Special Educational Needs and Disability Information Advice and Support Service - SENDIASS

Welcome to Swindon SENDIASS - Special Educational Needs and Disability Information Advice and Support Service. Swindon SENDIASS is a small team funded by Swindon Borough Council but operates independently as a confidential service for parents and carers of children with special educational needs. Our aim is to develop closer links between parents and schools.

Swindon SENDIASS provides parents, carers and professionals with impartial advice, support, and information around special educational needs (SEN), exclusion, and parent involvement in decision making.

If you are worried that your child may be having difficulties at school, or have any questions around your child’s education, we can support you in a number of ways.

We work together in partnership with parents to ensure they are able to get their views heard by the schools, and Local Authority.

We offer information and support on:

• The Statutory Assessment processes and procedures including new Education Health and Care Plans
• Current changes in legislation
• Parents' rights and responsibilities
• The options open to them
• Achieving the most appropriate education for their children

Informal mediation

• Working with all involved to achieve the best
outcomes
• Support in meetings

Explaining the process for Statutory Assessment

• Helping to complete paperwork
• Understanding formal reports
• Annual and transition reviews
• New Education Health and Care Plans

When problems arise

• Disability discrimination cases
• SEN tribunal procedures
• Understanding the application process
• Admission appeals

"Approachable, helpful, courteous, understanding 'on our side'. We felt supported and understood as to where we were coming from and how we felt."

Parent

"Having an independant person to support you whilst you are going through quite difficult times with families, schools and other agencies. For me it was a life saver and helped me get through my son's difficulties with a new sense of courage and belief that we could survive the turbulent times.''

Parent

"I could not have coped with the educational and emotional minefield without yout support"

Parent