Dyslexia Foundation
Dyslexia Foundation is a UK charity providing one-to-one non-medical helper study skills support, dyslexia assessments, workplace support, and BTEC-accredited training to dyslexic adults and higher education students in receipt of Disabled Students' Allowance across North-West England.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersCrosby, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Dyslexia Foundation does
Dyslexia Foundation is a UK registered charity (1080330) and company limited by guarantee (03839181), established in 1998 and headquartered in Crosby, Merseyside, with additional offices in Liverpool (Albert Dock) and Halton, Lancashire. It serves adults with dyslexia and related specific learning difficulties (including dyspraxia, dyscalculia, autism, Asperger syndrome, ADHD and ADD) through an integrated portfolio spanning free helpline advice and screenings, subsidised diagnostic assessments, one-to-one Non-Medical Helper study skills support, workplace and Access to Work support, personal development mentoring, and BTEC Level 3 accredited Dyslexia Awareness training.
The organisation's core commercial engine is its Study Skills Support Agency, which delivers NMH one-to-one study skills support to higher education students in receipt of Disabled Students' Allowance, invoicing directly to Student Finance England. A bespoke online management platform handles tutor matching, timesheet submission and payroll across 230+ Higher Education Partners, and a proprietary computer-based psychometric screening tool (Dyslexia Check) automates the front-end of the assessment funnel. Operational scale reported includes 1,000+ people helped annually, 6,000 NMH hours to 390 students in 2016/2017, and 40,000+ cumulative hours since the programme's inception.
The business model is primarily government-funded (DSA via Student Finance England and Access to Work) supplemented by fees for BTEC training courses and subsidised assessments, plus voluntary donations via PayPal and Virgin Money Giving. Customer acquisition is referral-driven through Jobcentre Plus, Remploy and the Probation Service, plus a freephone helpline, website, social channels, and word-of-mouth; the head office employs 14 staff, with a wider tutor pool delivering one-to-one sessions.
Dyslexia Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Dyslexia Foundation
- Legal name
- Dyslexia Foundation
- Website
- https://dyslexia-help.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Dyslexia Foundation is a UK charity providing one-to-one non-medical helper study skills support, dyslexia assessments, workplace support, and BTEC-accredited training to dyslexic adults and higher education students in receipt of Disabled Students' Allowance across North-West England.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Dyslexia Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Special Education Support Services
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (61171), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Dyslexia Screening & Diagnostic Evaluation (EDAKAJAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH), Learning Disability (LD) Psychoeducational Assessment (EDAKAJAB), Professional Development for Educators (Dyslexia/LD Training) (EDAKAJAK), Dyslexia & Reading Intervention Programs (EDAMAJAI)
Keywords
Where Dyslexia Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Crosby
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Dyslexia Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Government Funded Services - Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA): Revenue generated through providing non-medical helper one-to-one study skills support to students in receipt of their Disabled Students' Allowance. The organisation invoices to the relevant funding body and manages all payment processing for support tutors.
- Training and Awareness Courses: Revenue from BTEC Level 3 accredited Dyslexia Awareness training courses offered to organisations. The two-day course is aimed at professionals working with dyslexic adults and can be delivered in a bespoke manner.
- Access to Work Scheme Services: Workplace support services funded through the government's Access to Work scheme, which offers practical help and support with extra costs for employees with health or disability affecting their job.
- Charitable Donations: The organisation accepts donations through PayPal and Virgin Money Giving fundraising platforms to support their charitable activities.
- Subsidised Assessments: The organisation offers subsidised rates for dyslexia assessment costs for people in work and education, while providing free screenings.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free Services - Helpline, screenings, practical support |
| Subscription | One time | Subsidised Assessment Services |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | NMH One-to-One Support Rates |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Dyslexia Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Dyslexia Foundation is a registered UK charity that provides one-to-one study skills support to students in receipt of the Disabled Students' Allowance, alongside dyslexia screenings, professional assessments, workplace support through the Access to Work scheme, and BTEC Level 3 accredited training for professionals. Its core delivery arm, the Study Skills Support Agency, serves over 230 Higher Education Partners and provides assessments, mentoring, and reasonable-adjustment services for dyslexic adults in education and employment.
Product overview
Dyslexia Foundation is a charity offering a coordinated portfolio of dyslexia support services centered on its Study Skills Support Agency, which provides one-to-one non-medical helper (NMH) study skills support. The portfolio includes the Dyslexia Check screening tool, professional dyslexia assessments, needs assessments for Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) funding, BTEC Level 3 accredited training courses, a freephone helpline, personal development mentoring, and workplace support services. These services are interconnected to address dyslexia across educational and employment contexts, serving students in higher education, adults in employment, and professionals working with dyslexic individuals. The Dyslexic Experience Videos collection and ReciteMe accessibility tool complement the service offering.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Study Skills Support Agency A department within the Dyslexia Foundation that delivers one-to-one non-medical helper (NMH) study skills support to students in receipt of Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) who have learning difficulties including dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, autism, Asperger syndrome, ADD, ADHD, and general learning difficulties.
- Non-Medical Helper One-to-One Support Student-led one-to-one support sessions tailored around individual needs, covering organisational skills, study skills, research skills, writing skills, and assistance with projects, dissertations, exams, and mathematics. Invoiced to DSA funding bodies.
- Dyslexia Assessment Professional assessment for dyslexia carried out by qualified practitioners, examining cognitive behaviour to identify dyslexia characteristics and provide recommendations. Both workplace assessments (up to £425) and education/DSA assessments (£300-£400) are offered.
- Needs Assessment Assessment process for students who have received DSA funding, involving a meeting with a specialist to draw up recommendations based on a dyslexia assessment and identify technological interventions to assist with studies.
- Dyslexia Awareness Training (BTEC Level 3) A one or two-day BTEC Level 3 accredited training course aimed at professionals working with adults who have dyslexia, covering the history of dyslexia, identification, teaching practice, and working practice. Can be delivered in a bespoke manner to organisations.
- Helpline Service Freephone helpline (0800 077 8763) providing free, impartial advice and guidance for adults with dyslexia in employment and education.
- Personal Development Mentoring One-to-one mentoring service for people with dyslexia assisting with everyday tasks such as filling in forms, job applications, and workplace support. Free mentoring is offered to adults with dyslexia.
- Workplace Support (Access to Work) Vocational support in the workplace including technological interventions, job coaching, exploring reasonable adjustments, and work shadowing to resolve dyslexia-related problems, funded through the government's Access to Work scheme.
- Dyslexia Check (Screening Tool) A bespoke computer-based psychometric screening test designed to take 30 minutes, aimed at recognising characteristics associated with dyslexia through auditory and visual questions testing cognitive behaviour. Offered free via referrals.
Quantifiable outcome
- 100% satisfaction rate with Higher Education Partners in 2015/16 feedback survey
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Dyslexia Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Dyslexia Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Dyslexia Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Jobcentre PluscoreGovernment employment service that refers clients to Dyslexia Foundation for free dyslexia screenings. Part of the Department for Work and Pensions, helping people find employment and access support services.
- RemploycoreEmployment service for disabled people that refers clients to Dyslexia Foundation for free dyslexia screenings, supporting disabled individuals in finding and keeping employment.
- Probation ServicecoreCriminal justice organisation that refers clients to Dyslexia Foundation for free dyslexia screenings, helping offenders address learning difficulties.
- Higher Education Partners (230+ HEPs)coreUniversities and higher education institutions partnered with Dyslexia Foundation to deliver non-medical helper one-to-one study skills support to students with disabilities. Clear Links system delivers NMH support with 100% satisfaction rate in 2015/16.
- Student Finance England / Student Loans CompanycoreGovernment body administering Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) funding that enables Dyslexia Foundation to provide NMH support services to eligible students.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves1 record
Expansion highlights5 records
Dyslexia Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- ADHD Foundation: UK neurodiversity charity providing training, screening and workplace support primarily for ADHD. Adjacent mission and overlapping service model (training, workplace support, schools programme); comparable as a parallel neurodiversity charity.
- National Autistic Society: Large UK charity for autistic people, providing training, advice and workplace programmes. Thematically adjacent as another neurodiversity service provider with parallel DSA/employment support services and accredited training.
- Working Health UK: UK provider of workplace health and disability services including dyslexia screening and reasonable adjustments consultancy. Comparable in workplace assessment and Access to Work-adjacent services, although operating as a commercial occupational health provider.
Broad incumbents
- Patoss (Professional Association of Teachers of Students with Specific Learning Difficulties): Established UK professional body for SpLD specialists, offering accredited training, membership, and resources to assessors and tutors. Comparable in training/professional development but functions as a membership association rather than direct service provider.
- Mencap: Large UK disability charity offering training, employment support and advocacy. Comparable charitable structure and funding mix, though focused on learning disability rather than specific learning difficulties.
- Remploy: Government-affiliated employment services provider for disabled people, including dyslexia screening referrals. Functions as a referral source AND as an overlapping provider of disability employment services, making it both a partner and a partial competitor.
Direct peers
- Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity: UK dyslexia charity providing assessments, training, tuition and specialist teacher training. Closely aligned service portfolio — assessments, training courses, parent/adult support — making it a strong operational peer despite different geographic focus.
- Dyslexia Action: Specialist dyslexia organisation delivering assessments, training and tutoring services across the UK. Direct comparable in service categories (assessment, training, tutor support) and historical service model.
- British Dyslexia Association (BDA): The UK national dyslexia charity offering dyslexia training, accreditation, resources and assessment guidance. Directly comparable mission and service mix (screenings, training, workplace guidance) but operates nationally rather than regionally.
Emerging players
- Real Training: UK provider of specialist training and CPD courses for SpLD practitioners, including dyslexia assessor qualifications. Comparable in training content but commercial rather than charitable, and focused on practitioner upskilling rather than end-user delivery.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Dyslexia Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceDyslexia Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Dyslexia Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Dyslexia Foundation subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Dyslexia Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Dyslexia Foundation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Dyslexia Foundation
What does Dyslexia Foundation do?
The Dyslexia Foundation is a registered UK charity that provides one-to-one study skills support to students in receipt of the Disabled Students' Allowance, alongside dyslexia screenings, professional assessments, workplace support through the Access to Work scheme, and BTEC Level 3 accredited training for professionals. Its core delivery arm, the Study Skills Support Agency, serves over 230 Higher Education Partners and provides assessments, mentoring, and reasonable-adjustment services for dyslexic adults in education and employment.
Is Dyslexia Foundation a public or private company?
Dyslexia Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Dyslexia Foundation founded?
Dyslexia Foundation was founded in 1998. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Dyslexia Foundation based?
Dyslexia Foundation is headquartered in Crosby, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Dyslexia Foundation make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Government Funded Services - Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) is the primary driver. The others are training and Awareness Courses, access to Work Scheme Services, charitable Donations and subsidised Assessments.
Who are Dyslexia Foundation's main competitors?
Others on record are ADHD Foundation, National Autistic Society and Working Health UK. Broad incumbents are Patoss (Professional Association of Teachers of Students with Specific Learning Difficulties), Mencap and Remploy. Direct peers are Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity, Dyslexia Action and British Dyslexia Association (BDA). Real Training is listed as an emerging player.
Does Dyslexia Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for Dyslexia Foundation.
What industry is Dyslexia Foundation in?
Dyslexia Foundation's product category is Special Education Support Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAKAJAA, Dyslexia Screening & Diagnostic Evaluation, with a secondary code of BPAGADAH, Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits. Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 8200.