Families are often told to “ask for help” without being told who to ask, what each service can do or which route is appropriate.
This guide brings the main education, health, autism, SEND, parent-carer, financial, safeguarding and crisis-support routes into one place.
Support should respond to the person's individual needs, communication, strengths, barriers and circumstances rather than assumptions about autism.
You do not always need a confirmed autism diagnosis before educational support, reasonable adjustments or family advice can begin.
1. Start Here — What Kind of Help Do You Need?
Different problems need different support. Start with the most urgent issue.
School Support
- Teacher
- SENCO
- Pastoral team
- Headteacher
SEND Rights
- SENDIASS / IASS
- IPSEA
- Local Offer
- SEND Tribunal information
Health / Autism
- GP
- Local autism team
- NHS services
- National autism charities
Mental Health
- GP
- Local children’s mental-health service
- YoungMinds
- NHS 111 for urgent help
Money / Caring
- DLA
- Carer’s Allowance
- Family Fund
- Carer support
Safety / Crisis
- School safeguarding lead
- Children’s social care
- Police
- 999 for immediate danger
Identify the most urgent issue first, then use the service that fits that problem.
2. Quick Support Finder
Use this as a starting point; exact routes can vary by area and circumstances.
| If you need help with… | Good first contact | Other useful support |
|---|---|---|
| School SEN Support | SENCO | SENDIASS / IPSEA |
| Reasonable adjustments | School / college | SENDIASS / EASS / IPSEA |
| EHCP assessment or appeal | Local authority / mediation adviser | SENDIASS / IPSEA / SEND Tribunal |
| Autism information | NHS / local autism team | National Autistic Society / Autism Central |
| Mental health | GP / local CYP mental-health service | YoungMinds / NHS 111 if urgent |
| Bullying | School | Anti-Bullying Alliance / Childline |
| Benefits | GOV.UK / Contact | Carers UK / Family Fund |
| Safeguarding | School DSL / children’s social care | Police if needed |
| Immediate danger | 999 / A&E | NHS urgent services |
3. Your School or College
Many difficulties can be addressed fastest when the right person in the setting is involved.
Class Teacher / Tutor
Useful for learning, homework, classroom routines and day-to-day difficulties.
SENCO
Key contact for SEN Support, provision, reasonable adjustments, specialist advice and reviews.
Pastoral / Safeguarding
Useful for attendance, bullying, wellbeing, safety and child-protection concerns.
After a meeting, record what was agreed, who will do it and when it will be reviewed.
4. SENDIASS / IASS — Free Local SEND Advice
Every local area has an Information, Advice and Support Service for SEND.
Free
Services provide information, advice and support without charging families.
Impartial
They help children, young people and families understand options and rights.
Local
Your service understands the local authority, Local Offer and nearby SEND services.
5. Your Council SEND Local Offer
The Local Offer brings together education, health and social-care information for children and young people with SEND in your area.
Education
SEN Support, schools, specialist provision, transport and EHCP information.
Health
Therapies, health services and local pathways may be listed.
Family / Community
Activities, short breaks, parent groups and preparing-for-adulthood support may be included.
6. Experts at Hand — New 2026 Mainstream Support
England is rolling out the Experts at Hand approach to strengthen earlier specialist support in mainstream education.
Specialist Advice
The model aims to give mainstream settings better access to specialist advice and coaching.
Earlier Support
The 2026 guidance focuses on earlier identification and timely evidence-based support.
Local Delivery
Local authorities and integrated care boards are developing locally tailored arrangements during 2026–27.
Ask your school or Local Offer what Experts at Hand support is available locally.
7. NHS Autism Help and Support
NHS guidance signposts autistic people and families to health, council, education, local support and national charities.
GP / Autism Team
A GP or local autism team can help with health concerns and relevant local pathways.
School / College
Education settings can support learning, adjustments and participation.
Local Services / Charities
Local and national organisations can provide information, peer support and signposting.
8. National Autistic Society
The National Autistic Society provides autism information, guidance, directories, branches and support resources.
Advice & Guidance
Topics include diagnosis, communication, sensory differences, mental health, education, benefits and money.
Services Directory
Search for autism-related services and support.
Local Branches
Volunteer-led branches can offer information, activities and community support in some areas.
9. Autism Central
Autism Central is a national support and education programme for parents and carers of autistic people.
Parent / Carer Support
Designed to help families understand autism and navigate support.
Peer Support
Support can include learning from people with relevant lived experience.
Practical Information
Useful alongside NHS, SENDIASS and school support rather than instead of statutory services.
10. Other Autism Organisations
NHS also signposts charities supporting autistic children, young people and families.
Ambitious about Autism
Information and support focused on autistic children and young people and their families.
Child Autism UK
Information and a helpline for parents, carers and teachers of autistic children.
Local Groups
Search your Local Offer or autism-service directory for support near you.
11. Contact — Support for Parent Carers
Contact supports parents and carers of disabled children and young people up to age 25, and a diagnosis is not required to use its helpline.
Advice Helpline
Information and advice about disability, services, benefits and family support.
Listening Ear
Contact also offers emotional support appointments for parent carers.
Workshops / Events
Families can access information sessions and opportunities to connect with others.
12. IPSEA — SEND Law Information
IPSEA provides independent information and support about SEND law in England.
SEN Support
Information about school duties and the graduated approach.
EHCPs
Resources on assessments, plans, annual reviews and provision.
Tribunal
Information about appeals and disability-discrimination claims.
13. Equality Advisory Support Service
EASS provides information about discrimination and Equality Act rights.
Disability
Useful where a pupil may have been treated unlawfully because of disability.
Reasonable Adjustments
Can help people understand Equality Act concepts and routes.
Victimisation / Harassment
Can provide information where protected equality rights may be involved.
14. Child Law Advice
Child Law Advice provides free legal information about education and family-law topics.
Schooling
Useful for understanding education law and school-related issues.
Admissions / Exclusions
Information can help families understand available legal routes.
SEND
Can complement specialist SEND information where broader education law is involved.
15. Mental Health — Where to Start
Autistic children and young people can experience mental-health difficulties that deserve proper assessment and support.
GP
A GP can discuss symptoms, physical health and local mental-health services.
School
Pastoral staff, SENCOs, school nurses and Mental Health Support Teams may be able to help.
Local CYP Mental-Health Service
Referral arrangements vary by area and some services accept self-referrals.
16. YoungMinds Parents Helpline
YoungMinds supports parents and main carers who are worried about a child or young person's mental health.
Phone
Free Parents Helpline: 0808 802 5544.
Online
YoungMinds also offers online chat and email routes during its published service times.
Signposting
Advisers can help parents understand possible next steps and where to seek support.
17. Urgent Mental-Health Help
Use urgent routes when support cannot safely wait.
Immediate Danger
If someone is in danger, call 999 or go to A&E.
Urgent Mental-Health Help
Use NHS 111 online or call 111 for urgent mental-health help that is not an immediate life-threatening emergency.
Ongoing Support
Contact the GP or local mental-health service for continuing assessment and treatment needs.
18. Childline and Samaritans
Listening services can provide confidential emotional support.
Childline
Children and young people can call 0800 1111 free or use Childline's online support.
Samaritans
Call 116 123 free, day or night, for confidential listening support.
Emergency
Listening services do not replace 999 or A&E where there is immediate danger.
19. Bullying Support
Bullying can affect safety, attendance, mental health and access to education.
School
Report incidents, ask for immediate safety measures and request written follow-up.
Childline
Young people can get confidential support about bullying and online bullying.
Anti-Bullying Alliance
Provides practical information, including SEND and disability-related bullying resources.
20. Safeguarding Support
Serious harm, abuse, exploitation or immediate safety concerns require safeguarding action.
School DSL
Use the school's Designated Safeguarding Lead or deputy.
Children's Social Care
Contact the local council if a child may be at risk of harm.
Police
Use 999 for immediate danger and the appropriate non-emergency police route otherwise.
21. School Complaints and Escalation
If school support remains unresolved, use the correct complaint or appeal route.
School Complaint
Useful for communication, policy, SEN Support and day-to-day school-service failures.
DfE / Ofsted
These bodies have different and limited roles after school-level complaints.
Tribunal / Ombudsman
EHCP appeals, discrimination and some council failures have specialist routes.
22. SEND Tribunal Help
The SEND Tribunal deals with appealable EHC decisions and many school disability-discrimination claims.
Appeal Information
GOV.UK explains the appeal process and forms.
Mediation Adviser
Most EHC appeals require contact with a mediation adviser before lodging the appeal.
Advice
SENDIASS and IPSEA can help families understand the process and evidence.
23. Keep a Clear Evidence Record
A simple, organised record can make support, complaint and appeal routes much easier.
Plans
Keep SEN Support plans, EHCPs, risk plans and adjustment plans.
Communication
Save emails, letters and meeting notes.
Impact
Record attendance, incidents, progress, mental health and what changed after support was tried.
24. Disability Living Allowance for Children
DLA can help with extra costs where a child under 16 has qualifying care or mobility needs.
Not Diagnosis-Only
Eligibility depends on care and mobility needs compared with a child of the same age, not simply the diagnostic label.
Care
The care component looks at extra looking-after, help or supervision needs.
Mobility
The mobility component looks at qualifying difficulties getting around, with age rules for different rates.
Check the current claim rules on GOV.UK.
25. When a Young Person Turns 16
In England and Wales, a child receiving DLA will normally be invited to claim PIP when they turn 16.
Invitation
DWP sends information explaining when the young person should claim PIP.
Do Not Miss the Date
DLA can stop if the PIP claim is not made by the date specified in the letter.
Appointee
If the young person cannot manage their own benefit affairs, an appointee arrangement may be possible.
26. Carer's Allowance
Some people providing substantial care may qualify for Carer's Allowance if all current eligibility rules are met.
Care Time
You normally need to provide at least 35 hours of care each week.
Qualifying Benefit
The person you care for must receive one of the qualifying disability benefits listed by GOV.UK.
Other Rules
Earnings, education, residence and other conditions also apply.
Check the full current rules before claiming.
27. Carers UK
Carers UK provides information about finances, assessments, practical support, wellbeing and carers' rights.
Money
Information on Carer's Allowance, benefits and household costs.
Practical Support
Guidance on carer's assessments, arranging care and taking breaks.
Wellbeing
Resources on sleep, looking after yourself and connecting with other carers.
28. Family Fund Grants
Family Fund provides grants to eligible low-income families raising disabled or seriously ill children or young people.
Eligibility
Family Fund looks at household circumstances and the level of additional support needed.
Evidence
Applications may need recent benefit, school or professional evidence.
Grant Items
Current programmes may support practical items such as household goods, clothing, equipment, technology or family activities.
Availability and eligibility can change, so check the live scheme.
29. Short Breaks, Respite and Carer's Assessments
Local councils may be able to provide or arrange support for carers and disabled children.
Carer's Assessment
Adult carers can ask the council about an assessment of their own support needs.
Short Breaks
Local areas may provide short-break or respite services subject to assessment and local criteria.
Local Offer
Children's SEND short-break schemes are often listed in the Local Offer.
30. School Transport and Travel Support
Travel can become a major barrier for some autistic pupils.
Home-to-School Travel
Local authorities have statutory travel duties in specified circumstances.
SEND Local Offer
Local transport policies and application routes should be available through the council.
Evidence
Explain mobility, safety, sensory, communication and supervision needs rather than relying only on diagnosis.
31. EHCP Personal Budgets
Some children and young people with an EHCP may be able to request a personal budget.
Direct Payment
In some circumstances money can be paid directly so agreed services can be arranged.
Notional Arrangement
The authority or school may hold the budget while the family has involvement in how it is used.
Third Party
A separate organisation may manage some arrangements.
32. Preparing for Adulthood
Support planning should increasingly consider life after school as a young person gets older.
Education / Training
College, training and supported learning options may need early planning.
Independence
Travel, communication, daily living and community participation may need support.
Health / Benefits
Adult health routes, PIP and benefit-management arrangements may need planning before transition points.
33. Support Without a Diagnosis
Many types of educational and family support do not require a confirmed autism diagnosis.
SEN Support
Schools should respond to identified special educational needs.
Reasonable Adjustments
Equality Act duties depend on the legal disability test and disadvantage, not a particular diagnostic report.
Contact Helpline
Contact says its helpline supports families where a child has disability or additional needs and a diagnosis is not required.
34. How to Ask for Help
Clear requests make it easier for services to understand what is needed.
35. What to Take to a Support Meeting
A small organised pack is often more useful than a large unsorted folder.
One-Page Summary
Key needs, strengths, current problems and the outcome you want.
Best Evidence
Most relevant reports, plans, attendance data or incident information.
Questions
Write down the questions you need answered before the meeting.
36. Be Careful With Paid 'Guaranteed' Help
Families under pressure can be vulnerable to expensive services promising certainty.
Check Qualifications
Ask what professional qualification or regulated status the adviser actually has.
Check Fees
Ask for the full price and cancellation terms before paying.
No Guaranteed Outcome
Be cautious if somebody claims they can guarantee an EHCP, Tribunal win, diagnosis or benefit award.
37. Keep Important Numbers and Links Together
A small emergency and support list can save time when somebody is distressed.
School
SENCO, pastoral lead, safeguarding lead and school office.
Health
GP, local mental-health service and NHS 111.
Emergency / Listening
999, Childline 0800 1111 and Samaritans 116 123.
38. Review Whether Support Is Working
Getting a referral or plan is not the end of the process.
Access
Can the child actually use the support?
Outcome
Has attendance, learning, communication, safety or wellbeing improved?
Next Step
If not, what needs changing, escalating or reassessing?
39. Useful Independent and Official Support Directory
These are useful starting points for families in England.
40. Official Government and NHS Sources
Use these pages to check current legal, health and financial rules.
Key Message
There is no single service that does everything for an autistic child or family.
For school support, start with the teacher, SENCO or appropriate pastoral lead.
For independent SEND information, use your local SENDIASS / IASS and specialist organisations such as IPSEA.
Use the council SEND Local Offer to find local education, health, care, activity and family-support services.
NHS autism guidance signposts families to GPs, autism teams, councils, education settings, local services and national charities.
Contact supports parent carers even where there is not yet a diagnosis, and Autism Central provides support and education for parents and carers.
Where mental health is deteriorating, seek appropriate health support rather than assuming it is simply autism.
For urgent mental-health help, use NHS 111. If somebody is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E.
DLA, Carer's Allowance and Family Fund may help some eligible families with the financial impact of disability and caring, but each has its own current criteria.
Complaints, SEND Tribunal appeals, safeguarding referrals and data-protection complaints are different routes. Use the one that matches the problem.
Most importantly, asking for help early can prevent a manageable problem becoming a crisis.
Right First Time UK — Information Notice
Right First Time UK provides general public information, awareness resources and signposting.
We are not the NHS, a school, local authority, autism diagnostic service, benefits authority, safeguarding authority, SEND Tribunal, charity helpline, law firm or regulated legal advice provider.
Eligibility, availability and service criteria can change. Check the linked organisation's current information before relying on a service, grant, benefit or deadline.
This guide primarily relates to England, although some UK-wide charities and helplines are included.
Information checked against current NHS, GOV.UK, Council for Disabled Children, charity and support-service information. Updated 12 September 2026.