West Berkshire SENDIASS

West Berkshire SENDIASS We are West Berkshire's impartial 'Special Educational Needs & Disability Information, Advice & Support Service' (SENDIASS).

Dedicated to empowering parents, carers, and young people to take an active, informed role in decisions about education & support.

🏫What should you do if you don’t get your preferred school for your child or young person? 🏫Finding out you haven’t been...
22/04/2026

🏫What should you do if you don’t get your preferred school for your child or young person? 🏫
Finding out you haven’t been offered your preferred school can feel really stressful, but there are still things you can do next...
🟒 We’re often asked:
β€’ β€œWhat are my options if I didn’t get the school I wanted?”
β€’ β€œCan I appeal the decision?”
β€’ β€œHow do I know if the offered school can meet my child’s needs?”
πŸ“‘ Our factsheet explains:
β€’ Why it’s important to stay positive for your child during this time
β€’ How to research the school you’ve been offered
β€’ Questions you can ask the school, such as meeting the SENCo, and discussing support and transition
β€’ What your rights are, including appealing the decision
πŸ“‘ For more information, take a look at our factsheet here
πŸ‘‰https://westberkssendiass.info/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/What-to-do-if-you-did-not-get-yout-preference-school.pdf

🏫 How Schools Can Help Your Child with School Anxiety (EBSA) 🏫🟒 If your child is finding it hard to go to school becaus...
22/04/2026

🏫 How Schools Can Help Your Child with School Anxiety (EBSA) 🏫

🟒 If your child is finding it hard to go to school because of anxiety, there are ways schools can help. It starts with understanding and support. Every child is differentβ€”but with the right support, school can feel like a safer, more manageable place again.

πŸ“‘ You can find our full resource 'How school should help the child' here πŸ‘https://westberkssendiass.info/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/WB-How-school-should-help-School-AnxietyEBSA.pdf

πŸ“š How can parents and school work together? πŸ“šπŸŸ’ If your child is struggling with school anxiety or avoidance, know you're...
21/04/2026

πŸ“š How can parents and school work together? πŸ“š

🟒 If your child is struggling with school anxiety or avoidance, know you're not aloneβ€”and there is support available. With early intervention and a collaborative approach, children can overcome school anxiety and thrive.

🟒 Find the full fact sheet and tips here πŸ‘‰https://westberkssendiass.info/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/WB-How-can-parents-and-school-work-together-School-AnxietyEBSA.pdf

🀝 Are you a parent or carer of a young person aged 16-25 and looking for support from West Berkshire SENDIASS on their b...
20/04/2026

🀝 Are you a parent or carer of a young person aged 16-25 and looking for support from West Berkshire SENDIASS on their behalf? 🀝

🟒 If a parent or carer wishes to contact the service on behalf of a young person over the age of 16, we will need the young person's consent to work with their parent or carer.

🟒 Consent is required because, once a young person reaches the end of compulsory school age (the end of the academic year in which they turn 16), certain rights to make decisions about their education, health, and social care transfer from the parent to the young person.

πŸ“‘ To find out more about SENDIASS Support for Children and Young People, read our factsheet here πŸ‘‰https://westberkssendiass.info/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/West-Berks-Factsheet-Support-for-Children-and-Young-People.pdf

Have you lodged an appeal and want to know what happens next? πŸ” 🟒 Did you know that Southampton SENDIASS have a step-by-...
19/04/2026

Have you lodged an appeal and want to know what happens next? πŸ”

🟒 Did you know that Southampton SENDIASS have a step-by-step guide on their website which outlines the Appeal Process - this explains all the relevant information that you should know after you have lodged your appeal.

🟒 The process following the appeal remains the same for West Berkshire however should you need to contact the West Berkshire local authority; their email address is not in the guide and can be found here: πŸ‘‰ senteam@westberks.gov.uk

πŸ“‘ Find the guide here πŸ‘‰https://www.southamptonsendiass.info/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SO-Appeal-Process-after-Lodging-Appeal.pdf

πŸ“… EHCP Timeline – What Parents Need to Know πŸ“…Applying for an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) follows a 20-week ti...
18/04/2026

πŸ“… EHCP Timeline – What Parents Need to Know πŸ“…

Applying for an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) follows a 20-week timeline. Here's a quick overview:

πŸ”Ή Phase 1: You (or school) request an assessment. The local authority decides whether to go ahead.

πŸ”Ή Phase 2: If agreed, professionals (e.g. educational psychologist, health, school) give their advice and evidence is gathered

πŸ”Ή Phase 3: The local authority decides whether to issue an EHCP. If yes, they’ll send you a draft plan.

πŸ”Ή Phase 4: You give feedback on the draft and suggest a school. By week 20, you should receive the final EHCP.

πŸ’‘ This process is legal and must be completed in 20 weeks (except in exceptional circumstances). Support is available from SENDIASS if you need help along the way.

πŸ“‘ View the full timeline:https://westberkssendiass.info/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/EHC-Needs-Assessment-Timeline-1.pdf

πŸ“‹ Are you finding it challenging to understand the details of your child or young person’s EHCP? πŸ“‹πŸŸ’ We frequently receiv...
18/04/2026

πŸ“‹ Are you finding it challenging to understand the details of your child or young person’s EHCP? πŸ“‹

🟒 We frequently receive requests from parents and carers to review their child's EHCP and to clarify how detailed and specific their EHC Plan should be.

πŸ“‘ Unlock the Full Potential of EHCPs and discover our comprehensive resource "Checking Your EHCP Guide" to help you navigate EHCPs with confidence. Find it here πŸ‘‰https://westberkssendiass.info/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/WB-Checking-your-EHCP-FULL-RESOURCE.pdf

🟒 Further guidance can also be found on IPSEA's website:πŸ‘‡
https://www.ipsea.org.uk/what-an-ehc-plan-contains

πŸ“ How should school record absences if your child or young person is experiencing Emotionally Based School Absence (EBS...
17/04/2026

πŸ“ How should school record absences if your child or young person is experiencing Emotionally Based School Absence (EBSA) -this is when a child experiences extreme anxiety and distress in relation to attending school. πŸ“

🟒 We frequently get asked "How do I ask the school to record EBSA absences correctly?", "What are my options if I don't have any medical evidence", or "I am being threatened with prosecution by the school?"

πŸ“‘ For detailed guidance, check out our factsheet "How Should Schools Record Absences?" here πŸ‘‰
https://westberkssendiass.info/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/WB-How-school-should-record-absences-School-AnxietyEBSA.pdf

πŸ’¬ Have you contacted West Berkshire SENDIASS recently and awaiting contact from our triage team? πŸ’¬πŸŸ’ Our role as an infor...
16/04/2026

πŸ’¬ Have you contacted West Berkshire SENDIASS recently and awaiting contact from our triage team? πŸ’¬

🟒 Our role as an information, advice, and support service (IASS) is to help parents/carers, children, and young people build their knowledge, understanding, and confidence in SEND procedures, policies, practices, and law - Enabling them to communicate their own needs, wishes, aims, and rights.

🟒 The aim of West Berkshire SENDIASS is always to enable parents/carers and young people to make confident, independent, and informed decisions. We will therefore assess every situation to understand the level of support required.

πŸ“‘ This chart outlines the four levels of support we offer. To better understand our process, we’ve provided a link to our SENDIASS process flowchart. This chart outlines the four levels of support we offer. πŸ‘‰https://westberkssendiass.info/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/West-Berks-SENDIASS-Process-Flow-Chart.pdf

πŸ“š Is your child or young person receiving SEN support in school? πŸ“šπŸŸ’ If a child or young person has Special Educational N...
15/04/2026

πŸ“š Is your child or young person receiving SEN support in school? πŸ“š

🟒 If a child or young person has Special Educational Needs (SEN) but does not have an EHC plan, they are still entitled to the support necessary to meet their needs. This additional support is called SEN support.
🟒 SEN support received by the child or young person should be REVIEWED by everyone involved to see if it is working. If it is, it might continue. If it is not working, or if the outcomes have been achieved, some of the arrangements might be changed.
🟒 The SEND Code of Practice (2015) is not specific about the frequency of reviews, but termly would fit in with the requirement to meet parents three times per year. Parents should be fully involved.

The following graduated approach should be followed:

1️⃣ Assess βž– Identify the child's needs and gather information from various sources, including teachers, parents, and specialists.
2️⃣ Plan βž– Develop an individualised support plan tailored to the child's specific needs, setting clear, achievable goals.
3️⃣ Do βž– Implement the support plan, providing the necessary resources and interventions.
4️⃣ Review βž– Regularly monitor the child's progress and adjust the plan as needed to ensure it remains effective.

🟒 If a child requires more intensive support, they may be considered for an Education, Health, and Care (EHC) plan, which provides a more detailed and legally binding document outlining the support they need.

πŸ“‘ Read our factsheet on SEN support here πŸ‘‰https://westberkssendiass.info/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/WB-SEN-Support-Summary-Sheet.pdf

🌐 Further detailed guidance is available on IPSEA's link here πŸ‘‰https://www.ipsea.org.uk/FAQs/what-does-sen-support-in-school-mean

🌐 A child does not need a formal diagnosis in order to receive support in school. Support should be available based on the child’s needs.
Further detailed guidance is available here πŸ‘‰
https://www.ipsea.org.uk/blog/the-myth-of-needing-a-diagnosis-before-you-can-get-support

πŸ“„β›” Have you applied for an EHCP and had your request for an EHC Needs Assessment refused? β›”πŸ“„πŸŸ’ Are you planning to appeal...
14/04/2026

πŸ“„β›” Have you applied for an EHCP and had your request for an EHC Needs Assessment refused? β›”πŸ“„

🟒 Are you planning to appeal the decision? We understand how frustrating this process can be β€” it’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed or even discouraged.

πŸ“…β— Make note of your appeal deadline β—πŸ“…
Make sure to record any key dates in your calendar or diary - You must submit your appeal form to the SEND Tribunal within two months of the LA’s decision letter, or within one month of receiving your mediation certificate β€” whichever gives you more time. If your deadline falls in August, you have until the first working day in September to submit your form.

πŸ“‘ Please find our 'Appealing a Refusal to Assess Decision' factsheet πŸ‘‰https://westberkssendiass.info/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Appealing-a-Refusal-to-Assess-an-EHCP-Decision.pdf

πŸ“‘ You can also find our guide on completing the 'SEND35a' form hereπŸ‘‰https://westberkssendiass.info/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/How-to-compete-a-SEND35a-Form.pdf

πŸ’» Our webinar, 'What to do if an EHC needs assessment is refused,' is available to watch here πŸ‘‰ https://youtu.be/g1HKoWJ2u6I

Address

Bradbury Centre, 300 Aldermoor Road
Southampton
SO165NA

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+443003032644

Website

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