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Most SEN parents have never heard of SENDIASS. It is free, independent of the school and local authority, and can be one of the most useful resources available to a family navigating the system.
This guide explains the legal framework and what you need to know. When you are ready to write the actual letter, SEN Letters UK generates it for you.
SENDIASS stands for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service. Every local authority in England is legally required to fund one. It is completely free to use. And it is independent of both the school and the local authority, which means the advice it gives is not coloured by either institution's interests.
Despite all of this, most SEN parents have never heard of it.
SENDIASS services vary in what they offer, but most can help parents with: understanding the SEND system and your rights within it; reviewing correspondence from schools or local authorities; preparing for meetings with schools or local authority representatives; drafting or reviewing letters and responses; attending meetings as an advocate or support person; explaining the tribunal and mediation processes; and signposting to other relevant services and professionals.
SENDIASS advisers are trained in SEND law and local practice. They know how local authorities and schools in their area tend to operate, what arguments tend to be effective, and where the pressure points in the system are.
SENDIASS provides information, advice, and support, it does not act as a legal representative. SENDIASS advisers cannot represent you at tribunal, make decisions on your behalf, or advocate for you in a legal capacity the way a solicitor can. For complex tribunal cases, legal advice from a solicitor or specialist advocate may be necessary alongside SENDIASS support.
SENDIASS services are also not caseworkers who manage your situation on an ongoing basis. They are a resource you access at specific points in the process.
You can contact your local SENDIASS at any point in your journey, you do not need to have tried everything else first. Many parents find it most useful when they are just starting to navigate the system and are trying to understand their rights. Others contact SENDIASS at a specific crisis point, when they have received a refusal from the local authority, or when they are preparing for a tribunal.
There is no situation that is too early or too late to contact SENDIASS. Earlier is generally better.
The IASS Network (iassnetwork.org.uk) maintains a directory of all SENDIASS services in England. Search by local authority to find the contact details for yours.
Some SENDIASS services have long waiting lists, particularly in areas where the SEND system is under particular pressure. Contact them early so you are in the system before you reach a crisis point.
Contact (contact.org.uk) and IPSEA (ipsea.org.uk) offer additional national helplines and resources for SEN parents that complement what your local SENDIASS provides. IPSEA in particular has a strong focus on legal rights and can provide advice on challenging local authority decisions.
SENDIASS and SEN Letters UK serve complementary purposes. SENDIASS can help you understand your situation, advise on strategy, and accompany you to meetings. SEN Letters UK generates the formally worded letters that initiate and advance formal processes. Used together, they give you both the knowledge and the tools to navigate the system effectively.
SEN Letters UK writes the letter for you, professionally worded, legally informed, tailored to your child's situation.
Preview free. Full letters from £4.99, credits never expire.
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