SENDIAS (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support) Service

SENDIAS (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support) Service offers free, impartial and confidential advice and information directly to:
– Young People with or who may have SEND aged 16-25
– Parents and carers seeking support for their child with SEND , including those who do not have a diagnosis

We are here to help you understand your rights, explore your options and navigate education, health and social care processes.

We are here to empower families by helping them make informed choices, ensuring their voices are heard and promoting positive outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

Our accredited team are trained in SEND law and can offer advice which is in line with the SEND Code of Practice (2014), the Children and Families Act (2014) and other relevant legalisation.

WE PROVIDE IMPARTIALINFORMATION, ADVICEAND SUPPORT ABOUT:

• How SEND needs are identified and met
• SEN Support available in schools, early years and post-16 settings
• Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)including EHC Needs Assessment and Annual Reviews
• Funding arrangements, including personal budgets
• Understanding professional reports
• Understanding and applying the law and local policy related to SEND
• Suspensions and Exclusions
• SEND Mediation
• Disability Discrimination
• Complaints
• SEND Tribunal
• SEND Local Offer
• Local and national Services

SEND Information Advice and Support Service is a statutory service provided by the charity Barnardo’s and is funded by Warwickshire County Council. In accordance with the 2014 SEND Code of Practice, this service is legally required to support children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and their families. The service operates independently of Warwickshire County Council.

The service is led by the needs of you as a parent, carer or young person and is available to families that attend a Warwickshire education provision or live in Warwickshire.

You don’t need a diagnosis to access SEND Information Advice – support is based on needs.

We can help at any stage, from early concerns through to post-16 options and adulthood

Young people aged 16-25 can contact us directly for independent advice

All our support is confidential and we won’t share your information without consent (unless someone is at risk of harm).

We offer support by phone, email, video calls or face to face meetings where possible.  Information is also available on our website and social media.

Each situation is unique, and we understand that you may feel overwhelmed.

Please know that we are here for you, ready to listen and help you navigate through it with compassion and care.