SENDIASS
We offer information, advice, and support for children and young people aged 0-25 and their parents or carers where the child has, or may have, special educational needs or disability.
SENDIASS can:
-
Explain jargon
-
Help you to understand policies and procedures
-
Share information from legislation and statutory guidance with you so you feel clearer on expectations of others and specific processes that are bound by legal duties.
-
Empower you to feel confident to express your views and wishes
-
Help you to understand and exercise your rights
-
Advise you of your options so you can make an informed decision
-
Provide templates and examples for letters, emails, and paperwork
-
Provide resources in various formats to support your enquiry (e.g. YouTube videos and factsheets)
-
Help you to prepare for meetings, mediations, and tribunals
-
Accompany you to meetings if you are unable to advocate for yourself or if the situation is complex and we feel you would benefit from our support
-
Help you to review documents and forms (e.g., EHC Needs Assessment requests, draft and final EHCPs, appeal forms)
SENDIASS cannot:
- Make decisions for you - you know your child’s, or your own, wishes and needs best
- Attend all meetings (please see our ‘Meeting Support’ document)
- Arrange meetings or take minutes*
- Write letters or emails for you*
- Complete paperwork on your behalf*
- Print or photocopy documents for you
- Review benefits forms e.g., DLA or PIP (we signpost to other services for this type of support)
- Take sides during discussions or provide you with our personal opinions of your situation. You can ask to view our impartiality policy if required.
- SENDIASS does not hold power over local authority, school policies, procedures, and practices and so is unable to influence decision making processes.
* Unless you have additional support needs that mean you cannot undertake these actions independently. In this case we may arrange a time to complete these tasks with you.
Contact your local service
At Bradford SENDIASS we offer information, advice and support around various topics relating to Special Educational Needs and disabilities (SEND) for children and young people aged 0-25 living in the Bradford District and their families.
We offer free, impartial, confidential information and advice for children and young people aged 0-25 and their parents or carers where a child or young person has or may have special educational needs or disability. We also provide information, advice and support to professionals on topics relating to SEND.
We offer free impartial, confidential information and advice for children and young people aged 0-25 and their parents and carers where a child or young person has or may have special educational needs and/or a disability (SEND).
We offer free, impartial, confidential information and advice for children and young people aged 0-25 and their parents or carers where a child or young person has or may have special educational needs or disability. We also provide information, advice and support to professionals on topics relating to SEND.
South Tees’s SENDIAS Service is provided by Barnardo’s Disability and Inclusion Support Service on behalf of Middlesbrough Council and Redcar and Cleveland Council.
We offer free impartial, confidential information and advice for children and young people aged 0-25 and their parents and carers where a child or young person has or may have special educational needs or disability.
Liverpool and Knowsley SENDIASS we offer advice and support around various topics relating to Special Educational Needs and disabilities (SEND) for children and young people aged 0-25 living in the Liverpool and Knowsley Area District and their families.
Our service is funded by Portsmouth City Council but is managed independently by Barnardo’s. It is free, confidential and impartial, which means we do not take sides and we try to ensure that everyone’s views are expressed and heard.
Warwickshire SENDIAS (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support) Service offers free, impartial and confidential advice and information.
Providing confidential, impartial support and advice for parents, carers children and young people (0-25) in relation to Special Educational Needs and Disability.