Frequently asked Questions about our Service

This is a group of staff who help people with SEND, and their parents or carers. You can ask them questions, and they can send you information or explain things on the phone. They can support you if you have a problem. They are impartial and confidential.

Confidential means that when you talk to SENDIASS we will not tell other people what you said. We will keep it private. Impartial means we don’t take sides. Impartial advice is when someone does not take sides, but gives you all the information, and lets you choose what you think.

Our service is free, you do not have to pay anything.

It is your right to get information, advice and support on your own, if you want.  If you are 16 years or older you can also make your own decisions and you will be in charge of those decisions, unless you want help. Your meetings will be private, unless you give us permission to tell other people what we have talked about. The only time we will tell someone without your permission, is if we think someone is in danger of being hurt.

Essex County Council is the people who make decisions about how to run Essex. They look after schools, parks, roads, libraries, bus stops- things to make life in Essex run smoothly. There are staff at the council who make decisions about education, like when to provide an Education, Health & Care Plan to a child or young person.

The Local offer Provides useful information for children and young people with special educational needs and their families. Each Local Authority has to provide a Local offer.

Visit the Essex Local Offer

This is the proper name for your local council. Your Local Authority (sometimes shortened to LA) is Essex.