SEND Directory

You can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan to help with the costs of a course at a college or training provider in England.

Loan eligibility does not depend on your income and there are no credit checks.

If you’re studying a level 3 qualification, you might be eligible for an ‘Adult Education Budget’ grant instead of an Advanced Learner Loan. If you get a grant, you do not need to repay it. Ask your college or training provider about grants before you apply for a loan.

Apprenticeships are an opportunity to combine paid work with training and receive nationally recognised qualifications along the way. People of all ages from 16 and over are welcome to apply.

Resources for Autism is a registered charity. We provide practical services for children and adults with a diagnosis of autism and for those who love and care for them.

We have a team of trained, enthusiastic and kind staff and volunteers offering a wide range of support. All our staff are autism specialists who understand communication and sensory needs.

We're here to help the 700,000 autistic people in the UK and their families. Be it running specialist schools, campaigning for improved rights or training companies on being more autism-friendly, we are dedicated to transforming lives and changing attitudes

Our advice and guidance section has a wide range of information about autism. There are 24 different topics, including diagnosis, behaviour, communication, loneliness, sensory differences, mental health, benefits and money, education, and more.

Chance UK is a London-based charity with over 25 years of experience working with children who have faced trauma. It provides evidence-based interventions tailored to each child's needs through one-to-one mentoring, group sessions, and school workshops. It also offers specialist support to families, helping them build knowledge, skills, and resilience. When needed, it collaborates with schools and other support services.

Mentoring Programmes for Children Aged 5 to 13:

Independent Parental Special Education Advice (ISPEA) is the leading national charity in the field of SEND law in England.

They provide:

• Free and independent legal advice and support to families of children and young people with SEND. 
• Training on the SEND legal framework.
• Help children and young people with SEND get the education they are entitled to by law.

Chickenshed is a pioneering and inclusive company that makes beautiful and inspirational theatre. They bring together people of all ages and backgrounds to produce outstanding theatre that entertains, inspires, challenges and informs both audiences and participants alike

Support, advice and services for autistic children

Childline is here to help anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they’re going through.