SEN Support & Advice Services

Every local authority in England is legally required to provide a free SENDIASS. Trained SEND specialists offer impartial advice on education, health and social care rights including EHCPs, school placements and exclusions.

Who it's for: Any parent or carer of a child with SEN or a disability (0–25)

National charity providing free, legally-based advice on special education law. Offers a telephone helpline, written advice service, free legal guides and template letters for every stage of the EHCP process.

Helpline: 0300 222 5899

Who it's for: Parents, carers and young people navigating the SEND system

Independent charity with 70+ trained volunteers (many SEN parents themselves) offering free, legally-based telephone and walk-in advice. Walk-in centres across England including Kent, London and Manchester.

Helpline: 020 8538 3731(Term-time: Mon–Fri 09:30–12:30 & 13:00–16:00, plus Tue & Wed evenings)

Who it's for: Parents and carers dealing with SEN education issues

UK-wide charity supporting families with disabled children from birth to 25. Their free helpline covers education, health, social care, benefits and family life — no diagnosis is needed to get help.

Helpline: 0808 808 3555(Mon–Fri 9:30am–5pm)

Who it's for: Families with disabled children — any disability, any age (0–25)

Part of Coram, the UK's oldest children's charity. Provides free initial legal advice on education law including SEN appeals, EHCP reviews, school admissions and exclusions.

Helpline: 0300 330 5485(Mon–Fri 8am–6pm)

Who it's for: Families needing legal advice on education and SEN matters

Provides detailed legal guidance and template letters for SEN tribunal appeals, EHCP refusals, and disagreements with local authorities.

Who it's for: Parents considering or going through a SEND tribunal

Independent provider of SEND mediation and disagreement resolution for many local authorities. Offers free mediation advice, mediation sessions and disagreement resolution for EHCP disputes.

Helpline: 0800 064 4488

Who it's for: Families in disagreement with their local authority over SEN provision

The UK's largest charity providing grants for families on low incomes raising a disabled or seriously ill child. Grants cover essential items including computers, sensory equipment, family breaks and household goods.

Helpline: 01904 550055

Who it's for: Low-income families raising a disabled or seriously ill child (up to 24)

Disability equality charity offering free, independent advice on benefits, social care, equipment, housing and more. Their helpline covers a wide range of practical issues facing disabled people and families.

Helpline: 0808 800 3333(Mon–Sat 8am–8pm, Sun 10am–6pm)

Who it's for: Disabled people and their families — any disability

The UK's leading learning disability charity. Their helpline provides free advice on community care, housing, welfare benefits and healthcare for people with a learning disability and their families.

Helpline: 0808 808 1111(Mon–Fri 10am–3pm)

Who it's for: People with a learning disability and their families or carers

National charity for children with brain conditions including autism, ADHD, Down's syndrome and epilepsy. Provides free advice on legal, financial, educational and health issues, plus sleep support and a specialist lending library.

Helpline: 01267 244200

Who it's for: Families of children with brain-related conditions

The UK's leading autism charity. Their helpline offers impartial, confidential information and advice on diagnosis, education, benefits, social care and daily life. Also runs a Parent to Parent peer support line.

Helpline: 0808 800 4104(Mon–Thu 10am–4pm, Fri 9am–3pm)

Who it's for: Autistic people and their families

Europe's largest neurodiversity charity supporting people with ADHD, autism, dyslexia and Tourette's. Offers parent and family support, 1:1 coaching, education programmes and professional training.

Who it's for: People with ADHD and their families

National charity for autistic children and young people. Runs specialist schools and colleges, employment programmes and the Ambitious Youth Network online community.

Who it's for: Autistic children, young people and their families

The national voice for over 150 Parent Carer Forums across England. Parent Carer Forums are local groups of parents who work with councils and services to improve support for disabled children. Find your local forum through their website.

Who it's for: Parent carers of disabled children wanting to connect locally

Parent-led information hub with news, guides and resources on SEND, EHCPs, tribunals and children's mental health. Created the widely-used SEND process flowcharts in collaboration with the DfE.

Who it's for: Parents navigating the SEND system

The UK's leading children's mental health charity. Their Parents Helpline offers advice and emotional support about a child's mental health (ages 0–25). Young people can text SHOUT to 85258 for 24/7 crisis support.

Helpline: 0808 802 5544(Mon, Thu, Fri 9:30am–4pm; Tue, Wed 9:30am–6pm)

Who it's for: Parents concerned about their child's mental health