SENDIASS - SEND Information Advice and Support Service

The service provides free, accurate, impartial information, advice and support to children, parents and young people with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) to enable them to be empowered to play an active and informed role in their education and care, from 0-25 years.  We help to promote independence and self-advocacy.

We can support by:

• Listening to parents/carers/young people’s views and concerns about their child/young person’s special educational needs and disabilities;
• Offering accurate and unbiased and confidential information by independently trained staff;
• Offering support for those who need it, in attending statutory meetings, writing letters/reports and filling in forms;
• Signposting to Parent/Carer Forums and other relevant organisations.

We offer:

• A confidential telephone/email helpline;
• A tailored information package;
• Impartial information, advice and support on the following: understanding and interpreting information relating to Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND); Including the law on SEN and Disability and local policy and procedures.
• Health and Social Care and Personal Budgets;
• Supporting young people to enable them to participate fully in decisions about the outcomes they wish to achieve, so they are able to self-advocate as much as possible.
• For parents/carers and young people during an Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment so they feel empowered.
• Help resolve disagreement(s);
• Independent Mediation Services;
• Understanding the Tribunal Appeal Process;
• Exclusions;
• When children are out of school;
• If you are considering Elective Home Education;
• Home visits (in exceptional cases);
• Signposting to appropriate services including the Local Offer;
• Signposting children, young people and parents to alternative additional sources of advice, information and support that may be available locally or nationally. Which can include the Parent Carer Forum, local support groups and advocacy services.