Contact – A national charity for families with disabled children

Contact provide a free helpline for parents and carers giving information and advice on a range of issues, including medical information, benefits advice and information about special educational needs.

Contact details:

Telephone: 0808 808 3555

Email: helpline@contact.org.uk

Website: www.contact.org.uk

Dorset Council – Local Offer

Dorset’s Local Offer provides information, advice and support on provision for children and young people aged 0 to 25 years with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND).

The Local Offer also links to Dorset’s Family Information Directory so you can search for services and find out how to access them, all in one place.

Find out more here – Local Offer 

 

The BCP Council SEND –  Local Offer

The BCP Council SEND Local Offer provides information on services and activities for children and young people living in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole aged 0 to 25 with special educational needs and disabilities. 

Find out more here  Local Offer – BCP Council

 

Dorset Parent Carer Council – DPCC

Dorset Parent Carer Council is run by parents for parents and families. They work to provide a strong and unified voice for families in Dorset aiming to inform all agencies that offer help, advice and benefits to children and families.

Contact details:

Telephone: 07827 793 244

Email: dpcc@dorsetparentcarercouncil.co.uk

Website: www.dorsetparentcarercouncil.co.uk

The Council for Disabled Children

The Council for Disabled Children (CDC) is the umbrella body for the disabled children’s sector in England. They are the only national body that brings together the diverse range of organisations that work with and for disabled children to support the development and implementation of policy and practice.

Contact details:

Telephone: 020 7843 6000

 Email: CDC@ncb.org.uk

Website: www.councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk

Independent Provider of Special Education Advice – IPSEA

IPSEA offer free and independent legally based information, advice and support. To help get the right education for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

They also provide training on the SEND legal framework to parents, carers, professionals and other organisations.

Contact details:

Telephone: 01799 582030

Email:  office@ipsea.net

Website: www.ipsea.org.uk

Health Watch Dorset

Healthwatch Dorset is the county’s independent health and care champion.  It exists to ensure that people are at the heart of care. Healthwatch Dorset can also help people find the information they need about health and care services in their area.

Contact details:

Telephone: 0300 111 0102

Email: enquiries@healthwatchdorset.co.uk

Website: www.healthwatchdorset.co.uk

Dorset Special Educational Needs and Disability,  Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS)

A free, impartial and confidential service that provides information, advice and support to:

  • children and young people aged from 0 to 25 with special educational needs and/or disability (SEND)
  • parents and carers of children and young people with SEND

 Telephone: 01305 595477

Email: dorset.sendiass@family-action.org.uk  

Website: www.DorsetSENDIASS.co.uk|

 

Citizens Advice – CAB

Citizens Advice is an independent service providing free, confidential and impartial advice to everybody on a wide range of issues.

Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk

 

PDA Society

The PDA society provides information, support and training about PDA for individuals, families and professionals. We aim to increase acceptance and understanding of a PDA profile and to improve outcomes for individuals and families.

Website: https://www.pdasociety.org.uk/contact-us/enquiry-line/