Where to get help

Samaritans

Free listening support by phone for anyone who is struggling to cope, at any time of day or night, from any phone.

Phone:

116 123 (24 hours a day, every day)

Website:

samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan

Covers:

the whole UK

Samaritans is gradually closing its email service in the UK during 2026, so phone is the main route.

Shout

Free, confidential text service for anyone who is struggling to cope, available at any time.

Text:

Text SHOUT to 85258

Website:

giveusashout.org

Covers:

the whole UK

Useful if talking on the phone feels too hard.

NHS 111

Free NHS phone service for urgent medical help when it is not a 999 emergency, free from landlines and mobiles. It can also put you through to urgent mental health support. In England you can also use 111 online.

Phone:

111 (24 hours a day, every day)

Website:

111.nhs.uk

Covers:

England, Wales, Scotland

111 online is for ages 5 and over; for a child under 5, call 111. In England, choose the mental health option for urgent mental health help; some areas say this option is for adults only, so for a child ask 111 or your GP about your local children's crisis service. In Wales, press option 2 for urgent mental health support for all ages. In Scotland, 111 is run by NHS 24. For Northern Ireland, the NHS website points to nidirect for health advice; for a mental health crisis there, call Lifeline. Call 999 if a life is at risk.

Lifeline (Northern Ireland)

Free crisis helpline for people of any age in Northern Ireland, open at any time.

Phone:

0808 808 8000 (24 hours a day, every day)

Website:

lifelinehelpline.info

Covers:

Northern Ireland

Textphone: 18001 0808 808 8000.

Childline

Free, confidential helpline from the NSPCC for children and young people under 19, including brothers and sisters who need someone to talk to. The number does not appear on the phone bill.

Phone:

0800 1111 (24 hours a day, every day)

Website:

childline.org.uk

Covers:

the whole UK

Children can also talk to a counsellor through 1-2-1 chat on the Childline website.

National Autistic Society

UK charity for autistic people and their families. It has advice online, a Parent to Parent emotional support service run by trained volunteer parents, a 24/7 online community, local branches and a directory of autism services.

Website:

autism.org.uk

Covers:

the whole UK

The NAS contact page (checked September 2026) lists a switchboard but no dedicated advice helpline, so no number is shown here. To talk to another parent, use the Parent to Parent request-a-call form on the NAS website.

Ambitious about Autism

National charity for autistic children and young people. It offers advice and support for parents and carers, an online community and parent toolkit, and a youth network for 13 to 25 year olds.

Website:

ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk

Covers:

the whole UK

Contact (for families with disabled children)

UK charity for families with disabled children. Its free helpline gives parents and carers of children aged 0 to 25 advice on getting a diagnosis, benefits, education, childcare, help from the council, and behaviour, sleep and toileting in the early years.

Phone:

0808 808 3555 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5pm (Tuesdays from 10.15am))

Website:

contact.org.uk/about-contact/contact-us

Covers:

the whole UK

Closed on public holidays. Contact's Listening Ear service offers 45-minute phone appointments for emotional support with a parent adviser.

Mencap

Charity for people with a learning disability, their families and carers. It runs a Learning Disability Helpline and has online advice on education, health, benefits, housing and social care.

Website:

mencap.org.uk

Covers:

England, Wales, Northern Ireland

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower

A voluntary scheme: wearing the sunflower lanyard, badge or pin shows that you, or your child, have a disability or condition that may not be obvious and may need help, understanding or more time in shops, on transport or in public places.

Website:

hdsunflower.com/uk

Covers:

the whole UK

It is not an official ID and does not give an entitlement to anything.

Epilepsy Action

UK epilepsy charity with a helpline, information for parents and families, and support groups. Epilepsy is more common in autistic people than in others.

Phone:

0808 800 5050

Website:

epilepsy.org.uk

Covers:

the whole UK

The NHS says to call 999 if you think someone is having a seizure and it is their first one, it lasts longer than is usual for them (or longer than 5 minutes if you do not know), they do not recover as usual or have another seizure without recovering in between, or they have had 3 or more seizures in 24 hours.

Scottish Autism

Scottish charity supporting autistic people and their families, with an advice line, family support services and information on rights, assessment and school transitions.

Phone:

01259 222022

Website:

scottishautism.org

Covers:

Scotland

The number is the advice line. See the website for opening times.

Autism NI

Northern Ireland autism charity with a helpline and information for families, including how autism assessment works through Northern Ireland's health and social care trusts.

Phone:

028 9040 1729

Website:

autismni.org/what-is-autism/about-autism/autism-diagnosis

Covers:

Northern Ireland

Autism Central

NHS-commissioned peer education programme for families and support networks of autistic people of all ages in England, delivered by Anna Freud. It offers online resources, confidential one-to-one peer coaching from trained peer guides, and free online events.

Website:

autismcentral.nhs.uk

Covers:

England

Autistic UK

National representative organisation led by autistic people for autistic people. It campaigns for autistic people's rights and is a place to hear autistic perspectives.

Website:

autisticuk.org

Covers:

the whole UK

IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice)

Charity giving free, independent legal advice on special educational needs and disability law in England. It has free legal guides and template letters, including one for asking for an EHC needs assessment, and helplines for advice and tribunal appeals.

Website:

ipsea.org.uk

Covers:

England

Advice and tribunal helpline appointments are booked through the website, and a call-in helpline opens on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. IPSEA's admin office cannot give advice.

SOS!SEN

Charity with a free, term-time national helpline, staffed by volunteers, giving next-step advice on special educational needs provision in England. It also runs walk-in advice centres and workshops.

Phone:

020 8538 3731

Website:

sossen.org.uk/services/helpline

Covers:

England

Term time only. Opening hours change from week to week and are listed on the helpline page, and there are no callbacks.

SENDIASS (your local SEND information, advice and support service)

Free, impartial information, advice and support on special educational needs and disabilities for children, young people and parents, including EHC needs assessments, exclusions, talking to your school or council, and SEND Tribunal appeals. Each area has its own service; use the finder to get yours.

Website:

councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/information-advice-and-support-services-network/find-your-local-ias-service

Covers:

England

Local services have different names, often SENDIASS or IASS. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, see Enquire, SNAP Cymru and SENAC.

Council for Disabled Children

The umbrella body for the disabled children's sector in England, part of the National Children's Bureau family. It hosts the Information, Advice and Support Services Network, which trains and supports the local SENDIASS services and runs the online finder for your local service.

Website:

councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/information-advice-and-support-services-network

Covers:

England

For advice about your own child, contact your local SENDIASS rather than the Council for Disabled Children.

Special Needs Jungle

Independent website run by volunteer parents, publishing news, guides and analysis on SEND law and policy in England, including EHC plans and SEND Tribunal statistics.

Website:

specialneedsjungle.com

Covers:

England

An information and news website, not an advice line.

Enquire (Scotland)

Scotland's advice service for additional support for learning, funded by the Scottish Government and managed by Children in Scotland. It explains children's rights to support at school and helps parents understand the system.

Phone:

0345 123 2303 (Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 9.30am to 4.30pm)

Website:

enquire.org.uk

Covers:

Scotland

The helpline is closed on Wednesdays, Fridays and weekends.

SNAP Cymru (Wales)

Welsh charity giving information, advice and support to families of children and young people with additional learning needs, across all 22 local authorities in Wales.

Website:

snapcymru.org

Covers:

Wales

See the website for helpline details.

SENAC (Northern Ireland)

Northern Ireland charity, set up in 2003, giving free, confidential and independent advice and advocacy on special educational needs, including statutory assessments, statements and annual reviews.

Phone:

028 9079 5779

Website:

senac.co.uk

Covers:

Northern Ireland

The number is the advice line. See the website for current opening times.

Family Fund

Charity that gives grants to UK families on a low income who are raising a disabled or seriously ill child or young person. Families can be working or on benefits, and getting DLA does not decide eligibility.

Phone:

01904 550055 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)

Website:

familyfund.org.uk

Covers:

the whole UK

Closed on bank holidays. From 24 September 2026 to the end of March 2027, the England programme is open only to families applying for the first time. Family Fund cannot pay for items already bought. Language Line is available.

Scope

Disability charity whose free helpline advises disabled people and their families on benefits, money, social care, equipment and housing. Its website also explains support you can get before a child has a diagnosis.

Phone:

0808 800 3333 (Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm)

Website:

scope.org.uk/helpline

Covers:

England, Wales

Text relay: 18001 then 0808 800 3333. The helpline covers England and Wales.

Turn2us

National charity helping people facing financial insecurity. Its free benefits calculator shows what you may be able to claim, and its grants search finds charitable grants. GOV.UK lists its calculator among free, anonymous benefits calculators.

Website:

turn2us.org.uk

Covers:

the whole UK

Citizens Advice

Charity giving free advice on benefits, money, debt and other everyday problems, including a phone Adviceline and a debt helpline.

Phone:

0800 144 8848 (Usually Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)

Website:

citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/contact-us

Covers:

England, Wales

The number shown is the free Adviceline for England (Relay UK: 18001 then 0800 144 8848); it is not open on public holidays. Wales has its own Advicelink number, shown on the Citizens Advice website.

Disability Living Allowance helpline (DWP)

Government helpline for Disability Living Allowance for children under 16 in England and Wales. Phone to ask for a claim form: if you return it within 6 weeks, your claim can start from the date you called.

Phone:

0800 121 4600 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)

Website:

gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children/how-to-claim

Covers:

England, Wales

Relay UK: 18001 then 0800 121 4600. In Scotland, apply for Child Disability Payment instead; Northern Ireland has its own DLA claim route.

Carer's Allowance Unit (DWP)

Government service for Carer's Allowance in England and Wales. Parents may qualify if they care for at least 35 hours a week for a child who gets the middle or highest rate of DLA care.

Phone:

0800 731 0297 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm)

Website:

gov.uk/carers-allowance

Covers:

England, Wales

Relay UK: 18001 then 0800 731 0297. You can also claim online or by post. In Scotland, apply for Carer Support Payment instead.

Child Disability Payment (Social Security Scotland)

Scotland's disability benefit for children, which replaced DLA for children in Scotland. It is for children who need extra care or help getting around, and you can apply before your child has a diagnosis.

Website:

mygov.scot/child-disability-payment

Covers:

Scotland

Communication Matters

UK charity for people who use AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) and those who support them. It explains how to get an AAC assessment and runs a small grants scheme.

Website:

communicationmatters.org.uk

Covers:

the whole UK

Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

Professional body for speech and language therapists in the UK. Its website explains what speech and language therapy offers autistic people, and its 2024 position statement says there are no skills a child must show before using AAC.

Website:

rcslt.org

Covers:

the whole UK

For NHS speech and language therapy, ask your GP, health visitor or SENCO about referral; some local services let parents refer directly.

ASLTIP (private speech and language therapists)

The Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice. Its free directory lists private speech and language therapists who are registered with the HCPC and members of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

Website:

asltip.com/find-a-speech-therapist

Covers:

the whole UK

Prices vary. Before starting, ask about the cost of assessment and sessions, travel charges and cancellation terms.

Speech and Language UK

UK charity for children who find talking and understanding words hard. Its free online progress checker helps parents see how their child's talking and understanding are developing, and points to advice.

Website:

speechandlanguage.org.uk

Covers:

the whole UK

PDA Society

Charity offering information and support about PDA (pathological demand avoidance), which it describes as a profile found in some autistic people. PDA is not a diagnosis in the main medical manuals or in NICE guidance, and research on it is limited and disputed.

Website:

pdasociety.org.uk/what-is-pda

Covers:

the whole UK

An advocacy organisation. The National Autistic Society suggests recording demand-avoidant traits or a strong need for autonomy, with or without the PDA label.

Challenging Behaviour Foundation

Charity for families of children and adults with severe learning disabilities whose behaviour challenges. It has free information on understanding behaviour and positive behaviour support, and a confidential Family Support Service.

Phone:

0300 666 0126 (Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5pm; Friday, 9am to 3pm)

Website:

challengingbehaviour.org.uk/for-family-carers/family-support-service

Covers:

the whole UK

Its focus is people with severe learning disabilities. It is not a crisis service.

Cerebra

Charity for families of children with brain conditions. It offers a Sleep Advice Service, a step-by-step guide to the DLA claim form, legal and financial advice, education guides with template letters and a library.

Phone:

01267 244 200

Website:

cerebra.org.uk/get-advice-support

Covers:

the whole UK

The number is Cerebra's main contact number. To use the Sleep Advice Service, families complete an application form and two weeks of sleep diaries.

ERIC, The Children's Bowel & Bladder Charity

UK charity for children with bowel and bladder problems, including toilet training difficulties, constipation and soiling. Its freephone helpline gives information and emotional support based on NICE guidance, and its website has advice for children with additional needs.

Phone:

0808 801 0343 (Tuesday to Thursday, 10am to 1pm)

Website:

eric.org.uk/helpline

Covers:

the whole UK

Advisers cannot diagnose; see your GP or health visitor about constipation or other health worries.

Bladder & Bowel UK

UK charity with information for children, young people and families about bladder and bowel problems. It publishes national guidance on when the NHS provides continence products, such as nappies or pads, for children.

Website:

bbuk.org.uk

Covers:

the whole UK

The Sleep Charity

UK charity that runs the National Sleep Helpline, where trained sleep advisers give practical advice to parents of children aged 12 months and over, among others.

Phone:

03303 530 541 (Monday to Thursday, 9am to 11am; also Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 7pm to 9pm)

Website:

thesleepcharity.org.uk/national-sleep-helpline

Covers:

the whole UK

Closed on bank holidays. Calls cost your standard network rate. Advisers cannot give medical advice, and it is not a crisis service.

Beat

UK eating disorder charity offering information and support for people with eating disorders and for their families and carers.

Website:

beateatingdisorders.org.uk

Covers:

the whole UK

If you are worried about your child's eating, growth or weight, see your GP first.

Carers UK

UK charity for unpaid carers, including parents of disabled children. Its helpline gives information and advice on benefits, carers' assessments, rights at work and getting support, and it runs online meetups and a forum.

Phone:

0808 808 7777 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm, including bank holidays)

Website:

carersuk.org/help-and-advice/helpline-and-other-support

Covers:

the whole UK

The NHS helplines page lists 0800 808 7777; we show the number on Carers UK's own website.

Carers Trust (young carers)

UK charity that works with a network of local carer organisations, including young carer services, to support unpaid carers. Use its website to find carer support near you.

Website:

carers.org

Covers:

the whole UK

Local young carer services can support brothers and sisters who help care for a disabled sibling.

Sibs

UK charity for brothers and sisters of disabled children and adults. It has advice for parents on explaining disability to siblings, support for young siblings, and training for schools and group leaders.

Website:

sibs.org.uk

Covers:

the whole UK

National Network of Parent Carer Forums

Independent national voice for parent carer forums in England. Forums are local groups of parents and carers of disabled children and young people who work with councils, education and health services to improve local support.

Website:

nnpcf.org.uk

Covers:

England

Joining your local forum is a way to meet other parents and have a say in local services.

FamilyLine (Family Action)

Free service from the charity Family Action giving emotional support, information and guidance to adults on family life, including parenting, relationships and money worries.

Phone:

0808 802 6666 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)

Text:

Text 07537 404 282

Website:

family-action.org.uk/get-support-for-any-family-problem/familyline

Covers:

England, Wales

For callers aged 18 and over. Closed on bank holidays. Some other listings give later closing times; these hours are from Family Action's own website.

YoungMinds Parents Helpline

Free helpline and webchat from the charity YoungMinds for parents and main carers, including grandparents and kinship carers, who are worried about the mental health of a child or young person aged 25 or under. Advisers give information, advice and emotional support.

Phone:

0808 802 5544 (Monday, Thursday and Friday, 9.30am to 4pm; Tuesday and Wednesday, 9.30am to 6pm)

Website:

youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-helpline-and-webchat

Covers:

the whole UK

Webchat is open Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm. It is not a crisis service: in an emergency, call 999.

Mind

Mental health charity for England and Wales, with information about mental health, an information line and local Mind services. It can help parents and carers with their own mental health.

Website:

mind.org.uk

Covers:

England, Wales

Breathing Space (Scotland)

Free, confidential phoneline for anyone in Scotland over the age of 16 who is feeling low, anxious or depressed, including parents and carers.

Phone:

0800 83 85 87 (Monday to Thursday, 6pm to 2am; Friday 6pm to Monday 6am)

Website:

breathingspace.scot

Covers:

Scotland

Evenings and weekends only. Outside these times, call NHS 24 on 111, or Samaritans on 116 123. Call 999 if a life is at risk.

Autistica

UK autism research charity. Families can join the free Autistica Network to hear about research opportunities, which Autistica checks have ethics approval and are neurodiversity-affirming. You can join without taking part in any study.

Website:

autistica.org.uk

Covers:

the whole UK