Support for parents and carers

Information for parents and carers

A number of organisations can help you with information and advice on special educational needs. Find support and discover others like you in the talk about autism community provided by TreeHouse. The aim of the community is to provide a safe and supportive space where parents, carers and families can discuss issues surrounding autism.”

Your local Parent Partnership Service may support you at meetings, give you advice and information and very occasionally offer representation.

Advisory Centre for Education (ACE)
Provides telephone advice to parents of children in state maintained schools on all aspects of schooling.
ACE advice line 0808 8005793
ACE exclusion advice line 0808 8000327

The Children's Legal Centre
Free and confidential legal advice to children and young people and their parents or carers who are involved in a dispute with a school or local authority.
Advice line 0845 120 2948.

Contact a Family
UK wide charity providing information, advice and links on all disorders and syndromes to parents of all disabled children
Helpline: 0808 808 3555

Kith and Kids
Kith and Kids' overall aim is to empower families living with disability to overcome their social isolation and access the services they need.
Helpline: 020 8801 7432

Independent Panel of Special Education Advice (IPSEA)
Provides advice and representation for parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities.
Advice line 0800 0184016

National Autistic Society (NAS)
The Advocacy for Education service 0845 070 4002 supports parents and carers of children with an autism spectrum disorder, providing information on educational provision and entitlements.
The Parent to Parent Line 0800 9 520 520 is a free, confidential telephone support service offered by volunteer parents to other parents of an adult or child with an autism spectrum disorder.

PEACH (Parents for the Early Intervention of Autism)
This is a parent-led charity established to promote Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) for young children with autism. Offers support with setting up and managing a programme.

Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (SEND)
Parents whose children have SEN can appeal to the Tribunal (formerly known as SENDIST) if they disagree with decisions made by their local authority about their children’s education. They may also make claims of disability discrimination to the Tribunal if their complaint is against a school or local authority.
Helpline 0870 241 2555


Special Education Needs Tribunal for Wales
The equivalent body in Wales which hears appeals and claims of disability discrimination in respect of schools and local authorities in Wales.
Helpline 01597 829 800

Talking Point
The first stop for information on children’s communication.
Here you will find all the stages of language development that a child will go through, lots of great tips and what to do if you are concerned about a child's development.

Additional Support Needs Tribunal for Scotland
The equivalent body in Scotland which hears cases brought by parents and young people concerning provision made for children and young people facing the biggest barriers to learning.
Helpline 0845 120 2906

Education Support for Northern Ireland
The equivalent body in Wales which hears appeals and claims of disability discrimination in respect of schools and local authorities in Northern Ireland.
Helpline 028 3751 2383

Find out how parents are campaigning for better provision locally and nationally in the promoting change section of the TreeHouse website.