Dorset Council is looking to improve and strengthen the special educational needs and disability information, advice and support service, SENDIASS. This is a free, confidential and impartial service for children and young people aged 0 to 25 years who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and their parents and carers.
In October 2020, Dorset Council’s Cabinet, made up of local councillors, approved plans to find an external provider to deliver SENDIASS to ensure that, along with its Steering Group, an impartial, compliant and effective service is provided.
A SENDIAS service will continue to be delivered with increased investment to ensure that the minimum standards for delivery are met. The council has worked with the SENDIASS Steering Group to develop the service specification and a contract will only be awarded to a provider that demonstrates they have the experience and skills necessary to deliver the service. The service will continue to be delivered locally, and the contract will be closely monitored to ensure it meets the needs of children, young people and their families.
The aims of SENDIASS will continue to be to:
- provide a high quality, impartial, accurate and confidential service
- empower children, young people and their parents/carers to play an informed and active part in decision making and supporting them to make the best decisions
- contribute to partnership working with providers of education, alternative provision, training, supported employment, health and care
- ensure service user views are heard and understood
- make sure service users understand their rights, roles and responsibilities
The current SENDIASS team will be offered the opportunity to transfer to the new provider to ensure continuity and stability for the service.
The new provider will be required to:
- work with parents, carers, young people and partners to develop the service further
- provide an effective and timely action plan to ensure that the service provides the council’s statutory responsibilities and meets the minimum standards for delivery
- increase awareness and improve communication, including face to face, the web and social media
- improve accessibility of the service across the county
- support more young people with SEND directly
- ensure there are sufficient well qualified and trained staff to run the service effectively
- establish a volunteer service
- form strong links with other professionals whilst still being impartial
- regularly report on their progress
Cllr Andrew Parry, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Children, Education and Early Help, said: “Dorset’s SENDIASS provides a valuable service to parents, carers and young people which includes supporting them to challenge decisions made by Dorset Council. Being run by an independent organisation should further strengthen trust that the service is fully impartial. The new provider must evidence they are growing and improving the service, so it continues to benefit children and young people with SEND”.
Dorset Council will work with the provider to ensure minimum disruption to the service when it transfers and publish the new contact details.
Find out more about SENDIASS and make contact by visiting www.dorsetsendiass.co.uk
