Getting the Best Help
for S.E.N. at School
Sky Badger School Awards
Click here to take part in a pioneering project to change the way school children think about disability.
The Sky Badger Schools Awards include a series of lessons and games specially designed to help your pupils develop empathy, rather than sympathy, for children with disabilities, illness, and special educational needs. The activities are designed for 4-11 year olds and range in duration from 30 minutes to whole-day events. And afterwards, your school’s efforts will be rewarded with a Bronze, Silver or Gold Sky Badger Awards certificate. The more lessons and games you complete, the bigger the award.
Help at School
There is support available to make sure your special educational needs (S.E.N.) child to gets the same opportunities as everyone else at their school. Your opinions and ideas about your child’s education really count – in fact, you have to be listened to legally. After all, you know your child best.
Click the buttons at the top of this page to find out about special educational needs getting extra help at school, getting special computer kit to help your child learn apps and programmes for learning getting a special needs assessment and finding expert help if you can't get the help you need for your child.
In a perfect world, you, your child, the school and your local authority all work harmoniously for the benefit of your child. If the process isn’t working harmoniously, there are lots of places to get advice – check out the links in our school pages. It can take a long time to get your child’s education just the way he or she needs it – but with the right help, anything is possible. Whether you’re having a nightmare with getting a statement of special education needs, or are looking for an academic adventure for your gifted disab
led child, you’ll find everything you need here.
Don’t forget your other kids, too. Sometimes they might need help as well, so they can understand and feel comfortable with what’s happening to their brother or sister. Support is available for them too.
Medical Conditions at School
A resource to help schools and school healthcare professionals support all pupils with medical conditions.
Early Support
A national programme to improve the way that services for young children with disabilities in England work with families.
Parent Partnership
Supporting parents of children with special educational needs.
Contact a Family SEN National Advice Service
Contact the helpline on 0808 808 3555 or by e-mailing [email protected].
AbilityNet
AbilityNet's education services help students achieve more. Using assistive technologies (AT) improves opportunities and independence for students with SEN, leading to real inclusion.
Allfie
A national campaigning and information-sharing network led by disabled people. They campaign for all disabled learners to have the right to access and be supported in mainstream education.
Brainwave
Home-based programme for children with brain injuries/genetic conditions.
The Autistic Society
Information about autism and Asperger’s syndrome.
Children with Medical Needs Network
A forum for teachers to share issues relating to the education of children with medical conditions..
RNIB
Offers support to education professionals working with blind and partially sighted learners from birth to 25, including those with complex needs.
Cerebra
Disabled children parents’ guide.
Afasic
Disabled children, schools and the Equality Act 2010.
IPSEA
A national charity providing free legal advice to families who have children with special educational needs. All their advice is given by trained volunteers.
Skill
Staying in education or training until you are 18.
Great Ormond Street Hospital
The children’s hospital school links A fantastic source of educational/medical sites.
Directgov useful links
- School accessibility
- Learning and your rights
- Getting help for special educational needs in under fives
- Choosing a school
