If you live in England:

• What extra help could my child get in school?
• What if I have questions about how the school is supporting my child?

If you live in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales

Read our information about education in Wales.

Find out about the system of support for children with special educational needs in Northern Ireland on the NI Education Authority website or Senac (special educational needs advice centre).

In Scotland, the system of support for children with additional support needs is called additional support for learning. You can read more about it on the Enquire website.

Can't find what you're looking for?

• Visit our education & learning homepage.
• Get in touch with our helpline team.

If you live in England:

• How do I raise concerns about my child's support?
• What help should the school be giving my child?
• How do I ask for an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan?
• My child has an EHC plan. How can I use the annual review to get changes to their support?

If you live in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales

Read our information about education in Wales.

Find out about the system of support for children with special educational needs in Northern Ireland on the NI Education Authority website or Senac (special educational needs advice centre).

In Scotland, the system of support for children with additional support needs is called additional support for learning. You can read more about it on the Enquire website.

Can't find what you're looking for?

• Visit our education & learning homepage.
• Get in touch with our helpline team.

If you live in England:

• How do I prepare for my child to leave school?
• What support can my child get in college?
• What happens to Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans after my child turns 16?
• Getting transport to college.

If you live in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales

Read our information about education in Wales.

Find out about the system of support for children with special educational needs in Northern Ireland on the NI Education Authority website or Senac (special educational needs advice centre).

In Scotland, the system of support for children with additional support needs is called additional support for learning. You can read more about it on the Enquire website.

Can't find what you're looking for?

• Visit our education & learning homepage.
• Get in touch with our helpline team.

Find out more:

• How can I find childcare for my child?
• What help can I get paying for childcare?

If you live in England:

• What support can I get for my child in the early years?
• Can you give me advice on moving onto school?

If you live in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales

Read our information about education in Wales.

Find out about the system of support for children with special educational needs in Northern Ireland on the NI Education Authority website or Senac (special educational needs advice centre).

In Scotland, the system of support for children with additional support needs is called additional support for learning. You can read more about it on the Enquire website.

Can't find what you're looking for?

• Visit our education & learning homepage.
• Get in touch with our helpline team.

If you live in England:

• What is an EHC plan?
• How do I ask for an EHC needs assessment?
• What is the EHC assessment process?
• How do I challenge an EHC assessment decision?
• How do I choose a school on an EHC plan?

If you live in Wales:

• How do I get a statement of special educational needs?
• What is the statutory assessment process?
• What if the local authority say no to a request?

If you live in Northern Ireland or Scotland

Find out about the system of support for children with special educational needs in Northern Ireland on the NI Education Authority website or Senac (special educational needs advice centre).

In Scotland, the system of support for children with additional support needs is called additional support for learning. You can read more about it on the Enquire website.

Can't find what you're looking for?

• Visit our education & learning homepage.
• Get in touch with our helpline team.

If you live in England:

• What's in a draft EHC plan?
• What happens after I get a draft plan?
• Can I choose the school I want in my child's EHC plan?
• What if I'm not happy with the final plan?

If you live in Wales:

• How do I get a statement of special educational needs?

If you live in Northern Ireland or Scotland

Find out about the system of support for children with special educational needs in Northern Ireland on the NI Education Authority website or Senac (special educational needs advice centre).

In Scotland, the system of support for children with additional support needs is called additional support for learning. You can read more about it on the Enquire website.

Can't find what you're looking for?

• Visit our education & learning homepage.
• Get in touch with our helpline team.

If you live in England:

• What happens if I move to a new area?
• What if changes are needed to my child's EHC plan?
• What happens to an EHC plan when my child moves to secondary school?
• When will my child's EHC plan end?

If you live in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales

Read our information about education in Wales.

Find out about the system of support for children with special educational needs in Northern Ireland on the NI Education Authority website or Senac (special educational needs advice centre).

In Scotland, the system of support for children with additional support needs is called additional support for learning. You can read more about it on the Enquire website.

Can't find what you're looking for?

• Visit our education & learning homepage.
• Get in touch with our helpline team.

If you live in England:

• What happens in the annual review?
• How can I prepare for an annual review?
• How do I raise concerns about my child's EHC plan outside of the review?
• What if I'm not happy with the outcome of an annual review?

If you live in Wales:

• What is the annual review of a statement of special educational needs?

If you live in Northern Ireland or Scotland:

We also support Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Give our helpline a call on 0808 808 3555 and we can provide information or signpost you to alternative sources of advice in those nations where appropriate. Find out our local office details in the In your area section.

Can't find what you're looking for?

• Visit our education & learning homepage.
• Get in touch with our helpline team.

If you live in England:

• What can I do if my child is refused an EHC assessment or EHC plan?
• What is the first step if the school or college isn't meeting my child's needs?
• How do I make a complaint about the school?
• When can I appeal to the SEND Tribunal?
• What if my child isn't getting the support set out in the EHC plan?

If you live in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales

Read our information about education in Wales.

Find out about the system of support for children with special educational needs in Northern Ireland on the NI Education Authority website or Senac (special educational needs advice centre).

In Scotland, the system of support for children with additional support needs is called additional support for learning. You can read more about it on the Enquire website.

Can't find what you're looking for?

• Visit our education & learning homepage.
• Get in touch with our helpline team.

Find out more:

• How do I raise my concerns with the school?
• What can the school do to stop bullying?
• What can I do if the school won't stop the bullying?
• How can I help my child deal with bullying?

Can't find what you're looking for?

• Visit our education & learning homepage.
• Get in touch with our helpline team

If you live in England:

• What happens when a child is excluded?
• What can I do if I don't agree with a fixed-term exclusion?
• What can I do if I don't agree with a permanent exclusion?
• Is the school allowed to send my child home because of their behaviour?
• Can my child be sent home because of their special educational needs?
• Can the school exclude my disabled child from particular activities?

If you live in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales

Visit SNAP Cymru for more information about the special education system in Wales.

Find out about the system of support for children with special educational needs in Northern Ireland on the NI Education Authority website or Senac (special educational needs advice centre).

In Scotland, the system of support for children with additional support needs is called additional support for learning. You can read more about it on the Enquire website.

Can't find what you're looking for?

• Visit our education & learning homepage.
• Get in touch with our helpline team.

Find out more:

• When can my child miss school for appointments?
• What help is there if my child cannot attend school?
• Is there help available on going back to school?
• How can I find out more about home education?

Can't find what you're looking for?

• Visit our education & learning homepage.
• Get in touch with our helpline team.

Find out more:

• Can my child get reasonable adjustments in exams?
• The school says they have to treat my disabled child exactly like everyone else - is this true?

Can't find what you're looking for?

• Visit our education & learning homepage.
• Get in touch with our helpline team.

Find out more:

• What is Personal Independence Payment?
• My child is turning 16 - do they have to claim Personal Independence Payment?
• How is a claim for Personal Independence made?
• How much Personal Independence Payment will be child get?
• How does Personal Independence Payment impact my other benefits?

Can't find what you're looking for?

• Visit our benefits & financial help homepage.
• Get in touch with our helpline team.

Find out more:

• Can I continue to get Child Benefit and other payments for my child?
• When will the benefits I get for a dependent child stop?
• Can my child choose to claim benefits in their own right as a disabled adult?

Can't find what you're looking for?

• Visit our benefits & financial help homepage.
• Get in touch with our helpline team.

Find out more:

• Who will be paid the benefits for my child once they turn 16?
• What is an appointee and how do I become one?

 
Can't find what you're looking for?

• Visit our benefits & financial help homepage.
• Get in touch with our helpline team.

Find out more

• What benefits is Universal Credit replacing?
• When will I be expected to claim Universal Credit?
• How do I claim Universal Credit?
• How much Universal Credit can I get?
• Will I be worse off under Universal Credit?

Can't find what you're looking for?

• Visit our benefits & financial help homepage.
• Get in touch with our helpline team.

Find out more:

• What is Working Tax Credit?
• What is Child Tax Credit?
• Can tax credits help towards childcare costs?
• How much tax credits can I get?
• What if I'm asked to repay overpaid tax credits?

Can't find what you're looking for?

• Visit our benefits & financial help homepage.
• Get in touch with our helpline team.

Find out more:

• What other benefits is Universal Credit replacing?
• Can I still get help with mortgage interest?
• What other financial help can I get?
• How can I work out what benefits I can claim?

Can't find what you're looking for?

• Visit our benefits & financial help homepage.
• Get in touch with our helpline team.

Find out more:

• Am I eligible for a Council Tax reduction?
• What is the Council Tax Disability Reduction?
• Who qualifies for a Council Tax discount?
• Can I get help with rates in Northern Ireland?

 
Can't find what you're looking for?

• Visit our benefits & financial help homepage.
• Get in touch with our helpline team.

Find out more:

• How do I get help to pay my rent?
• I've heard about bedroom tax - will I be affected?
• What happens if my disabled child is unable to share a bedroom?
• Can I get discretionary housing payments?
• What help can I get with my mortgage?

 
Can't find what you're looking for?

• Visit our benefits & financial help homepage.
• Get in touch with our helpline team.

Find out more:

• How do I challenge a decision about a Department for Work & Pensions benefit?
• Can my award go down if I ask for it to be changed?
• How do I challenge a decision about an HMRC benefit?
• Can I challenge a local authority benefits decision about Housing Benefit or Council Tax?
• How can I prepare for an appeal hearing?

Can't find what you're looking for?

• Visit our benefits & financial help homepage.
• Get in touch with our helpline team.

Find out more:

• What can I make a complaint about?
• How do I complain about the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)?
• How do I complain about HMRC?
• Can I complain about my local authority?
• Can I get my MP involved?

Can't find what you're looking for?

• Visit our benefits & financial help homepage.
• Get in touch with our helpline team.

Whether you want to challenge a benefits decision or complain about how a benefits claim has been handled, it is a good idea to try and get help from a local advice service that helps with benefits issues.

You can search for local benefits advisers by using the Turn2Us find an adviser tool.

Can't find what you're looking for?

• Visit our benefits & financial help homepage.
• Get in touch with our helpline team.

Find out more:

• I am told I've been overpaid tax credits - can I dispute this decision?

Can't find what you're looking for?

• Visit our benefits & financial help homepage.
• Get in touch with our helpline team.

Find out more:

• I'm thinking of moving into work. Does this mean that all my benefits will stop?
• I need to stop working to care for my child. Can I get benefits as a carer?
• I work part time and claim Carer's Allowance. Do I need to inform them if my earnings increase?
• I am currently out of work and get Child Tax Credit. I have been offered some work - will I start to get some Working Tax Credit?
• Is Universal Credit only paid to people who are not working?

 
Can't find what you're looking for?

• Visit our benefits & financial help homepage.
• Get in touch with our helpline team.

Find out more:

• My child is on the lower rates of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) but they now need a lot more extra care. Can I get their award increased?
• My child's needs have worsened and I think my child should be on a higher rate of DLA. I'm thinking about asking for their case to be looked at again but am worried that their benefit might be cut instead. Can this happen?
• My child's behaviour has improved due to medication. Will their DLA be affected?

 
Can't find what you're looking for?

• Visit our benefits & financial help homepage.
• Get in touch with our helpline team.

Find out more:

• Will I still receive benefits if my child goes into a residential setting?
• Do I need to tell anyone about my child's stays away from home?
• Do I get paid Disability Living Allowance (DLA) on the days my child is at home?
• My child has several short stays in respite throughout the year. Will this affect their DLA?
• I am on Universal Credit and have a disabled child. They might go to residential school. However, I've been told that they will no longer be included in my Universal Credit award if they are treated as having 'looked after status'. Is this correct?

 
Can't find what you're looking for?

• Visit our benefits & financial help homepage.
• Get in touch with our helpline team.

Find out more:

• My daughter is about to turn 16. Will the Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit I get for her have to stop?
• My son is 17 and can't currently attend his course because he is too unwell. Will the Child Benefit and tax credits payments I get for him have to stop?
• I've heard that I can continue to get Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit for my 18 year old so long as he remains in 'full-time non-advanced education'. What sorts of courses count? 
• My daughter is 16 and still in education. Is it possible to claim Universal Credit for my daughter? 
• Will I be worse off if my son starts to claim Universal Credit in his own right?
• My child is turns 16 later this year. Can I claim and receive Personal Independence Payment on their behalf as they struggle to deal with money?

 
Can't find what you're looking for?

• Visit our benefits & financial help homepage.
• Get in touch with our helpline team.

Find out more:

• How can I find local advice and support?
• Is there any local help to support my child's education?
• Where is my local Carers Centre?
• How can I find local legal advice?

Can't find what you're looking for?

• Visit our social care homepage.
• Get in touch with our helpline team.

Find out more:

• How can I find out more about national and local support groups?
• Is there a support group for my child's condition?
• I've heard about a parent carer forum - how can I get involved?

Can't find what you're looking for?

• Visit our social care homepage.
• Get in touch with our helpline team.

Find out more:

• What services can local authorities provide?
• How can I ask for my child's needs to be assessed?
• Can I get my needs as a carer assessed?
• My local authority has refused my request for an assessment for my child. What can I do?

Can't find what you're looking for?

• Visit our social care homepage.
• Get in touch with our helpline team.

Find out more:

• What is a short break?
• How do I get a short break?
• My local authority says I can't have short breaks - can I challenge this?

Can't find what you're looking for?

• Visit our social care homepage.
• Get in touch with our helpline team.

Find out more:

• What are personal budgets/direct payments and how can I get them?
• I was refused a personal budget - can I challenge this?
• Do I ever need to pay for services?
• What benefits and other financial help can I claim to help me pay for services?

Can't find what you're looking for?

• Visit our social care homepage.
• Get in touch with our helpline team.

Find out more:

• I am not happy with the services my child is receiving. Can I make a complaint?
• Can I challenge a decision not to assess my child's needs?
• How can I find legal advice?
• Services for my child are being reduced - can I challenge this?

Can't find what you're looking for?

• Visit our social care homepage.
• Get in touch with our helpline team.

Find out more:

• How do I get a diagnosis for my child?
• What if I suspect a specific condition?
• Why is it taking a long time to get a diagnosis for my child?

Can't find what you're looking for?

• Visit our medical information and health homepages.
• Get in touch with our helpline team.

Find out more:

• What can I do if I don't agree with the diagnosis?
• What does it mean if my child doesn't get a diagnosis?
• Can I make a complaint about long waiting times?

Can't find what you're looking for?

• Visit our medical information and health homepages.
• Get in touch with our helpline team.

Find out more:

• What support is there if I don't have a diagnosis?
• Can I claim benefits even if my child doesn't have a diagnosis?
• Are there support groups for parents whose child doesn't have a diagnosis?

Can't find what you're looking for?

• Visit our medical information and health homepages.
• Get in touch with our helpline team.