SEND Directory

Shine is a national charity providing specialist advice and support pre-birth and throughout life, to anyone with or affected by:

• Spina Bifida
• Hydrocephalus
• Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
• Anencephaly
• Encephalocele - also may be known as Cranium Bifida
• Tethered Cord
• Idiopathic intracranial hypertension
• Chiari II Malformatio 

Shine provides a range of support such as benefits, support for carers, employment and disability, education, legal services and more. 

Personal budgets for children and young people with special needs and/or disabilities and their families will now be known as the Short Breaks Grant.  

A new policy statement and self-assessment form are being finalised and launched in early 2025. 

This page will soon include more details. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact the Disabled Children’s Team.

You may be able to borrow money to help pay for university or college tuition fees and to help with living costs.

The Changing Places Map website is a database with 3,194 'Changing Places' toilets throughout the UK. 

There are 2299 facilities to the full specification that offer the facilities of a normal accessible toilet for disabled people but with extra features—7m² originally and now 12m² of space, an adult changing bench, and a hoist. These are essential for people who have a carer, have profound and multiple learning disabilities, or cannot reasonably use standard accessible toilets. You will need to bring your own sling.

Turn2us is a national charity offering information and practical help to people facing financial insecurity. Support includes a Grant Search tool and PIP helper