Read November's edition online
In this edition get updates on Norfolk SENDIASS, and where you can find us out and about offering face to face drop-in sessions at libraries, phase transfer article, Norfolk SEND Youth Forum update, book recommendations and question and answers.
Sections
SENDIASS update
It’s been a busy time for Norfolk SENDIASS! Over September and October, we supported 353 parent/carers through our Helpline, arranged 499 appointments with our Advisors, and met 61 parents/carers at Library Drop ins.
Our current wait times continue to be longer than we would like. While you wait for an appointment, we would encourage you to visit our website, where you’ll find a wide range of helpful resources, including videos and booklets, that may answer your questions.
This month, we welcomed Emma as our new Engagement and Advice Worker. She’s already diving into her IPSEA training and getting out and about meeting families at Library Drop-ins. We’re excited for Emma to be fully up and running in the New Year, ready to engage with children, young people, parents, carers, and professionals across Norfolk.
We recently advertised for two part-time SENDIAS Advisors, the application form for this has now closed. Thank you to all those that applied, we will be looking to shortlist end of the week with interviews to follow. We are looking forward to having two new starters with us come the New Year, with them being able to take cases no later than Easter 2026.
A child must have a year of SEN support before applying for an EHCP?
We’ve recently heard from several parents and carers who were told their child must have a year of SEN support before applying for an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). This is not correct.
Schools, nurseries, and colleges (except special or independent schools) have a legal duty to use their ‘best endeavours’ to provide the right support for children and young people with special educational needs. This means doing everything reasonably possible to meet their needs.
Places of learning must offer SEN support to those who need it and make reasonable adjustments for children with disabilities. If a place of learning is not doing this, we recommend meeting with them to discuss SEN support plans and provision. However, if the school cannot or will not meet your child’s needs, you can apply for an EHC Needs Assessment yourself. There is no legal requirement for SEN support to be in place for any set period before applying.
The Local Authority must agree to carry out an EHC Needs Assessment if there is evidence that:
• Your child or young person has, or may have, SEN, and
• They may need support through an EHC plan because their setting cannot provide what they need.
Please look at our website for further information:
Phase transfer with an EHCP
Phase Transfer is a process that takes place for children and young people with an EHCP.
What is a new phase of education?
This is defined in regulation 2 of the SEN and Disability Regulations 2014 (the “SEN Regs”) as a transfer from:
(a) early years education to school;
(b) infant school to junior school;
(c) primary school to middle school;
(d) primary school to secondary school;
(e) middle school to secondary school; or
(f) secondary school to a post-16 institution.
Step by step guide of the Phase Transfer process -
- The process should start no later than the Autumn term of the year before the child or young person is due to move from one phase of education to another.
- The process starts with the LA reviewing the EHCP.
- Following the review LA sends proposed amendments and a copy of the plan (with section I left blank) to the parent or young person.
- The parent/carer or young person has 15 calender days to have their say about the content of the plan and to request that a particular place of learning is named.
The local authority then issues a final amended plan with a letter giving parents or the young person the right of appeal by the statutory deadlines which are:
- 31st March if the transfer is from secondary school to a post 16 placement
- or 15th February in all other cases
For more information on how to appeal a final EHCP please see our ‘Appealing to the SEND Tribunal’ resource section on our website.
Library drop-ins
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Staff spotlight
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Hello! My name is Emma and I am happy to be joining the SENDIASS team this November as an Engagement and Advice Worker. |
Norfolk SEND Youth Forum update
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Engagement and Outreach update
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Book recommendations
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Young person feedback






