1. Contact a Family Family Support Services

2. Who we are Contact a Family provides support, advice and information for families with disabled children, no matter what their condition or disability. Contact a Family became a registered charity in 1979 and we have over 30 years of experience of working with families with disabled children.

3. Our Vision Contact a Family's vision is that all families with disabled children are empowered to live the lives they choose to live, and achieve their full potential, for themselves, for the communities they live in and for society. Contact a Family's mission and purpose is to remove the barriers imposed by society which prevent families with disabled children achieving their full potential, and to empower these families to live the lives they want to lead.

4. What do we provide A multi-channelled service Two telephone advice lines one for general enquiries and one for SEN enquiries. A call-back service, particularly for in-depth advice and complex queries We offer online information, advice and support through our two websites, cafamily.org.uk and Making Contact We answer enquiries via email, Facebook and Twitter

5. Publications A wide range of publications including newsletters, parent guides and research reports, helping parents and professionals to stay informed. Translations The helpline has access to interpreters in over 170 languages

6. We offer a fully integrated service, with three distinct levels of support: Information Advice and guidance Intensive support All of our platforms can offer each level of support, so families can access the levels and type of support that they want, in a method they feel is appropriate for them.

7. Issues we help families with Our general advice line can help with: benefits or tax credits issues details of local parents support groups information about your child's condition how to access help with getting a break from caring details of charities which give grants to families with disabled children advice and information on any other aspect of caring for a disabled child We also signpost and link parents across all these areas.

8. The new SEN National Advice Service This service will cover comprehensive advice on a broad range of issues related to special educational needs in any education setting, including: Early years/portage School Action and Action Plus Individual Education Plans (IEPs) Statutory Assessments Statements Transition Planning 139A assessments and post-16 provision Home education Bullying Exclusions School transport 16 – 19 Bursary Fund

9. Developing the service A range of products (online and hard copy) will be produced that will be made fully accessible to the range of communities that we support. The SEN service will have a strong information and news element..A dedicated web presence will include basic information and resources for families, and signpost to the more involved advice and support available within the service. We will use a broad suite of channels for this, including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, There will be a strong interactive element to the whole service.

10. How to contact our service Helpline Service Tel: 0808 808 3555 e-mail: helpline@cafamily.org.ukhelpline@cafamily.org.uk Website: www.cafamily.org.uk Face book www.facebook.com/contactafamily www.facebook.com/contactafamily