We provide free, impartial, confidential information, advice and guidance for parents/carers of children with SEN, aged 0 – 25. and young people with SEN aged 16 to 25

We also provided information and advice around the SEND Code of Practice  to other professionals

Our service now covers advice and information about Health and Social Care issues relating to the child or young person.

Under the Children and Families Act 2014 the local authority must have regard to

(a) the views, wishes and feelings of children, young people and their parents

(b ) the importance of children, young people and their parents participating as fully as possible in decisions

(c) the importance of providing children, young people and their parents with the information and support they need in order to participate fully in those decisions

(d) supporting children, young people and their parents  to help the child or young person  achieve the best possible educational and other outcomes.

[Children and Families Act 2014 PART 3 section 19]

 We provide

•  Accurate, impartial and up to date information and guidance on SEN via our telephone helpline or email.

•   Help with preparing for, and in some cases, support at meetings with the school or the local education authority.

•  Information and advice about communicating with professionals with regard to SEN and achieving positive outcomes at meetings and reviews

•  Advice and information on systems, procedures and processes related to SEN including EHC needs assessment and ECH plans, the Local Offer, Personal Budgets and Direct Payments.

•   Access to Independent Support for  EHC needs assessments and transfers from statements to EHC plans.

•   Help with disagreement resolution including appeals to the SEND Tribunal.

•   Information on Health and Social Care policies and procedures.

•   Advice, information and guidance about transition at each educational stage.

•   Signposting to other support services, local and national organisations and parent support groups.

•   Access to parenting programmes.

 

Our service is confidential, so information relating to a particular child, young person or family will not be discussed with anyone unless we have permission from the parent/carer or young person. Parents, carers and young people are informed that the support we provide may be limited if we are not able to discuss their concerns with other professionals involved. The only exception to this is where the information we receive indicates that a child/young person may be at risk, then we have a legal obligation to pass on any concerns regarding child protection or safeguarding to the relevant agencies.

Some useful links are available.

 

Contact Details

Kay Munday or Jill Simkin

Blakenall Village Centre, Thames Road, Blakenall WS3 1LZ

Telephone: 01922 650330

Email: iasssend@walsall.gov.uk