SEND Information Advice Support Service

Our North Northants Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, Information, Advice and Support Service (SEND IASS) operates at arm’s-length of the council.

Introduction to the Information Advice and Support Service

We provide free, confidential, impartial advice, guidance, and support to children and young people with SEND, and their parents and carers and help them understand their entitled rights, fulfil their aspirations and reach their potential.

Our experienced team of officers is independently trained in SEND and has a wealth of experience and knowledge across education, health, and social care.

We provide a range of flexible services which include, training, referrals to statutory and voluntary agencies, access to local and national support groups, a telephone advice line operational Monday to Friday and in-person appointments.

The world of SEND can be daunting and overwhelming, but we want to help you and work with other teams at the council and different organisations to achieve the right outcome.

Contacting our team

  • Advice Line: 0300 373 2532, Monday to Friday 9:30am to 4:30pm
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Social Media: @NNCSENDIASS on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram

Information, advice and support

We provide information on:

  • the law on SEND
  • health and social care (where linked to education)
  • local policy and practice
  • personal budgets
  • the Local Offer
  • Education and Health Care Plans (EHCP)
  • transition arrangements
  • mediation and dispute resolution
  • SEND Tribunal Service
  • complaints procedure

We advise on:

  • gathering, understanding, and interpreting information
  • signposting to other services for information, advice, and support
  • what to do when things go wrong
  • how to get the best from a meeting

We support with:

  • preparing for and attending meetings
  • writing letters
  • understanding reports
  • the EHCP process and reviews
  • appeals and tribunals
  • admissions and exclusions
  • post 16 provision
  • working in partnership with schools and the LA to develop positive relationships

Other resources and support

We also manage:

  • digital resources including independent social media platforms @NNCSENDIASS
  • Truth from the Youth - a young person’s advisory council to gather their voice and feedback
  • A steering group which includes parents/carers and representatives from local voluntary groups, NPCV, Children’s Services, Education, Health, and Social Care
  • training and Rrsources related to SEND across education, health and social care
  • Meet the SEND Teams, providing families with face-to-face, in person access to the SEND teams within North Northamptonshire

Last updated 26 March 2024