The SENDIASS is for:

• Parents/carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and Young people with special educational needs, disabilities and also for professionals.

The role of SENDIASS in Manchester is to:

• Enable parents/carers to become effective partners in their child’s education through the provision of impartial information, advice and support

• Offer impartial information and advice about the child’s health and social care and where necessary, signpost parents/carers to other agencies for further advice and support;

• Enable parents/carers to make informed decisions about education, health and social care on behalf of and with their child;

• Enable parents/carers and young people to act for themselves and to feel confident in their ability to do so. SENDIASS does not speak for parents/carers or young people but can help to put their views forward and does not act as a legal advocate. It does not become directly involved in complaints. However, SENDIASS can signpost and direct to complaints procedures and relevant templates. We can direct parents/professionals to the local offer.

• Provide impartial information and support to parents/carers through support for SEND Tribunals and explain how to access mediation services;

• Empower parents/carers and young people to access and find information for themselves through the Local Offer.

• Parents/carers and young people will normally contact the SENDIASS themselves.

• Referrals from other agencies and practitioners can only be accepted where a parent/carer or young person has specifically asked them to make a referral on their behalf. The parent/YP must give written consent if a third party is referring. Written consent must be sent to SENDIASS by email.

• The SENDIASS will only speak to other people about any issues raised with the permission of the parents/YP and only if needed to determine and clarify facts. The intention is to provide parents/carers and young people with more informed opportunities, choices and options in relation to education, health and social care.

• There are no minimum or maximum time limits for advising families, but the service will always seek to conclude advice/support at the earliest opportunity.

• Parent/YP can self-refer to the service again should they have a new query.

• The service will also request information on how well we supported/advised but this survey is voluntary and accessed through Smart Survey