Network 81

1-7 Woodfield Terrace
Chapel Hill
Stansted
Essex
CM24 8AJ

Tel (helpline): 0845 077 4055
Web: www.network81.org
Best time to telephone: 10am - 1pm, Monday - Friday

Network 81 is a registered charity and umbrella organisation of parent support groups. The organisation was established to advance the education of children with special educational needs. Network 81's features are as follows.

• Concern for children with special educational needs.
• Focus on the legislation affecting the educational provision for children.
• Vision of inclusive schools, properly resourced to meet the curricular needs of all children and recognising the human right of all children to be pupils amongst their peers, whilst being educated according to their needs.

Network 81 aims are as follows:

• To advance the education of children with special needs.
• To educate the parents of such children about all matters relating to the education of their children.
• To link up and support, groups and individual parents of children with special educational needs.
• To raise awareness and publicize good practice in integration.
• To encourage parents to take their rightful place in the education policy-making process, including equal access to information.
• To promote parent-professional partnership.

Network 81's services include the following.

• A national helpline (details as above) offering advice on all matters relating to Special Educational Needs assessment and statements procedures.
• Befrienders who can support parents at meetings and through the assessment procedures and who are trained in the understanding of the Code of Practice and Education law relating to it.
• A termly newsletter keeping members up to date with changing legislation and news relating to special education.
• Publications including Parents Guide: How to get support for your child with special educational needs.
• Conferences - an annual national conference and assistance to groups in planning local conferences and workshops.
• Training courses for parents and professionals.