Introduction:

Welcome to Benefit Mankind’s SEN Support page. We understand that children with Special Educational Needs require unique support to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. This page aims to provide valuable resources, guidance, and a supportive community for families, educators, and professionals working with SEN children.

What are Special Educational Needs (SEN)?:

Special Educational Needs (SEN) refer to children who have learning difficulties or disabilities that require special educational provision. These needs can range from mild to severe and may include conditions such as dyslexia, autism, ADHD, sensory impairments, and physical disabilities.

Our Mission:

Our mission is to empower SEN children to reach their full potential by providing comprehensive support, advocacy, and resources. We believe that every child deserves access to quality education and support tailored to their unique needs.

Support Services:

Needs assessments

A needs assessment is carried out by the children’s services team at your local council and determines if your child needs more specialised support.

Children’s services must work with you when making decisions about your child, so discuss with them the type of help that would best meet the needs of your family.

Family support

Family support can include help looking after your child, such as:

day care for children under 5 years old

help with parenting – such as parenting classes

courses or family support workers

practical home help

access to a Children’s Centre

Support services may also be provided by education or health authorities, or by voluntary organisations.

Many of these services are available to all families. Check your local council’s website to see what’s available in your area.

You may also find support from these charities:

Family Lives – provides information, advice, guidance and support on any aspect of parenting and family life. Their helpline number is 0808 800 2222

Gingerbread – provides single parents with advice and practical support. You can call the Gingerbread Advice Service on 0808 802 0925

Relate – provides relationship support, including help for children and young people and help with family life and parenting

Single Parents – provides single parents with help, advice and support

YoungMinds for Parents – provides advice about mental health and behaviour problems in children and young people. You can call the parents’ helpline on 0808 802 5544

Family Rights Group – provides parents or other relatives with advice about their rights and options when social workers or courts make decisions about their children’s welfare. Their advice line number is 0808 801 0366

Children with special educational needs and disabilities

Additional help is available for parents and children with special educational needs and disabilities.

How to care for a child with complex needs explains the support available for parents whose child has been diagnosed with a long-term condition

How to care for a disabled child includes practical advice about everyday hands-on caring, such as feeding, going to the toilet, and moving around

Looked-after children

Local authority children’s services have responsibilities for the children they look after who live with foster carers or in residential care on either a short- or long-term basis.

These organisations also offer information and advice:

Coram Children’s Legal Centre – offers free legal information, advice and representation to children, young people, their families, carers and professionals

The Fostering Network – offers information and advice to foster carers

CoramBAAF Adoption & Fostering Academy – promotes standards of practice in adoption, fostering and childcare services

The Family Rights Group offers independent specialist information and advice for families about children who are looked after in care.