SEN & Disabilities

The National Children’s Bureau is a charitable organisation which acts as an umbrella organisation who have created an authoritive and influential voice to improve the lives of children and young people.

If you or a family member have certain disabilities you may be eligible to apply for a free bus pass.  This gives free travel on most local bus services in England between 9:30am and 11pm on weekdays and all day at weekends and public holidays.

This website provides information on grants for children and young people from charities and Trusts that can provide funding towards equipment, holidays, housing and days out etc.

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is the main benefit for children under 16 with a condition or disability. Contact – for Families with disabled children have put together 3 introductory videos so that parents can learn about this non-taxable benefit. See: Disability Living Allowance Videos

Contact – for Families with disabled children also provide more information on their website about Disability Living Allowance

If you have a disability, you may be eligible to apply for either a year or 3 year Disabled Persons Railcard. This will enable you (and another adult travelling with you) to get 1/3 off adult rail fares travelling on any National Rail network in Great Britain.

Part 1 of a three-part resource from The Autism Education Trust to support parents in understanding how autism may affect their child’s transitions in the early years from birth to five.

Part 2 of a three-part resource from The Autism Education Trust offering tips and strategies to support parents to help their child navigate transitions across different settings and within the same setting during their early years.

Part 3 of a three-part resource from The Autism Education Trust offering parents and carers a Toolkit designed to make it easier to support your child with early years Transitions.

Sibs have put together an eBook for adult siblings who have grown up with a disabled brother or sister.

ERIC is the UK’s national charity dedicated to improving children’s bowel and bladder health.

Friends & Families of Special Children is a charity based in Plymouth, Devon, that offers a broad range of services and projects for children with disabilities. Services include:

• Integrated social and leisure activities for children with disabilities and for their whole family.
• Support for young carers through their ‘Fun and Freedom Club’.
• Information and advice service for emotional support, impartial advice and guidance to access financial aid and advocacy (e.g. support with DLA PIP).
• ‘Youth Adventures’ gives young disabled people aged 14 and over the opportunity to socialise with other young people.
• The ‘Adventure Club’ provides activities and events for disabled children under the age of 14.
• ‘Making Sense’ Project provides a range of services aimed specifically at children with Profound & Multiple Learning Disabilities and their parents/carers.
• Support networks, befriending service and training opportunities for parents/carers to reduce isolation and time-out from the punishing regime of caring.
• Access to specialist equipment and practical resources through their ‘Lending Library’.

Get Your Rights is a website specifically designed for disabled children and young people and those with SEND to help them understand their rights in navigating the health system.

A toolkit published by the Ministry of Justice to help parents and carers better understand their rights and what they need to do under the Mental Capacity Act to manage the finances of their child should they lose the capacity to make decisions for themselves.

Health for Teens provided by Livewell Southwest is designed to engage and benefit young people in Plymouth. It provides information on health, relationships, feelings, lifestyle and growing up, mental health support during COVID-19, dental heath and finding a dentist and common illnesses and wellbeing. You can also text a school nurse for confidential health advice and support.

Information from the Government UK website about the help you can receive from your local council, benefits you can claim and other useful services available to assist parents.

Sensory Solutions provides information, advice and equipment for people of all ages with concerns about sight or hearing. Family members, carers, friends, professionals and employers are welcome to use this confidential and impartial service provided by trained advisors.

Free legal advice and resources from the Independent Panel for Special Education Advice (IPSEA).

The Independant Panel for Special Education Advice (IPSEA) provide information on Annual Reviews for children and young people that have an Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP).  These ensure that the EHCP is up-to-date and is providing the appropriate level of support for the child or young persons needs.

The Independant Panel for Special Education Advice (IPSEA) provides guidance for parents of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their rights to a mainstream education.

This is a charity that works in partnership with parents and carers to enable disabled children and young people to develop their skills and abilities and to fulfil their potential, hopes and aspirations.

Livewell’s children’s speech and language service can offer early help, advice and information if you have concerns for any child or young people with speech, language and communication needs. The site also contains lots of useful information and links to other resources.

Gov.UK provide guidance on how to support school attendance where a pupil is experiencing social, emotional or mental health issues.

NAS Plymouth Adult Aspergers Branch (NAS PAAB) offer support to adults on the autism spectrum.

Information on autism and aspergers syndrome for parents / carers, professionals and adults with the conditions.