Links

Offers free advice to parents and others on all aspects of state education; publishes guides to the law on education and on many other aspects of schooling, including a bi-monthly ACE Bulletin & ACE Special Education Handbook. ACE also offer a text service on 68808 so parents can ask for advice using their mobile phone messaging service. We have moved across Islington to our new office near Caledonian Road tube station to The Advisory Centre for Education (ACE) United House The Busworks 39-41 North Road London N7 9DP

Visit : Advisory Centre for Education

We have added three new pages to the Contact a Family website to support the NHS parent participation project – see http://www.cafamily.org.uk/families/parentparticipation/nhsparentcarerparticipation/nhs.html It includes 1) Information about the changes taking place in the NHS and what forums can do to make sure they get the opportunity to influence local health services 2) Resources to support forums and commissioners in planning and delivering of health services that meet family’s needs. This includes information to help you · improve access to health services for families of disabled children · support commissioning of paediatric wheelchair services · support commissioning of continence services UK charity providing advice, information and support to families with disabled children. They can put families in touch with support groups for specific medical conditions as well as linking individual families affected by rare disorders. They have a web-based link service, whereby parents can register to be contacted by other families across the world affected by a particular condition. Their freephone helpline has a specialist welfare rights adviser and can provide basic immigration advice. They have free factsheets on a range of subjects and regular national and local magazines and newsletters. Some information is available in community languages and they have access to Language Line interpreters over the telephone. They also offer advice and guidance to parents who wish to start a local or national support group.

Visit : Contact a Family

UK based membership organisation that provides support and information to parents whose children are being educated outside of school.

Visit : Education Otherwise

Information about the 11 plus exams, resources and practice papers

Visit : Eleven Plus Exams

Charity providing practical information and advice for young people - strategies for tackling bullying. Resource for schools, teachers, pupils and parents.

Visit : Bullying UK

The Department for Children, Schools and Families leads work across Government to ensure that all children and young people stay healthy and safe, secure an excellent education and the highest possible standards of achievement, make a positive contribution to society and the economy, enjoy their childhood and have lives full of opportunity, free from the effects of poverty. They can also provide the special educational needs code of practice. They also provide school information such as school performance tables, research and statistics and local education statistics.

Visit : Department for Children, Schools and Families

Supports all parents by having a free confidential 24 hour national helpline for parents, E-mail helpline, 'parents together' groups and workshops held face to face and by telephone. Information leaflets, website, one to one parent support services. Also information about choosing secondary schools, changing schools and school life in general.

Visit : Parentline Plus

Information and support for parents on how to help with your child's learning, including advice on choosing a school and finding childcare. Also advice on bullying, using computers and the internet, higher education and school holidays.

Visit : ParentsCentre

The Office for Standards in Education, which runs inspections of schools, childcare providers, education authorities and youth services. Recent reports on schools are available from their website.

Visit : Ofsted

A service offering information for families on a wide variety of services

Visit : Family Information

Information for families

Visit : Family Information Service

Produces animated sex education videos and DVDs for people with learning disabilities.

Visit : Life Support Productions

Inform and empower parents of gifted and talented children on aspects of educational need. It promotes working together based on mutual respect of feelings, opinion and values. They are committed to providing a flexible and supportive service, responsive to individual needs. Gives all parents the opportunity to be involved in decisions about their gifted and talented child's education.

Visit : National Association for Gifted Children

This site contains information on the work of the National Parent Partnership Network (NPPN), how to contact a local Parent Partnership Service as well as access various publications.

Visit : National Parent Partnership Network

The National Phobic's Society works to relieve and support those living with anxiety disorders by providing information, support and understanding via an extensive range of services, including 1:1 therapy services. We work regularly with external agencies and healthcare professionals to improve the service provision offered in the main to those living with anxiety disorders. We also campaign to raise awareness of anxiety disorders through holding events like our annual 'Anxiety Disorders Awareness Week'. The website also includes a recently developed, dedicated area for young people.

Visit : National Phobics' Society

OAASIS offers advice and information on diagnosis, Special Educational Needs (SEN) support, parental support groups, and statutory assessment. They also offer support in all aspects of SEN.

Visit : Office for Advice, Assistance, Support and Information on Special Needs.

Provide free advice and support to parents of children with SEN. The information and advice will assist parents to gain for their child an education appropriate to their potential. The service is free, confidential and independent. It can also assist parents with writing letters, preparing for meetings and appeals on their child's statement. They also have an Asian advice line.

Visit : Rathbone

Kidsmart has updated its website at www.kidSMART.org.uk for children aged seven and above to enable them to educate themselves about online safety. Topics covered include social networking, digital footprints, privacy and different technologies. The website also has lesson plans and top tips for adults using the site and these focus on staying safe online

Visit : KidSMART

UNICEF UK advocates for lasting change for children. For example UNICEF UK's Public Affairs Team works to change government policies and practices that are detrimental to children’s rights in the UK and internationally.

Visit : Unicef

A national charity run by and for families affected by Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. It provides a positive national support network of parents, families and professionals, bringing families together for mutual support, the sharing of information and experience and for social activities. They organise an annual group holiday, family outings and events, workshops, fund raising and telephone support.

Visit : Duchenne Family Support Group

Publishes large number of free and inexpensive leaflets and reports on inclusive education to help parents and professionals, organises conferences and supports parents' groups, students, schools and LEAs. Also publishes the 'Index for inclusion', written by Tony Booth and Mel Ainscow, which helps ordinary schools break down barriers to learning and participation for all pupils.

Visit : Centre for Studies on Inclusive Education

Provide information and advice to families, friends and health care professionals who support people with Huntington's Disease.

Visit : Huntington's Disease Association

National Blind Children's Society tailor make books to the specific font size and produced on coloured paper to meet the individual needs of children. CustomEyes large print books. For more information please call 10278 764 770 or 0800 781 1444.

Visit : National Blind Children's Society

An alliance of organisations and individuls who have come together with the aim of improving the experience of disabled young people's transition to adulthood.

Visit : Transition Information Network

A national charity that seeks to improve the quality of life and mobility opportunities of disabled children and young people.

Visit : Whizz-Kidz

Support people with Tourette Syndrome, and their families, throughout all stages of their life journey, to enable other people to positively accept them; to contribute to the development of effective treatment.

Visit : Tourette Syndrome (UK) Association

They are committed to empowering people with a visual impairment to lead independent lives through the provision of high quality education, training and employment services.

Visit : The Royal London Society for the Blind

Only UK charity solely dedicated to the support of all deaf children and young deaf people, their families and professionals working with them.

Visit : The National Deaf Children's Society

They work in partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust and the Institute of Child Health. The NCYPE's 200 acre campus includes St Piers School, St Piers Further Education College and a range of epilepsy diagnostic, assessment and rehabilitation services.

Visit : The National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy

The Family Fund provides timely grants to families with severely disabled or seriously ill children, based on families' views and needs.

Visit : The Family Fund Trust

The organisation works in many areas to help people with autism / aspergers syndrome in their lives with as much independence as possible. They run education and adult centres, publish a range of books and leaflets, runs an autism helpline for parents, carers and people with autism / aspergers syndrome, offers specialist diagnosis and assessment services, runs Prospects, a supported employment service for adults with autistic spectrum disorders and aspergers syndrome.

Visit : The National Autistic Society

This colourful website shows the views of children and young people. It also offers access to the latest publications and press releases with regards to young people and education.

Visit : The Childrens Commissioner

Work with and for children who are at risk on the streets, in trouble with the law, disabled children and young refugees to help them deal with life's harshest challenges and face the future with confidence.

Visit : The Children's Society

The Children's Legal Centre is a unique, independent national charity concerned with law and policy affecting children and young people. The Children's Legal Centre has many years of experience in providing legal advice and representation to children, their carers and professionals throughout the UK. It opened in 1981, as the major UK project for the International Year of the Child, and is staffed by lawyers and professionals with experience in child law. The Centre is funded by grants from Central Government and by charitable trusts.

Visit : The Children's Legal Centre

The BDA is the voice of dyslexic people. Our vision is that of a dyslexia friendly society that enables dyslexic people to reach their potential.

Visit : The British Dyslexia Association

We are a national network of individuals, families and groups who work together to help change our education system. The changes we wish to bring about are based on our conviction that all young people need to be educated in a single mainstream education system which can support all young people to learn, play and live with each other.

Visit : The Alliance for Inclusive Education

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

Visit : Talking Point

The Special Educational Needs Tribunal was set up by the Education Act 1993. It considers parents' appeals against the decisions of Local Education Authorities (LAs) about children's special educational needs if parents cannot reach agreement with the LA. The Tribunal is independent. The Lord Chancellor appoints the president and the chairmen, and the Secretary of State for Education and Skills appoints the members. But the Government cannot influence the tribunal's decision, and the tribunal has no connection with any LA.

Visit : Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal

Supports deaf-blind and children and adults and their families. They work with a wide age range from babies who have just been diagnosed to older people. They also offer training and other services related to deaf-blindness. They also work with people with single sensory impairments and a wide range of other difficulties including physical disabilities, learning disabilities and challenging behaviour.

Visit : SENSE

Sibs is the UK charity for people who grow up with a disabled brother or sister. They support siblings who are growing up with or who have grown up with a brother or sister with any disability, long term chronic illness, or life limiting condition.

Visit : Sibs

Scope is a national disability organisation whose focus is people with cerebral palsy. We provide a range of support, information and campaigning services both locally and nationally in addition to providing opportunities in early years, education, employment and daily living. For more information about cerebral palsy and Scope services, contact Scope Response, which provides free information, advice and initial counselling. Open 9am - 7pm weekdays and 10am - 2pm Saturdays. To find out more about Scope's work, call free on 0808 800 3333 or email: response@scope.org.uk

Visit : Scope

UK's leading charity helping anyone with a sight problem. Their staff and volunteers work to empower blind and partially sighted people of all ages to remove the barriers they face, as well as preventing sight loss. By influencing policy makers through their campaign work, providing expertise and support services, talking books and a wide range of products and services, as well as encouraging direct involvement of blind and partially people in RNIB's work via their membership scheme.

Visit : Royal National Institute of the Blind

They provide one-off technical aids which help disabled people of all ages to enjoy a better lifestyle. Every aid is given free of charge to the user.

Visit : REMAP

Charity to help and support families of young children with Autism

Visit : Parents for the Early Intervention of Autism in Children

National network of parents' groups supporting families with children with disabilities or learning dificulties and offering advice and information by phone, and links with other groups and individuals. Issues publications and organises conferences and training days.

Visit : Network 81

Advocacy is taking action to help people say what they want, secure their rights, represent their interests and obtain services they need. This website gives information and allows you to search for your local advocacy service.

Visit : National Youth Advocacy Service

Aims to promote the development of children and young people with Special Educational Needs. Offers support to parents/carers and professionals.

Visit : National Association of Special Educational Needs

Run a helpline offering help on a range of mental health issues. They provide training, information and an advocacy service for all aspects of mental health issues.

Visit : National Association for Mental Health

Provides information and advice to people with learning disabilities and their families.

Visit : MENCAP

Provide people who have neuro muscular conditions, and their families, with information and advice about their condition and ways in which living with it can be made easier.

Visit : Muscular Dystrophy Campaign

The Learning and Skills Council exists to make England better skilled and more competitive. We have a single goal: to improve the skills of England's young people and adults to ensure we have a workforce of world-class standard.

Visit : Learning and Skills Council

Supply equipment to improve fine and gross motor skills.

Visit : LDA

Represents 1280 independent schools. Searchable website with links to school websites. Politically independent and non-profit organisation. Resource for parents, teachers etc.

Visit : Independent Schools Council

Provides free and independent advice and support to parents who have children with special educational needs, via a telephone helpine which gives advice regarding the Local Authorities' legal duties, home visits for parents who have difficulty accessing the telephone services, tribunal support services which supports and can provide representation for those parents appealing to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal. They also run a specialist school exclusion service for children with SEN.

Visit : Independent Panel for Special Education Advice

Provide information, advice and literature available to parents, including information on non-medical approaches

Visit : Hyperactive Children's Support Group

They are helpful in cases of disagreement between parents/carers and the school/Local Authority over a child's special educational needs. They help schools/Local Authorities and parents/carers reach an agreement that is in the best interest of the child and meets the child's needs.

Visit : Global Mediation

Gives advice and information to disabled people, employers and service providers. Supports disabled people in getting their rights under the DDA. Helps solve problems - often without going to a court or employment tribunal. Supports legal cases to test the limits of the law. Provides an Independent Disability Conciliation Service for disabled people and service providers through Mediation UK. Campaigns to strengthen the law. Organises campaigns - such as their 'Open 4 All' campaign - to change policy, practice and awareness. Produces policy statements and research on disability issues; and publications on rights and good practice for disabled people, employers and service providers.

Visit : Disability Rights Commission

Provide information and advice to people with a disability, their family and professionals on all aspects of living with a disability.

Visit : Disability Information and Advice Line

Offers free legal advice and information to disabled people. Phone to make an appointment for telephone advice.

Visit : Disability Law Service

They are committed to breaking the link between disability and poverty. They provide information on benefits through publications (such as the Disability Rights Handbook), and free factsheets and briefings. They compaign for improvements to the social security system.

Visit : Disability Alliance

Provides information and advice to parents to help their deaf child to listen and talk.

Visit : Deaf Education through Listening and Talking

ContinYou aims to build strong healthy communities, supportive families and confident individuals.

Visit : ContinYou

Funds research towards understanding, treating and curing Cystic Fibrosis. They aim to ensure that people with Cystic Fibrosis receive the best possible care and support in all aspects of their lives. Their support service provides advice and information to those affected by Cystic Fibrosis, their families and carers.

Visit : Cystic Fibrosis Trust

Free access for parents/carers and young people offering specialist advice on all aspects of SEN/Disability. They have familly key-workers and consultants, and they provide training, have a specialist club and a helpline.

Visit : Clearly Speaking Specialist Children and Family Support Service

CRAE protects the human rights of children by lobbying government and others who hold power, by bringing or supporting test cases and by using regional and international human rights mechanisms. We provide free legal information and advice, raise awareness of childrenÂ’s human rights, and undertake research about children's access to their rights.

Visit : Childrens Rights Alliance for England

A support organisation for the benefits of the young and intellectually gifted.

Visit : Children of High Intelligence

The Challenging Behaviour Foundation wants to see children and adults with severe learning disabilities, who are described as having challenging behaviour, having the same life opportunities as everyone else, including home life, education and leisure.

Visit : Challenging Behaviour Foundation

Brings the pleasure of reading to people who have sight problems or physical disabilities, through a free nationwide postal library of recorded books. The audio library has over 7,000 titles.

Visit : Calibre

The BDA is the largest Deaf organisation in the UK that is run by Deaf people. We represent the Sign Language community, which is united by shared experiences, history and, most importantly, by British Sign Language (BSL). The BDA wants to see a society where Sign Language users have the same rights, responsibilities, opportunities and quality of life as everyone else.

Visit : British Deaf Association

Support people affected by ataxia with research, information, welfare grants, campaigning and the opportunity to meet and help others in a similar position.

Visit : Ataxia UK

The Association of Lawyers for Children is a membership only organisation, which promotes access to justice for children and young people in the legal system and standards of good practice in child law.

Visit : Association of Lawyers for Children

Provide support, advice and information to young people aged 5 - 25 years with ME and their families and friends.

Visit : Association of Youth with ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis)

Supports children and young people with speech and language communication impairments and their parents and carers.

Visit : Afasic

ASPECT is a consultancy and training organisation specialising in: Autism spectrum disorder, associated learning disabilities, and mental health issues. ASPECT consults with schools, social services and care providers.

Visit : Aspect

A charity which supports people with disabilities, including dyslexia. Providing valuable information on essential IT Support.

Visit : AbilityNet

Provides information and advice about Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus to individuals, families and carers. They support parents before and around the birth of their baby, or diagnosis of the disability, support the child and family on educational matters, have specialised information and help on health matters, help young people access services to progress towards control of their lives and they respond to the needs of adults with Spina Bifida and/or Hydrocephalus.

Visit : Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus

Part of Victim Support, an independent charity for anyone affected by crime - as a victim or a witness - and their family and friends.

Visit : Are you ok?

Provide information and advice to people with asthma, their families and professionals. They also raise money for research, produce a quarterly magazine, and information leaflets.

Visit : Asthma UK

Barnardo's vision is that the lives of all children and young people should be free from poverty, abuse and discrimination. We believe in the abused, the vulnerable, the forgotten and the neglected. We will support them, stand up for them and bring out the best in each and every child. As one of the UK's leading children's charities this is our pledge. We believe in children - do you?

Visit : Barnardo's

The British Association for Adoption and Fostering is the leading UK-wide membership organisation for those concerned with adoption, fostering and childcare

Visit : British Association for Adoption and Fostering

They work for people with diabetes, funding research, and campaigning. They help people to live with diabetes. They run a care line which also contains recorded information on diabetes and related topics, which is available 24 hours a day.

Visit : British Diabetic Association

Provides support and advice to anyone affected by Osteogenesis Imperfecta, including family, carers, social workers and other professionals.

Visit : Brittle Bone Society

The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service looks after the interests of children involved in family proceedings.

Visit : CAFCASS

Careleavers Reunited is a site for people who have spent time in care to get back in touch with friends from their childhood.

Visit : Careleavers Reunited

Provide information on support services for children with an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Available to families and professionals.

Visit : Child Brain Injury Trust

The Child Poverty Action Group promotes action for the relief, directly or indirectly, of poverty among children and families with children.

Visit : Child Poverty Action Group

Offers free, confidential 24-hour telephone counselling to children

Visit : Childline

The Churches' Child Protection Advisory Service is the working name of PCCA Christian Child Care, an independent Christian charity providing professional child protection advice and support to churches and organisations.

Visit : Churches' Child Protection Advisory Service

Helps people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice.

Visit : Citizens Advice Bureau

The Department of Health (DH) exists to improve the health and wellbeing of people in England.

Visit : Department of Health

Provides training, consultancy and resources to develop inclusive education.

Visit : Disabiliy Equality in Education

Provides information and support for people with Down's Syndrome, their families and carers, as well as being a resource for interested professionals. They strive to improve knowledge of the condition and champion the rights of people with Down's Syndrome.

Visit : Down's Syndrome Association

Offers advice, information and support to individuals, families and professionals. They hold conferences for both parents and professionals, as well as publishing leaflets and booklets about Dyspraxia. They also support a group of adults who have dsypraxia.

Visit : Dyspraxia Foundation

Information, advice and support for people and their families affected by Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder and related eating disorders.

Visit : Eating Disorder Association

A coalition of organisations from the voluntary, private and public sectors campaigning to eradicate child poverty.

Visit : End Child Poverty

Provide practical and emotional support to people with epilepsy and those who care for them.

Visit : Epilepsy Action

Providing support, advice and information to separated and divorced parents regarding contact with their children.

Visit : Families Need Fathers

National organisation which provides information, advice & support for home educating families. Offers practical guidance on home learning; produces information & fact sheets; provides concession card access to advice line and help in event of problems, and a loan library.

Visit : Home Education Advisory Service

The Migraine Action Association offers information and advice on the occurrence of migraine in children. In addition they offer methods of identifying triggers of migraines and methods of prevention.

Visit : Migraine Action Association

Promotes the rights of, and justice for, children in trouble.

Visit : National Association of Youth Justice

Promotes the interests and well-being of children across every aspect of their lives.

Visit : National Children's Bureau

Provides help, information and support to people over 18 years of age, with head injuries and their families and carers.

Visit : National Head Injuries Association (Headway)

Offer emotional and practical support through 24 hour support line, counselling, financial grants, home visits and community help groups.

Visit : National Meningitis Trust

The NSCFC believes that continuing contact with a child's extended family is vital when parents break up. They believe it's important for a child's balanced development, and for fostering important family contacts. They offer free support and advice to all those in need, and actively promote mediation to break cycles of animosity caused by separation or divorce and work to ensure that welfare organisations and the courts serve the best interests of the child.

Visit : National Society for Children and Family Contact

The National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS) is a UK charity providing children's rights and legal services. They offer information, advice, advocacy and legal representation to children and young people up to the age of 25. They have an online youth club at www.onlineyouthclub.org where young people can speak and access interesting information. They also run a free helpline 0800 61 61 01 or text line 0777 333 4555, or you could email help@nyas.net.

Visit : National Youth Advocacy Service

NCH works to improve the lives of the UK's most vulnerable children and young people by offering them diverse, innovative and responsive services and by campaigning for change.

Visit : NCH

New Deal is a Government programme that aims to give unemployed people the help and support they need to get into work.

Visit : New Deal

The UK's leading charity specialising in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children.

Visit : NSPCC

The OCR Recognising Achievement, Parents guide to qualifications is a useful resource for parents who want to know more about the education system and types of examinations.

Visit : OCR

Their mission is to build and strengthen families by, seeking adoptive homes for children, supporting foster carers to provide nurturing homes, supporting families with housing and community projects and training social care workers and managers to provide better services.

Visit : Parents And Children Together

Online gateway to the world of children and young peoples participation.

Visit : Participation Works

Progress Magazine provides an interesting source of information for anyone undergoing a process of transition. It gives information on a variety of topics such as education, employment, money, mobility and legal advice to name but a few.

Visit : Progress Magazine

They provide one-off technical aids which help disabled people of all ages to enjoy a better lifestyle. Every aid is given free of charge to the user.

Visit : REMAP

Provide information, advice, counselling, financial help, holidays, briefings, seminars and training to those with sickle cell disorders and their families.

Visit : Sickle Cell Society

Special Olympics is a lifetime of learning through sport and involves individuals with a learning disability of all ages and ability levels - from low motor abilities to highly-skilled athletes. Provide year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for people with learning disabilities giving them the continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of skills, gifts and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

Visit : Special Olympics UK

Offer support to individuals who become paralysed and their families, from the moment the spinal cord injury occurs, for the rest of their lives. They provide services which enable and encourage paralysed people to lead independent lives, campaign for improved medical care and research into spinal cord injury. They also work to create awareness and understanding of the causes and consequences of injury.

Visit : Spinal Injuries Association

The Fostering Network is the UK's leading charity for everyone with a personal or professional involvement in fostering.

Visit : The Fostering Network

Provides information, advice and support services to people with Haemophilia, Von Willebrand and related bleeding disorders, and their families. They also advocate and campaign to secure the best possible care and treatment, and provide services for people with Haemophilia who are affected by HIV and/or Hepatitis C.

Visit : The Haemophilia Society

The UK Youth Parliament aims to give a voice to young people between the ages of 11 and 18 which will be heard and listenened to by local and national government, providers of services for young people and other agencies who have an interest in the views and needs of young people.

Visit : The UK Youth Parliament

A national charity working to improve public care for children and young people living in residential or foster care.

Visit : The Who Cares? Trust

Victim Support is an independent charity which helps people cope with the effects of crime. They provide free and confidential support and information to help you deal with your experience.

Visit : Victim Support

Supports parents with information and advice on working and looking after their family.

Visit : Working Families (formerly Parents at Work)

A national charity commmitted to improving the mental health of all children and young people.

Visit : Young Minds

Offers research, evaluations, training and consultation about the views, experiences and concerns of children and young people.

Visit : Young Voice

Advises the Government and monitors the operation and performance of the youth justice system.

Visit : Youth Justice Board