National and local organisations and services

There are a number of organisations who can provide useful SEND information and advice.

See details of:

York's Local Offer

York SEND Local Offer

York SEND Local Offer provide local services and activities available to children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Support is available from birth to 25 years old.

Get more information about York SEND Local Offer.

SEND Central

York’s inclusive Family Hub that specialises in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) with no specific threshold or level of need required for you to access it. SEND Central is a place where families can meet multiple professionals and agencies all under one roof, meet other parents and carers of children and young people with SEND and where they and their child can access a range of information about events and activities.

Get more information about SEND Central.

Family Information Service and Raise York

Raise is York’s Family Hub Network of people, places and online support connecting young people, families, communities and professionals to the right support at the right time. The Family Information Service is part of this offer, providing free and impartial information on anything related to family life, from birth to 19 years old (or up to 25 years if they have SEND).

Get more information about the Family Information Service and Raise York.

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Local SEND services

Parent Carer Forum York

The Parent Carer Forum York are an independent charity led by volunteers with lived experience of SEND. They lead regular events online and face to face to ensure parent voices shape local health, education, and social care services, while offering peer support, information, and social events.

Get more information about the Parent Carer Forum York.

Let’s Make Sense Together

Let’s Make Sense Together is a bank of written and video resources created by Occupational Therapists in York to help those who support children with sensory processing differences. There is also an option to refer in for further advice.

Get more information about Let’s Make Sense Together.

YorMind

YorMind provides information and support focussed on mental health for young people up to 25 years old. The YorMind website has resources, a podcast, information about their events and how to access direct support.

Get more information about YorMind.

Shine 21

Shine 21 is a York based charity working closely with parents and carers of children with Down Sydrome to offer advice, support and reassurance. Shine 21 offers intervention sessions, training in areas such as Makaton; loaning of resources; sharing knowledge.

Get more information about Shine 21.

Daisy Chain Project

The Daisy Chain Project is a North East-based charity providing information and resources for those supporting autistic and neurodivergent children, adults and their families. In York, there is an offer of one to one services for adults 18 and over who are diagnosed or self identify with Autism and/or ADHD.

Get more information about the Daisy Chain Project.

The Island

The Island is a York-based charity providing mentoring relationships and programmes for children and young people, aged 8 to 18 years.

Get more information about The Island.

The SNAPPY Trust

The SNAPPY Trust is a small York-based charity providing a community, rich in resources, to meet the needs of the children and young people with wide ranging disabilities who attend their programmes.

Get more information about The SNAPPY Trust.

York Inspirational Kids

York Inspirational Kids offers a range of groups and activities 50 weeks a year for both children and young people who have a learning or physical disability, autism or other neurodivergence and those who support them.

Get more information about York Inspirational Kids.

Evolving Roots CIC

Evolving Roots CIC is a York-based community offering creativity and social connection for children and young people through creative arts, well being and nature activities.

Get more information about Evolving Roots CIC.

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Services providing legal help

Legal Aid Checker

The Legal Aid Checker allows you to check if you're entitiled to free legal aid if you are going to first tier SEND Tribunal or considering Judicial Review.

Get more information about the Legal Aid Checker.

Coram Children’s Legal Centre

The Coram Children’s Legal Centre provides legal information, advice and representation to children, young people, their families, carers and professionals, on child law and children’s rights.

Get more information about Coram Children’s Legal Centre.

Child Law Advice

Child Law Advice is a digital-first service providing family and education law advice to parents, carers, and young people in England. The website has lots of free-to-access content and if you need extra help after reading the information on this website, they can offer initial legal advice via email, webchat, and telephone.

Get more information about Child Law Advice.

IPSEA

IPSEA provide free SEND legal guides, resources and template letters to empower parent carers and young people to navigate SEND law.

Get more information about IPSEA.

Equality Advisory and Support Service

Equality Advisory and Support Service provide free advice and assistance to individuals on issues relating to equality and human rights, across England, Scotland and Wales.

Get more information about the Equality Advisory and Support Service.

Cerebra

Cerebra provides guides for parents on their children and young people’s legal rights across Health, Social Care and Education, including School Transport.

Get more information about Cerebra.

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National SEND services

Contact

Contact provides free advice to families of disabled children, as well as a Listening Ear service providing emotional support and reassurance to parent carers of children with SEND. The run a free, National helpline as well as having active campaigns and a social media presence.

Get more information about Contact.

Family Fund

Family Fund is the UK’s largest charity providing grants for disabled or seriously ill children and young people and their families.

Get more information about Family Fund.

Parents in Need

Parents in Need is a charity which supports families of children with Special Educational Needs by funding the professional reports to support their application for appropriate educational placement and therapy.

Get more information about Parents in Need.

Council for Disabled Children

Council for Disabled Children (CDC) is the umbrella body for the disabled children’s sector bringing together professionals, practitioners and policy-makers. They have a list of resources for parents and young people and a directory of different organisations.

Get more information about Council for Disabled Children.