Need some more information? Here's where to start!

• Parenting
• Education
• Special educational needs

 

Parenting

National Children's Bureau The NCB is the leading national charity which supports children, young people, families and those who work with them. They aim to improve the well-being of children and young people across every aspect of their lives. Tel: 020 7843 6000

Family and Parenting Institute (NFPI) An independent charity that exists to make the UK a better place for children and families. They offer practical support for families and run campaigns to build a family friendly society. Tel: 020 7424 3460

National Childminding Association (NCMA) Provides information about childminders and shows you how to find a registered childminder in your area.It also gives information on employing nannies.Information for those considering becoming registered childminders is provided. Tel: 0800 169 4486

Gingerbread Gives practical support and advice to single parents.They also campaign to improve the lives of single parent families.They offer courses for single parents hoping to get back into work. Tel: 0800 018 5026

Family Lives A charity that offer free, non-judgmental support and advice to all members of the family. They respond when family life becomes complicated regarding for example: family breakdown, aggression in the home, bullying at school, risky teenage behaviour and mental health concerns of both parents and their children. Tel: 0808 800 2222

Working Families Helps working parents and carers achieve a good work-life balance. It gives information about paternity leave for fathers and maternity leave for mothers. Tel: 0800 013 0313

Contact a family Support, advice and information for families with disabled children through a freephone helpline and free factsheets. They also offer one to one linking of families affected by particular conditions. Tel: 020 7608 8700 Helpline: 0808 808 3555

ICAN This organisation supports children who have speech and language difficulties. It gives information about DVDs, books and special schools that can support your child. They offer courses for practitioners who want to work with children with such difficulties. Freephone: 0845 225 4071

Young Minds Trust Promotes the mental and emotional wellbeing of children and young people and brings together an alliance of those in health, education, social services, and youth justice. Tel: 020 7336 8445

 

Education

Advisory Centre for Education (ACE) Charity giving independent advice to parents / carers of children in state-funded schools who are experiencing issues such as bullying, SEN, admissions to and exclusions from school. Tel: 0808 800 5793

Department for Education This is the official Department for Education website which gives information on current policies and statistics in education. It also gives information on different types of schools and how they are organised. Tel: 0370 000 2288

Big School Advice for year 5 and year 6 students and parents on making the transition to secondary school and all the choices linked into that.

Learning Together Practice materials, epapers and preparation for 11+ and 12+ selection, grammar school selection, independent and private school selection and common entrance exams.

TES Resources A renowned worldwide network for teachers with over 100,000 teaching resources. Free to join.

 

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

The National Association for Special Educational Needs (NASEN) NASEN promotes the education, development and training of all who work with those with special educational needs and can assist parents with getting further help on or assessment of particular disabilities or learning needs. Tel: 01827 311500

ADDiSS Provides information, training and support on ADHD and related learning and behavioural difficulties.They offer books and resources to help adults who need to support children with ADHD. Tel: 020 8906 9068

Hyperactive Children's Support Group (HACSG) Britain's leading proponent of a dietary approach to managing hyperactivity and ADHD.It gives information about different nutritional approaches to help alleviate the symptoms of ADHD and provides information about workshops. Tel: 01234 539 966

The National Autistic Society This organisation provides information, support and services for people with autism. They campaign for the rights and needs of people with autism and Aspergers syndrome and also run six schools for children with autism. Tel: 020 7833 2299

SEBDA - The Social, Emotional and Behavioural Disorder Association Informs, supports and campaigns for those who work with children and young people identified as disaffected, disruptive or with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. Tel: 01768 210 510

TreeHouse A national charity for autism education set up by parents. It runs a school for children with autism, provides a range of innovative services, and offers consultancy to groups looking to set up provision for children and seeking advice on campaigning. Tel: 020 8815 5444

ACE Centre Advisory Trust Information, support and training for parents and professionals in the use of technology for young people with communication difficulties, both speaking and writing. Offers assessments, information, research and development, and specialist training. Tel: 01865 759800

AFASIC - Association for All Speech and Language Impaired Children Afasic was founded in 1968 as a parent-led organisation to help children and young people with speech and language impairments and their families. They provide information and training for parents and produce a range of publications. Tel: 020 7490 9410

British Dyslexia Association Offers a range of services such as advice and support through training, networks, a helpline, website and membership structure. Tel: 0118 966 2677

BILD - British Institute of Learning Disabilities Aims to improve the lives of people by influencing policy and decision makers, and encouraging good practice among practitioners from a wide range of disciplines. Tel: 01562 723010

The British Stammering Association For children and adults who stammer, run by people who stammer, with a mission to support and carry out research, identify and promote effective therapy, offer support and promote awareness and good practice. Tel: 020 8983 8983

DELTA - Deaf Education through Listening and Talking Works with parents, family members and professionals to help deaf children to listen and talk so they can reach their full potential educationally. Tel: 0845 108 1437

Down Syndrome Educational Trust World-leader in research into the cognitive development and education of children with Down syndrome. Publishes information, practical guidance, organises conferences and workshops, and provides advocacy and consultancy services. Tel: 023 9285 5330

Dyslexia Action Leading provider of support and services for people with dyslexia and literacy difficulties. Specialises in assessment, teaching and training, and also develops and distributes materials and undertakes research. Tel: 01784 222300

Dyspraxia Foundation Founded by two mothers dismayed at the lack of facilities and help for children with dyspraxia and their parents. Works to increase understanding of dyspraxia particularly among professionals in health and education. Tel: 01462 454986

Foundation for People with Learning Difficulties Works to promote social inclusion, provide help services and to undertake research on behalf of people with learning disabilities. Tel: 0207803 1100

Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre The oldest-established dyslexia centre offering expert assessment and special tuition to anyone with dyslexia or other specific learning difficulties. Tel: 01252 792400

MENCAP The leading charity for children and adults with learning difficulties and their families. Fights for their rights, campaigns for greater opportunities and challenges attitudes and prejudice. Tel: 020 7454 0454

The Williams Syndrome Foundation First point of contact for affected individuals and their families needing support. Also leads on research and publications on the educational, behavioural, social, scientific and medical aspects of the syndrome. Tel: 01732 365152

British Deaf Association - Sign Community The only charity in the UK run by deaf people and represents the sign language community, united by shared experiences, history and British Sign Language (BSL), now officially recognised as a British language and spoken by 250,000 people in the UK. Tel: 020 7588 3520

The Ear Foundation The only national charity providing support, education and research for deaf children and young people with cochlear implants, their families and local professionals. These are implants that are surgically implanted and bring new potential for communication, speech and education and social and employment opportunities. Tel: 0115 9421985

National Blind Children's Society Objective is to enable blind and partially sighted children and young people to achieve their educational and recreational goals. Offers help and support from diagnosis through each key stage of their education to the age of 25. Tel: 01278 764764

National Deaf Children's Society Dedicated to providing support, information and advice through a free helpline, regional family support workers, information on welfare rights, benefits, education, health, audiology and technology. Tel: 020 7490 8656

Sense A pioneering and innovative charity that works with deaf-blind and multi-sensory impaired children of all ages, their families and the professionals who support them. Services include assessment, tailor-made support, curriculum advice, adaptations that promote inclusion and a wide range of training courses and activities. Tel: 020 7272 7774

AbilityNet Comprehensive range of services in the use of information technology for people with all types of disabling conditions. Provides individual assessment of technology needs. Tel: 01926 312847

The Children's Trust Provides care, education and therapy to children with multiple disabilities and complex health needs through a unique combination of skills and experience in education, care and therapy. Tel: 01737 365000