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Chancellor confirms planned changes to the furlough scheme

Tuesday 2nd June 2020

The Chancellor has confirmed that from August there will be some changes made to the Coronavirus Job Retention scheme. This is the scheme that allows employers to furlough staff and get 80% of their wages met by government.

Ask the expert! Our Facebook Q&A on DLA roundup

Tuesday 2nd June 2020

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is the main benefit for disabled children and is there to help meet the extra costs of being disabled. It’s not only children with physical disabilities who can get the higher rate of DLA mobility. Some children with learning difficulties or ASD may be able to qualify if they have challenging behaviour.

Updated shielding advice

Monday 1st June 2020

Parents have told us of their confusion over the sudden announcement on Saturday night about the updated advice around shielding for children and adults in England.

Temporary law change for Education Health and Care plans extended until 30 June

Friday 29th May 2020

The Department for Education have announced that they intend to extend the temporary change in the law for Education Health and Care Plans until end of 30th June 2020. The government first implemented temporary changes to the law regarding Education Health and Care (EHC) plans during the Coronavirus pandemic on the 1sy May.

Contact highlights concerns about easement of Children and Families Act duties

Friday 29th May 2020

Contact, along with other charities, has written to Children's Minister Vicky Ford about the impact the Covid-19 crisis on the families we support.

PM confirms schools in England will open on 1 June for some pupils

Thursday 28th May 2020

Boris Johnson has this evening, Thursday 28 May, confirmed that in England from 1 June, primary schools will be asked to welcome back children in nursery, reception, year 1 and year 6.

New guidance on England schools reopening published

Wednesday 27th May 2020

The Department for Education (DfE) has published new guidance for special schools, specialist colleges, local authorities and any other settings managing children and young people with complex special educational needs and disability (SEND) in England.

Does your child have learning disabilities or an autism spectrum condition?

Saturday 23rd May 2020

Confused about the Disability Living Allowance higher rate mobility component? Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is the main benefit for disabled children and is there to help meet the extra costs of being disabled. Most children who get the higher rate of the mobility component qualify on the basis that physical problems severely restrict their ability to walk. However, even if your child has no physical problems with walking, they might still qualify for the higher rate of mobility if their behaviour is very difficult to deal with. This most usually applies to children with a learning disability or autism spectrum disorder.

Sign our petition on a Carers Covid Payment

Friday 22nd May 2020

Today, we launch our campaign calling on the Chancellor to offer a coronavirus payment to all unpaid carers wherever they live in the UK. Please sign our petition to support our campaign!

Funding helps us continue vital support for families during pandemic

Friday 22nd May 2020

We are pleased to announce that we've been awarded just under £148,000 by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to help us continue our vital work supporting families with children with autism and/or learning disabilities during the Covid-19 pandemic.