Wellbeing and Self-Care for Parents
Caring for a child with SEND can be emotionally and physically demanding. For Black parents, this may be even more challenging when feeling like you are repeatedly advocating for your child in institutions where decision-makers are not from the same background, which can be exhausting and emotionally draining. Connecting with solidarity networks, support groups, or other parents with similar experiences can provide advice, understanding, and emotional support. Taking care of your own wellbeing can help you support your child more effectively.
Mental Health and Support Services
Mind: Mental health support and helplines
www.mind.org.uk
0300 123 3393
Carers UK: Advice and support for unpaid carers
www.carersuk.org
0808 808 7777
Family Fund: Grants for families raising disabled or seriously ill children
www.familyfund.org.uk
YoungMinds Parents Helpline: Support for parents worried about their child’s mental health:
www.youngminds.org.uk
0808 802 5544
Additional Support Organisations
SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Services)
Offers: Local information, mediation, and parent support
Website: Search “SENDIASS + your area” (e.g. “SENDIASS London”)
SOS SEN
Offers: Drop-in advice sessions, phone support, legal templates
Website: www.sossen.org.uk
Helpline: 020 8538 3731
Contact
Offers: Advice on SEND rights, disability benefits, and parent workshops
Website: www.contact.org.uk
Helpline: 0808 808 3555
Council for Disabled Children (CDC)
Offers: Policy updates, resources on SEND reforms, rights info
Website: www.councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk
Especially useful for professionals and informed parent
National Autistic Society (NAS)
Offers: Autism-specific advice, education support, helpline, parent resources
Website: www.autism.org.uk
Helpline: 0808 800 4104
Ambitious about Autism
Offers: Resources for young people and families, EHCP info, transition support
Website: www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk
KIDS
Offers: Direct support for disabled children and their families, including early years and transition help
Website: www.kids.org.uk
Regional services vary, please check your local area
Mencap
Offers: Learning disability support, benefits advice, education rights
Website: www.mencap.org.uk
Learning Disability Helpline: 0808 808 1111
Scope
Offers: Support for disabled children and their families, education rights, online community
Website: www.scope.org.uk
Helpline: 0808 800 3333
Legal Advice
IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice)
Offers: Legal advice, tribunal support, EHCP guidance
Website: www.ipsea.org.uk
Helpline: 0345 602 9579
Just for Kids Law
Offers: Legal advocacy for children and young people, including school exclusion and SEN issues
Website: www.justforkidslaw.org
Coram Legal Advice
Website: https://www.coram.org.uk/what-we-do/our-work-and-impact/coram-childrens-legal-centre/
To have your organisation listed here, please get in touch.
Alternative Provision: Education provided outside the regular classroom for children who cannot attend school temporarily, e.g., due to exclusion or special needs.
Appeal / Appeals Panel: The process parents can use to challenge a school’s decision to exclude their child. The appeals panel reviews evidence from both the school and parents.
Behaviour Support Plan: A plan schools create to address a child’s challenging behaviour with strategies, rewards, or support.
EHCP – Education, Health, and Care Plan: A legal document that outlines the support a child with SEND that includes goals for learning, therapies, special teaching, and who provides support.
Exclusion (Fixed-Term or Permanent): Fixed-Term Exclusion: Temporary removal from school for a set number of days. Permanent Exclusion: Child is removed from the school completely.
Reintegration Plan: A plan for helping a child return to school after an exclusion, often including extra support, counselling, or adjusted timetable.
Restorative Meeting / Mediation: A meeting aimed at resolving conflict between the student and school staff. Focuses on repairing relationships and preventing future issues.
SAR – Subject Access Request: A formal request you can make to a school (or any organisation) to see the personal information they hold about your child. This can include behaviour records, emails, incident reports, and other documents. Schools must usually respond within one month.
School Policy / Disciplinary Policy: The rules the school uses to decide how to respond to misbehaviour or incidents.
SEND – Special Educational Needs and Disabilities: Refers to children who need extra help with learning, behaviour, or physical/mental health issues.
Trigger / Risk Factor: Events, situations, or environments that might cause a child to behave in a way that leads to exclusion.
Witness Statement / Incident Report: Written accounts from teachers or staff describing what happened during an incident.
