Navigating the world of SEND can feel really overwhelming at times; you may have received a new diagnosis or maybe facing a new challenge in your lives.
The term special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is used to describe learning difficulties or disabilities that make it harder for a child or young person to learn in comparison to those of a similar age.
Some children may have a disability which doesn’t affect their learning but could prevent them from being able to do some everyday tasks.
As such some children and young people may require additional support to help them achieve their outcomes or learning objectives depending on their individual needs.
Advice and support
This section provides a range of information, advice and guidance to support children or young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The Leicestershire Local Offer
Have a look at Leicestershire County Council’s main SEND pages, which is called The Local Offer. The Local Offer aims to bring together useful information across education, health and social care into one place.
This includes:
- Education and childcare
- Transport
- Preparing for adulthood
- Health
- Information and support
- Money matters
- Sharing your views
For more information visit: SEND | Leicestershire County Council or watch the video below.
Meet the Team
Meet the Team
We have made a series of short videos to introduce you to some professionals that you may meet on your SEND journey.
Inclusive Activities Sports Clubs and Events
You can search for inclusive play and leisure activities for children with special educational needs and disabilities on the Local Offer: Activities and clubs for special educational needs and disabilities across Leicestershire.
Are you concerned about your childs wellbeing?
YoungMinds is the UK’s leading charity committed to improving the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people. Reliable information for parents and carers about common mental health and behaviour concerns in children and young people aged 0-25 is available on the YoungMinds website.
If you are worried about your child’s behaviour or mental health you can call the YoungMinds Parents’ Helpline for free on 0808 802 5544.
The National Autistic Society has a useful guide to mental health and autism.
The National Autistic Society’s Autism Helpline can be contacted for information about counselling and other therapies/interventions.
The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) helps children and young people who have been referred by another healthcare professional. Referrals are made if it’s thought the child or young person has emotional and/or behavioural difficulties at a level which requires specialist support.
CAMHS provide a range of services including initial assessments, therapy, group work, emergency assessments and in-patient care.
To access the CAMHS service you can:
- Speak to your GP or Paediatrician
- Speak to your Educational Psychologist - if you have one
- Speak to a Social Worker - if you have one
Further information can be found on the resource attached below:
Supporting children with Autism
- Autism Space – A website with advice and information about autism related topics, plus a directory of local support services for autistic people, their families, carers and allies: Autism Space | Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (leicspart.nhs.uk) or use the QR code below
- If your child attends a Leicestershire school and has a diagnosis of Autism – All parents / Carers can access Parent workshops – More information here about the workshops & support available from the Autism Outreach team : Autism support in schools | Leicestershire County Council
- If your child is autistic & needs help with their mental health its import that you get the right support. If you live in Leicestershire, Leicester or Rutland ChatAutism, is a safe confidential space for you to seek help from a qualified health care professional.
You can ask questions about:
- Understanding Autism
- Assessments and diagnosis
- Emotional wellbeing
- Education
- Employment
- Signposting to other advice and support services
The service is available 9-5pm every weekday apart from bank holidays. The text line stays open during school holidays. The service can answer questions from autistic people, their families, carers and allies.
TEXT 07312 277097 or scan the QR code for more information on ChatAutism
Would you like to know more about Autism ?
Did you know that NHS England commissioned 9 charities to provide high quality and accessible autism information, education and coaching for families and carers caring for autistic people? In the Midlands, charities Contact and Ambitious Autism run these support, advice and guidance sessions.
Together with Autism Central, they also run FREE welcoming individual and group sessions on topics about autism like
- Understanding Behaviour
- Education
- Benefits and finance
- Helping an anxious child
- Navigating support available
To book a session or find out more please visit Autism Central or email autismhubmidlands@contact.org.uk
Supporting children with other disabilities
The charity Contact is for Families with Disabled Children is a good place to start to find information and support.
They have a A-Z Directory with an overview of over 800 different conditions along with signposting to support organisations. They also offer a helpline, parent carer workshops and family activity opportunities.
Webinar - Supporting your child's sleep
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Video file
Webinar - Supporting emotional regulation
Webinar - Sensory Needs
SEND support in school settings
Specialist Teaching Service
As part of the Leicestershire Graduated Offer, this service offers free support and advice to schools and families about specific areas of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
A child or young person doesn’t need an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) to receive their support and advice.
- Hearing support Team
- Vision support Team
- Autism Outreach Team
- Assistive Technology for Education Support Team
- Learning Support Team
Visit: Specialist Teaching Service | Leicestershire County Council
Supporting children with SEND
Finding the right support in school for your child.
Speak to us if you’re worried about your child’s progress.
Appeals and mediation
You can appeal against a decision about an Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment or plan (EHCP) to the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) tribunal. There are no fees for making an appeal.
Short breaks
Short breaks give children with disabilities experiences that help their personal and social development. They also give you, the parent or carer a break from caring.
Find out more about Short Breaks here:
Short breaks for disabled children | Leicestershire County Council
Childcare
How to find childcare for your child with special educational needs or a disability, and what you should check.
Support and advice is available for childcare
How to find childcare for your child with special educational needs or a disability, and what you should check.
Support for you
Having a child with a special educational need or disability can at times feel overwhelming and isolating, so you may find it helpful to meet and chat with other parent carers for support and information. You can find SEND Parent and Carer Groups at Family Hubs in the ‘What’s On’ section of the website, or there are many other available in the community. These are often run by parent carers themselves, or by charities.
Parent-carer support groups
Blaby
Rejuvenate – SEND Support and Wellbeing Café held at Whetstone Baptist Church.
Charnwood
Charnwood Neurodiverse Group – Support and information sessions for parents and carers of neurodiverse school aged children. Held at the Hub Project, Loughborough
Neurodivergent Support Group – Drop in for parents and carers of Neurodivergent children. Held at The Old School Rooms, Rothley one Saturday a month. (Contact the venue for dates).
Spectrum Sensory Sports CIC – Support Coffee Mornings held at their own venue in Thurmaston
Carer's Coffee Morning – Support group for carers run jointly by Loughborough Wellbeing Centre and Mosaic 1898. Held at Loughborough Wellbeing Centre.
Autism East Midlands Support Hubs – Drop in sessions for parents and carers of children with Autism in Loughborough and Birstall. Children are invited to stay and activities are available
Harborough
Spectrum Autism Group – Market Harborough based Autism support group for parents and carers. They hold regular support and information events and family activities
Social Prescriber Drop-Ins – Drop in sessions for peer support, signposting and advice. Held at Broughton Astley Family Hub
Tree House Wellbeing ‘Parents Supporting Parents Group’ – Support group offering advice, support, help and guidance. Held at The Treehouse Therapy Centre, Lutterworth
Hinckley and Bosworth
Social Prescriber Drop-Ins – Drop in sessions for peer support, signposting and advice. Held at Earl Shilton Family Hub, Ratby Library, and Hinckley Children and Family Centre
Melton
Melton Mowbray Spectrum Support – Support and advice for parents and carers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Oadby Wigston
Time 4 Support Leicestershire – Support group for parent and carers of disabled children and adults aged 0-25 years. Held at The Menphys Hub, Wigston
North West Leicestershire
Revive Support Hub – Café style support group for anyone raising a child or adult with additional needs. Held at The New Life Church, Coalville
ASD Coffee Morning – Support group for parents and carers of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Held at Kirby Muxloe Free Church. Contact the venue for information.
Also see Support for Carers for further information about Carer Support Groups across Leicestershire
Getting out and about
When travelling with a child or young person with SEND, you may have to consider accessibility before hand to ensure that your journey goes smoothly.
Accessible travel
Free or reduced rate travel is available for disabled people on local bus services in Leicester, Leicestershire and throughout England. Apply for a Disabled Person's Bus Pass
When travelling with a child or young person with SEND, you may have particular accessibility requirements. You can check the accessibility of the bus you wish to use on the bus company website:
The FoxConnect Service is a digital on-demand bus service which allows you to choose where you would like to be picked up and when, and where you would like to be dropped off. The bus can be booked through a phone App, which allows you to travel in a more flexible way.
The FoxConnect video and website will give you more information about how to make the most out of the service:
Leicestershire FoxConnect < Choose How You Move (FoxConnect is also known as DDRT – Digital Demand Responsive Transport)
If you are travelling with a disabled person, you may need to make accessibility arrangements ahead of travelling. There are lots of things that the railway station staff can help you with such as meeting you when you arrive, assisting with luggage and helping you to board the train. You may also need to book a wheelchair and companion space or make other plans for the journey.
Information about what help is available can be found on the following websites:
Assisted travel | Passenger assist | EMR
Accessible Train Travel Guide | Trainline
There are discounted rates for disabled people who travel on trains.
The Disabled Person's Railcard can be purchased for 1 or 3 years and offers the disabled person and the person supporting them (their companion or carer) a discount on the East Midlands Train Service.
Other discounted tickets for disabled people and their carer or companion may be available when travelling on East Midlands Trains.
For more details check the website here: Disability Discounts On Train Tickets | EMR
The mobility component of DLA or PIP is to support with the extra costs of getting around due to the disability. If your child or young person receives the high rate, you have the option to lease a car through the Motability Scheme. The car will need to meet the needs of the child or young person and can be wheelchair accessible if necessary. If your young person is aged 17+ and would like to drive the car themselves but would require adaptations to do so, then the scheme can support with this too.
You may also be eligible for a Blue Badge which can allow you to park closer to your destination. Check Who can get a Blue Badge for more information about the criteria
Airports can be busy places, so if you are planning to fly with a child or young person with SEND, it is advisable to plan ahead to ensure that the journey is accessible for your child or young person and goes smoothly. You can book assistance and there are facilities to support you such as a quiet room where you can wait for your flight and a Changing Places toilet.
Check the information below for accessibility information about the airports local to Leicestershire.
Assisted Travel at East Midlands Airport
Assisted Travel at Birmingham Airport
Other airports will also have information on their websites.
Supporting personal care needs whilst out and about
When out and about with a child or young person who needs support with personal care, you may need to find a suitable disabled toilet which has facilities such as a changing bench and hoist. You can find a Changing Places Toilet in many towns, shopping centre, supermarkets, theatres and attractions across Leicestershire and the UK. Visit the Changing Places website to find out their locations.
In order to access a Changing Places or other disabled toilet, you will need a Radar Key. This is a nationally recognised key for the whole UK to unlock disabled toilets. You can obtain a key from the following Borough Councils if you live within their locality:
Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council
Alternatively, there are many places on line where you can purchase one.
Equipment and home adaptations for disabled children
Some children and young people with disabilities will need specialist equipment and their home adapted to help with day to day living, moving around and their development. You may be able to have changes made to your home, known as ‘Home Adaptations’.
Visit the Equipment and Home Adaptations for Disabled Children webpage on the Local Offer for more information.
If your home needs major work to adapt it for the child or young person’s needs, you may qualify for a Disabled Facilities Grant.
