Exploring sources of support

SEND information and support is offered by a huge range of local, regional, national and international organisations and institutions, including local and national government.

The range of organisations and number of possibilities available can feel overwhelming, and it can be challenging to find services which fit the needs of an individual and their family. In the following section, we provide signposting to hubs of information, advice and support as starting points to help you to identify what you are looking for. 

To identify local organisations and providers of SEND information and support, a key source is your Local Offer. This is a hub of information for individuals with SEND and their families and includes information about health, social care and education agencies, amongst others. An example of this is Leeds SEND Local Offer.

Another key hub of information and advice is your local SENDIASS, which stands for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service. There is a SENDIASS in every local authority in England, and it’s a free, impartial, and confidential service, offering information to young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and to their parents and carers. SENDIASS Home – Kids 

Another local authority provision is SENSAP, SEN statutory assessment and provision. This is primarily responsible for carrying out the requirements of the Children and Families Act 2014, carrying out EHC assessments and reviews, and dealing with High Needs Funding. SENSAP (SEN Statutory Assessment & Provision) | Leeds for Learning 

Social media can provide access to local, national and international groups and is particularly helpful for specialist support groups and networks, which interested individuals can sign up to. Here is an example of a Facebook support group: Inclusive Education, Special Educational Needs and Disability. LinkedIn can be helpful with learning more about specific areas of disability, as you can ‘follow’ individuals who carry out research and training in SEND.  

Finally, there are a huge number of generic and specialist SEND charities, who work on local, regional and national levels. There are also international organisations for SEND. A few examples of these can be found below.

National SEND charities and organisations: 

• Nasen: National Association of Special Educational Needs: About nasen | Nasen.
• Scope: Disability Equality Charity: Home | Disability charity Scope UK.
• Mencap: Charity for individuals with learning disabilities: Who We Are | Mencap.

National charities focused on a particular SEND: 

• NAS: National Autistic Society: National Autistic Society.
• ADHD Foundation: Not just for ADHD, this is a neurodiversity charity: ADHD Foundation.
• British Dyslexia Association: British Dyslexia Association.
• Down’s Syndrome Association: Home – Downs Syndrome Association.

Local charities: 

• Little Hiccups: Leeds-based support group for parents of children with SEND: Little Hiccups.
• Mind the Gap: Bradford-based performing arts group for people with learning disabilities and autism: Mind the Gap. 
• Leeds PHAB club: Leeds-based activity group for physically disabled and able bodied: PHAB Club.

International organisations: 

• UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund): Inclusive education | UNICEF.
• UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation): Disability inclusive education and learning on UNESCO IIEP Learning Portal.

Have a go: 

Carry out your own research to identify one further source of support for George, Vinita, Holly and Akia and their families/communities, e.g. through researching the Local Offer website, SENDIAS site or by doing web searches and searches on social media. Share your findings in the Comments. 

• How do you think the links can be helpful in providing information, advice, support and guidance to individuals with SEND needs and their families and communities?
• Are there any gaps you can identify/areas which have not been addressed? 
• Could any of the information/advice/sources of support be useful for you in your own context and community?