Support for Parents/Carers

If your child has been identified as having an Special educational needs and or disability, it can be a confusing and emotional time for parents and carers. There are some documents and organisations that can guide, help and support you.

It covers:

  • the law and guidance on which the system is based

  • places to go for help and further information

  • details about changes to the system from 1 September 2014

Click here to read the guide for parents.

Click here to read the code of practice.

This statutory code contains:

  • details of legal requirements that you must follow without exception

  • statutory guidance that you must follow by law unless there’s a good reason not to

It explains the duties of local authorities, health bodies, schools and colleges to provide for those with special educational needs under part 3 of the Children and Families Act 2014.

The code, which applies to England, is for:

  • headteachers and principals

  • governing bodies

  • school and college staff

  • special educational needs (SEN) co-ordinators

  • early years providers

  • other education settings

  • local authorities

  • health and social services staff

 

  • Family Action is a web based service that has pulled together national information on key topics.

  • The NSPCC has advice for parents and carers on how to support children with SEND at home.

  • SENDIASS - The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Services offer information, advice and support for parents and carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This service is also offered directly to young people.

The service is free, impartial and confidential.

 

Rochdale Borough Council and NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale offer a number of social and leisure short break opportunities for children with disabilities. These services can be accessed through the following link:

Rochdale has a Neurodiversity Hub. The Neurodiversity Hub is a new service. It supports families and children who are neurodivergent or who have social communication differences, to work together with professionals to problem solve issues that are affecting them. It is based on needs and not a diagnosis.

The Neurodiversity Hub is a multi-agency screening, signposting, and support service.  Click here for the link.

  • Parent/Carer workshops for SEND

  • Sleep Padlet for advice about sleeping issue with your child

  • SEND Padlet for a range of services to support parents and professionals 

  • SALT Padlet for advice and support about Spech, language and communication