Websites for parents of children with SEN

Education, legal advice and access to help

Education, skills and learning support

IPSEA - Independent Parental Special Education Advice, a charity that offers legal advice, support and training to ensure children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) access the right education.

GL Assessments - Specialist provider of assessments for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

National Association of Specialist Colleges provides information and training to meet the inclusive learning needs of students with learning difficulties/disabilities.

My life my choice helps people speak up and develop their skills.

Information and support

Contact is an excellent organisation providing information and support to parents of children with many disabilities, including parent-parent support. They also provide comprehensive, well-written booklets written in a clear, concise manner for parents, teachers and young people

Council for disabled children provides information, advice and support to:

• disabled children and young people
• children and young people with SEN
• parents.

Family lives are a national charity offering information support and advice about parenting, including:

• challenging behaviour
• emotional wellbeing
• teenagers
• specialist advice
• local parenting groups.

Oxfordshire Family Support Network supports and mentors parents of people with learning disabilities.

SOS SEN is a national charity that empowers parents and carers of children and young people with SEN and disabilities to access the help they are entitled to.

Legal advice and representation for children and young people

Children's Legal Centre – provides legal advice, information and representation for children and young people.

Civil Legal Advice (Legal Aid) - Free legal advice for anyone financially eligible for legal aid. Get help with SEN discrimination and judicial review (e.g., for children not receiving education/unlawful exclusions etc.)

Moving to adulthood

Oxfordshire Family Support Network provides guidance to family carers and their young people about moving into adulthood.

National Association of Specialist Colleges provides information and training to meet the inclusive learning needs of students with learning difficulties/disabilities.

Council for disabled children includes the Transition Information Network. You'll find quality information on key issues such as:

• further and higher education
• direct payments
• social life
• independence.

Social activities

Music

Soundabout – information about special music-making workshops for children, young people and adults with disabilities.

I Can's Talking Point provides a guide to speech and language services and links to associated websites.

Singing

Singing Hands help develop someone’s communication potential through music, songs, games and activities. 

Sport

CP sport - cerebral palsy sport activities for children and young people.

Special Olympics gives children and young people with a learning disability the opportunity to compete locally and nationally in a variety of sporting activities. Additionally, they provide training and organise new activities where specialist sports activities do not exist.

Oxsrad - integrated support and leisure centre. Recreational and leisure activities accessible to all. Members entitled to use facilities at a small cost.

• Gym
• Sensory room
• Trampolining.

Active Oxfordshire includes a the disability and inclusive sport directory.

Personal issues

Bullying

Anti-bullying Alliance gives useful information and advice about how to deal with bullying and the impact that bullying can have.

Bullying UK offers online advice and support to try to prevent or deal with bullying including information for children.

Contact has written a parent guide - dealing with bullying.

Growing up

Family Planning Association has books specifically for parents of children with disabilities, including workbooks about growing up.

Coping with divorce

Oxfordshire Family Mediation - information and advice for separated parents and support for children affected by family separation. All sessions are free.

Physical or mental health disorders

Autism and Asperger's

Autism Oxford's mission is to spread awareness of the realities of life on the autism spectrum and support the development of autism services, especially those provided by autistic professionals.

Cambian Education is the largest provider of specialist residential education and care for young people with autism and Aspergers ayndrome in UK.

Health Talk shares the experiences of parents of children and young people with autism, such as getting a diagnosis to dealing with puberty.

The National Autistic Society gives useful advice to parents of autistic children. You can search their directory by keyword and postcode.

Thomley Hall Activity Centre is a specialist activity centre for children and young people with disabilities and their families.

Autism Family Support Oxfordshire support the development and wellbeing of children and young adults on the autism spectrum, and their families.

Early Years SEN toolkit provides support, information, courses and support groups for parents, carers and families.

Bipolar disorder

Healthline - Everything You Need to Know About Bipolar Disorder.

Depression and mental health

Mental Health Foundation has information about anxiety, depression, ADHD and other conditions.

Young Minds is a national charity committed to improving the mental health of all children. It provides advice about conditions that affect children, such as:

• depression
• eating disorders
• other mental health issues.

Down's syndrome

Down's Syndrome Association aims to help people with Down’s syndrome to live full and rewarding lives. 

Dyslexia

British Dyslexia Association has information about dyslexia and includes

• assessment
• identification
• exam concessions.

Oxfordshire Dyslexia Association has information about:

• meetings and lectures
• identification
• assessment (access to an online assessment tool).

Dyspraxia

Dyspraxia Foundation offers information and supports individuals and families affected by developmental dyspraxia through:

• books
• suggestion
• a teen newsletter
• an adult support group.

Head injuries

Ships supports pupils who have sustained a head injury, by:

• observing the subtle differences in their way of learning
• advising teachers on appropriate ways of managing their learning.

Hearing

National Deaf Children’s Society is the leading charity for deaf children. They:

• give expert support on childhood deafness
• raise awareness and campaign for deaf children’s rights.

Sense gives advice and assistance to deaf blind individuals or their family members and supporters.

ME or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Omega Oxfordshire ME Group for Action is a support group for people with ME or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and their carers.

Sight

RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People is the leading charity offering practical support, advice and information to anyone with a sight problem.

Sense gives advice and assistance to deaf blind individuals or their family members and supporters.

Sleep problems

Cerebra helps to support parents/carers with children who have sleep issues. They also have a stress helpline.

Speaking difficulties

Ace centre (augmentative and alternative communication) provides services to children and young people who have difficulty speaking, because of physical problems.