Free, impartial, confidential
The information, advice and support service (IASS) offers free, impartial information, advice and support in confidence for
- Children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities age 0 to 25.
- Parents and carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
- Children and young people with SEND around transitions from pre-school to primary school, onto secondary school and college, etc.
Education
Communicating with school
Tips and ideas to help you have open, honest and positive relationships with your child’s school.
Refusing to go to school
Advice to help you feel more able to deal with school refusal and help to feel more in control and informed.
Choosing the right school
Ideas and advice to help you feel more confident in choosing the right mainstream or specialist school for your child.
What schools should do
Understand what schools have to do to support children and young people who have identified SEND needs.
School transport
Learn about who is eligible for school transport and the range of options available to all children and young people.
Excluded from school
Children with SEND are much more likely to be excluded from school than their classmates - see what your rights are.
Health, care and support needs
Assessing needs
If you have concerns about your child’s development, it’s important to understand who to talk to.
Health and care
Some children who have additional needs will benefit from extra help and support from health and social care services.
Mental health
Tips, advice and support to help you have good mental health which will help you relax and enjoy your life more.
Moving to adult services
Disabled people over 18 years old have their learning, care and support needs met by adult services.
The law
Understanding the law will help you in your journey through special educational needs and disabilities system.
Videos
Information, advice and support provided in video format to help you understand key parts of the world of SEND.
We provide
- Helpline and email support (phone lines are open between 9.30am to 1pm and 2 to 4pm).
- Meetings in a local Children and Family Centre or in central Bromley.
- Independent Volunteer Supporter (IVS) assistance at meetings.
- Help communicating with professionals (letter writing, emails, phone calls).
- Support to achieve positive outcomes at meetings and reviews about you or your child.
- Help understanding reports by professionals.
- Advice on SEN systems, procedures and processes.
- Guidance on Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and Transition Reviews.
- Mediation at all stages with schools and the Local Authority.
- Information on Health and Social Care policies and procedures.
- Support with the transition between each educational stage.
- Support and advice with Post 16 options.
- Support with SEND Tribunals.
- Signposting to other support services.
Get in touch
We are open, approachable and friendly.
We are open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 1pm and from 2pm to 4pm.
Latest News and What’s On
Stay up to date with the latest announcements, changes and developments for children and young people who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).