SEN & Disability Tribunal is the independent judicial body that considers parents’ appeals against local authority decisions on SEN, and disability discrimination by schools or local authorities. https://www.justice.gov.uk/tribunals/send

Citizens Advice Bureau >provides information and advice on rights in benefits, housing, education, employment and debt, and consumer protection https://www.adviceguide.org.uk/

Civil Legal Advice offers free, confidential and independent legal advice. It features a legal aid eligibility calculaltor that should help you find out whether or not you qualify for legal aid. https://www.gov.uk/civil-legal-advice

Just for Kids Law is a charity that provides specialist support, advice and legal representation to young people. https://www.justforkidslaw.org/

Simpson Millar are specialist solicitors, providing legal advice and assistance for clients who face difficulties with the key public services of education,  health and social services https://www.simpsonmillar.co.uk/services/education-law/special-educational-needs-solicitors.aspx

Andrew Barraclough c/o HCB Solicitors https://www.hcbgroup.com/site/sectors_serv/education-solicitors/for-parents/educational-needs/

IPSEA is a national charity providing free legally based advice and support https://www.ipsea.org.uk/

SOS!SEN is a charity which helps parents and carers of children and young people with SEN and disabilities, particularly in relation to the processes involved in accessing the right support in education. Helpline 020 8538 3731 or online  https://www.sossen.org.uk

SEN Legal is solicitors who have particular expertise in obtaining special educational provision for children who have special educational needs that require specialist input. https://www.senlegal.co.uk/index.html

The websites below provide details of independent professionals. These can be useful when, for example, your local authority has refused to assess your child’s special educational needs and you need independent specialist advice.

Psychiatrists

Dr Minnie Joseph is a Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist based in Birmingham. Tel: 0121 693 0001. Email: minniejoseph@protonmail.com Web: https://minniejoseph.co.uk/

Education Psychologists

Dr Lindsay Peer CBE is a Chartered and Educational Psychologist widely recognised as an expert in dyslexia, special educational needs and mainstream education. Tel: 01923 238751 Email: lindsay@peergordonassociates.co.uk   Web: www.peergordonassociates.co.uk

Nick Logan is a Chartered Psychologist who specialises in assessments and intervention packages for children, young people and adults with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Dyslexia and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). Tel: 07767 822 217  Email: nick@stillwaterspsychology.com

Ann Baumber, Chartered Educational Psychologist: Tel 01732 840943 / 07850 846533 Email: annbaumber@blueyonder.co.uk

Stephanie Warman, Chartered Educational Psychologist: Tel 07967 163972 Email: steph@stephaniewarman.co.uk

Suzanne Boyd, Chartered Educational Psychologist: Tel 0121 551 7561, email suzannemboyd@blueyonder.co.uk

Dr Neville Brown, Chartered Psychologist: Maple Hayes Dyslexia School, Tel 01543 264387, email office@dyslexia.gb.com

Dr Hilary Dyer is a Consultant Educational Psychologist with a specialism in Pathological Demand Avoidance. Tel: 0776 3838 114 and hilary@drhilarydyer.co.uk

Marina Gouzouli-Allen, Educational Psychologist at Positive Outcomes Associates Ltd. Tel: 07896320904 and marina@positive-outcome.co.uk

Dr Rebecca Docherty, Educational Psychologist, founded Psychology Foundations in 2017. She also works as a Consultant Educational Psychologist in an independent special school for children and young people with severe learning difficulties. Tel: 07505 265 895 and hello@psychologyfoundations.co.uk

Dr Paul Kelly is a Chartered Educational & Child Psychologist who works across the North West of England and the rest of the country.
Tel: 07758 841076,  Email: info@paulkellypsychology.co.uk, Web: https://paulkellypsychology.co.uk/

Independent Educational Psychologists: https://www.indepsych.co.uk/

Clinical Psychologists

Dr Elizabeth Shea is a Clinical Psychologist who works with children and young people who refuse and avoid food. Previously a Primary School Teacher and a Counsellor with Childline UK, she started her Psychology career with the National Autistic Society where she developed a career-long interest in eating difficulties in autism. Tel: 07769 254 373 Email: elizabeth.shea@foodrefusal.co.uk

Dr Carolyn Smith, Consultant Clinical & Educational Psychologist. Tel: 01584 879108. Email: drcasmith.dpc@btinternet.com

Specialist Advisers

Jon Whittock has 29 years experience as headteacher in a specialist independent school and is now an Education Adviser. Tel: 01934 827 742  Email: jonwhittock@gmail.com

Paula Holden is a specialist support adviser providing guidance and support to those living or working with children and young people with SEN & disabilities. Tel: 07725 550 927  Email: touchthespectrum@talktalk.net

Speech and Language Therapists

Myra Pontac is Director and Consultant Specialist Speech and Language Therapist for MP Speech and Language Therapy Services. Myra also acts as an expert legal witness in SEN, Social Care, Clinical Negligence and Criminal cases. Tel: 07901508646 or 01453 768861 Email: myra.pontac@ukgateway.net

Libby Hill is an award winning Speech & Language Therapist running Small Talk Speech & Language Therapy based in Staffordshire. Tel: 0844 7045 888. Email: office@smalltalk-ltd.co.uk. Web: https://www.private-speech-therapy.co.uk/

Margo Sharp is an independent Consultant Speech and Language Therapist specialising in complex communication difficulties, Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and associated mental health problems. Tel: 0121 426 5278 Email: ms.salt@talktalk.net

Independent Speech & Language Therapists: https://www.helpwithtalking.com/

Occupational Therapists

Alison Harris is the lead Paediatric Occupational Therapist for The Local Therapy Company based in Derby. Tel: 01332 553544 / 07917 332450 Email: alison@thelocaltherapycompany.co.uk

Sarah Tandy, Occupational Therapist. Tel: 01772 627 138; Email: beyondlimitsot@gmail.com Web: https://www.beyondlimitsot.co.uk/

Alison Hart, Occupational Therapist, is the founder of Children’s Choice Therapy—specialist Occupational Therapists based in Staffordshire. https://www.childrenschoicetherapy.co.uk/

Alison Neal is Director and Lead Occupational Therapist at Midlands Occupational Therapy in the West Midlands. Tel: 07853 847381. https://www.midlands-ot.co.uk/

Bryher Hill runs Helping Kids Shine – private Occupational Therapy for children and young people. Tel: 0730592433.

www.helpingkidsshine.co.uk

Independent Occupational Therapists: https://www.cotss-ip.org.uk/find

Art Therapists

Jessica van Maanen is an Accredited Play and Creative Arts Therapist with The Academy of Play and Child Psychotherapy. Tel: 07854 451 545 Email: jess_dc_evans@hotmail.com

Organisations

HCPC (Health & Care Professions Council) is a regulator set up to protect the public. They keep a register of health and care professionals who meet certain standards in training, skills, behaviour and health. https://www.hpc-uk.org

The DfE (Department for Education) is the English government department responsible for education and children’s services. https://www.education.gov.uk/

Direct Gov is a UK government-run site that acts as a portal for public-sector information and services. Lots of information about special educational needs, together with links to online resources. https://www.gov.uk/children-with-special-educational-needs/overview

The LGO (Local Government Ombudsman) looks at complaints about councils and some other authorities and organizations, including education admissions appeal panels. It is a free, independent service. https://www.lgo.org.uk/

Ofsted is the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills. They inspect and regulate services which care for children and young people, and those providing education and skills for learners of all ages. https://www.ofsted.gov.uk/

The Equality and Human Rights Commission’s role is to promote and monitor human rights; and to protect, enforce and promote equality across the nine “protected” grounds – age, disability, gender, race, religion and belief, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership, sexual orientation and gender reassignment. https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/

The Care Quality Commission checks whether hospitals, care homes and care services are meeting national standards. https://www.cqc.org.uk/

Bullying UK provides a range ofservices around issues such as bullying, special educational needs, and support for specific communities. https://www.bullying.co.uk/

The British Dyslexia Association (BDA) claims to be the voice of dyslexic people. https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/

Dyslexia Action is a national charity that takes action to change the lives of people with dyslexia and literacy difficulties. https://dyslexiaaction.org.uk

National Autistic Society (NAS) is a leading UK charity for people with autism (including Asperger Syndrome) and their families. They provide information, support and campaign. https://www.autism.org.uk/

ADHD Pages is a website centred around ADHD, Asperger Syndrome, Dyslexia and similar neurological differences. https://www.adhd.org.uk/

Dyspraxia Foundation supports children, families and adults with dyspraxia. https://www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk/index.php

Dyscalculia Centre provides support to anyone affected by dyscalculia.https://www.dyscalculia.me.uk/index.html

British Stammering Association is your first point of contact for information and support on stammering, also known as stuttering.  https://www.stammering.org/

Scope is all about changing society for the better, so disabled people and their families can have the same opportunities as everyone else. https://www.scope.org.uk/

Down’s Syndrome Association (DSA) is the only organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland which supports people with Down’s syndrome at every stage of life. https://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/

NSPCC aims to end cruelty to children in the UK. They campaign to change the law, provide ChildLine and the NSPCC helpline service offering advice for adults. https://www.nspcc.org.uk/

Epilepsy Action exists to improve the lives of everyone affected by epilepsy. https://www.epilepsy.org.uk/

Shine is dedicated to supporting individuals and families as they face the challenges arising from spina bifida and hydrocephalus. https://www.shinecharity.org.uk/

Child Brain Injury Trust provides support to people affected by childhood acquired brain injury. https://www.childbraininjurytrust.org.uk/index.html

Diabetes UK works with anyone affected by diabetes. https://www.diabetes.org.uk/

Action on Hearing Loss provides support to anyone affected by hearing loss/deafness. https://www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/

OCD-UK provides support to those affected by obsessive compulsive disorder. https://www.ocduk.org/

I CAN is the children’s communication charity. https://www.ican.org.uk/en.aspx

RBIB offers support to blind and partially sighted people. https://www.rnib.org.uk/Pages/Home.aspx

Dysgraphia UK helps those people who have (or suspect that they may have) dysgraphia, which is a neurological disorder, characterised by a difficulty with handwriting. https://dysgraphia.org.uk/

EOTAS/PB via EHCP UK: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2475013822549739

PDA Society: www.pdasociety.org.uk

IDEAS Walsall Dyslexia Association offers advice and support to parents of children with dyslexia including dyslexia screenings and visual stress assessments. They also run a dyslexia support group – contact Talking SENse!

Autism West Midlands (AWM) is a leading charity in the West Midlands for people affected by autism. https://www.autismwestmidlands.org.uk/

ASC (Autism Sharing & Caring) is a parent led support group based in Walsall for parents of children with autism.

PSNA (Parent Support Network for Autism) is a parent led support group in the Birmingham area for parents of children with autism. https://www.parentsupportnetworkforautism.co.uk/

PROUD (Parents Relatives & Others Understanding Down’s) is a parent led support group based in Walsall. https://www.proudwalsall.org/

ADHD/ASD Support Group Midlands & Staffordshire: https://www.facebook.com/groups/731590210308480

Autis Birmingham: https://www.facebook.com/groups/568068450297109

BLAST (Burntwood & Lichfield Autism Support Together): https://www.facebook.com/groups/139819006918245

Cannock Chase Autism Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ccasg

Collingwood Autism Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/collingwoodautismsupportgroup

Dad’s Group – Birmingham (Autism West Midlands): https://www.facebook.com/groups/398791393810201

Midlands Parents United by Autism: https://www.facebook.com/groups/367194350290896

NAS Stafford Branch: https://www.facebook.com/nas.staffordbranch and https://www.staffordnas.org.uk/

Parent & Carer Support Group Walsall, Wolverhampton & Surrounding Areas: https://www.facebook.com/WalsallWtonPCG

Yardley ASD Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/82868561815