Northumberland Information, Advice and Support Service

Northumberland Information, Advice and Support Service is a free, confidential and impartial service for children and young people (up to 25 years) with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), and their parents and carers.

The information, advice and support provided by the service covers the full range of education, health and social care as defined in the SEND Code of Practice 2015. The service is run at ‘arm’s length’ from the Local Authority.

The support the service can offer includes:

• Providing a listening ear and practical advice and support with understanding the SEND ‘system’
• Information on a range of SEND topics.
• Support with preparing for meetings.
• Help with exploring the options for a child/young person’s SEND provision.
• Signposting to other services and groups, including parent groups, youth forums and national helplines.
• Support for individual children, young people and their parents that empowers them to express their views and wishes and helps them to understand and exercise their rights in matters including SEND processes, exclusion, complaints and SEND appeals.
• Training for parents, children and young people, and professionals to increase their knowledge of SEND law, guidance, local policy, issues and participation.

The website for the service provides further details and can be accessed at northumberlandiass.org.uk.