I think my child has special educational needs

Further SEND support for parents and carers

If you're a parent or carer, there are lots of resources, information and support around special educational needs and disabilities, which you can access.

Groups and organisations

  • Hillingdon SENDIASS - a free, confidential and impartial support service for parents and carers, children and young people up to 25 years old, where the child or young person may have special educational needs.
  • Contact (previously known as Contact a Family) - a national charity that supports families of disabled children.
  • Hillingdon Parents Carers' Forum - a group of parents and carers of children and young people with learning difficulties, disabilities or additional needs, who aim to represent the views of parents and carers to help influence the way local services are delivered.

Parental and workshops

  • Expert Parent Programme - maps out the current health system specifically to the needs of children and young people with special needs or disabilities (diagnosed or un-diagnosed) and enables parent/carers to better understand and navigate it.
  • Care and Support Directory - find parent workshops and training (both online and face-to-face), support groups, plus activities and groups for you and your child.

Resources

If you’re looking for extra support beyond local services, there are lots of helpful organisations and online resources you can use. These trusted sources offer practical tips and advice on things such as benefits, everyday routines, communication, sleep, teeth brushing, behaviour.

You can visit these links at any time to find guidance for your child’s wellbeing and development.

General guidance for parents

Early support developmental journals

These are designed to help families, teachers and other practitioners better support development especially where children or young people have special educational needs and disabilities.

Real life case studies

Read family stories about children with different needs and their journeys through the Education and Health Care process - what worked well and what could have been better for them - through the following external links.

Speech and Language UK: Information and support

Find help if you think your child is having challenges with talking and understanding words.

Help with everyday tasks and routines

If you have concerns about your child’s bed wetting, you can self-refer your child to the school nurses by using the self-referral form on the 0-19 School Nursing website. For more information about bed wetting, visit the ERIC Children's Bladder and Bowel Charity website.

Template letters

These template letters can help you write letters to address any issues you may be experiencing.

Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

If you have a child who is aged under 16 and has difficulties walking or needs much more looking after than a child of the same age who does not have a disability, you may qualify to apply for Disability Living Allowance.

Find out more about DLA

Local Down syndrome support

Find local groups, activities and services for children, adults, and families.

Search local Down syndrome support activities