Frequently Asked Questions

SenHaven is a free UK directory built for families raising children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). We list sensory-friendly places to visit, SEN-friendly services like haircuts and beauty appointments, local offers, and plain-English parent guides on EHCPs, DLA and school support. Everything is free to use, with no sign-up required for browsing. The goal is simple: help SEN families spend less time researching and more time enjoying days out, knowing what to expect before they arrive.

SenHaven is run by a SEN parent, not a council or charity, and yes — it is completely free for families. There is no paywall, no subscription, and no login needed to browse places, services, or guides. We do not sell your data. The site is funded personally and through optional partnerships with verified SEN-friendly businesses. If you would like to support it, the most helpful thing is sharing it with other parents and contributing reviews or place suggestions.

We only publish what we can confirm. Place details like address, opening hours and photos come from Google. SEN-specific information — noise level, quiet hours, sensory rooms, staff training, parking — is verified by us, the venue, or community contributions from parents who have visited. Unverified fields are left blank rather than guessed. Wrong SEN information is worse than none, so we would rather show you less than give you something inaccurate. Spotted something out of date? Use the report button on the place page.

You can suggest a venue or service via our contact form, and we will check it before adding it to the directory. We particularly welcome suggestions from parents who have personally visited a place with their SEN child — that real-world experience is the most valuable data we have. If you run a SEN-friendly business and want to be listed, contact us with details of what makes your venue accessible. There is no charge for a basic listing.

No — SenHaven is UK-wide. We started in Milton Keynes because it is where the founder lives, so coverage is densest there, but we are actively adding places, services, and offers across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. If your area looks thin, that just means we have not reached it yet. Suggesting local venues is the fastest way to help us grow coverage where you live.

Sensory-friendly means a place has thought about how its environment affects people who experience sound, light, smell, or crowds more intensely — including many autistic children and children with sensory processing differences. In practice this can mean lowered music, dimmable lights, quiet rooms, less crowded sessions, fenced outdoor areas, predictable routines, or staff trained to support neurodivergent visitors. There is no single legal definition, so we list the specific features each venue offers rather than using vague labels.

Browse our places directory, filter by distance from your postcode, and use the noise level and accessibility filters to narrow it down. You can also exclude features that do not work for your child — for example hiding loud venues or places without fenced perimeters. Each place page shows what to expect: noise, parking, changing facilities, and whether staff have SEN awareness. Start with our places page and adjust the filters to match your child.

A quiet session is a dedicated time when a venue lowers music, dims lights, limits numbers, and welcomes children who find busy environments overwhelming. They are usually run for autistic children and SEND families, often early mornings or weekday afternoons. Sessions vary — some are SEN-only, others are simply calmer versions of normal opening. Always check directly with the venue before travelling, as schedules change. Our activities page lists known SEN-friendly sessions across the UK.

Yes — most major UK cinema chains run autism-friendly screenings, typically once a month. Lights stay partially on, sound is lower, there are no trailers or adverts, and children are free to move around or make noise. Vue, Odeon, Cineworld, and Showcase all run them, though availability varies by location. Check each chain's website for "autism-friendly" or "sensory-friendly" listings. Many parents also use the CEA Card, which gives a free ticket for a carer accompanying a disabled child.

Useful features include a fenced or enclosed perimeter (so a child who runs is safer), a clear single entry/exit, a quiet area or sensory room, low background music, capped numbers, accessible toilets, and ideally a Changing Places facility for older children. Staff awareness matters too — friendly staff who understand meltdowns make a huge difference. Each place listing on SenHaven shows these features individually so you can decide what is essential for your child.

Look for barbers and hairdressers who advertise SEN experience, offer appointments outside busy hours, allow you to bring sensory aids, and are happy to work in stages over multiple visits if needed. Some will cut hair while a child sits on a parent's lap, watches a tablet, or even in the car park. Browse our SEN services directory and filter for "sensory-friendly" or "SEN-experienced" providers. Calling ahead to explain your child's needs is always worthwhile.

Yes, though availability varies. Most areas have a Community Dental Service that accepts referrals from your GP or usual dentist for children who cannot tolerate routine NHS appointments. Some private practices also specialise in nervous and neurodivergent patients. Ask your GP or health visitor for a referral, or speak to your council's SEND local offer team. Where we know of SEN-experienced dentists, they are listed in our services directory.

Some photographers specialise in working with neurodivergent and disabled children — offering longer sessions, quieter studios, no flash, breaks, and the freedom for a child to move around. They will not push posed shots if your child is not comfortable. Search our services page for SEN-experienced photographers in your area, or look for photographers who mention "sensory-friendly" or "neurodivergent families" on their own websites.

A growing number do. SEN-friendly beauty appointments — for parents or for older SEN children and teens — usually mean a quiet room, no loud music, longer appointment slots, and staff who understand sensory needs. This matters both for SEN parents who rarely get downtime and for autistic teenagers wanting their first manicure or brow appointment. Check our services directory for salons that have been flagged as sensory-friendly or SEN-experienced.

Look for specific language rather than vague claims. "We are autism-aware" is less informative than "we offer 90-minute appointments, no waiting room time, dimmable lights, and we work in short stages if needed". Ask whether staff have done any SEN training, whether you can do a free pre-visit, and how they handle a child who needs to stop. Trustworthy providers welcome these questions. SenHaven flags providers that have specifically confirmed SEN training or experience.

An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is a legally binding document for children in England aged 0–25 whose needs cannot be met by the support a school usually provides. It sets out the child's needs, the support they must receive, and the placement. Not every SEN child needs one — many are well supported through SEN Support in school. If you are unsure, our "Should I Request an EHCP?" tool walks you through eight questions to help you think it through.

Either a parent or the school can ask the local authority for a needs assessment. The request goes in writing to the SEND team at your council, explaining why you believe your child's needs may require an EHCP. The council has six weeks to decide whether to assess. Free, impartial advice is available from your local SENDIASS service and from charities like IPSEA. Our EHCP entitlements guide explains what to include in your request.

If the council declines to assess, you have the right to appeal to the SEND Tribunal — a free, independent process. Most appeals that reach tribunal are decided in the family's favour, particularly where parents have gathered clear evidence from school, health professionals, and any private assessments. Before appealing, it is worth requesting mediation, which is often quicker. SENDIASS can support you for free at every stage. Our EHCP guides explain the steps in plain English.

A private educational psychologist assessment for a school-aged child typically costs between £500 and £1,500 in the UK, depending on the complexity and the report. It is not required for an EHCP application but can strengthen a case, especially where school evidence is limited. Some families find one helpful when challenging a refusal to assess. Our private ed psych guide explains when it is worth considering, what to look for, and how to use the report.

EHCPs can continue until a young person turns 25, provided they remain in education or training. At 16, decision-making rights gradually shift toward the young person if they have capacity. At 18, they become an adult in law and the plan is theirs, not their parents'. At 25, the EHCP ends and adult social care takes over. Our "EHCP at 18 and 25" guide explains what changes at each stage and how to plan ahead.

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a non-means-tested UK benefit for children under 16 who need substantially more care, supervision, or mobility support than other children their age. Many autistic children qualify, even without a formal diagnosis, if their day-to-day needs are clearly greater. It is not based on the diagnosis itself but on the support your child needs. Our DLA complete guide walks through eligibility, the form, current rates, and where to get free help.

The DLA form is long — around 40 pages — and the key is to describe your child's worst days, not their best. Give detailed, specific examples of the extra help you give compared to a typical child of the same age. Free help is available from Contact, Cerebra, Citizens Advice, and your local Carers Centre. Cerebra publishes a well-regarded free guide. Our DLA guide summarises the process and links to these free support services.

At 16, DLA stops and your child must apply for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) instead. The DWP will write to you a few months before the 16th birthday with instructions. PIP uses different criteria and includes a face-to-face or telephone assessment, which can feel daunting. Payments continue while the claim is being processed. Our DLA-to-PIP transition guide explains the timeline, the assessment, and how to challenge a decision if needed.

Receiving DLA can unlock other support: Carer's Allowance for the parent providing care, Blue Badge, Motability scheme, free or discounted carer entry at attractions, the CEA Cinema Card, Disabled Persons Railcard, council tax reductions in some cases, and grants from charities like Family Fund and Cerebra. Our SEN discounts guide lists every UK discount, grant, and concession we know of, with eligibility details for each.

DLA is tax-free and does not count as income for most means-tested benefits — it is intended to cover the extra costs of disability. Carer's Allowance, however, is taxable and counts as income for some other benefits, so it can affect Universal Credit calculations. Always check with a benefits adviser or use a free benefits calculator before making decisions. Citizens Advice and Turn2us both run free, confidential benefit checks online.

Under the Equality Act 2010, schools must make reasonable adjustments so disabled children are not put at a substantial disadvantage. This can include sensory breaks, ear defenders, movement breaks, modified uniform, alternative arrangements at lunch, exam access arrangements, visual timetables, and many more. Adjustments should be specific to the child, not one-size-fits-all. Our 50 Reasonable Adjustments guide gives you a practical, evidence-based list to discuss with your child's SENCO.

School refusal in SEN children is often a sign that something at school is not working — sensory overload, anxiety, unmet needs, or bullying. Start by talking to the SENCO calmly and asking what support is in place. Your GP can help if anxiety is significant, and SENDIASS offers free advice. It is worth keeping a diary of triggers. Penalties for absence can usually be paused if your child has a recognised medical or SEN reason — written evidence helps.

Schools can exclude any child, but exclusions linked to disability-related behaviour can be discriminatory under the Equality Act and may be unlawful. Schools must consider whether reasonable adjustments could have prevented the incident. If your child is excluded, you have the right to make representations to the governing board and, in some cases, appeal further. Our SEN school exclusion guide is an emergency action plan walking you through each stage and where to get free legal support.

SEN Support is the help schools provide from their own resources for children with SEN who do not have an EHCP — extra teaching, small group work, adjustments, or input from outside specialists. It is the first stage of support and works well for many children. An EHCP is a legal document that kicks in when needs are greater than SEN Support can meet. Many children move from SEN Support to an EHCP if their needs increase.

Legally, the local authority — not the school — is responsible for ensuring EHCP provision is delivered, even if that means extra funding. Schools cannot lawfully refuse to deliver provision specified in Section F of an EHCP because of cost. If you are told otherwise, ask for it in writing and contact the council's SEND team. SENDIASS and IPSEA both offer free advice. Our "School Says They Can't Afford Your EHCP" guide explains your options step by step.

A Changing Places toilet is a fully accessible toilet with extra space, a height-adjustable adult-sized changing bench, and a hoist. They are essential for older children, teenagers, and adults who cannot use standard accessible toilets. The official Changing Places map lists over 1,800 across the UK, in shopping centres, attractions, motorway services, and hospitals. SenHaven place listings flag venues that have a Changing Places facility so you can plan trips with confidence.

Children aged three and over can get a Blue Badge if they have severe mobility problems or, since 2019, if they have hidden disabilities — including autism — that make journeys difficult or unsafe. You apply through your local council's website. Decisions vary between councils, and many parents need to provide detailed evidence of their child's needs. Our SEN discounts guide includes a section on Blue Badge applications and what evidence helps.

There is no fixed legal minimum for private car parks, though most large attractions and supermarkets provide a reasonable number. The challenge is that disabled spaces are often full, especially on weekends. SenHaven place listings show the number of disabled parking spaces where we have been able to verify them, and flag venues with a drop-off zone, so you can plan around busy times. Always carry your Blue Badge clearly displayed.

Yes. Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Asda, Aldi, Lidl, and many others run regular "quiet hours" with lowered lighting, reduced music, fewer announcements, and slower checkouts. Times vary by store, usually weekday afternoons or evenings. Check your local store's page or ask in branch. The National Autistic Society maintains a list of confirmed quiet hours nationwide. We also list known quiet shopping sessions in our activities directory where parents have shared them.

A sensory room is a calm, low-stimulation space where a child can decompress — usually with soft lighting, comfortable seating, and sometimes interactive sensory equipment like bubble tubes or fibre-optic lights. A growing number of UK venues now have one, including some football stadiums, theatres, museums, and shopping centres. SenHaven flags venues with a sensory room or quiet area on each place page so you can find one before you visit.

Sensory overload happens when one or more of the senses takes in more information than the brain can process — leading to overwhelm, distress, shutdown, or meltdown. It is common in autistic people and many with ADHD, sensory processing differences, or anxiety. Triggers include loud noise, bright lights, strong smells, crowds, or unexpected changes. Helping a child leave the situation, offering sensory tools, and not asking too many questions usually helps more than reasoning. This is general information, not medical advice — speak to a GP if you are concerned.

Neurodivergent is an umbrella term describing people whose brains work differently from what is considered typical — including autistic people and those with ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, Tourette's, and other conditions. It is not a diagnosis or a medical term, but a way of describing natural variation in how human brains process information. Many SEN families and adults prefer it because it frames difference as a normal part of human variation rather than a deficit.

Autism and ADHD are different but often co-occur — many autistic children also have ADHD. Autism mainly affects social communication, sensory processing, and a preference for routine. ADHD mainly affects attention, impulse control, and energy regulation. A child can have one, both, or neither — and the way they show up varies enormously. Only a qualified professional can diagnose either, usually through your GP, paediatrician, or CAMHS. Speak to your GP if you have concerns about your child's development.

Signs vary widely, but commonly include differences in social interaction, intense focused interests, sensory sensitivities, a strong preference for routine, and difficulty with unexpected change. Many girls and quieter children mask their traits, which is why diagnosis is often later. If you have concerns, the first step is your GP or health visitor, who can refer to a paediatric or autism assessment service. Waits can be long — your child can still receive school support without a diagnosis.

Caring for a SEN child is rewarding but exhausting, and your wellbeing matters too. Free support includes Carer's Allowance (if eligible), local Carers Centres, charities like Contact and Cerebra, parent support Facebook groups, and mental health support through your GP. Many councils run free parent workshops on autism, ADHD, sleep, and behaviour. You are not alone, and asking for help is not failing — it is good parenting. Our parent guides and contacts directory list trusted organisations.