Helpline
We have a free, term-time, national helpline, staffed by a team of volunteers, to offer next step advice and support on questions and issues you may have relating to your child’s SEN provision.
The process of securing provision can be overwhelming. Call us with your initial queries and questions.
I am so grateful to the advisor we spoke to on the helpline, who listened to my issue and helped me understand my next steps, when I was feeling completely overwhelmed by the whole SEN process
Before you call
Our lines are always busy due to the high level of demand. Please don’t give up. Our volunteers are here to help.
Our helpline aims to respond to your initial first-level enquiries as volunteers will not have the opportunity to review or see any paperwork in advance or during the call. We try to limit each call to approximately 20 minutes so as to be able to respond to as many families as possible.
If you have a more complex matter to discuss, that requires considerable scrutiny of your paperwork, it it is best to book one of our 1:1 sessions with a volunteer, or come to one of our advice centres where we can go into more detail about your case.
Opening times:
Our helpline runs during term time only.
Please check our social media pages for updates about our helpline opening times.
Our helpline is open between:
Wednesday 6th September – Friday 20th October 2023
Monday 30th October – Friday 15th December 2023
Wednesday 10th January – Friday 9th February 2024
Monday 19th February – Thursday 28th March 2024
Monday 15th April – Friday 24th May 2024
Monday 3rd June – Friday 19th July 2024
Our helpline will be closed for the duration of the summer holidays and will reopen on Monday 2nd September 2024.
When you call
When you get through to us, we will ask about your child’s needs, their school and the local authority. It’s helpful if you are able to explain where you are in the process, and what you are needing help to understand.
- Please note, we try to limit calls to roughly 20 minutes to be able to help as many people as possible
- Unfortunately we do not have a callback service
- We may suggest another of our services as an extension to the advice we are able to offer
- Our admin team cannot help respond to helpline queries
Open during term time*. Updates about our helpline opening hours can be found on our social media pages.
* Our Helpline is closed during school holidays.