SENDIASS will...

•  Provide accurate, jargon-free, up to date and impartial information on a range of matters relating to special educational needs and disability.
• Assist in understanding policies and procedures by sharing information from legislation and statutory guidance on specific processes that are bound by legal duties.
• Give advice through individual casework or through support groups, local forums, our website, disability groups and training events.
• Support parents in meetings to promote positive partnership working by negotiating positive outcomes with all parties involved.
• Empower parents to feel confident in dealing with matters relating to their child and enable them to understand and exercise their rights as they know their child best.
• Advocate for parents in meetings to make sure their views and opinions are heard and understood but offer advice regarding the questions for parents to ask at meetings themselves.
• Advice and support through the various stages of SEN support by helping to prepare up to and including EHCP assessments.
• Support for parents and schools through the mediation and tribunal stages known as SENDIST. (Special Education and Disability Tribunal) 
• Help to review documents and forms (e.g. EHC Needs assessment requests, draft and final EHCPs, appeal forms).
• Provide resources in various formats to support enquiries e.g. factsheets/podcasts/letter templates/emails.
• Attend meetings if the situation is complex and we feel there is a benefit to our support, and we have the availability to do so. If necessary, act as an impartial mediator when relationships are strained.
  

 NB. SENDIASS Manchester will only contact a school, setting or agency if they have permission to do so from the family, and will only pass on information with their prior agreement unless there are safeguarding concerns. However, we may contact people to check that information we have been given is correct or to request further information which will help us to offer the best support.

SENDIASS will not...

• Give out information that is not factual and impartial in relation to Education, Health and Social Care Law.
• Tell parents and young people what to do, as they need to make their own choices and decisions.
• Discuss individual cases without the parent or young person’ consent. 
• Attend all meetings (we will only attend meetings where necessary and when we have availability).
• Review benefits forms e.g. DLA or PIP (we signpost to other services for this type of support). 
• Arrange meetings or take minutes. 
• Take sides during discussions or provide our personal opinions. You can read our impartiality policy on our website. Policies (iasmanchester.org) 
• Undertake work that is not in our remit but will signpost to the appropriate service.
  

SENDIASS does not hold power over local authority, school policies, procedures and practices and so is unable to influence decision making processes.

Referring a Parent/Carer or Young Person to SENDIASS Manchester

This is a confidential self-referral service but if professionals/other services which to refer a person they must have their written consent sent in advance to SENDIASS before the service will contact the family. The service is free to parents/carers and young people, who have SEN or who are disabled.

Contact us on 

0161 209 8356

08.30am – 3.30pm Monday to Friday

Answer machine 24 hours, please leave a clear number to call back.

Email: sendiass@manchester.gov.uk

Staff in the service have accredited legal training with the Solicitors Regulatory Authority delivered by IPSEA and the Council for Disabled Children and some staff have post graduate qualifications in SEN related subjects.