Information about local, regional and national groups and networks related to special education needs and disabilities.
The list of groups and networks are organised by children's and young people's specific needs:
Access Create College
Access Create College aims to develop the next generation of creatives through innovative, practical, employment-led training.
Telephone: 0800 281842
Email: admissions@accesstomusic.ac.uk
Website: www.accesscreative.ac.uk
Action for Children
Action for Children help disadvantaged children across the United Kingdom.
Telephone: 01923 361500
Email: ask.us@actionforchildren.org.uk
Website: www.actionforchildren.org.uk
Association of Educational Psychologists
Trade union and professional association for educational psychologists in the United Kingdom.
Telephone: 0191 384 9512
Email: enquiries@aep.org.uk
Website: www.aep.org.uk
Basics Plus
Basics Plus is a social enterprise based in Scarborough providing work training opportunities for more than 80 people with learning difficulties, supported by 30 staff. Basics Plus offers a diverse range of business activities, including a craft and print works and catering.
Telephone: 01723 371335
Email: info@basics.org
Website: www.basicsplus.org
Basics Plus at Betton Farm
Betton Farm is owned and run by the Basics Plus social enterprise and provides additional skills training and employment opportunities for people with learning difficulties in the Scarborough area. The farm features various facilities and amenities.
Telephone: 01723 863143
Email: info@basics.org
Website: www.bettonfarm.org.uk
The British Psychological Society
Representative body for psychology and psychologists in the UK.
Telephone: 0116 254 9568
Email: enquiries@bps.org.uk
Website: www.bps.org.uk
Carer's Resource
Carers Resource promotes the rights and encourages the recognition of all those with caring responsibilities.
Telephone: Harrogate - 01423 500555
Telephone: Scarborough - 01723 850155
Email: info@carersresource.org
Website: www.carersresource.net
Castaway Goole
Provides music theatre opportunities for adults and young people with learning and physical disabilities and autistic spectrum conditions.
Telephone: 01405 761423
Email: info@castaway-goole.co.uk
Website: www.castaway-goole.co.uk
Chopsticks
The Chopsticks social enterprise in Northallerton provides work-based support to adults with learning disabilities, making bags of kindling wood and biomass woodchip fuel from waste timber. Chopsticks also provide garden care and home maintenance services.
Telephone: 01609 761661
Email: david.stockport@chopsticksnorthyorkshire.co.uk
Website: www.chopsticksnorthyorkshire.co.uk
Council for Disabled Children
The Council for Disabled Children aims to make a difference to the lives of disabled children and children with special educational needs.
Telephone: 020 7843 1900
Email: cdc@ncb.org.uk
Website: www.councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk
Creative Coffee
Creative Coffee is a social enterprise providing work placements with a coffee cart service in the Scarborough and Whitby area, for adults with learning difficulties, mental health problems and others currently receiving social care services.
Telephone: 01947 825091
Email: coffee.cart@creativesupport.org.uk
Website: www.creativesupport.co.uk
Dear Albert
Dear Albert helps individuals to stop taking alcohol and drugs.
Telephone: 0116 291 7298
Email: hello@dearalbert.co.uk
Website: www.dearalbert.co.uk
Department for Education
The Department for Education is responsible for education and children’s services in England.
Telephone: 0370 000 2288
Website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education
Disability Action Yorkshire
Based in Harrogate, Disability Action Yorkshire provides ASDAN (Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network) accredited training courses for disabled adults in North Yorkshire. The courses are supported with work experience programmes.
Telephone: 01423 855410
Email: admin@da-y.org.uk
Website: www.disabilityactionyorkshire.org.uk
Education Endowment Foundation
The Education Endowment Foundation is an independent charity dedicated to breaking the link between family income and educational achievement.
Telephone: 0207 802 1676
Email: info@eefoundation.org.uk
Website: https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk
The Flying High Group
The Flying High Group is a group of young adults with disabilities or extra support needs, aged 16 to 25 years old. They represent different areas across North Yorkshire and take the views of young people to the officers at North Yorkshire County Council, to help them find ways to improve opportunities and services for young people.
Email: susan.balf@northyorks.gov.uk
Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre
Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre in Knaresborough supports people with disabilities to reach their true potential by providing independence skills and vocational training through the Handmade at Henshaws social enterprise scheme.
Telephone: 01423 541888
Email: info@henshaws.org.uk
Website: www.henshaws.org.uk/what-we-offer/arts-crafts/
Home from Home Care
Created by parents to make the difference; Home from Home Care provides specialist residential care for adults (17+) with complex needs, including autism, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, PMLD, sensory impairment and other associated health and mental health issues, supporting individuals to lead active and fulfilled lives.
Telephone: 0800 587 0372
Email: admin@homefromhomecare.com
Website: www.homefromhomecare.com
Horticap
Horticap's social enterprise activities include a retail shop selling plants, horticultural sundries, crafts and gifts. They also offer gardening services around the Harrogate district.
Telephone: 01423 522876
Email: info@horticap.org
Website: www.horticap.org
Inclusive Music Group
Scarborough based arts organisation Create, in partnership with York based Accessible Arts and Media are setting up an Inclusive Music Group at Wheatcroft School in Scarborough.
Telephone: 01904 626965
Email: info@aamedia.org.uk
Jennyruth Workshops
Jennyruth Workshops in Ripon is a productive social enterprise where adults with learning difficulties gain confidence, skills and happiness. Workers learn practical skills such as painting, woodwork, sewing, card making and IT, computer and office skills.
Telephone: 01765 606620
Email: info@jennyruth.co.uk
Website: www.jennyruth.co.uk
Migraine Action
Migraine Action is the national advisory and support charity for people affected by migraine. They have produced a leaflet primarily for children and young people, but also for those who support them. It is free to download from their website.
Website: www.migraine.org.uk/young-people/migraine-in-youth
National Association of Principal Educational Psychologists
NAPEP seeks to support, advise and influence the leadership of educational psychology services and supports the continuing development of our profession in order to achieve the most positive, inclusive outcomes for children, young people and their families.
Website: www.napep.org
National Association of Professionals concerned with Language Impaired Children
NAPLIC is an established national organisation for teachers, speech and language therapists and other professionals, led by a volunteer committee.
Email: naplic.info@gmail.com
Website: www.naplic.org.uk
Nasen (National Association of Special Educational Needs)
Organisation supporting those who work with or care for children and young people with special and additional educational needs and disabilities.
Telephone: 01827 311500
Email: webadmin@nasen.org.uk
Website: www.nasen.org.uk and www.sendgateway.org.uk
National Governors’ Association
An independent charity that aims to improve the educational standards and wellbeing of children and young people.
Telephone: 0121 237 3780
Email: admin@nga.org.uk
Website: www.nga.org.uk
Nipperbout Active Childcare
Nipperbout Active Childcare provide mobile crèche and event childcare services.
Telephone: 01296 712658
Email: info@nipperbout.com
Website: www.nipperbout.com
Northallerton Mencap Society
Northallerton and the Dales Mencap Society is based in Northallerton and covers the Hambleton and Richmondshire Districts of North Yorkshire. The main aims of the society are to give help, advice and support to people with learning disabilities, their families and their carers.
Telephone: 01609 778894
Email: admin@northallertonmencap.org.uk
Website: www.northallertonmencap.org.uk or www.mencap.org.uk
North Yorkshire SEND Information, Advice and Support Service (previously known as the Parent Partnership Service)
Information about the SEND Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS), along with general SEND advice and information.
Website: www.northyorks.gov.uk/send-information-advice-and-support-service
NYMAZ Special Educational Needs and / or Disabilities (SEND) Music Network
The network is open to all those in North Yorkshire and Teesside who are working with (or interested in learning more about how to work with) children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disability, including music practitioners, workshop leaders, classroom teachers, staff, freelance practitioners, and carers.
Membership is free and includes invitations to training events and conferences; opportunities to network with peers; online forums to share learning and effective practice; plus e-bulletins featuring the latest policy updates, research and sector news.
Telephone: 01904 543382
Email: info@nymaz.org.uk
Website: www.nymaz.org.uk/our-networks/send-network
Facebook: www.facebook.com/NYMAZ
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NYMAZMusic
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/nymaz-music
NYPACT
NYPACT is the parent carer forum for North Yorkshire and aim to provide a collective voice for parents of children with disabilities and additional needs. They are a voluntary organisation run by a management committee of volunteer parent carers who are supported with administration by Community First Yorkshire.
Membership is free and is open to North Yorkshire families that include children or young people aged up to 25 with special educational needs or a disability. Parents, carers and others can also volunteer to support NYPACT, either as part of the committee or in their locality.
Telephone: 01904 704177
Email: NYPACT@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk
Website: https://communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk/projects/nypact
Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/1482261062003716
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NYPACT
Paperworks
Paperworks in Harrogate provide work experience and practical skills training for adults with a range of extra needs, including disabilities. They offer print, mailing and packing services to provide real work experience, as well as personalised training programmes.
Telephone: 01423 816999
Email: ask@paperworks.org.uk
Website: www.paperworks.org.uk
Patoss
The Professional Association for teachers and assessors of students with Specific Learning Difficulties.
Telephone: 01386 712 650
Email: info@patoss-dyslexia.org
Website: www.patoss-dyslexia.org
Pioneer Projects (Celebratory Arts) Ltd
The Pioneer Projects social enterprise is based at Looking Well Studios and works across Craven to provide opportunities for the whole community, including people with disabilities and mental health problems.
Telephone: 01524 262672
Email: office@pioneerprojects.org.uk
Website: www.pioneerprojects.org.uk
Purple Patch Arts
The Purple Patch Arts social enterprise works to improve the lives and life chances of people living with learning disabilities, mental ill health or dementia by running arts workshops, lifelong learning courses and social inclusion projects.
Telephone: 07725 041801
Email: info@purplepatcharts.org
Website: www.purplepatcharts.org
Rehab 4 Addiction
Free helpline for people suffering from alcoholism, drug addiction and mental health problems.
Telephone: 0800 140 4690
Email: info@rehab4addiction.co.uk
Website: www.rehab4addiction.co.uk
Ripon Walled Garden
The Ripon Community Link - Walled Garden social enterprise supports adults with learning disabilities to develop skills leading to employment in the Ripon and Harrogate areas and towards Northallerton, Thirsk and Nidderdale.
Telephone: 01765 607461
Email: info@riponcommunitylink.org.uk
Ryedale Special Families
Ryedale Special Families in Malton supports families of children and young people with disabilities, additional needs and illness in Ryedale, North Yorkshire. They are a parent-led group providing advocacy, information, social groups, respite care and family activities.
Telephone: 01653 699000
Email: post@ryedalespecialfamilies.org.uk
Website: www.ryedalespecialfamilies.org.uk
Selby Garden Enterprise
Selby Garden Enterprise offers a practical gardening and landscaping service for residents and businesses in the Selby area, whilst providing supported training and work experience for adults with physical, mental health and learning needs.
Telephone: 01757 292124 or 07720 740882
Email: selby.garden@groundwork.org.uk
Website: www.groundwork.org.uk/nyorkshire
Sibs
Sibs is a UK charity for siblings who may be finding it hard to cope with a brother or sister who is disabled, has special educational needs or a serious long term condition. Sibs can give information and advice both over the phone and online. Sibs also runs YoungSibs, an online only support service for siblings in the UK aged six to 17.
Telephone: 01535 645453
Email: info@sibs.org.uk
Website: www.sibs.org.uk
Skipton Extended Learning for All (SELFA)
SELFA is a charity providing out-of-school activities for disabled, disadvantaged and vulnerable children in Skipton and Craven.
Telephone: 01756 706384
Email: admin@selfa.org.uk
Website: www.selfa.org.uk
Special iApps
At Special iApps, we develop educational apps for children with special educational needs, including autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, hearing impairment and other learning disabilities.
Telephone: 0191 375 7903
Email: support@specialiapps.org
Website: www.specialiapps.org
TutorFair
The aims of our website is to find the best tutors in your area and allow parents and children to connect with a suitable tutor. Currently we have several tutors offering their services in the North Yorkshire area. We have a policy whereby for every student who pays, we give free tutoring to a child who can't.
Telephone: 020 3322 4748
Email: support@tutorfair.com
Website: www.tutorfair.com
Wilf’s Café
The Wilf's Café social enterprise provides employment training for disabled people in the Pickering and district area, to enable them to move into the local employment market. The café also includes a sandwich delivery round to the local area.
Telephone: 01751 474740
Email: westgatehouse@wilfward.org.uk
Website: www.wilfward.org.uk
WHISH (Whitby Hidden Impairments Support & Help)
WHISH is a parent led support group and charity for all in Whitby and the surrounding area with an interest in hidden impairments.
Telephone: 07534 117458
Email: whishgroup@gmail.com
Website: www.whishgroup.co.uk
Yatton House Print Service
The Yatton House Print Service social enterprise offers a bespoke print service within Yatton House that serves the printing needs of the local community and areas surrounding Great Ayton.
Telephone: 01642 722380
Email: yattonhouse@yattonhouse.demon.co.uk
Website: www.yattonhouse.org.uk/yhps-i3
Yorkshire and Humberside Training Services
Yorkshire and Humberside Training Services provide vocational training and workforce development solutions for local people and businesses.
Telephone: 0800 542 2848
Email: info@yh-group.co.uk
Website: www.yh-group.co.uk
Yorkshire Coast Families
We are a community, not-for-profit organisation based in the Coast and Vale Community Action (CaVCA) office at ‘The Street’ in Scarborough. We are led by parents of children with disabilities and special needs. We also have access to expert advice.
Telephone: 01723 362205
Website: http://yorkshirecoastfamilies.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/1586798841571964/
Young Carers Resource
The Young Carers and Families team at Carers’ Resource in Harrogate exists to support young carers and young adult carers in the Harrogate and Craven districts of North Yorkshire.
Telephone: 01423 500555
Email: info@carersresource.org
Website: https://youngcarersresource.org
Youthability - Hambleton and Richmondshire
Youthability is a youth club for young people aged from 11 to 25 with special educational needs and disabilities. They offer free, inclusive activities for young people to enjoy and achieve. Young people can take part in a variety of activities including arts and crafts, cooking and baking, sports and trips out. Every young person has a named link worker at the session and an individual Youthability support plan.
Youthability operate sessions in Northallerton, Bedale, Thirsk and Richmond.
See the Youthability - Hambleton and Richmondshire (pdf / 239 KB) leaflet for more details.
Alternatively, see the following Facebook pages:
Airedale and Wharfedale Autism Resource (AWARE)
AWARE is a parent-run group supporting families with children and young adults on the autistic spectrum covering the Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven areas and beyond.
Telephone: 01535661275
Email: info@aware-uk.org
Website: www.aware-uk.org
Autism Angels
Autism Angels work with their equine facilitated learning model, whereby individuals, families and professionals will gain new insights into how to communicate, empower and connect with those on the autistic spectrum.
Telephone: 0113 387 3064
Website: www.autismangels.co.uk
Autism Education Trust
Dedicated to coordinating, supporting and promoting effective education practice for all children and young people on the autism spectrum.
Telephone: 0207 903 3650
Email: info@autismeducationtrust.org.uk
Website: www.autismeducationtrust.org.uk
Autism Plus
Easi Works has been created by Autism Plus in Easingwold. They support people with autism, learning disabilities and mental health conditions to develop work related skills and to find work experience or employment in a fun working environment.
Telephone: 01347 823224
Email: clare.robinson@autismplus.co.uk
Website: www.autismplus.org
Harrogate NAS (National Autistic Society)
Support for young people with high functioning autism / Asperger syndrome and their parents in the Harrogate area.
Telephone: 07824 473871
Email: NASHarrogateBranch@nas.org.uk
Website: www.harrogate-autism.org.uk
Scarborough Fast
We are a voluntary group of parents of children and young people with an autistic spectrum condition in the Scarborough area.
Telephone: 07985 003540
Email: events@scarboroughfast.co.uk
Website: www.scarboroughfast.co.uk
Sparkle
Sparkle is a social support group of parents and carers who have children with autism. Asperger's or an autism spectrum condition, who meet twice a month in term-time for a chat and a drink. The group is open to parents of children with or without an official diagnosis in the Skipton and Craven area. They also welcome parents or carers of children with any disability who feel they will benefit from the group.
Telephone: 07792 123955
Email: sparkle.skipton@gmail.com
Facebook group
Dyslexia Action
Dyslexia Action Training and Professional Development is an accredited national training provider of courses designed and delivered to support professionals working with individuals with dyslexia and specific learning difficulties.
Telephone: 01784 222304
Email: info@dyslexiaaction.org.uk
Website: www.dyslexiaaction.org.uk
Dyslexia Network Plus
DNPlus is a local association in North Yorkshire to support people with dyslexia, dyslexic type difficulties and other specific difficulties with literacy and numeracy. It is run by volunteers and based in the Hambleton and Richmond area, but is open to anyone in the region who is prepared to travel.
Telephone: 0845 22 60 240
Email: Dnplus@aol.com
Website: http://dyslexianetworkplus.org.uk
The Dyslexia-SpLD Trust
Collaboration of voluntary and community organisations with funding from the Department for Education to provide reliable information.
Email: info@thedyslexia-spldtrust.org.uk
Website: www.thedyslexia-spldtrust.org.uk
Afasic
Afasic supports parents with children who have difficulties talking and understanding language.
Telephone: 0300 666 9410
Website: www.afasic.org.uk
The British Stammering Association
Support to all whose lives are affected by stammering.
Telephone: 020 8983 1003
Email: info@stammering.org
Website: www.stammering.org
The Communication Trust
A coalition of more than 50 not-for-profit organisations working together to support everyone who works with children and young people in England to support their speech, language and communication.
Telephone: 0207 843 2526
Email: enquiries@thecommunicationtrust.org.uk
Website: www.thecommunicationtrust.org.uk and www.thecommunicationtrust.org.uk/localoffer
ICAN
Children’s communication charity.
Telephone: 020 7843 2510
Email: info@ican.org.uk
Website: www.ican.org.uk
Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
Professional body for speech and language therapists in the UK; providing leadership and setting professional standards.
Telephone: 020 7378 1200
Email: info@rcslt.org
Website: www.rcslt.org
SMIRA (Selective Mutism Information & Research Association)
Support for families with selectively mute children.
Website: www.smira.org.uk
British Association of Educational Audiologists
Provides support for all hearing impaired children.
Email: HMaiden@exeterdeafacademy.ac.uk
Website: www.educational-audiologists.org.uk/a_jstallard_1.php
The National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS)
The National Deaf Children's Society is a national charity offering free information and support to families with a deaf child.
Telephone: 0808 800 8880
Email: helpline@ndcs.org.uk
Website: www.ndcs.org.uk
Migloo
MigLoo is a portable hoisted changing suite and is recognized by the Changing Places charity as a designated mobile Changing Place. It is ideal for leaving the confines of a wheelchair to experience freedom, touch sand, lie on grass, sit in a beanbag and be part of the fun.
Telephone: 01386 561464
Email: sinclair@migloo.co.uk
Website: www.migloo.co.uk
Pdnet
Support for professionals in education who promote positive outcomes for children and young people with a physical disability.
Website: www.pdnet.org.uk
Whizz Kidz
We offer beginner, intermediate or advanced Wheelchair Skills Training programmes across four age ranges: ages two to seven, ages eight to 14, ages 15 to 18 and ages 19 to 25. Each Wheelchair Skills Training Programme can also be adapted to meet the specific needs of the young people who attend.
Telephone: 07833 566470
Email: info@whizz-kidz.org.uk
Website: www.whizz-kidz.org.uk
NatSIP
NatSIP, the National Sensory Impairment Partnership is a partnership of organisations working together to improve outcomes for children and young people with sensory impairment.
Website: www.natsip.org.uk
Sense
Supports and campaigns for children and adults who are deafblind or have sensory impairments.
Telephone: 0300 330 9250
Email: info@sense.org.uk
Website: www.sense.org.uk
Sensory Processing Disorder Parent Support Group North East England
This group offers support, advice, networking, meetings, education and strategies for children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), all of whom have either ASD, DCD (Dyspraxia), ADHD or SPD. They are affiliated with the Sensory Processing Foundation in the USA and with Tree Tops Children's Occupational Therapy in Newton Aycliffe.
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/groups/spdpsg
The Challenging Behaviour Foundation
Challenging Behaviour Foundation is for anyone with severe learning disabilities who displays challenging behaviour to have the same life opportunities as everyone else.
Telephone: 01634 838739
Email: info@thecbf.org.uk
Website: www.challengingbehaviour.org.uk
Claro Enterprises
Claro Enterprises in Starbeck near Harrogate provide a workplace for people with mental health problems to develop their self-esteem, motivation and confidence and to enhance their work and social skills. They produce wooden craft items, commercial signs and garden stoneware.
Telephone: 01423 885879
Email: post@claroenterprises.co.uk
Website: www.claroenterprises.co.uk
Next Steps Mental Health Centre
Next Steps in Malton run a community café that is open to all, providing adults with mental health issues work and volunteering opportunities to improve their life and job skills. The café also allows people to access training to further extend their skills.
Telephone: 01653 690854
Email: post@nextstepsryedale.co.uk
Website: www.nextstepsryedale.co.uk
Orb Community Enterprise
The Orb Community Arts project in Knaresborough works with a positive mental health focus to support vulnerable people who are suffering social and economic exclusion to grow in skills and confidence and have more opportunity to play a role in the life of the community.
Telephone: 01423 202028
Email: admin@orb-arts.org
Website: www.orb-arts.org
Red Balloon of the air
Red Balloon supports young people who self-exclude from school and are missing education because of bullying or other trauma. We provide an academic and theraputic programme to enable our students to get back on track and reconnect with society.
Telephone: 01223 354338
Email: admin@rbair.org.uk
Website: www.redballoonlearner.org/RBAir
Blind Children UK
Leading charity for children and young people with sight loss.
Telephone: 0800 781 1444
Email: services@blindchildrenuk.org
Website: www.blindchildrenuk.org
Community directory
Access our community directory to find activities, local clubs, societies, organisations and help groups in your area.
Launch our community directory
National groups and charities
The Department for Education has published a guide to the SEND reforms, which includes a very useful section on information and contacts relating to special educational needs and disabilities. The full document is available here (pdf / 484 KB).