ACE Advice and Information Service

Our advice and information is based on current education law and guidance and covers state funded education for children aged 5-16 years in England only. Our advice and information aims to give parents up to date knowledge of law and guidance as well as practical advice on how to work with their child's school to resolve any concerns.  Our advice covers a wide range of educational issues.

ACE Telephone Adviceline

If you are the parent or carer of a child at school and you would like to speak to an adviser you can call our free confidential telephone adviceline on 0300 0115 142. Calls to the ACE advice line usually cost the same as calling a standard landline number - even from a mobile. 0300 numbers are often included in any inclusive call minute packages offered by phone operators.  You should check with your own provider to be sure.

Normal opening hours: Monday to Tuesday from 10am to 1pm. Term time only. 

PLEASE NOTE: We are a small organisation and don't receive any funding for our advice services.  We rely on volunteers to help us provide advice to parents and carers. Sometimes we may not be able to open the adviceline as advertised. If you hear a closed message please contact one of the organisations listed below instead.  Please do not leave a voice message for us as unfortunately we do not have the resources to provide a call back service.  

Other organisations that offer free telephone advice on education issues

Contact  - SEN National Advice Service

Contact a Family provide information and advice on any aspect of caring for a child with special educational needs or a disability.  Their website has information on issues such as education, benefits and family life, and their parent resources cover a range of topics including health and social care services.

Telephone helpline: 0808 808 3555. Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5.00pm

Child Law Advice Service

The Child Law Advice Service provides legal advice and information on areas of child, family and education law. To access this advice and information please visit the website  where you will be able to view a range of factsheets and how to guides. Should you have clarifying questions following your visit to the website, a helpline number is available at the end of each factsheet. The helpline is available Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm.  

For details of other organisations that provide information on education related topics see our Signposting page