How We Work
Who we are
Hartlepool Special Educational Needs and Disabilities information, advice and support service (SENDIASS) offers free confidential, impartial information, advice and support to Children, Young People (aged 0 – 25 years) and their Parent/Carers, about matters related to their or their child’s Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND), including matters relating to health and social care.
Hartlepool SENDIASS does not work in isolation, we are overseen by a National Co-ordinator within the information, advice support service (IASS) Network under the Council for Disabled Children (CDC) in the National Children’s Bureau.
The National Co-ordinator,
- Liaises with central government, in particular the Department of Education (DFE).
- Hosts an e-forum for all SENDIASS staff.
- Gathers and publishes benchmarking data for each SENDIASS service regionally.
- Provides training on SEND legislation, mediation skills and regular updates on national SEN policy and practice.
- Provides the National Minimum Standards (2018) that all SENDIASS’ must adhere too.
Our obligations are set out within The Children and Families Act 2014 and Chapter 2 of the SEND Code of Practice 2015.
We are a self-referral, in-house statutory service which is funded by Hartlepool Borough Council (HBC), situated within Children’s and Joint Commissioning Directorate, who operate ‘arm’s length’ to HBC’s Education and Social Care Services, and Health service Integrated Commissioning Board (ICB).
How do we operate?
Referrals are made directly by a Parent/Carer, or Child/Young Person themselves. Referrals are made via email, telephone (leaving a message on our 24hr voicemail system and requesting a callback), website or virtual/face-to-face interactions at a range of drop-ins, events and training sessions.
The service will not take sides but instead will offer and provide, Parents/Carers, Children and Young People with factual and impartial information, advice and support, on an extensive range of topics in relation to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), including Health and Social Care. This will be based on SEND legislation and national guidance, which is unbiased and is not influenced by any party’s particular point of view or local policy.
The aim is to build on that Parents/Carers, Children and Young People’s knowledge and confidence to promote independence and self-advocacy, so they can feel empowered and enabled to make informed decisions about their next steps.
The service will not discuss individual Parents/Carers, Children and Young People’s personal circumstances or information with anyone unless prior verbal or written consent from the involved individual has been given, or there is a duty of care and legal obligation to do so i.e. safeguarding.
The service can be contacted via email, telephone (leaving a message on our 24hr voicemail system and requesting a callback), website or virtual/face-to-face interactions at a range of drop-ins, events and training sessions. We endeavour to respond to all queries as soon as possible, but please be aware this could be up to 7 working days.
The service also provides branded information and promotional materials in a range of accessible formats (upon request).
The service must and does legally operate arm’s length from HBC Education/Social Care Services, as well as Health services such as the Integrated Commissioning Board (ICB).
The service maintains an “arm’s length” position by:
- Being measured against The Children and Families Act 2014, The SEND Code of Practice 2015, and The Council for Disabled Children (CDC) National Minimum Standards 2018, and not local parameters or policies.
- Having an appropriate protected ring-fenced delegated budget recording system (restricted to members of SENDIASS only).
- Keeping secure all information specifically communicated (either orally or in writing) by Parents/Carers, Children and Young People which is separate from the HBC Education/Social Care Services and Health services such as the Integrated Commissioning Board (ICB) systems.
- Having and maintaining its own service website, separate to HBC.
- Members of SENDIASS staff undertaking nationally provided training which ensures they have knowledge and understanding of SEND legislation and national guidance.
- Members of SENDIASS staff not joining any LA local decision-making boards/panels or take part in any LA local decision-making processes.
- Ensuring service confidentiality and impartiality is never compromised and remains a core element of practice.
- Having good working links and networks with DFE, CDC and other SENDIAS services, both nationally and regionally.
- Being monitored by an Advisory Group, which is separate from the HBC Education/Social Care Services and Health Services such as the Integrated Commissioning Board (ICB), to monitor and review the service development plan and annual service report requirements including any specific actions and improvement targets.
Still need access to further support?
If you are looking for further information, advice and support, please complete our contact form and we’ll be able to help and point you in the right direction.
