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Legal aid is available for this type of problem

However, you may need to also qualify financially.

If you do qualify financially, you can speak to Civil Legal Advice (CLA), a national helpline for certain legal aid problems in England and Wales.

The CLA operator will check all the information you’ve given through this service.

What you need to check if you qualify financially

You and your partner (if you have one) will need:

  • recent payslips (if you’re working) and bank statements
  • a summary of your income tax and National Insurance contributions
  • details of any savings and investments you have
  • details of any benefits you receive
  • mortgage statements and a current valuation for any property you own

When you do not need to complete the financial assessment

You should contact CLA without completing the financial assessment if you are:

  • under 18
  • have capital trapped in a property you own or other money or assets that you cannot access

If you use British Sign Language (BSL)

You can choose not to complete the financial assessment online, and instead ask for a call with a BSL interpreter.

Fill in the 'contact CLA' page. Select 'BSL' under 'Communication needs'.

Check if you qualify financially

Before you start

Alternatively, you can ask a legal aid adviser to take on your case.

Your adviser will check whether you qualify for legal aid at no cost to you by asking about your problem and your finances. If you qualify, in some cases you may need to pay a contribution towards your legal aid.

Find a legal adviser

Other sources of help

You can also get advice from alternative help organisations for issues related to special educational needs and disability (SEND). You don’t have to qualify for legal aid.

  • Coram Family, Child & Education Legal Advice

    Free legal information and advice to children, their families and carers.

    Get help from experts in all areas of family, child and education law, including domestic violence, child protection, immigration and asylum and school admissions

    Coram also offers free legal representation to those who qualify for legal aid, and international consultancy on child law and children's rights.

    Website is not translated in Welsh.

    Helpline:
    0300 330 5480 (Family or Child Law), 0300 330 5485 (Education Law)
    Opening hours:
    Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm

  • Independent Provider of Special Education Advice (IPSEA)

    Free, independent advice to parents of children with special educational needs in England and Wales. Get help with:

    ¥ local authoritiesÕ legal duties to assess and provide for children with special educational needs.

    ¥ action or inaction by local authorities and schools

    ¥ exclusion or discrimination of children with special educational needs or disabilities.

    Website is not translated in Welsh.

    Helpline:
    0300 222 5899 (Tuesday - Thursday 09:30am - 14:30pm)

  • Contact

    Information and advice for families of disabled children, on any aspect of caring for a disabled child.

    Website is not translated in Welsh.

    Helpline:
    0808 808 3555
    Opening hours:
    Monday to Friday, 9.30am - 5.00pm
    Email:

  • Education Rights Service

    Free helpline provided by the National Autistic Society.

    Get advice on educational provision for parents and carers whose children have autism or Asperger syndrome.

    Website is not translated in Welsh.

  • Kidscape

    Advice, training, resources and workshops for children, their parents and schools on how to deal with bullying.

    Website is not translated in Welsh.

    Helpline:
    07496 682785 (WhatsApp), 07496 682785 (Head office)
    Opening hours:
    Monday to Tuesday 9.30am Ð 2.30pm (excluding bank holidays)
    Email:

  • Office of the Independent Adjudicator

    Information for students on making a complaint, including academic appeals, against universities and other higher education institutions.

    Welsh language translation available.

    Helpline:
    0118 959 9813
    Opening hours:
    Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm

  • SNAP Cymru

    Free, impartial advice, information and support for parents, children and young people in Wales who have, or may have, special educational needs or disabilities.

    Welsh translation is available.

    Helpline:
    0808 801 0608 (Helpline)
    Opening hours:
    Monday Ð Friday 9.30 am Ð 4.30 pm
    Email:

  • Advice Now

    Practical guides and information to help anyone deal with law-related issues in England and Wales.

    Advice Now is an independent, not-for-profit website, run by the charity Law for Life: the Foundation for Public Legal Education.

    Website is not translated in Welsh.

  • Stonewall

    Free helpline, information and guides relating to lesbian, gay and bisexual issues such as civil partnerships, hate crime, discrimination and employment.

    Welsh translation is available.

    Helpline:
    0800 050 2020
    Opening hours:
    Monday to Friday 9:30am - 4:30pm
    Email:

  • Bullying UK

    Advice, support and free confidential helpline for victims of bullying and their families.

    Get information, guidance and advice on any aspect of parenting and family life, including bullying.

    Helpline is available in Welsh. Website is not translated in Welsh.