We offer: information, advice and support to children, young people and parents/carers about special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This includes health and social care where it is linked to education.
We are a free, statutory, confidential and impartial service.
We have a Steering Group that supports us in planning the services we offer across Norfolk, which includes parent/carers and representatives from local services, organisations and voluntary groups.
We give information, advice and support on the law relating to Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Disability, Health and Social Care where they link to education including:
- SEN Support and reasonable adjustments
- Education Health and Care Plans (EHCP)
- Annual review of EHCP
- Exclusions and suspensions
- Transport
- SEND Tribunals
- Complaints
- POST 16 provision
- Admissions
- Mediation and Dispute Resolution
- Transitioning through educational placements
- Personal budgets
- Gathering, understanding and interpreting information and reports
- Signposting to other services for information, advice and support
- How to prepare for and get the best out of a meeting
- Working in partnership with schools and the local authority to develop positive relationships
How can you access our support?
Telephone helpline
You can book a 40 minute telephone appointment via the website to speak with our trained advisor.
If you book an appointment with an advisor you will then be sent a consultation form. This MUST be completed to confirm your appointment as soon as possible to avoid cancellation. You can now amend and cancel your appointment and you will receive text and email reminders.
Wait list calls - If you do not have a formal deadline but would like to request to go on our waitlist for an earlier call back please complete your consultation form for your booked appointment and tick the box to go on the waitlist. Please be aware we cannot guarantee an earlier call or give specific date and time. Consultation forms must be completed to be added to waitlist.
Multiple children - If you are looking to book an appointment to discuss multiple children you will need to book an appointment and complete a consultation form for each child.
FORMAL DEADLINES - If you have one of the below formal deadlines and would like to request an urgent appointment please do not book an appointment via the website and contact us on 01603 704070.
- 2 month EHCP appeal deadline
- 30 day Mediation Certificate deadline
- 15 day draft EHCP deadline
- 15 day permanent exclusion meeting deadline
- Tribunal order deadline
One off support
The majority of the parent/carers that access our service will be provided with information, advice and support via our telephone helpline. For some parent/carers that require additional help we can offer one off support. One off support is where our SENDIAS Advisor would attend a one off meeting at a place of learning, mediation or Govenor meeting related to an exclusion, or support with paperwork such as draft EHCP, Tribunal paperwork or filling in an EHC Needs Assessment request. Please be aware that this is subject to capacity. and can only be requested during a booked telephone helpline appointment.
Casework support
Casework support means that an SENDIASS Advisor or an Engagement and Advice Worker will do some direct work with a child, young person or parent/carer to help them have their views and wishes heard and help to try and resolve any difficulties. This might involve attending meetings or supporting with filling in/understanding paperwork for example. This support is offered to those that have special educational needs or disabilities of their own and will need our support via advocacy or representation.
For more information please read our What you can expect from us policy