If your child or young person finds school, learning, communication or everyday life harder than other children their age, you may be wondering where to start. SEND stands for special educational needs and disabilities. You do not need a diagnosis to ask for help, and there are free, independent people in Lincolnshire whose job is to explain your options.
This page explains where to turn in and around Louth: who to talk to first, how to ask for an assessment, where to find other parents, and what help is on offer for families.
Where to Start
If your child is at school, talk to the school's SENCo (special educational needs coordinator). Every school has one. Lincolnshire County Council says this is the person to contact if you think your child needs support, and they will talk to you about your child's needs and any other professionals involved. Most children with SEND have their needs met at their school through what is called SEN support, which can include a special learning programme, extra help from a teacher or assistant, working in a smaller group, or help to communicate with other children.
The council's Where to start with SEND pages explain SEND for children under five, at school, and after 16, and its family services directory lists services and groups for children and young people.
Free, Independent Advice From Liaise
Liaise is Lincolnshire's special educational needs and disability information, advice and support service. It gives confidential, impartial information, advice and support to children and young people aged 0 to 25 with SEN and disabilities, and to their parents and carers. Its staff work at arm's length from the local authority and health services, and are trained in SEN and disability law.
- Phone: 0800 195 1635. The advice line is open 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.
- Online: fill in the contact form on the Liaise website.
Asking for an EHC Needs Assessment
If your child is not making enough progress with the support they get, you can ask the council for an Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment. This can lead to an EHC plan, a legal document setting out the support your child needs.
- Who can ask: in Lincolnshire, the child's parent, a young person over 16 and under 25, or a school or college (with the parent's or young person's agreement where possible).
- You do not need a medical diagnosis to ask for an assessment.
- How: use the Lincolnshire EHC Hub. You do not need log-in details to make a request: click "request needs assessment" on the log-in screen. If you cannot use the Hub, ring SEND business support on 01522 553332.
- How long it takes: the council says a panel will decide whether an assessment is needed and let you know within six weeks. GOV.UK says the council should give you a final EHC plan within 20 weeks of getting your request.
- If the council says no: GOV.UK says you can challenge a decision not to carry out an assessment and, if you cannot resolve it with the council, take it to the SEND Tribunal. Liaise can explain your options.
Other Parents
The Lincolnshire Parent Carer Forum is an independent charity, run by trustees and volunteers who are mostly parent carers themselves. Membership is free and includes a parent-only Facebook support group, coffee mornings and Zoom sessions, workshops, signposting to services and wellbeing support. It also offers a free Max Card, a discount card for families with children with SEND. Contact: admin@lincspcf.org.uk. See lincspcf.org.uk.
The charity Contact runs a free helpline for parents and carers of disabled children aged from birth to 25, anywhere in the UK, on 0808 808 3555. See contact.org.uk.
Help for Families
- Louth Children's Centre: free services for families from pregnancy to age five, including early years sessions, antenatal education and baby massage. It is at Eastfield Infants and Lacey Gardens Primary Schools, Lacey Gardens, Louth, LN11 8DQ. Open Monday to Thursday, 8.30am to 4.30pm, and Friday, 8.30am to 4pm. Ring 01507 607087 or email louthchildrenscentre@lincolnshire.gov.uk. See the centre's page for current timetables.
- The 4All register: a voluntary register of children and young people aged 0 to 19 with disabilities or additional needs, which helps the council plan for their needs. You do not need to be on it to receive social care services. Ring the Family Information Service on 0800 195 1635 or email 4all@lincolnshire.gov.uk. See Join the children's disability register.
- Disability Living Allowance for children: GOV.UK says this may help with the extra costs of looking after a child under 16 who has difficulties walking or needs much more looking after than a child of the same age without a disability. Check who can get it and how to claim on GOV.UK.
If money is tight, see Money and debt advice. If you are looking after a child, partner or relative day to day, see Carers and dementia.
More Help
Caring for a child with extra needs can be tiring and lonely. If you need to talk to someone, see Somewhere to talk, or Need help now? if it feels too much today.
Details checked 28th October 2026.