Where Parents Can Find Free Home-Learning Resources for Children with SEND, According to DABBGL

Updated

DABBGL points parents to the Department of Education's published list of online educational resources for home learning. According to the association's website, these sites were identified by leading educational experts and cover pupils of all ages, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). They were being offered free at the time DABBGL described them, and DABBGL notes they are meant to support a child's education rather than replace the school's curriculum.

What the resource list is

The list is a Department of Education publication, not a DABBGL-produced resource. DABBGL's role is to signpost it on its site under "Support for home learners," describing it as a way to help children learn at home.

Key features as described by DABBGL:

  • Curated by experts – the websites were identified by "some of the country's leading educational experts."
  • Broad age range – resources are offered for pupils of all ages.
  • Includes SEND – the list explicitly covers pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.
  • Free at the time – DABBGL states the resources "are currently being offered for free."
  • Supplementary, not a replacement – DABBGL is clear that the resources are "not intended to replace a school's curriculum," but parents "may find them useful to support their children's education."

How to access it

  1. Go to the DABBGL website at dyslexiawise.co.uk.
  2. Find the "Support for home learners" section, which appears in the site's main navigation.
  3. Follow the "Click Here to access the resource links" link in that section, which takes you to the Department of Education's list.

DABBGL does not host the resources itself, so the actual content and any future changes to availability sit with the Department of Education and the individual websites.

What to keep in mind before relying on it

  • Check current availability. DABBGL's description of the resources as free reflects the position when the page was written. Confirm on each site whether access is still free before building it into a routine.
  • Treat it as a supplement. Because the list is not a curriculum, it works best alongside what the school provides, not as a substitute — particularly for children with SEND who may have specific provision set out in their support arrangements.
  • Match resources to your child. The list spans all ages and needs, so you will still need to pick sites suited to your child's age and difficulties rather than working through the list as a whole.

Where DABBGL fits in

Beyond signposting this list, DABBGL describes itself as helping dyslexic people of all ages through information and support. Its site also includes events, adult screening information, a training page, volunteering opportunities (including helpline roles), and "My Dyslexia Journey" interviews with people who have navigated education and succeeded with dyslexia. For questions about support, the association lists [email protected] as its email contact.