Hampshire SENDIASS - independent advice and information
Hampshire SENDIASS provides free, confidential and impartial information, advice and support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and their parents and carers.
SENDIASS is a statutory service that must be available in every Local Authority in England. The service is required to be impartial and to operate independently of the Local Authority. To ensure the independence of Hampshire's SENDIASS, Hampshire County Council has commissioned Polaris Children's Services to deliver the service on its behalf. SENDIASS priorities and development is overseen by a steering group made up of parents, young people and stakeholder organisations.
Information and Advice Available to Everyone
Hampshire SENDIASS aims to help parents, carers and young people develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to understand their rights, make informed decisions and advocate for themselves.
Most of what Hampshire SENDIASS offers is available to all Hampshire families of children and young people with SEND.
An introduction to Hampshire SENDIASS
The Hampshire SENDIASS team includes trained advisers and support workers with expertise in SEND law, guidance and processes. Their role is to provide impartial information and advice that helps families understand their options and make informed decisions about support for their child or themselves.
You can find out more about the team on the Hampshire SENDIASS Meet the Team page.
The Hampshire SENDIASS team includes trained advisers and support workers with expertise in SEND law, guidance and processes. Their role is to provide impartial information and advice that helps families understand their options and make informed decisions about support for their child or themselves.
You can find out more about the team on the Hampshire SENDIASS Meet the Team page.
A key aim of Hampshire SENDIASS is to empower parents, carers and young people to play an active and informed role in decision-making. The service focuses on helping people understand their rights, navigate processes and develop the confidence to advocate for themselves wherever possible.
A key aim of Hampshire SENDIASS is to empower parents, carers and young people to play an active and informed role in decision-making. The service focuses on helping people understand their rights, navigate processes and develop the confidence to advocate for themselves wherever possible.
The Hampshire SENDIASS website contains a wide range of information and downloadable resources designed to help families understand the SEND system and find answers to common questions.
Parents and young people can access information at a time that suits them and return to resources whenever they need them.
The Hampshire SENDIASS website contains a wide range of information and downloadable resources designed to help families understand the SEND system and find answers to common questions.
Parents and young people can access information at a time that suits them and return to resources whenever they need them.
Hampshire SENDIASS also produces videos and recorded guidance through its YouTube channel. These provide practical information in an accessible format and can help families understand SEND processes step by step.
This can be especially useful for people who prefer watching or listening rather than reading written information.
Hampshire SENDIASS also produces videos and recorded guidance through its YouTube channel. These provide practical information in an accessible format and can help families understand SEND processes step by step.
This can be especially useful for people who prefer watching or listening rather than reading written information.
Hampshire SENDIASS regularly delivers workshops and information sessions covering a range of SEND topics. These sessions help parents and young people build their understanding of:
- SEND support in schools and colleges
- Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)
- Annual reviews
- Resolving disagreements
- Preparing for meetings
- Understanding rights and responsibilities
Workshops can be particularly helpful for parents who want to learn more about SEND processes and develop their self-advocacy skills.
Hampshire SENDIASS regularly delivers workshops and information sessions covering a range of SEND topics. These sessions help parents and young people build their understanding of:
- SEND support in schools and colleges
- Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)
- Annual reviews
- Resolving disagreements
- Preparing for meetings
- Understanding rights and responsibilities
Workshops can be particularly helpful for parents who want to learn more about SEND processes and develop their self-advocacy skills.
Parents, carers and young people can contact Hampshire SENDIASS for advice about education, health and social care issues relating to SEND.
Hampshire SENDIASS advisers can provide:
- Information about SEND law and guidance
- Explanations of processes and terminology
- Signposting to relevant services and organisations
- Information resources and factsheets
- Template letters and suggested wording
- Advice on possible next steps
The advice service is available to everyone who meets the basic eligibility criteria for the service. Families can contact the helpline or email service as often as needed.
Parents, carers and young people can contact Hampshire SENDIASS for advice about education, health and social care issues relating to SEND.
Hampshire SENDIASS advisers can provide:
- Information about SEND law and guidance
- Explanations of processes and terminology
- Signposting to relevant services and organisations
- Information resources and factsheets
- Template letters and suggested wording
- Advice on possible next steps
The advice service is available to everyone who meets the basic eligibility criteria for the service. Families can contact the helpline or email service as often as needed.
Some families may also be eligible for more intensive one-to-one support. This is a limited service and is prioritised for children, young people and parents who are unable to advocate effectively without additional help, for example because of communication difficulties, literacy needs, health conditions or unusually complex circumstances.
For most families, the information, advice, workshops and resources available through Hampshire SENDIASS will provide the guidance needed to understand processes, make informed decisions and advocate confidently for their child.
Read Hampshire SENDIASS ‘What to Expect’ for more information
Some families may also be eligible for more intensive one-to-one support. This is a limited service and is prioritised for children, young people and parents who are unable to advocate effectively without additional help, for example because of communication difficulties, literacy needs, health conditions or unusually complex circumstances.
For most families, the information, advice, workshops and resources available through Hampshire SENDIASS will provide the guidance needed to understand processes, make informed decisions and advocate confidently for their child.
Read Hampshire SENDIASS ‘What to Expect’ for more information