Earlier this week Richard Tice, Deputy Leader of Reform, made an ill-informed comment saying some parents are using and abusing free taxis to school for children with special educational needs or disabilities. Contact wanted to give a parent the opportunity to respond, as well as set some facts straight ourselves.
Ailith Harley-Roberts’s daughter Thalia is aged 16 and has Down syndrome. Ailith said: “The comments from the Deputy Leader of Reform on school transport were contemptible and ill-informed.
“Most SEND parents will have been up for many hours, clothing, feeding, administering therapy and medication to their children, before they even get to school. Accusing them of being lazy is damaging and irresponsible. Unpaid parent carers save the NHS and social care thousands of pounds every year.
“Children and young people with SEND often attend schools some distance from home. This is not parental choice. It’s ensuring their child can learn and get an education in a school that meets their needs. Sadly, local schools can’t always provide an appropriate education for children with additional needs.
“No parent wants their child in a car, bus or taxi for hours. They just want their child to have the education they have a right to and deserve, and also want to be able to work as much as possible which contributes to the economy.”
Contact responds to Tice comments
Angie Fenn, Head of Advice at Contact added:
“Parents make an application for transport to the local authority. Parents applying under the SEND criterion are required to provide reasons and any professional evidence why their child requires transport. It is completely wrong to assert that parents are abusing the system. In fact, our helpline hears regularly from families whose children have been turned down for school transport despite providing evidence of eligibility.
“Some children may be unable to walk to school because of a physical disability or medical issue. Others may have psychological or behavioural issues that put them at risk.
“According to our own research, only half of children who qualify for school transport get a council-funded taxi or bus. 49% have a family member who drive them to school and are paid a mileage allowance by the local authority for that journey.
“School transport is the glue that holds families with disabled children together. Without it, parents have to give up work to transport their child long distances, families spiral into crisis and young disabled people are more likely to drop out of school or college. This leads to fewer qualifications and life skills, stacking up higher costs in the future. It is the definition of false economy.
“Greater access to welcoming and inclusive local schools and tackling expensive bus and taxi charges would be a good place to start to reduce school transport costs for local authorities.”
Close the loophole campaign
Families across England are being denied school transport when their disabled child turns 16. While young people are expected to stay in education until they’re 18, an unfair loophole in the law means their right to council transport can suddenly change or end at 16.
Together with other parent carers, we’ve written a letter to schools minister Catherine McKinnell calling for a fairer system where decisions are based on need, not age.
The HAF programme provides free meals and activities outside of term time to children who get free school meals for benefits reasons. It ensures those from lower-income households don’t go without during the school holidays.
The DfE estimates that over half a million children benefited in the past year, saving their parents over £300. It has committed £600 million to extending the programme.
If you think your child is eligible for free school meals and the HAF programme, talk to the school.
Many disabled children are entitled to free school meals, but struggle to access them because of their disability or medical condition. Schools have a legal duty to make “reasonable adjustments” to the way they deliver free school lunches.
This autumn, don’t miss new dates for our popular Brighter Beginnings early years workshops.
We have upcoming sessions on early years education support, toilet training, and speech, language and communication.
Sessions run through September and into October. All workshops are online and last two hours.
“I found the workshop extremely helpful, I have a mediation meeting […] and I think the tips I picked up last night will help immensely. I hadn’t heard of your charity before but will certainly recommend your workshops to other parents.”
As families prepare for the new school year, many parents may be worried about whether their child with additional needs will have a school place in September.
Our education advisers on the Contact helpline are hearing from parents whose children do not yet have a named school, or whose support plans haven’t been updated in time. It’s a big topic in closed Facebook Group too.
Here’s what you need to know about your rights and the steps you can take in this situation.
The local authority must also name a school or educational setting in Section I of the plan.
If your child is moving to a new phase of education (such as primary to secondary), the local authority should have reviewed and amended the plan by:
15 February – for primary-to-secondary transfers.
31 March – for post-16 placements.
Missing these deadlines is a breach of duty.
What parents can do:
Contact your local authority immediately to remind them of their obligations.
Make a complaint using your local authority’s procedure (details are usually on their website).
If delays continue, you can consider a pre-action protocol letter (a legal warning before judicial review). Our freephone helpline can talk you through these steps (0808 808 3555)
If your child has no place for September
Even if a school hasn’t been named, your local authority must make sure your child has an education. In England, this duty comes from section 19 of the Education Act 1996, which requires the local authority to secure suitable, full-time alternative education.
Other UK nations
The law is different in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, where support plans and systems have different names and procedures. However, the principle is the same: local authorities have a duty to make sure children and young people with additional needs can access appropriate education.
Northern Ireland
Children with special education needs (SEN) may have a Statement of SEN. The Education Authority must secure the provision set out in the statement and name a suitable school.
If your child is waiting for a placement, the Education Authority still has a duty to ensure your child receives appropriate education.
If your child doesn’t have a confirmed place, the local authority still has a responsibility to provide an appropriate education. Parents can make use of dispute resolution, mediation, or appeal to the Additional Support Needs Tribunal for Scotland.
Local authorities must secure the provision in an IDP and name an appropriate school. If your child has no school place, the local authority is still responsible for arranging suitable education.
Need more advice?
If you’re unsure what to do next, our free helpline advisers can talk you through your options. Call us on 0808 808 3555 or visit our education pages for more advice.
As the new academic year begins, many families are busy preparing uniforms, school bags and packed lunches. But for parents of disabled children, there’s often a lot more to think about before the first morning alarm.
To help make the transition smoother, we have put together a back-to-school checklist for the academic year about to begin, 2025/26. It covers everything from education support plans to transport, medical needs and sensory support.
Every child’s needs are different, and every family’s situation will be different. So we understand that not everything here will be relevant to you. Use the checklist as a guide and adapt it to suit your family.
If you’ve known us for a while, you’ll know we’re called Contact. But over the years, we’ve heard from many people that our name doesn’t always make it clear who we are or what we do.
That’s why we’re now thinking about whether a name change could help us better represent the support we offer – and we’d really like to hear what you think through this short questionnaire.
Nothing has been decided yet. We’re just exploring ideas, and we’d love your thoughts on our current name and any suggestions you might have for a new name.
Tell us what you think by Thursday 4 September. Everyone who takes part can choose to be entered into a prize draw to win one of three £50 vouchers as a thank-you. And don’t worry – your answers will be completely anonymous.
The survey is being administered by Spencer Du Bois on behalf of Contact. You don’t need to leave your details unless you want to be entered for the prize draw. If you do, your personal data will only be used for the prize draw and will not be linked to your responses.
As disabled young people approach adulthood, many families want to understand what benefits they’re entitled to.
One of the most important but often misunderstood steps is making a “credits only” claim for new-style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
Here we explain what making a credits only claim for ESA means, why it matters, and how it links to future Universal Credit claims. You’ll find this particularly useful if your young person is remaining in full-time education.
What is a “credits only” ESA claim?
A “credits only” claim for ESA allows a young person with a disability or long-term health condition to:
Undergo a Work Capability Assessment (WCA).
Have their capacity for work and work-related activity assessed.
Establish a limited capability for work (LCW) / limited capability for work and work related activity (LCWRA)
Start building National Insurance credits, which count towards future benefits like the State Pension.
It is called a “credits only” claim because while they will starting building National Insurance credits, usually they won’t actually receive ESA payments. (This is because they haven’t worked and paid National Insurance yet).
So why is this important for claiming Universal Credit?
Most young people cannot claim Universal Credit while still in full-time education.
Establishing LCW or LCWRA now can increase your child’s future chances of getting Universal Credit if they remain in education. It will help them in two specific circumstances:
If they remain in full-time non advanced education beyond the 31st August after their 19th birthday. Having established LCWRA should guarantee that they can get Universal Credit despite being in education from the 1st September after they turn 19.
They are treated as having a break in “receiving education”. They should be exempt from the restrictions on claims by students so long as they established LCW or LCWRA at some point prior to their new period “‘”receiving education” startin. (They must also get a qualifying disability benefit such as Personal Indepence Payment).
This is why it’s so important to establish LCWRA early, through a credits-only ESA claim for ESA.
Who can apply?
Your child can make a credits-only ESA claim from age 16, even if they are:
Still in full-time non-advanced education.
Living at home and dependent on you.
Not eligible for Universal Credit yet due to their education status.
NOTE: If your child lacks capacity, you’ll need to apply as their appointee by phone. You cannot do this online.
How to apply
Call ESA on 0800 055 6688, choose option 4 to apply by phone.
Ask to make a “credits only” claim for new-style ESA.
Provide a fit note (sick note) from your child’s GP.
You’ll receive a ESA50 questionnaire to complete and return with any supporting evidence.
You are legally entitled to make a credits-only claim under Regulation 8B(1) of the Social Security (Credits) Regulations 1975. If ESA refuse you, seek advice.
What happens after applying?
You will receive a letter saying your child does not qualify for ESA payments. This is expected.
The DWP should then initiate a Work Capability Assessment. This will the completion of a work capability questionnaire. Your child may also be asked to take part in a consultation with a health professional, either via the telephone or face to face. This process usually takes three-fourth months.
The outcome of this assessment will hopefully be that your child has a limited capability for work (LCW) – or a limited capability for work- and work-related activity (LCWRA).
This decision:
Secures National Insurance credits.
Will be binding on Universal Credit if they claim in future.
If they establish LCWRA rather than LCW, it will also mean they get higher Universal Credit payments.
With the rise of AI-generated answers featuring at the top of internet search results, it would be easy to assume that the information you’re presented with is reliable and up to date.
But tools like Google’s AI Overview often provide generic – and potentially inaccurate – responses. Sometimes AI tools remove important context too. This is especially true when it comes to sensitive or complex topics, which parent carers are often searching for.
In fact, we have already heard from parents that the AI-generated answer they’ve been told comes from Contact does not match the information on our website. We’re concerned that parents relying on AI – without checking the sources carefully – will be getting incorrect information. And this might impact the support they’re hoping to find.
That’s why we encourage parents to come and read our website directly. If you do read AI-generated summaries, check the sources in more detail if you plan to act on the information.
Contact’s information and advice is second to none
Automated tools simply cannot replace the knowledge and empathy of Contact’s team of parent advisers, who write all the information on our website.
No other charity offers the same breadth and depth of trusted information, expert advice and genuine understanding that Contact offers.
Our information and advice for parent carers of disabled children and those with additional needs is:
Accurate and regularly updated.
Reviewed by real experts.
Backed by decades of experience.
Come to Contact for advice and information you can trust.
Government consultations are a useful means of gathering the views and experiences of affected by policy changes.
That’s why we encourage parent carers to take part when they can – and we respond to many consultations as an organisation, too. The voices of parent carers must be heard when the government is making changes to existing laws.
The government is running a series of consultations you might be interested in responding to.
Proposals also include changing Council Tax billing from a 10-month schedule to a 12-month schedule. We think this will help low income families manage costs better.
You can share your views on whether current entitlements give babies and new parents the best start to life together.
Out-of-School settings (OOSS) safeguarding
Finally, the government is seeking views on safeguarding practices in OOSS. This includes providers such as sports and arts clubs, youth groups, holiday camps and faith-based education settings.
A parent is calling on NHS England to revise a policy that bars parents from ordering vital medication for their child when they turn 11 years old.
Under the policy, the NHS App automatically uncouples the parent from their child’s records at this age. Parents must contact the GP surgery so their child can give consent for their parent’s access to continue. This allows parent to make appointments and order medication on their child’s behalf beyond age 11 via the App.
Depending on the GP practice policy, this can be done via a form or email or visit to the surgery. We know of many parent cares resorting to arranging their child’s prescription by paper order forms.
“Another hoop to jump through”
Parent carer Laura Siveter has now launched her petition calling for a policy change. The NHS App prevented her from ordering vital epilepsy medication for her 11-year-old son, who has learning difficulties. More than 35 parents on in the Contact Facebook group shared similar stories or were unaware of the policy.
Contact’s health lead Amanda Elliot said:
“For parents of young people with a health condition or disability, getting medication on time is critical. This is another hoop to jump through when they are already under enormous pressure.
We have asked the NHS to ensure it communicates with families well in advance of the NHS App cutting off access to their child’s record. It should explain clearly what families need to do to continue access.
After hearing from us parent’s feedback, NHS England have said they will work with the NHS App team to address these concerns and improve communication and and guidance.
Our advice to parents
We recommend that parents required to attend their GP surgery to organise proxy consent should also request the practice applies a Reasonable Adjustments Flag to their disabled child’s record. This will flag to GPs their status as their child’s carer.
You can also ask for the practice to add your child to the learning disability register (at any age). This will ensure they are automatically invited for annual health checks from age 14.
We want to say a big thank you to everyone who nominated a friend or family member in the Contact Awards 2025.
That’s a total of 320 people making over 400 nominations!
Our nominations form has now closed. Our panel will now be shortlisting entries, and we’ll let you know who’s made our final. Those shortlisted under each category will be invited to an exciting gala awards evening in Parliament in November, where the winners will be announced.
Our categories are:
Parent Carer Award – Recognising the amazing things parent carers do to ensure their disabled children can take part in everyday life.
Change Maker Award – For an individual, family or a group of parents who have campaigned or worked together to make life better for other families in their community.
Proudest Moment Award – Recognising the challenges your disabled child has overcome that fill you with pride and make you smile.
Friendship First Award – Celebrating those wonderful friends who make your life as a parent carer better just by being in it!
Grandparent Award – Recognising all the wonderful and everyday things grandparents do for their family.
Sibling Award – Celebrating the often unseen but great things that siblings do for their disabled brothers and sisters, or that help make mum and dad’s lives just that little bit easier.
Contact has joined forces with climate and arts partners to bring a series of woodland workshops to outdoor venues across Yorkshire throughout July and August.
Don’t miss these FREE events designed for parents and your children to explore a fairer, more sustainable future.
The 2-hour sessions are relaxed, inclusive, and full of opportunities to connect, create and have your say about the future you want.
Sign up here and see workshop dates and locations.
What to expect:
Join us and take part in forest school activities for families like making sculptures from woodland materials, foraging and making swings – and making a difference together, by creating a message together to share with decision-makers.
No experience needed, just bring your ideas, your kids, and your imagination! Free refreshments will be available alongside space to meet other local families.
A Future for All is an arts-led project putting families, especially those often left out of climate conversations, at the heart of change.
Run in partnership with Hope for the Future, Rowan Environmental Arts (REA) and Parents for Future – through immersive theatre and climate advocacy workshops, we’re creating space for parent carers to be heard and lead the climate and nature conversation.
Reserve your spot here and join us for a magical afternoon of fun, connection, and community action.
If you have any questions, contact Hope for the Future on [email protected] We’d love to see you there!
The Government has launched its Best Start in Life Strategy, which aims to drive up the accessibility of early years education in England and boost children’s life chances.
Investments of £1.5 billion in early years services under the government’s new plans will help increase inclusion, offer more accessible family services in all local authority areas in England through Best Start Family Hubs, and make childcare easier to find.
Contact welcomes plans to strengthen inclusive practice across early years settings and services, along with the commitment to increase funding for providers to support children with SEND. Currently, many parents are turned away from nurseries and settings because they do not have the resources or training to support their child’s needs. The Government’s strategy to invest in inclusion and early intervention comes at a critical time for families.
Contact is pleased to see plans for every Family Hub to have a children and family services professional specifically trained in supporting parents of children with additional needs. And we welcome the commitment to parental engagement in decision making in how Family Hub services are delivered.
Contact’s Early Years lead, Mary Mulvey-Oates, says: “This is great news for families of young children with additional needs. Too often, families struggle to get the support they need for their disabled or neurodivergent child at an early age. Making funding easier for settings to access will help parent carers to feel welcomed and supported in their child’s early days, so they get the right care early in their journey and have the same chances as other children to thrive and learn through play.”
Concerns over ‘school readiness’ targets
However, Contact warned that the focus on meeting a target threshold for 75% of all reception-age children to be ‘ready for school’ may miss those children who are disabled or unlikely to meet the target, which could lead to children who need the most support being overlooked. Contact regularly hears from parents of young children who want more support to meet their child’s needs and not to have to fight for help. Parents want to see schools strengthening their links with early years settings, so they are prepared to support each child. The focus should be on creating readiness in the system—not expecting children to be ‘school ready’ on their own.
It’s vital that the Government listens to parent carers to ensure the changes planned really do enhance the lives of younger children with additional needs, who stand to gain so much when they get the right support early in their lives.
Contact’s FREE early years workshops for parents in England
The Early Years SEND Partnership, funded by the Department of Education, is running more events and training this year to support parents of young children with SEND. As part of this, Contact is offering more of our FREE Brighter Beginnings workshops for families with children aged 0-5 with SEND, covering topics like toilet training, speech, and behaviour. Explore the workshops and book your place.
These workshops are for families in England only – we’re sorry if this means you miss out.
With forecasters anticipating temperatures of up to 31 °over the next few days, it’s important for parents, carers, and schools to take extra care to protect disabled children, who may struggle with the heat and keeping hydrated due to medical conditions, medications, or sensory issues.
What schools and early years settings should do
Schools have a legal obligation and duty of care to ensure that all pupils, including those with complex needs or EHCPs, are kept safe and supported, this includes during hot weather. Government guidance for England recommends schools and settings implement the following measures:
Pre-cool buildings by opening windows overnight or early morning, then closing them when outside temperatures rise.
Shade windows using blinds or curtains (while maintaining ventilation).
Turn off electrical equipment and lights not in use to reduce internal heat.
Use mechanical, oscillating fans when indoor temperature is below 35 °C, but avoid if hotter, as fans may worsen matters.
Limit outdoor activities, in particular when temperatures exceed 30 °C.
Relax uniformrules to allow loose, light-coloured clothing, and removal of blazers and jumpers.
Ensure children wear wide-brim hats and apply broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30+, UVA-rated) when outside, reapplying every 2 hours and after swimming or towelling.
Provide plenty of cool drinking water, encouraging more fluid intake than usual.
In addition schools should also:
Adjust school timings, move lessons or breaks to cooler parts of the day.
Use cooler classrooms, rearranged to avoid direct sun exposure.
Increase cross-ventilation by opening doors and windows where safe to do so.
Practical tips for families
Use cooling sprays, or cold flannels at home.
Keep rooms shaded and well-ventilated and use frozen water bottles in front of fans.
Encourage fluid intake via fun cups, syringes, straws, or water-rich foods.
If your child has an EHCP, this is also an opportunity to request a temporary or permanent reasonable adjustment, citing this government guidance, should your child suffer in the heat due to medication they take, a medical condition that they have or sensory difficulties they may experience.
Watch for signs of heat stress, exhaustion, and heatstroke. Provide immediate response by moving vulnerable children to cooler areas, sponge spraying, applying cold packs to neck/armpits, and if needed, calling NHS 111 or 999.
You can also sign up to Weather-Health Alerts via UKHSA and the Met Office for actionable heat alerts.
For more information about how to cope in a heatwave:
Mum of autistic child expresses her gratitude to Contact after winning £1,000 through the weekly lottery, a cause she joined to give back for the invaluable support she received during a challenging time.
Kelly first discovered Contact after struggling to navigate the complex processes of securing an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHC Plan) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA) following her daughter’s autism diagnosis. She said:
“I wouldn’t have had the success with my ECH Plan and DLA applications if it wasn’t for the invaluable help and information from Contact. The EHC Plan is as it should be, and my little lady is in an amazing specialist school!”
Wanting to give back, Kelly decided to join Contact’s charity lottery as a way to support other parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Little did she know, she would end up winning the £1,000 prize!
She received the surprise phone call while returning from a family holiday. She told us:
“I would urge anyone to sign up for the lottery as it helps support real parents like me. We have so many challenges and processes to learn, and many, many new acronyms!
It can be a lonely place being a SEND parent. Contact offers parents like us that much-needed help and advice.”
Kelly’s daughter
We’re so pleased Kelly turned her entry into a win. And if you join us – you could be next!
New “neighbourhood teams” will provide care for disabled children/those with complex health needs under plans unveiled by the government.
Under proposals set out last week in the new NHS 10-year plan, GPs and paediatricians will lead mental health professionals, health visitors and community workers to run local clinics.
The Plan pledges:
“We will ensure Neighbourhood Health Services work in partnership with family hubs, schools, nurseries, and colleges to offer timely support to children, young people and their families, including those with SEND. Start for Life services will be extended to the whole conception to age five range, enabling additional health visitor and speech and language support for children and their families.”
Contact’s view: A welcome model but sustained investment is vital
Contact welcomes the new healthcare model for children. But sustained investment in the children’s specialist workforce is vital for the new teams making a real difference to families.
Contact’s health lead Amanda Elliot says:
“Neighbourhood teams could bring about integrated care for disabled children in the community, especially children languishing on long waiting lists. But the devil is in the delivery detail and in the way they are funded. Children are 25% of the population, yet account for only 11% of NHS expenditure. There is a huge shortage of doctors and therapists trained to work with our children.
“Children’s health services need a fairer share of health service funding. This is especially so for those with long term conditions, disabilities, and complex needs. Families need speedy access to experts to assess and diagnose their child’s condition and therapists and specialists who can help them thrive, especially in the early years.”
Delayed diagnoses in the early years means too many disabled children start school without anyone understanding their needs and without any support in place.
Amanda adds: “Families deserve better. They need clarity on how the new teams will work and how they will be funded. They need assurances that they will deliver better outcomes for their disabled child.”
What else is in the NHS 10-year plan?
The NHS 10-year plan sets out the government’s long-term priorities for making the NHS “fit for the future”. It proposes three main shifts in healthcare:
From analogue to digital, with more online and digital consultations.
From hospital to community, with healthcare delivered in the community led by GPs.
From sickness to prevention, tackling obesity, smoking, and “early intervention”.
The NHS Plan promises to expand the Early Language Support for Every Child (ELSEC) programme. The programme is currently working in some parts of the country.
The programme uses “entry level” therapists working in educational settings and with parents to support children aged two-11 with mild to moderate speech and language needs.
Nominations for the Contact Awards 2025 are on the rise, with 250 in to date! Thank you to everyone who has already nominated in one of our six award categories this year.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be focusing on each award category.
This week its our Grandparent category
Children lucky enough to grow up knowing their grandparents mostly find it an enriching – and often fun! – relationship. Grandparents in turn have all the pleasure of being with children without the responsibilities of being a parent.
But many grandparents do take on extra responsibilities to support their child in their parenting role. Whether that’s helping with childcare and the school runs; providing emotional support and a listening ear; or offering wisdom and advice when parents are making decisions about their disabled child’s care.
Nominations close on 30 July 2025. Those shortlisted under each category will be invited to an exciting gala awards evening in Parliament in November, where the winners will be announced.
This is why Contact – as part of the Disabled Children’s Partnership (DCP) – are calling for MPs from every party to join us at a parliamentary drop-in event on Tuesday 15th July to represent disabled children and families in their constituencies. The event will give MPs the opportunity to hear directly from young people, parents from the Let Us Learn Too campaign and representatives from the DCP .
Disabled young people from across the country will be present to share their experiences of school and college.
Can you invite your MP to the event so disabled children and families in your area have a voice?
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