If your child has a disability or any other special educational needs, the Independent Advice and Support Service can help. The service offers independent advice, information and guidance on issues relating to SEN and Disability. The service is for parents of disabled children and young people (0-25 yrs) with SEN and informs them about their rights and the rights of their child under Education Law, as well as local policies and practice in the areas of Education, Health and Social Care.
The service aims to empower parents, carers and young people to participate effectively in planning and decision making around their child's education, health and care.
Some of the areas we cover are:
- Diagnosis
- SEN Support (school based support for children/young people without an EHC Plan)
- Education, Health and Social Care (EHC) planning/assessment process
- EHC Plans and Annual Reviews
- Local Offer
- Personal Budget
- Social Care Assessment and Packages
- Exclusions
- Phase Transfers (Nursery to Primary, Primary to Secondary, Secondary to College or Further Education)
- Communicating with the Local Authority
- Nurseries, Schools and Colleges
- Disagreement resolutions (Complaints, Mediation and Tribunals)
- Understanding professionals reports and other relevant documents
- Preparing for and attending meetings (as support)
- Form filling
- Signposting to other agencies
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