Care and support

Voluntary Organisations

There are many local and national voluntary organisations concerned with special educational needs and disabilities and many have local groups that meet regularly. We recognise that when parents are asking for information and advice the voluntary sector is able to give independent support. They provide information to parents, carers, children and young people from within their own expertise. This information may be on the telephone, in writing or in person.

This booklet has been compiled as a useful reference point. There are many national contacts included in this booklet and also some local contacts and support groups. Some organisations only list their national address and telephone number but if you contact them they may be able to give you a local contact. If you would like to know of other organisations you may find libraries and Citizen’s Advice Bureaux are a further source of information.

Hertfordshire County Council works closely with a large number of voluntary organisations and has a Parent Advisory Group that meets regularly with officers in Children, Schools & Families to discuss local views. Members are parents of children with special needs and representatives of voluntary organisations.

Other useful booklets to read:

DfES Parent Guide for Parents and Carers of Children with Special Educational Needs

Jargon Explained

The Parent Partnership Service in Hertfordshire

Starting a new school

Support for children in a mainstream classroom

Individual Education Plan

Special Educational Needs Tribunal. How to appeal

To try and make this leaflet as easy to use as possible we have listed the organisations under the interest area they cover, for example: Blind, Royal National Institute for the, is listed under B for Blind. Another example is: Epilepsy Association, British is listed under E for Epilepsy. We hope you find this helpful.

For general enquiries about the services of Children, Schools and Families, please ring:
01438 737500 or visit our website: www.hertsdirect.org/csf