How to contact us for advice
We provide advice to parents, grandparents, relatives, friends and kinship carers who are involved with children’s services in England or need their help. We can help you understand processes and options when social workers or courts are making decisions about your child’s welfare.
Our advice service is free, independent and confidential.
To speak to an adviser, please call our free and confidential advice line 0808 801 0366 (Monday to Friday 9.30am to 3pm, excluding Bank Holidays). For Textphone dial 18001 followed by the advice line number. Or you can ask us a question via email using our advice enquiry form.
Our online advice forums are an anonymous space where parents and kinship carers (also known as family and friends carers) can get legal and practical advice, build a support network and learn from other people’s experiences.
Our get help and advice section describes the processes that you and your family are likely to go through, so that you know what to expect. Our webchat service can help you find the information and advice on our website which will help you understand the law and your rights.
A special educational needs coordinator is a teacher who is responsible for making sure a school meets the needs of all its pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). They are often referred to as the ‘SENCO’.
Every state school (including academies and free schools) must appoint a SENCO. The SENCO must be a qualified teacher. They must have, or be working towards, an additional qualification in SEND.
The SENCO is responsible for making sure the school meets the needs of all pupils with SEND. So, not just those who have an education, health and care plan.
The SENCO will be a family’s main contact for discussing their child’s needs and what the school is doing to support them.
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