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SENDIASS – information and advice service for SEND

SENDIASS Southampton is an impartial service which gives information, advice and support to children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and their families.

Every Local Authority in England must commission an Information, Advice and Support (IAS) service for their area. This service must enable children and young people with SEND to participate in decision making processes, and help them to achieve the best possible educational and other outcomes.

The Rose Road Association is a charity that provides services for children and young adults with severe physical disabilities, learning difficulties, and/or autism, and their families. They are commissioned to provide an IAS service in Southampton.

You can visit the SENDIASS website for more information.

How can SENDIASS support me?

Southampton SENDIASS:

  • Has an all year-round flexible service, open during normal office hours
  • Offers a direct helpline with 24-hour answer machine, call back and signposting service
  • Offers an arm’s length, confidential, dedicated and easily identifiable service
  • Is separate from the local authority, clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) and/or host organisation
  • Ensures potential service users & professionals are made aware of the IAS service, its remit and who the service is for
  • Uses feedback to further develop the work and practices of the services
  • Provides impartial information, advice and support on education, health and social care as defined in the SEND Code of Practice to children, young people and parents
  • Offers support in a range of ways including face to face, a telephone helpline, email, website and social media
  • Provides advocacy support for individual children, young people, and parents that empowers them to express their views and wishes and helps them to understand and exercise their rights in matters including exclusion, complaints, SEND processes, and SEND Tribunal appeals
  • Offers training to local parents, children, young people, and professionals to increase knowledge of SEND law, guidance, local policy, issues and participation