Contact a Family's SEN National Advice Service deals with parents' top worry and proves its worth in first six months!!

Nearly 2,600 people who care for children with SEN or additional needs got in touch with Contact a Family's new SEN National Advice Service in its first six months to get advice and information about their child's education.

The high demand for Contact a Family's SEN National Advice Service echoes findings of a survey carried out by the charity earlier this year which showed that their child's education – both now and in the future – was the main concern of parents and carers.

Nearly half (46%) of the enquiries handled by the charity's expert SEN advisors were  from parents worried about lack of support in school for their child's additional needs, and wanting to know more about the procedures for getting extra help in school, including the statementing process.

Nearly a third of people (28%) contacting the SEN National Advice Service wanted more information about the appeals process and almost one in five people (29%) wanted advice and help about either official or unofficial exclusions of their child from school. 

Contact a Family established the SEN National Advice Service with funding from the Department for Education. It forms part of the charity's integrated helpline and online service for families of disabled children.

Parents or carers looking after children with SEN or additional needs who need advice and information about any aspect of their child's education can call Contact a Family's SEN Advice Service through its confidential, free by telephone line 0808 808 3555,

or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

or online http://www.cafamily.org.uk/advice-and-support/sen-national-advice-service/

Questions and queries can also be posted on the charity's Facebook page www.facebook.com/contactafamly . The helpline is open Monday to Friday, 0930-17:00.