Organisations - specialist information and advice services

Advisory Centre for Education (ACE)
ACE offers independent advice for parents of children in state funded education on topics including - Exclusions, Bullying, Attendance, Special Educational Needs.

Children's Legal Centre
Offers free legal advice for children, young people and anyone who has concerns about them.

Community Legal Services
Free, confidential and independent advice about a range of legal issues (including  Special Educational Needs), on legal aid and on finding a solicitor.

Connexions
Offers 13-19 year olds (to 25 for people with learning difficulty or disability) information and advice they need to make the decisions about their life.

Contact a Family
Provides general support and information for families of disabled children on a wide range of topics including Special Educational Needs.

Department for Education
Government Departments responsible for education and children - information on wide range of issues including parents' rights and responsibilities.

Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)
Promotes equality and human rights by providing advice and guidance (including Disability Discrimination).

Independent Panel for Specialist Education Advice (IPSEA)
Free and independent advice for parents/carers of children with Special Educational Needs.

Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ)
This is the national body overseeing qualifications (assessment, examinations).

Network 81
A national network of parents working for resourcing inclusive education for children with Special Educational Needs.

OAASIS
A resource for parents and professionals caring for children with Special Educational Needs.

OFSTED
Government agency which prepares the inspection and regulation reports of educational settings including schools and early years provision.

Parent Centre
Offers information and support for parents on how to help with your child's learning.

Special Educational Needs Mediation (West Midlands)
A free, independent and confidential service which aims to resolve disagreements that parents may have with either the Local Authority or school about any aspect of SEN provision for their child.

Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (SEND)
SEND is an independent tribunal which decides and hears parents appeals against Local Authority decisions on children’s Special Educational Needs and parents claims about disability discrimination in schools.

Teachernet
Professional Guidance for teaching and learning in schools.

YoungMinds
A charity working to improve the emotional well being and mental health of young people.