Easy, speedy special needs advice: AskACE!
Wednesday, May 7th, 20087th May 2008
UK
From today, 7th May 2008, AskACE, the free, independent text advice service available from The Advisory Centre for Education (ACE), and funded through the DCSF Parent Know How Initiative, will provide advice to parents on Special Educational Needs (SEN) issues. This is in addition to the advice it already provides on school admissions and appeals.
Families should text the phrase ‘AskACE‘ to 68808 for advice on issues such as statementing. The service, including all texts, is free.
Simon Hepburn, Chief Executive of the Advisory Centre for Education, said:
“Special educational needs affect around 1.5 million children in England. That includes children with physical disabilities, learning difficulties such as dyslexia, developmental disabilities such as autism, learning disabilities and children with emotional and behavioural problems. Coping can be difficult for families and parents can feel isolated. AskACE exists to provide answers to the many questions they have about education. Parents can access a tailored information pack, tips by text and answers to their own particular questions. Just AskACE! ”
The Advisory Centre for Education has provided free, independent advice to families on a full range of educational issues for over 45 years.
A parent who has used the AskACE service said:
“The Advisory Centre for Education is excellent. The people there are very kind and understanding, they know what they are talking about. If it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t have taken this horrible situation further.”
From 2nd June 2008 the AskACE service will provide information on the full range of education issues including exclusions and bullying.
To access the free, independent AskACE service text ‘AskACE’ to 68808
For further information on The Advisory Centre for Education please visit www.ace-ed.org.uk
For further information and interviews please contact Jenny Robottom on 0207 704 3386 / 07813 610 965 or email jenny.robottom@ace-ed.org.uk
Alternatively please contact Beverley Russell on 0207 704 3371 or email Beverley.russell@ace-ed.org.uk
Notes to editors
- The Ask ACE service is delivered with technology partner Cy-nap Ltd, using its secure online txttools available at http://www.txttools.co.uk
- 1.5 million children in the England figure taken from DCSF Special Educational Needs in England, January 2007 report
The Advisory Centre for Education (ACE) is an independent advice centre for parents of children aged 5 – 16 in state funded education. ACE aims to provide the information, support and high quality legal advice that parents need to help their children at school, particularly when there are problems.
ACE’s perspective is informed by the nearly 7,500 calls received on our telephone advice lines in 2006 – 2007. We deliver training to educational professionals including admissions staff and appeal panel members and personnel. ACE produces a wide range of publications and has an influential membership scheme. Founded in 1960, ACE is a registered charity.
