SENDIASS Oxfordshire works within the bounds of the legislation, guidance and quality standards to ensure it provides impartial information, advice and support to parents and carers of children with SEND, and children and young people themselves through the CHYPSS (Children and Young People’s Partnership Service) element of SENDIASS. It promotes partnership between parent and carers, Children, Education and Families Services, schools and other agencies.
Our aim
The aim of the service is to empower, enable and encourage parents to take an informed and active part in their child’s education, and young people to be involved in decisions about their own education and futures.
What’s important to us (our values)
That parents or carers of children with SEN and Disabilities, 0-25 years, receive impartial, accurate and timely information and support so they can be actively involved in their child’s education.
That children and young people with SEN & Disabilities and their parents are enabled to participate as fully as possible in decisions and their views, wishes and feelings are sought and considered.
That parents and professionals work together effectively in the best interest of any child or young person with SEN and Disabilities and provide ways to give the children or young people themselves the chance to express their views.
What we do
We support parents/ carers of children and young people with SEN or Disabilities (0-25) and children and young people themselves to become equal partners in decision-making about their child’s/ their education through:
- Free confidential & impartial advice and accurate information
- Detailed knowledge and understanding of SEN, Disability Discrimination and Exclusions law.
- Advice on School-based SEN support, Statutory assessments, Education, Health and Care plans, Choice of school, exclusions and Tribunal appeals.
- Jargon-free leaflets on a range of topics
- Trained volunteer Independent Parental Supporters (IPS) to go with parents to school meetings or help with educational paperwork
- Access to impartial trained Independent Supporters for Young people 16- 25 with SEN and Disabilities
Monthly SEN Advice Drop-In in Oxford- Virtual Monthly SEN Advice Drop-In Sessions: Our Monthly ‘Drop-ins’ usually take place at County Hall, however, during the current time, we would like to offer you a personal 1-1 telephone meeting with one of our Advisors instead. These sessions are taking place usually on the first Wednesday and the third Friday of each month, during term time. To reserve a time slot (initially for half an hour), please email [email protected] and Liz Kinch, our Administrator, will contact you to arrange an appointment.
- An open door policy- parents can pop in for a chat to talk things through or for help with filing in forms or writing letters about educational issues
- A website with information and events
- Talking SEND briefings for parents covering a range of SEN topics
We help parents reach agreement with schools or the LA and work with schools and LA to improve communication with parents.
We support parents in their appeals against decisions made by the LA and can signpost to other sources of support.
We provide training to parents on SEN issues and participation in policy making
We try to find ways to help children and young people with SEN and Disabilities express their views.
Who we offer this service to
Any parent of a child or young person who has SEN or Disability in Oxfordshire, any age (0-25) and with any kind of learning difficulty or physical disability.
Any child or young person up to aged 25 with SEN or Disability in Oxfordshire.
