SEND IASS Case Studies and Further Information
Case Studies
This case study illustrates IAS offered around a Refusal to Assess appeal
This case study illustrates IAS delivered around a young person who has mental health needs.
This case study illustrates IAS delivered to a SENCO and grandparent around appeal advice.
This case study illustrates IAS delivered around a young person experiencing severe anxiety in relation to attending school.
This case study outlines the impact of supporting a young person and his father where a school placement was breaking down.
This case study describes the support SEND IASS provided around a permanent exclusion, the outcome of which was that the it was considered an illegal exclusion and the decision was overturned.
How other parents feel about the service
“Thank you so much for this Victoria. It’s exactly the clarity I was looking for. After you receive a diagnosis you feel quite at sea. Thank you for demystifying this part of the process.”
“Thank you once again for taking the time to research our options and also for your kindness.”
“Communication has been excellent. The team clearly believe in fighting for justice – they’ve given me amazing support! I’m so grateful – your help has been life-changing. (Caseworker) has been my rock – she’s given me strength. Everyone in this position should come to SENDIASS! I don’t know what would have happened to my son without (caseworker) and (caseworker).”
“The advice and support has helped me know which direction to go down for my daughter, without their knowledge and help I wouldn’t have known; I have a greater understanding of the educational process for children/young people with SEND“.
“My son got excluded from school. (Caseworker’s name) made me aware of what my rights were. The information received was very helpful and has made a huge difference to my son’s education”
“It was great for me to have such an overview of possible avenues of support. Sometimes when I am in the middle of a situation it feels like a maze, you have given me a wider, clearer perspective and it has been very helpful.” (School SENCO)
“Knowing the legal stuff makes me and my mum feel more confident that we haven’t done anything wrong and it’s the school who should pull their weight” (Young person)
“It was amazing how you centred the meeting around (daughter’s name) and what her aspirations were for the future. I can honestly say it was an oasis of hope in what has been a difficult journey with many frustrations. Thank you for opening up choices for her, which is something she has had very little experience of recently, and I hope these will inspire her to take those little steps towards getting better.
“It was amazing to be able to talk to someone who really understood our situation and actually wanted to help! You were friendly, positive, informative and proactive. Thank you for all the advice and ideas you brought to the table – it has inspired me to press on to find a way for (daughter’s name).”
If you have already used the service, you can submit your feedback here too.
Annual Report
SENDIASS Annual Report September 2019
Our impartiality explained (Full policy below)
We are trained by IPSEA through the National IASS network. Each of our team members complete 90 hours of accredited legal training, in order to ensure that information we give is based in legislation rather than local policy.
We can support you through legal processes such as exclusion hearings and this may include attending the hearing. We can also support you through an appeal to the SEND Tribunal.
In order to support your best interests and help to secure good outcomes for you or your child, we will work collaboratively with the Local Authority (LA), and maintain positive relationships with LA staff. What you talk to us about is completely confidential, only our staff have access to this information and we would only talk to other professionals with your consent.
We work at arms-length from the LA, so although our staff have access to desks within Local Authority premises, information held on our database is not visible by LA staff other than those within the SEND IASS, neither is it linked to LA processes in any way. We do not sit on any decision making panels within the LA.
Further Information
Minimum Standards for IAS Services
Easy read version of minimum standards for IAS Services
SENDIASS Confidentiality Policy
Please see the SEND IASS leaflet for further information or to print and distribute.
Health and Council for Disabled Children have created a website outlining young people’s rights when making decisions and choices about healthcare.Getyourrights.org
Contact – National helpline and information for families with disabled children.
Families InFocus (Essex) is an independent, parent-led charity providing a range of support to families of children with disabilities and special needs across Essex. Tel: 01245 353575 www.familiesinfocusessex.org.uk
Global Mediation provides independent SEN mediation service for disagreements between parents and the local authority or a school.