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Links to Other Organisations
For your convenience, we have compiled links to a range of organisations offering services, advice and guidance on a range of issues which may be relevant to you and your family.
Education
ACE Education provides independent advice and guidance for parents on education issues in England and seeks to improve access to and understanding of the education system.
The Association of National Specialist Colleges (Natspec) is an association of specialist independent colleges which provide further education and training for young people with a learning difficulty or disability.
The Department for Education is responsible for education and children's services in England.
The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) helps employers make safer recruitment decisions and prevent unsuitable individuals from working with vulnerable people.
The Education Funding Agency (EFA) manages funding for state-provided education in England for 3-19 year olds, or up to the age of 25 for high needs students.
Ofsted inspects and regulates services providing education and skills for learners of all ages.
Care
The independent regulator of health and social care in England, the Care Quality Commission makes sure services provide people with "safe, effective, compassionate, high-quality care."
Ofsted inspects and regulates services that care for children and young people.
The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) helps employers make safer recruitment decisions and prevent unsuitable individuals from working with vulnerable people.
Advocacy, self-advocacy and family support
Advocacy Experience aims to deliver the highest quality advocacy services, with an emphasis on developing self-advocacy skills.
Contact a Family is a national charity working to provide information and advice to the families of disabled children and young people and help families meet other families to share knowledge and support each other.
Local parent/carer forums, such as Parents in Partnership Stockport (PIPS), support parents and family members. PIPS works in co-production with the local authority, education, health, social care and other providers to ensure that the views of children and young people with a disability and/or additional needs and their families are represented.
In England, the Council for Disabled Children brings together organisations working to support disabled children and young people (up to the age of 25). The CDC influence Government policy, work with local agencies to put policy into practice and offer information and guidance on issues affecting the lives of disabled children and young people.
Family Fund give grants for essential items such as washing machines, cookers, clothes, tablets, computers, bedding and much needed family breaks to families raising disabled or seriously ill children.
Communication
Communication Matters supports people with complex communication needs who may benefit from augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems to maximise their opportunities and enhance their lives.
PECS - the Picture Exchange Communication System - works to help students develop the ability to initiate spontaneous communication through the use of pictures and symbols.
Sport and Leisure
The English Federation of Disability Sport is the national charity dedicated to disabled people in sport and physical activity and which manages the Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI), supporting the fitness industry to become more inclusive and cater for the needs of disabled and non-disabled people alike.
UK Deaf Sport aims to enable Deaf people to benefit from, excel at and fulfil their potential through sport.
