Parents and carers

About special educational needs and advice if you have a child who needs extra help.

Support with special educational needs and disabilities

What special educational needs and disabilities means
Find out about what special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) means and the legal definition.
Health checks to find out if your child needs extra help
Scans, checks and reviews can find out if your baby has a health condition, special educational needs or a disability.
Get help if you’re worried about your child’s development or learning
Contact your child's nursery, playgroup, childminder, school, college or Amaze, our local Information, Advice and Support service.
Get social care support with special educational needs and disabilities
How to get support provided by our council, called social care, for children and young people 0 to 25 years old.
More about Support with special educational needs and disabilities

Help for parents and carers

Find support groups for parents and carers
Courses and groups where you can meet other parents, swap tips and find new ways of coping with difficulties.
Get counselling help if you're a parent or carer
Counselling is support and therapy that can help you express your feelings and find new ways of coping with difficulties.
Short breaks

Learn more about what a short break is, the types of short breaks available, and how to use direct payments to pay for short breaks.
Benefits and grants to help with special educational needs and disabilities
You may be able to claim benefits or get financial help if you look after a child with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) or you have SEND.
More about Help for parents and carers

Contact us

Tell us what you think about our Local Offer
Give us your feedback to help us improve the support and services we offer for children, young people and families.
Contact Local Offer
Get in touch with one of our teams for help and information.
How to complain about a SEND issue
If you’re unhappy with the support your child gets, or a service you've received, learn about your options, including how to make a complaint.
Contact children and learning
Get in touch with one of our teams for help and information.