The Council for Disabled Children (CDC) is the umbrella body for the disabled children’s sector in England; aim to maximise our influence on national policy and to promote inclusive practice;
Disability Rights UK was formed in 2012 through a unification of Disability Alliance, Radar and National Centre for Independent Living. Disability Rights UK works to create a society 'where everyone with experience of disability or health conditions can participate equally as full citizens'. Publishes an excellent range of resources, including its annual Disability Rights Handbook.
Every Disabled Child Matters (EDCM): run by a consortium of four organisations, Contact a Family, the Council for Disabled Children, Mencap, and the Special Educational Consortium; campaigns to raise the political profile of disabled children and their families within central and local government.
In Control : an independent social enterprise with charitable status; pioneered the concept of self-directed support and developed individual budgets/personal budgets; a conspicuous advocate the self-directed support model
The leading UK charity for people on the autism spectrum (including Asperger syndrome) and their families. Provides information, support and pioneering services, and campaigns for a better world for people with autism.
The National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi ) is a not-for-profit organisation concerned with promoting inclusion and equality for people who risk exclusion and who need support to lead a full life; has a particular interest in issues around age disability mental health and children and young people
SEN - Special Educational Needs; the online version of SEN magazine; the magazine requires a subscription, but an archive of articles and news on SEN is available free online
SWAN UK (syndromes without a name) is the only dedicated support network available for families of children and young adults with undiagnosed genetic conditions in the UK. It is run by the charity Genetic Alliance UK.
Its three stated aims:
DEVELOP
Develop and support a community of families of children affected by undiagnosed genetic conditions.
SUPPORT
Support the development of high quality information and services for families of children affected by undiagnosed genetic conditions.
RAISE
Raise public and professional awareness of undiagnosed genetic conditions and the unique challenges faced by affected families.
The Association Of National Specialist Colleges Natspec is the membership association for independent specialist colleges providing further education for young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities; site includes a directory of member colleges; also offers news and information on SEN
Turning Point is a social enterprise focused on improving lives and communities; a major service provider; uses any surplus profit to provide the best services in the right locations for those that need them most -across mental health, learning disability, substance misuse and employment; emphasis on 'individual support' and 'self-directed support'