First Steps
When your child or young person is first identified or diagnosed with SEND, it can be confusing and daunting. Please see below for a range of helpful organisations, resources and documents, that can be your first port of call for help and information
Contact
Contact is a national support charity for families with disabled children.
They can help you with information or advice, questions about your child’s condition or you can join one of our helpful workshops.
The Local Offer
A comprehensive resource of local information, decisions, events and resouces to support the SEND community. It can also act as a window to finding up to date contact information for local statutory agencies and services, this includes childrens services, health, education and other welfare links.
National Autistic Society
National charity that runs a number of helplines which can give advice on education, benefits, social care, school exclusions and transition.
SOSSEN!
A free, friendly, independent and confidential telephone helpline for parents and others looking for information and advice on special educational needs.
SENDIASS
A local service funded by Kingston Council to provide impartial, confidential information, advice and support to parents/carers of children and young people (0-25) with disabilities and special educational needs.
Express CIC
An independent non-profit community organisation supporting autistic children and their families, with advice, counselling, activities and groups for young autistic children and their siblings to meet and socialise. As well as specific support groups for parents and carers.
SEND Jargon Buster
A useful guide to help explain some of the acronyms and jargon used by healthcare, educational and social care professionals regarding children with special needs.
MENCAP
Information, advice and support for parents and carers of children with learning difficulties.
Your Healthcare Children’s Speech and Language Therapy
Your healthcare speech and language therapists work with children, their families and others who support them from age 0-19
This service promotes, improved understanding of spoken language, clear and effective expressive language and speech sounds. As well as social interaction, the reduction of stammering, voice use, interaction and communication and safe eating drinking and swallowing