SENDIASS (short for Special Educational Needs & Disability
Information, Advice & Support Service) offers free impartial advice and information for parents, children and young people about special educational needs (SEN) procedures as set out in SEN legislation and the SEN Code of Practice 2015.
Under the Code, children and young people have a right to confidential and impartial information, advice and support, regardless of their age or mental capacity. While the Code suggests that many children and young people will access services via their parents or carers, services must make it possible for them to access services separately if they wish. Information, Advice and Support Service staff must be clear about these rights, as well as the limits to confidentiality, as safeguarding children and young people will always be paramount.
The Service can offer you:
Primarily the service operates a ‘self-referral’ process. However, on occasions it may be considered appropriate for a professional to make contact with the service on behalf of the parent/carer or young person. The service will act upon such requests only on the full understanding that consent has been given.
If you require information in another format, please contact the service.
Your views matter:
SENDIASS will listen to parents/carers, (via Parent/Carer Forum & Parents in Partnership Steering Group), children/young people, professionals and schools, to gather ideas opinions and views. The information will be passed on to Blackburn with Darwen Children’s Services and other agencies to ensure their voice is heard.
The Service operates to the standards of confidentiality and impartiality set out in its policies, which you can download from the links below.
Blackburn with Darwen Information, Special Education needs & Disability Information, Advice & Support Service
SENDIASS
Community CVS
The Community Hub
35 Railway Road
Blackburn
BB1 1EZ
It may not always be possible to speak with a member of the team due to outside office appointments etc. However, there is an answer machine so that messages may be left at any time. BwD SENDIASS also has a Facebook page.
The Service provides an all year round, flexible service, which is available during normal working hours, term time and holiday periods. This includes a direct line and a 24 hour answer machine service. Parents can also make contact by email and private message on Facebook. Response contact is within five working days
For further information about IAS Services contact the Information, Advice and Support Services Network (IASSN) www.iassnetwork.org.uk
You can also download information on SEND from the Council for Disabled Children (CDC) on the SEND reforms. The information has been produced by CDC in partnership with the Department for Education. The series of fact sheets, films and posters are designed to help parents/carers, children and young people understand some of the key themes of the new reforms including EHC plans, Post-16 support, the Local Offer and making decisions.
Useful websites: