About us 

SENDIAS stands for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service.

We are here to provide parents, carers and young people with information and advice about education. This includes things like what schools and colleges should do to support children with SEND.

All the information we provide is based on what is written in the law.

Our service is free to access, confidential and impartial.

  • This means it will not cost you any money to get support from us

  • This means we will not share any information with anyone unless you say we can.

    However, if we feel there is a safeguarding concern, we are allowed to share information. This is where we are worried you are at risk of harm

  • This means we do not take sides. We can give you information and talk about what your options are, to help you make your own decisions. We cannot give you our opinion

What we do

We are here to listen to you and will never be judgmental. We don’t take sides but can listen to your views and tell you about your options.

We support young people directly or with your parents or carers alongside. If you are under 16, you will need to contact us with a parent or carer.

The support we give is just for you. We help you in a way that works best for you depending on your situation and needs

How we help young people

At SSENDIAS, we have a Young Person’s Involvement Officer, Hazey.

Her role is specifically to support young people.

She can help with

  • Helping you to advocate for yourself, or advocate for you

  • Gaining support in school, college and university

  • Speaking with schools, colleges and other professionals to find out what they can do to support you

  • Give you information about your education options whatever your situation.

  • Tell you about other places you can get support

How to contact us

You can contact us by phone, email or by filling in the referral form on our website

How we communicate with you

We will always try to communicate with you in a way that you are most comfortable with

  • Phone calls

  • Face to face meetings at a place where you feel comfortable, except in your home

  • Video call

  • Email

What is advocacy?

Advocacy is all about having your voice heard. Sometimes, you may be able to speak for yourself. Other times, you may want someone else to speak on your behalf.

We can act as an advocate for you. This means we will spend some time getting to know you and your thoughts, views and wishes for the future. This helps us to speak for you.