges John Catt’s ‘Which school for special needs’ is a directory of independent special schools - https://www.specialneedsguide.co.uk/ Finding information about a school For help checking what type a school or other setting is, you can: search for it on https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/ if it is classed as ‘Other independent special school’ it may be a Section 41 school. You can scroll further down the page to ‘Section 41 approved’ and it will tell you whether the school is Section 41 approved or not. Independent schools which are not Section 41 approved are wholly independent schools. You can also check whether the school appears on the Section 41 list -https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/independent-special-schools-and-colleges
Free school meals Expand Contact has a free school meals guide and four template letters which have been written by human rights lawyers and are designed to help families whose children are eligible for free school meals but cannot access them in the standard way. There is a choice of two flowcharts to use, both of which assist you in determining whether your child is eligible and if so, which template letter is applicable to your circumstances.
Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities Expand Friends, Families and Travellers - https://www.gypsy-traveller.org/ - supporting Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people with various issues including education, health, discrimination and accommodation. https://www.gypsy-traveller.org/ https://www.gypsy-traveller.org/get-advice/
Health Expand Beacon - provides up to 90 minutes free advice and a free toolkit on continuing health care (CHC), including on CHC assessments and appeals. CHC is relevant for adults aged 18 or over who have complex health needs. https://www.beaconchc.co.uk/how-we-can-help/free-information-and-advice-on-nhs-continuing-healthcare/ 0345 548 0300 NHS continuing healthcare explainer video (transcript and description available): https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/nhs-continuing-healthcare-explainer-video-transcript/ Contact - has a comprehensive directory of medical conditions and learning disabilities, with details of organisations which can provide support for each type. You can also download or request a hard copy of Contact’s free “Helpful guide for families with disabled children”. It also has a dedicated page on support when a child does not have a diagnosis. ERIC - The Children’s Bowel and Bladder Charity: https://eric.org.uk/ ERIC provides a free helpline, information, advice and resources on children’s continence issues, including best practice guidance for education settings. NHS Right to Choose - In many cases, NHS patients in England have the legal right to choose where to have their NHS treatment. This is known as “Right to Choose” and can often include who carries out assessments for conditions such as autism and/or ADHD. If you or your child are facing a long wait for assessment and wish to find out more about Right to Choose, further information is available on the NHS's website and from the charities National Autistic Society and ADHD UK. SHINE - (Spina bifida. Hydrocephalus. Information. Networking. Equality): https://www.shinecharity.org.uk/ SHINE is a charity which provides a range of free services for children and adults living with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus, and their parents. Services include health support, legal support and education support. Stroke Association - Childhood Stroke Support Service: https://www.stroke.org.uk/childhood-stroke The Stroke Association offers a Childhood Stroke Support Service, which has information and advice for parents and carers of children affected by childhood stroke. Services include practical information and a support service.
Housing Expand Shelter - https://england.shelter.org.uk/get_help Disability Law Service - https://dls.org.uk/
Legal aid Expand Cases in the SEND Tribunal or judicial review If you need help with an appeal or claim in the SEND Tribunal or judicial review, please see our where can I get help? page. If you decide you would like a solicitor to help you, you should first check whether you qualify for civil legal aid because, if so, this could mean you won’t have to pay for their help. You can check if you are eligible online or on the phone. There is more information about whether you may be eligible for legal aid, how to check this and find a provider on our where can I get help? page. IPSEA cannot recommend a specific firm but suggest you find a firm or a solicitor with expertise in education law. For judicial review cases, a “public law” solicitor can also help. You can search for local solicitors by area of practice (“education” or “judicial review – legal aid”) using the Law Society’s pro-search tool. Attendance Orders If you have been threatened with, or have received, an Attendance Order, you can seek advice from a criminal solicitor and: check they are familiar with education cases, and ask them if you qualify for criminal legal aid. You could also contact Citizens Advice.
Local authority Expand The Association of Directors of Children’s Services has a directory of the names and contact details of all directors of children’s services: https://adcs.org.uk/contacts/directors-of-childrens-services
Looked after and previously looked after children Expand Statutory Guidance – Promoting the education of looked after children and previously looked-after children https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/promoting-the-education-of-looked-after-children Coram Children’s Legal Centre https://childlawadvice.org.uk/ Parents and Children Together (PACT) https://www.pactcharity.org/ Adoption UK https://www.adoptionuk.org/ Adoption support fund https://www.gov.uk/guidance/adoption-support-fund-asf Help at Hand - the Children’s Commissioner’s advice and assistance service for children in care, children who have a social worker or are working with social services, children living away from home and care leavers. It has a free helpline, email contact and frequently asked questions here: https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/help-at-hand/ The Fostering Network https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/ Kinship https://kinship.org.uk/ Statutory Guidance - Designated teacher for looked-after and previously looked-after children https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/designated-teacher-for-looked-after-children
Mental health Expand Mind - https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helplines/ Young Minds (who can provide advice and support both to parents and directly to children or young people) - https://youngminds.org.uk/ In many cases, NHS patients in England have the legal right to choose where to have their NHS treatment. This is known as “Right to Choose”. If you would like to find out more, further information is available on the NHS's website.
Northern Ireland Expand IPSEA does not advise on the law in Northern Ireland. If you live in Northern Ireland, please see the links below to find out more: Contact provides information and advice for families with disabled children in Northern Ireland: https://contact.org.uk/northernireland The Education Authority has information on its website: https://www.eani.org.uk/parents/special-educational-needs-sen/special-educational-needs-general-information SENAC provides information, advocacy and advice in relation to law for children with SEND in Northern Ireland http://www.senac.co.uk/
Occupational therapy Expand If a child has not been seen by an occupational therapist, parents can ask their GP to refer them to their local service. Parents can search for independent occupational therapists in their area using the Royal College of Occupational Therapists’ directory - https://rcotss-ip.org.uk/find Health & Care Professions Council standards of proficiency for occupational therapists - https://www.hcpc-uk.org/standards/standards-of-proficiency/occupational-therapists/ For information on common sensory processing difficulties, assessments, interventions and strategies see https://cerebra.org.uk/download/sensory-processing/
Personal injury Expand If your child or young person’s SEND is due to personal injury, you may wish to seek legal advice on potential compensation. If the injury was as a result of clinical negligence you should check if you qualify for legal aid - https://www.gov.uk/check-legal-aid. Otherwise, you can search for personal injury solicitors in your area using the Law Society pro-search function: http://solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk/?Pro=True Any settlement should include an Educational Indemnity. This makes sure that costly litigation to secure educational support is indemnified, and where adequate provision cannot be secured through a SEND Tribunal appeal, this support will be funded by the person or body responsible for the child’s injuries. You can read more about this process here (please note IPSEA is not recommending the firm).
Physiotherapy Expand If your child has not been seen by a physiotherapist, you can ask your GP to refer them to their local service. You can search for independent physiotherapists in your area using the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy’s directory - https://www.csp.org.uk/public-patient/find-physiotherapist/physio2u Health and Care Professions Council standards of proficiency for physiotherapists - https://www.hcpc-uk.org/standards/standards-of-proficiency/physiotherapists/
School attendance fines and enforcement action Expand If you receive an enforcement notice or a fine for non-attendance, you should get legal advice: Coram - childlawadvice.org.uk. School attendance and absence - childlawadvice.org.uk
School related anxiety Expand IPSEA - https://www.ipsea.org.uk/school-anxiety Mind - https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helplines/ Young Minds - https://youngminds.org.uk/ The Law Society pro-search function - http://solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk/?Pro=True
Scotland Expand IPSEA does not advise on the law that applies in Scotland so please see the below links for some useful resources for those living in Scotland. Parents and carers in Scotland can contact Enquire - https://enquire.org.uk/contact/ Enquire has a telephone helpline and useful information on its website including this factsheet. Contact provides information and advice for families with disabled children in Scotland: https://contact.org.uk/help-for-families/information-advice-services/education-learning-scotland/support-in-education-scotland/ Cerebra has Scotland specific resources available here: https://cerebra.org.uk/get-advice-support/parent-guides/ https://cerebra.org.uk/get-advice-support/legal-and-financial/template-letters-scotland/ The Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS) has a helpline (0808 800 0082) and online chat which is able to provide free advice and information about the Equality Act 2010 and the Human Rights Act 1998. EASS can advise you on identifying the correct protected characteristic (the thing that means you/your child can’t be discriminated against), the sector and the prohibited conduct which applies to your circumstances, or its online information may help you to do this. If you feel you need support in resolving an issue, EASS may be able to contact the organisation who has treated you/your child unfairly on your behalf. EASS provides assistance and advice across England, Scotland and Wales, in different languages and in some cases with specific accessibility support for people with learning difficulties and hearing impairments. EASS also has some helpful resources, including education specific template letters. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is an independent statutory body with the responsibility to encourage equality and diversity, eliminate unlawful discrimination, and protect and promote the human rights of everyone in Britain. It enforces equality legislation on protected characteristics, such as disability. The EHRC has produced Technical guidance for schools in Scotland which outlines the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 for schools in relation to the provision of education and access to benefits, facilities or services, both educational and non-educational. The EHRC also has Technical guidance on further and higher education.
SEN organisations Expand As well as IPSEA, there are other SEN organisations which may be able to provide you with information and advice. You will have a local and impartial Information, Advice and Support Service. IAS services are able to help parents review EHC plans, and attend meetings with schools or LAs (depending on service capacity): https://councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/information-advice-and-support-services-network/find-your-local-ias-service You may also find the following useful: Contact - https://contact.org.uk/advice-and-support/education-learning/ Coram Children’s Legal Centre - https://childlawadvice.org.uk/clas/contact-child-law-advice/ SOS!SEN - https://www.sossen.org.uk/ Liverpool law school also offers free support with a range of SEN related queries. Support can include detailed letters of advice, SEN appeals support, and pre-action assistance. It may be particularly helpful for parents who are not eligible for legal aid and are seeking support with judicial review.
Social care Expand Carers UK - https://www.carersuk.org/ Contact - https://contact.org.uk/advice-and-support/social-care/ Disability Law Service - https://dls.org.uk/ Help at Hand - the Children’s Commissioner’s advice and assistance service for children in care, children who have a social worker or are working with social services, children living away from home and care leavers. It has a free helpline, email contact and frequently asked questions here: https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/help-at-hand/
Speech and language therapy Expand If your child has not been seen by a speech and language therapist, you can ask your GP or their school to refer them to their local service. You can search for independent speech and language therapists in your area using the Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice’s directory - https://asltip.com/find-a-speech-therapist/ Health and Care Professions Council standards of proficiency for speech and language therapists - https://www.hcpc-uk.org/standards/standards-of-proficiency/speech-and-language-therapists/ Speech and Language UK has resources for parents, educators and professionals and an advice line for parents to discuss concerns they have about their child’s speech and language development.
Technology and the internet Expand People who do not have access to the internet or do not feel confident using it may be eligible for a free appointment to help access and use the SEND35 online appeal form from the We Are Group. They are a technical support service and cannot give legal advice. https://www.wearegroup.com/hmcts-user Email: [email protected]Telephone: 03300 160 051Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Closed on bank holidays.Text FORM to 60777 to get a call back.
Transport advice Expand IPSEA - https://www.ipsea.org.uk/pages/category/transport-to-school-or-college
Wales Expand IPSEA does not advise on the law that applies in Wales so please use the links below for some useful resources for those living in Wales. There is a different legal framework for SEN in Wales. You can find out more here New ALN System - Snap Cymru. Under this system Individual Development Plans (IDP) are gradually replacing the current SEN Statement, Individual Education Plan and Learning and Skills Plan. If you move from Wales to England with a statement or IDP there is no duty on your new English LA to assume responsibility for the provision. This means you will need to request an EHC needs assessment, and you will not be able to do that until you have moved. For more information please see: https://contact.org.uk/help-for-families/information-advice-services/education-learning-wales/ https://cerebra.org.uk/tag/wales/ https://cerebra.org.uk/download/education-in-wales-a-guide-for-parents/ The Nodi No-nonsense Guide to Additional Learning Needs Law in Wales (published November 2024, search online for any updated version). The Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS) has a helpline (0808 800 0082) and online chat which is able to provide free advice and information about the Equality Act 2010 and the Human Rights Act 1998. EASS can advise you on identifying the correct protected characteristic (the thing that means you/your child can’t be discriminated against), the sector and the prohibited conduct which applies to your circumstances, or its online information may help you to do this. If you feel you need support in resolving an issue, EASS may be able to contact the organisation who has treated you/your child unfairly on your behalf. EASS provides assistance and advice across England, Scotland and Wales, in different languages – including Welsh, and in some cases with specific accessibility support for people with learning difficulties and hearing impairments. EASS also has some helpful resources, including education specific template letters. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is an independent statutory body with the responsibility to encourage equality and diversity, eliminate unlawful discrimination, and protect and promote the human rights of everyone in Britain. It enforces equality legislation on protected characteristics, such as disability. The EHRC has produced guidance for schools in Wales which is designed to support schools in Wales to comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty. The EHRC also has Technical guidance on further and higher education.