Education
About SDIG Feedback Homepage     Advice Services Benefits & Money Carers Children Council & Government Depts Day to Day Living Education Employment Health Services Holidays Housing Key Helplines Key Voluntary Organisations Leisure Services Other Voluntary Organisations Places To Go Social Clubs Sports Transport & Travel	Advisory Centre for Education Basic Education Connexions Suffolk Correspondence Courses Further Education Getting to School Higher Education Home Teaching School Leavers Assessment School Nursing Skill (National Bureau for Students with Disabilities) Special Needs ADVISORY CENTRE FOR EDUCATION Advice and information for parents on all aspects of the education service. Open Monday - Friday: 2.00pm - 5.00pm. Freephone: 0808 800 5793. Website: www.ace-ed.org.uk BASIC EDUCATION All children up to 16 years old have a right to suitable education. The authorities may make an assessment of the child's needs (parents can also request this) before they decide upon a mainstream school or one where special needs are met. For more details contact your Local Education Authority. Pupils with a Statement of Special Educational Needs from the LEA have a right to educational provision up to the age of 19 if they remain at school. CONNEXIONS SUFFOLK Special Needs Personal Advisers provides help for students with disabilities or disadvantages such as emotional problems or learning difficulties. To reach a special needs personal advisor please contact your nearest Connexions Centre: 43 St Andrews St, South, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3PH Tel: 01284 768493 Infobar, 37-43 Fore St, Ipswich, IP4 1JL. Tel: 01473 314800 Opportunity House, 35-37 London Rd, Lowestoft, NR32 1BH. Tel: 01502 508680 CORRESPONDENCE COURSES Contact your Local Education Authority, which may help with some costs or the Student Enquiry Service, The Open University, PO Box 197, Milton Keynes, MK7 6BJ Tel: 0845 300 6090 Website: www.open.ac.uk FURTHER EDUCATION Many colleges accept disabled students on mainstream courses. Some also provide a Bridging Course designed to fill any education gaps caused by ill health. Special courses are also designed to encourage independent living, sometimes including Home Management and Personal Leisure. GETTING TO SCHOOL Transport is provided for children with disabilities to attend school. Transport help for further education may be available. Contact your Local Education Authority. HIGHER EDUCATION Students with a disability over the age of 19 years are able to access mainstream further education. Most universities and colleges have special arrangements in place or can make arrangements to suit. For further details contact the Student Support Office. For information on what grants or loans may be available in Suffolk Tel: 01473 584600 HOME TEACHING Portage Services provide a home teaching service for pre-school children with special needs. See Home Teaching section under Children SCHOOL LEAVERS ASSESSMENT Children with a disability may be entitled to an assessment of their future needs by Children and Young People’s Service prior to their leaving school. The aim is to smooth the transition from school to adult life. The Education Department refers children with disabilities to Children and Young People’s Service from the age of 14. Parents can contact the Children and Young People's Service for advice. SCHOOL NURSING School Nurses promote and monitor children's health, working in partnership with children, their parents and carers. They can be contacted through your child's school. SKILL Support for students with disabilities providing information on any aspect of education and transition into employment. Chapter House, 18-20 Crucifix Lane, London, SE1 3JW. Tel: 0800 328 5050. Website:  www.skill.org.uk SPECIAL NEEDS Independent panel for special education advice, 6 Carlow Mews, Woodbridge, IP12 1EA. Helpline: 0800 018 4016 Website:  www.ipsea.org.uk
	Last Updated 23rd August 2007 - SDIG