Information about local, regional and national groups and networks related to special education needs and disabilities.
This page provides information about a variety of groups and networks for young people with special educational needs and disabilities and their parents and carers.
Local groups and support networks
Access to Autism
Access to Autism is a support group for parents of children and young people with autism and sensory issues and for those going through diagnosis. The group runs on the first Wednesday of the month at Colburn Children's Centre.
Location: Colburn Children's Centre, 1 The Broadway, Colburn DL9 4RF
Telephone: 01609 535732
Email: debbie.pollard@northyorks.gov.uk
Airedale and Wharfedale Autism Resource (AWARE)
Location: Otley, Leeds
Telephone: 01943 466543
Email: jo.galasso@tesco.net
Website: www.awareuk.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.
Website: www.autismangels.co.uk
Carer's Resource
Telephone: Harrogate - 01423 500555
Telephone: Scarborough - 01723 850155
Email: info@carersresource.org
Website: www.carersresource.net
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.
Location: Across North Yorkshire
Telephone: 0845 22 60 240
Email: Dnplus@aol.com
Website: http://dyslexianetworkplus.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
Harrogate NAS (National Autistic Society)
Location: Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Telephone: 07824 473871
Email: NASHarrogateBranch@nas.org.uk
Website: www.harrogate-autism.org.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.
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.
Location: national
Telephone: 0808 800 8880
Email: helpline@ndcs.org.uk
Website: www.ndcs.org.uk
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.
Location: Northallerton and Dales, North Yorkshire
Telephone: 01609 778894
Email: admin@northallertonmencap.org.uk
Website: www.northallertonmencap.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, is available on the special educational needs advice and support page.
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 and supported by a part-time paid member of staff based at North Yorkshire and York Forum.
North Yorkshire families that include children or young people aged up to 25 with special educational needs or a disability can now access affordable days out.
The Max card provides free or discounted access for up to two adult and two children at attractions such as Yorvik, Castle Howard and Eureka in Yorkshire and more than 400 UK attractions. We have provided funding to NYPACT to enable it to offer these cards free to its members. Contact NYPACT to join and receive a free Max card.
Telephone: 01765 640552
Email: northyorkshirepact@gmail.com
Website: www.nypact.org.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/1482261062003716
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NYPACT
Ripon Acorns
Location: Ripon, North Yorkshire
Telephone: 01765 605974
Email: office@ripon-acorns.co.uk
Website: www.ripon-acorns.co.uk
Ryedale Special Families
Ryedale Special Families 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.
Location: Malton, North Yorkshire
Telephone: 01653 699000
Email: post@ryedalespecialfamilies.org.uk
Website: www.ryedalespecialfamilies.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: https://www.facebook.com/groups/spdpsg
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.
Location: Skipton, North Yorkshire
Telephone: 01756 795245
Email: admin@selfa.org.uk
Website: www.selfa.org.uk
Sparkle
Sparkle is a social support group of parents and carers who have children with autism/Asperger's or an ASC, 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.
Location: Skipton, North Yorkshire
Telephone: 07792 123955
Email: webby1971@yahoo.com
Yorkshire Coast Families
Yorkshire Coast Families is a new group for families on the coast. They provide advice, guidance, fun and activities for families and carers. More information can be found on their Facebook page.
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 / 206 KB) leaflet for more details.
Alternatively, see the following Facebook pages:
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) Further information on support groups and organisations is available here (pdf / 175 KB).
More information about voluntary and community sector services and support networks can be found on the local offer community directory page.