Last month around 65 parent carers and practitioners attended Contact NI’s second rare conditions conference, Supporting Children and Families Living with Rare Diseases in Northern Ireland. Held in collaboration with...
Background Stroke is defined as the rapid loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. Around 25 per cent of patients are under 65...
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”...
DWP sign
Also known as: Cooley’s Anaemia; Mediterranean Anaemia; Thalassaemia Background Thalassaemia major is an inherited blood disorder, which affects the red blood cells and their ability to carry oxygen around the...
Also known as: DIDMOAD; Diabetes Insipidus; Diabetes Mellitus; Optic Atrophy Background Wolfram syndrome is a rare and complex genetic condition, which is sometimes referred to as DIDMOAD (diabetes insipidus, diabetes mellitus,...
Today Contact’s Policy lead for Schools, Imogen Steele, gave evidence to the Education Select Committee’s inquiry into Solving the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) crisis in England. Imogen has...
MPs once again raised the issue of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Westminster Hall. Jess Aato, MP for Lowestoft, held a debate on SEND provision in the East...
Our Contact Northern Ireland Family Support Advisers will be at The Braid Centre, Ballymena, this Wednesday 25 March from 9.30am–3.30pm as part of a large event run by the Northern...
The government is proposing to remove access to the health element (currently called the limited capability for work and work-related activity – LCWRA element) of Universal Credit for most young adults aged 16 –...
Information to support health professionals in coordinating care on commonly presenting issues.
Why GP learning disability registers and annual health checks are important and how to access them.
Report from survey of parent carer forums from across England about their involvement in improving health services and experience of working with LINks.
The new Labour government has pledged to enact new education policies in today’s King’s Speech. King Charles III set out the government’s legislative agenda, including plans for a children’s wellbeing...
Yesterday in Westminster Hall MPs debated the SEND education system in England, both the current state of crisis it is in, and the risks and opportunities the government’s forthcoming reforms...
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has made changes to the Child Benefit eligibility criteria for families with a disabled young person. The rules from 1 September 2025 allow much greater...
This month our Family Finance Team ran another busy Q&A session about how to claim the higher rate mobility (HRM) component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children with autism spectrum conditions or learning...
Our helpline advisers ran a busy Q&A session in our Facebook group last week for families who were new to the social care assessment process in England. They answered nearly...