{"id":6401,"date":"2022-04-22T12:11:26","date_gmt":"2022-04-22T11:11:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/?page_id=6401"},"modified":"2026-02-03T10:12:37","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T10:12:37","slug":"childhood-and-school","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/information-and-advice\/life-stages\/childhood-and-school\/","title":{"rendered":"Childhood and school"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t
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Every child deserves the best possible start in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this section, you’ll find information on how to support your disabled child, and how to access help from your local authority and your child’s school.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

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Supporting your child<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\n \"A\n <\/figure>\n \n
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\n \n How to support your disabled child in their early years\n <\/a>\n <\/h2>\n\n \n
\n\t\t\tThe first years of a child\u2019s life can be a steep learning curve for parents. If your child has complex needs, that curve can be even steeper.\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
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\n \"A\n <\/figure>\n \n
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\n \n How to play with your disabled child\n <\/a>\n <\/h2>\n\n \n
\n\t\t\tThis guide explains why play is so important, and gives you lots of fun ideas for ways children with complex needs can enjoy playing.\u00a0\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Support at school<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\n \"A\n <\/figure>\n \n
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\n \n SEND: Special educational needs and disabilities\n <\/a>\n <\/h2>\n\n \n
\n\t\t\tThis guide covers the support system in England for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Support from your local authority<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\n \"A\n <\/figure>\n \n
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\n \n Social care support for disabled children\n <\/a>\n <\/h2>\n\n \n
\n\t\t\tChildren and young people with complex needs can receive support from social workers based in local authorities.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
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\n \"Child\n <\/figure>\n \n
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\n \n Benefits and financial help for parents of disabled children\n <\/a>\n <\/h2>\n\n \n
\n\t\t\tThis page gives a brief overview of the financial support for parents of disabled children in the UK.\u00a0\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
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\n \"Fernando,\n <\/figure>\n \n
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\n \n What to expect from your council if you’re deafblind\n <\/a>\n <\/h2>\n\n \n
\n\t\t\tCouncils in England and Wales must follow guidance on how to provide services for children and adults who are deafblind.\u00a0\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Hobbies and wellbeing<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\n \"4\n <\/figure>\n \n
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\n \n Information about sports and physical activities for disabled people\n <\/a>\n <\/h2>\n\n \n
\n\t\t\tAccess to exercise is essential for many disabled people. This page provides information on discounts, free resources and accessible services.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
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\n \"A\n <\/figure>\n \n
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\n \n Leisure activities and days out for disabled people\n <\/a>\n <\/h2>\n\n \n
\n\t\t\tFancy going to the cinema, getting an audiobook subscription or taking a short holiday? Find out about organisations and schemes to help.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
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\n \"A\n <\/figure>\n \n
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\n \n Funding for sports and leisure activities for disabled people\n <\/a>\n <\/h2>\n\n \n
\n\t\t\tFind out more about different funding sources and schemes that help disabled people access sports and leisure.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Support for you<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\n \"Nicola\n <\/figure>\n \n
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\n \n Support for carers\n <\/a>\n <\/h2>\n\n \n
\n\t\t\tAs a carer, you have rights and it\u2019s important to know what practical, emotional and financial help is available.\u00a0\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Get support from Sense<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\n \"A\n <\/figure>\n \n
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\n \n Support for disabled children and young people\n <\/a>\n <\/h2>\n\n \n
\n\t\t\tWe offer free support for disabled children and young people to give them the best possible start in life.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
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\n \"A\n <\/figure>\n \n
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\n \n MSI specialists for deafblind children and young people\n <\/a>\n <\/h2>\n\n \n
\n\t\t\tOur multi-sensory impairment specialists offer advice and support for anyone up to the age of 25.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
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\n \"A\n <\/figure>\n \n
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\n \n Early intervention for disabled children\n <\/a>\n <\/h2>\n\n \n
\n\t\t\tOur free play service helps disabled children up to 8 years old and their families communicate, develop and connect.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n