Parents and Carers
Who is SENDIASS and what do we do?
Our service will:
- Support parents/carers of children who have or may have special educational needs.
- Support children and young people who have or may have special educational needs.
- Recognise the importance of parents, carers, young people and children's views.
- Help the Local Authority and parent/carers and schools work together to meet the needs of children and young people.
- Offer free impartial advice.
What can the service offer you?
- someone impartial to talk to in confidence
- information and support on a one-to-one basis
- Signposting and information about support groups and services in your area
- the Local Offer
- Personal Budget information
- a straightforward explanation of educational procedures
- information on special educational needs and disability, health and social care
- help to fill in forms relating to the Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
- someone to help you put forward your views
- someone to attend meetings with you relating to your child or Young person’s educational support.
You can read more about us in our SENDIASS Leaflet.
We will:
- aim to get back to you that day or the following working day
- help you to express your views and resolve issues
- assist with paperwork
- maintain information provided on a secure and confidential database
- provide telephone advice and information
- meet with you, if required
- attend Education meetings with you, if needed
- maintain confidentiality, in accordance with local safeguarding procedures
What we will not do
- contact other people on your behalf without your prior consent
- pass your information on to other organisations without your agreement
- make decisions on your behalf
- attend meetings or provide reports in your absence
- provide transport to/from meetings (except in exceptional circumstances)
- commit to attend Early help or Social care meetings on a regular basis.
- Home visits
Minimum standards for SENDIASS
The new minimum standards for SEND Information Advice and Support Services (sometimes known as SENDIASS) were finalised in September 2018:
The standards were drawn up by a group of IASS managers, parents, LA reps and the chair of the IASP board, in consultation with the DfE. They are based on the law, the SEND Code and the IASS Quality Standards (which they now replace). The consultation process received feedback from IAS Services, LA staff, third sector organisations, health services and parents.
Contact us
- Telephone: 0191 211 6255 from 9am – 5pm
- Email: SENDIASSadmin@newcastle.gov.uk
- Post: Newcastle SENDIASS, Woodlands Children's Centre, Newton Place, High Heaton, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE7 7HD
Confidentiality
The service is totally confidential except when a member of staff or a volunteer has a concern relating to child protection which must take priority over confidentiality. You can read our Privacy notice to find out more.
Impartiality Policy
The Information, Advice and Support Service has an Arms-Length agreement with the local authority in order to retain the impartiality of the service. You can read more about this in our Impartiality policy.
What to do if you have a complaint about our service
Please see our complaints policy link for guidance.
Would you like to give us feedback on our service?