SEND Directory
Support services, charities and organisations for families.
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What's in the SEND Directory
National charities, advice services and local organisations, with the website, phone number and email where the organisation publishes one. It includes services such as SENDIASS, IPSEA, Contact, the National Autistic Society, Mencap and Scope, alongside local family centres.
It is for anyone looking for advice, help with benefits, health services, or support close to home.
Some listings are added by our team, and some are suggested by members. A suggestion is only shown here once it has been checked.
Search for a name or an area, such as 'Milton Keynes', and use the category dropdown to narrow it to advice, health, benefits or family support. Phone numbers and email addresses are tappable, so you can call or email straight from your phone.
The Pace Centre
A Buckinghamshire charity providing specialist therapy and education for babies, children and young people with neurodisabilities and developmental differences, such as cerebral palsy. Pace runs a therapy centre and a specialist school at 156 Wendover Road, Aylesbury, offers assessment, therapy and advice for children aged 3 to 11 who attend mainstream primary schools, and provides online resources and support for the whole family. Contact them to ask about referrals and current services.
Autism Early Support — The Parent's Portal
Specialist support for parents and carers of autistic or ADHD children, including weekly live workshops and drop-ins with specialists, parent support groups, on-demand videos and downloadable resources. There is a bank of practical information covering school, home and the EHCP process. No diagnosis is required, and you can join online from anywhere in the UK. Membership is £10 a month per household, and free for Buckinghamshire residents — check eligibility when you join.
Shout Out Reps — SEND Youth Projects
Participation groups for young people aged 12 to 25 with special educational needs and disabilities, run by Buckinghamshire Council. Reps meet once a month on a Monday from 5.30pm to 7pm, in Aylesbury or High Wycombe, and food is provided. There are two groups: a debate club that discusses topics such as education, bullying, healthcare and discrimination, and a more relaxed active reps group that does creative activities. The feedback is shared with the people who make decisions at the council, and reps also help with conferences, interview panels and plans such as the Autism Strategy. Email to find out how to get involved.
ACE Club and Social Hub
An autism-friendly club and social hub run by AVNAS, the Aylesbury Vale branch of the National Autistic Society. ACE aims to provide a safe, quiet and understanding environment for autistic people, and meets at YouthSpace in Aylesbury, usually every two weeks on a Saturday from 11am to 2pm. It is for young people aged 10 to 25 and a referral is needed. Entry is £4 per session, and free for parents and carers. Please check current session dates and referral details with AVNAS.
WheelPower
The national charity for wheelchair sport, based at Stoke Mandeville Stadium in Aylesbury. WheelPower provides inclusive sporting opportunities for disabled people, runs sports festivals and events around the country, and offers online physical activity classes. Its Buckinghamshire Sports Festival is open to anyone with a physical disability aged 5 and over. Visit the website or contact them to find out what is coming up.
Bucks Activity Project
Run by Action for Children in partnership with Buckinghamshire Council, providing short breaks and supported activities for disabled children and young people aged 0 to 19 across Buckinghamshire. More than 350 children take part. You need to check whether you are eligible and register with them before booking, so please contact them or visit the website to find out more.
Ride High
A registered charity (1138260) in Milton Keynes that uses horses to help vulnerable children and young people aged 8-17 build confidence and life skills. This is not a riding school and places cannot be booked: children must be referred by a professional working with them, such as a GP, CAMHS worker, social worker, school staff member or youth worker. Places are prioritised by need, then a waiting list. The programme is free to the family and usually runs for three to twelve months. Non-riding memberships are offered, and riding has a weight limit of about 11.5 stone. To talk about a referral, call 01908 366545 or email admin@ridehigh.org. Public riding lessons are run separately by Ride High Equestrian Centre on the same site - see our Family days out section.
Pebbles Family Centre
Family centre in Fishermead supporting parents, carers and families with young children. Offers baby groups, play and development activities, family wellbeing sessions, parenting advice and access to community support. Check the latest activity calendar for available sessions and booking requirements.
Conniburrow Family Centre
Welcoming family centre offering support and activities for parents, carers and children aged 0–18. Activities include stay-and-play sessions, baby groups, family breakfast sessions and parenting advice. Families can also access information about childcare, employment, training and other community support. Check the latest activity calendar for details.
Tickford Meadow Family Centre
Family centre offering support for parents, carers and children, including stay-and-play sessions, baby groups, messy play, parenting workshops, speech and language support, wellbeing activities and advice about SEND, benefits and the cost of living. Contact the centre for current activities and booking details.
Saplings Family Centre
Welcoming family centre providing support, advice and activities for parents, carers and children. Offers sensory play, stay-and-play sessions, baby groups, family wellbeing activities, parenting support and community advice sessions. Check the latest timetable for booking details.
The Rowans Family Centre
Welcoming family centre offering activities and support for parents, carers and children. Activities include soft play, baby groups, music and movement, baby massage, parenting support and wellbeing sessions. Check the latest activity calendar for availability and booking details.
Hummingbird Family Centre
Family centre offering support for parents, carers and children, including stay-and-play sessions, baby groups, parenting courses, wellbeing activities, youth sessions and advice. Also offers a welcoming group for families experiencing anxiety, low mood, neurodiversity or SEND. Check the timetable for sessions and booking information.
Moorlands Family Centre
Welcoming family centre offering stay-and-play activities, sensory room sessions, community café, parenting support and groups for neurodivergent children and their families. Check the activity timetable for session details and booking requirements.
Daisychain Family Centre
Family centre supporting parents, carers and children in the Bletchley area. Offers family activities, information, advice and access to local support services.
Sunshine Family Centre
Family support centre offering stay-and-play sessions, baby groups, sensory room sessions, parenting workshops and wellbeing activities. Some sessions are free and others require booking. Check the current timetable before visiting.
Hedgerows Family Centre
Hedgerows Family Centre offers a welcoming space for families in Milton Keynes, with a wide range of activities, practical support and opportunities to meet other parents. Activities include stay-and-play, soft play, messy play, baby groups, a bookable sensory room, music and movement, and children’s dance sessions. Parents and carers can also access parenting courses, Citizens Advice drop-ins, budgeting support, adult learning, community food support and a friendly café. Many sessions are free. Some activities require booking, and availability may change. Please check the centre’s current timetable before visiting.
Rainbow Family Centre
Family activities, parenting support and children sessions.
The Access Card
A photo ID card that explains your child's or your own access requirements as simple symbols, so venues, festivals, theatres and theme parks know what adjustments are needed without you having to explain again. Widely accepted across the UK and abroad, and works with some online ticketing systems. Costs £15 and lasts 3 years. Apply or renew on the Access Card website.
Blue Badge scheme
The Blue Badge lets you park closer to where you're going when you or your child is disabled. In England and Wales you apply online through GOV.UK; in Scotland apply through mygov.scot and in Northern Ireland through nidirect. Badges are issued by your local council and usually last up to 3 years. You'll need proof of eligibility, such as benefit awards or medical evidence, and a recent photo.
Disabled person's bus pass
A free bus pass for people who are 'eligible disabled', giving free off-peak travel on local buses in England as part of the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme. You apply through your local council, and children can be eligible too. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland run their own equivalent schemes through their national services.
IPSEA (Independent Parental Special Education Advice)
Free legally-based advice on SEND in England — EHCPs, refusal to assess, annual reviews and tribunal appeals. Offers a helpline, advice line callbacks and downloadable model letters.
Contact
Charity for families with disabled children. Free helpline and advisers covering benefits, education, health and finding local services.
Council for Disabled Children
National charity working to improve education, health and care services for disabled children and those with SEN.
ADHD Foundation
Neurodiversity charity offering support, resources and training for families of children with ADHD.
SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs and Disability Information, Advice and Support Service)
Free, impartial information, advice and support for parents and young people about SEND. Every local authority in England must provide one — search for your council's SENDIASS.
Scope
Disability equality charity offering practical information, a helpline and an online community for disabled people and families.
Family Fund
Grants for families raising a disabled or seriously ill child — equipment, breaks, household items and more.
Cerebra
Support for families of children with neurological conditions, including an advice service and a sleep service.
Mencap
Support and advice for people with a learning disability and their families, covering education, benefits and rights.
British Dyslexia Association
Information, assessment guidance and support for dyslexia and related specific learning difficulties.
Afasic
Support for families of children with speech, language and communication needs, including a helpline and parent courses.
National Autistic Society
Information, helpline and community for autistic people and their families, including guidance on diagnosis and education.
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