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Luton SEND Information Advice Support Service (SENDIAS) offers information, advice and support on:
- Helping children, young people and parents/carers to gather, understand and interpret information relating to special educational needs (SEN) and apply it to their own situation
- Education law on SEN and related law on disability, health and social care through suitable independently trained staff
- Local policy and practice
- Support when things go wrong through early disagreement resolution, mediation, routes of appeal and complaints procedures
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This support could include information around:
- Education and Health Care plans (EHCP)
- Educational settings in Luton and out of authority
- Accessing the Local Offer
- Disagreement resolution and tribunals
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Luton SENDIAS Service can:
- Listen to your questions and concerns
- Explain the process of SEN support
- Support and advise around school meetings
- Support and advise around school visits
- Give information and advice around disagreement resolution
- Support and advise around SEND tribunals
- Support through the statutory assessment (EHCP) processes
- Support and advice with annual reviews
- Signpost you to other services where necessary
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The support can be delivered in a number of different ways and casework will be agreed on an individual basis and may include:
- Phone calls
- Emails
- Home visits
- School meetings
- Local authority meetings
- School visits working with parent/carer support groups, local SEN groups, SEN youth forums, disability groups or training events
Luton SENDIAS service are continually exploring ways to improve and develop our service. We would be grateful if you would take some time to complete a quick on line evaluation.
What is an Information, Advice and Support (IAS) service?
How an Information, Advice and Support service runs in order to meet the minimum standards
What Information, Advice and Support Services must do for children and young people with SEND and their families to meet the minimum standards
Participation​
Luton SENDIAS Service involve and empower parents/carers, children and young people in discussions and decisions about their individual support.
Local authorities should do this in a way which ensures that children, young people and parents/carers feel they have participated fully in the process and have a sense of co-ownership. This is often referred to as ‘co-production’.
Effective participation should specifically ensure that parents/carers, children and young people are fully:
- Involved in the planning of SEN support for their individual needs in early years settings, schools and colleges
- Included in the Education Health and Care needs assessment process from the start
- Aware of their opportunities to offer views and information and are consulted about the content of the plan
- Consulted when reviewing local SEN and social care provision and when reviewing the Local Offer
Making a referral
Parents/carers, children and young people should self-refer via the helpline, email or by visiting the website. Luton SENDIAS is available all year during office hours. An answer service is available throughout the year and a member of the team will respond to your query. Please leave a brief message and your contact details, including name, number and postcode.
Email: [email protected]
For more information please see our Useful Links, Policies and Resources pages.