SENDIASS Spotlight - October 26

Sections

1. SENDIASS update
2. Current waiting times and booking advice
3. Working together respectfully
4. ADHD Awareness
5. Blanket policies
6. DfE call for evidence on school exclusion
7. Making Sense of SEND Event
8. Book recommendation
9. Library Drop-in sessions for November
10. Engagement and Advice Team updates
11. SENDIASS Outreach in November
12. Norfolk SEND Youth Forum update

SENDIASS update

Welcome to the latest SENDIASS update. We are pleased to share news, resources, and service developments with families and professionals across Norfolk. 

Like many services, we continue to experience high demand, and we'd like to thank families and professionals for their patience and understanding. We're incredibly proud of the positive feedback we receive, particularly from families who tell us that having someone impartial to talk things through with has helped them feel more informed, empowered and less alone. 

We're pleased to see our library drop-in sessions continue to be well used, giving families another way to access advice in a relaxed and welcoming environment. We've also been adding to the resources available on our website, making it easier to find trusted information, practical guidance and answers to common questions whenever you need them. 

Whether you're a parent, carer, young person or professional, we're here to help. If you need advice, have a question, or would simply like to understand more about SEND processes and support available, please get in touch or visit our website to explore our growing range of resources. 

Current waiting times and booking advice

We are currently experiencing very high demand, and the wait for a Helpline appointment is around 16 days. 

We know many families contact us when they are worried about a situation or facing an important decision, and we understand that waiting can be frustrating. Our team is working hard to support as many families as possible, but like many SEND services, we continue to experience high levels of demand. 

To ensure appointments are offered fairly, we are only able to offer an earlier appointment where there is a legal or statutory deadline that cannot wait. All other requests will need to be booked into the next available appointment. 

If you would like to have an earlier appointment, please keep checking the booking system, as sometimes these can become available if another family cancels or rearranges or we add additional calls. 

We also encourage families to contact us and book an appointment as soon as they become aware of a deadline or important decision point. The earlier you get in touch, the more opportunity we have to support you. 

Working together respectfully

At Norfolk SENDIASS, we know that the SEND journey can sometimes feel confusing, stressful and overwhelming. Many families contact us when they are facing difficult situations or important decisions about their child’s education, health or support. 

As a confidential and impartial service, we're here to help children, young people and parents understand the SEND process, their rights, and the options available to them. We provide information, advice and support based on the law, while taking into account each family's individual circumstances. Our team is committed to listening carefully, treating people with kindness and respect, and helping families feel informed and empowered to make decisions that are right for them. 

We are proud to support families across Norfolk and ask that everyone using our service treats our staff with the same courtesy and respect that they can expect from us. We will not tolerate abusive, threatening, discriminatory or intimidating behaviour towards staff. In these situations, we may need to end or limit contact in order to protect the wellbeing of our team. 

We would also like to remind families that calls, meetings and conversations with staff should not be recorded without the knowledge and agreement of everyone involved. Being open about recordings helps us maintain trust and ensures we can continue to provide support in a positive and respectful way. 

You can read our full Respectful and Safe Environment Policy on our website: 

Respectful and safe environment policy | Norfolk SENDIASS 

We're here to help, listen and support, and we achieve the best outcomes when we work together respectfully. 

ADHD Awareness

ADHD is something that shapes how I experience the world every day. On the surface, people often see someone who is organised, capable and managing multiple responsibilities, but what they don't always see is the constant mental juggling happening behind the scenes. My mind rarely switches off. Thoughts, ideas, worries and tasks can all compete for attention at the same time, making even simple things feel overwhelming. Sometimes I can spend hours hyper-focused on something I'm passionate about, while other times I struggle to start a task that I know is important – and that just scratches the surface of everything that goes on in my head!   For a long time, I was hard on myself for finding things difficult that seemed to come naturally to other people – and sometimes I still am! Receiving my ADHD diagnosis helped me understand that my brain simply works differently. It gave me permission to be kinder to myself and to find strategies that support me rather than trying to fit into a mould that wasn't designed for me.  ADHD brings challenges, but it can also sometimes bring strengths. ADHD is not something I would choose to define me, but it is part of who I am. This ADHD Awareness Month, I want to help remind others that not all disabilities are visible, and that a little understanding can make a huge difference.  Niamh Keane, SENDIASS Manager

Blanket policies

A blanket policy is when the same rules are applied to every pupil in the same way. While this may seem fair, it can sometimes place disabled children and young people at a disadvantage because it does not take account of individual needs.

For example, a school's healthy eating policy may not meet the needs of a child with a medical condition, or a uniform policy may be difficult for a child with sensory sensitivities or a skin condition.

The law recognises that some pupils may need a different approach. Under the Equality Act 2010, schools have a duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled pupils and to avoid practices that place them at a substantial disadvantage compared with their peers.

This is particularly important when considering behaviour policies. Some children with SEND may find it more difficult to meet certain expectations because of their additional needs. Schools should consider whether a child's disability or special educational needs may be affecting their behaviour and whether reasonable adjustments are needed, rather than automatically applying the same consequences to all pupils.

An inclusive approach does not mean treating every child exactly the same. It means recognising that children have different needs and ensuring they can access education, support and opportunities on an equal basis. School policies should be flexible enough to take account of these differences and comply with equality and human rights legislation.

What can I do if I think a school is using a blanket policy unfairly?

1. Speak to the school

• Talk to your child's teacher, SENCO or Head Teacher.
• Explain how the policy is affecting your child and what support or flexibility may be needed.

2. Ask about reasonable adjustments

• Ask how your child's individual needs have been taken into account.
• Discuss whether adjustments can be made to the policy for your child.

3. Put your concerns in writing

• If the issue isn't resolved, write to the school explaining your concerns and the impact on your child.
• Keep copies of emails, letters and notes from meetings.

4. Follow the school's complaints process

• If you're still unhappy, you can make a formal complaint using the school's complaints procedure.

Amy-Lou Mulligan - SENDIAS Advisor

DfE call for evidence on school exclusion

The Department for Education (DfE) is asking for views on proposed changes to school exclusion processes and has launched a national Call for Evidence, which is open until 19 November 2026. The feedback received will help shape future reforms and inform a later public consultation on how any changes should be put into practice.

The proposals focus on three key areas:

• Creating a clearer framework for internal suspensions (where a child is removed from lessons but remains in school).
• Introducing more structured support when a child returns to school following a suspension, including reintegration meetings and plans.
• Ensuring that pupils are provided with schoolwork during the first five days of a suspension or permanent exclusion to help minimise disruption to their learning.

The DfE is keen to hear from parents, carers, schools, local authorities, charities, researchers and organisations that support children and young people. It is particularly positive to see SEND Information, Advice and Support Services (SENDIAS) specifically included in the list of organisations invited to contribute evidence.

For families of children and young people with SEND, this is an opportunity to help influence how schools support pupils who experience suspension or exclusion, and to highlight what works well and where improvements may be needed. The DfE has said it wants to understand the impact of exclusion practices on different groups of pupils and what support helps children successfully return to education.

If you would like to find out more or share your views, you can access the consultation here:Call for evidence on school exclusion reform
Deadline for responses: 19 November 2026

Making Sense of SEND Event

Book recommendation

Library Drop-in sessions for November

Engagement and Advice Team updates

SENDIASS Outreach in November

Norfolk SEND Youth Forum update