West Berkshire SENDIASS

19/01/2026

🧐 Struggling to make sense of all the acronyms and jargon used in schools and SEND support? You're not alone! 🧐

📑 Check out our handy Jargon Buster to help you understand what it all means 👉https://westberkssendiass.info/information-and-resources__trashed/jargon-buster/

19/01/2026

Have you lodged an appeal and want to know what happens next? 🔍

🟢 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: 👉 senteam@westberks.gov.uk

📑 Find the guide here 👉https://www.southamptonsendiass.info/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SO-Appeal-Process-after-Lodging-Appeal.pdf

18/01/2026

📅 EHCP Timeline – What Parents Need to Know 📅

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

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

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

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

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

💡 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.

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

18/01/2026

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

🟢 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.

📑 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 👉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:👇
https://www.ipsea.org.uk/what-an-ehc-plan-contains

17/01/2026

📝 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. 📝

🟢 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?"

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

16/01/2026

💬 Have you contacted West Berkshire SENDIASS recently and awaiting contact from our triage team? 💬

🟢 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.

📑 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. 👉https://westberkssendiass.info/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/West-Berks-SENDIASS-Process-Flow-Chart.pdf

15/01/2026

📚 Is your child or young person receiving SEN support in school? 📚

🟢 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 ➖ Identify the child's needs and gather information from various sources, including teachers, parents, and specialists.
2️⃣ Plan ➖ Develop an individualised support plan tailored to the child's specific needs, setting clear, achievable goals.
3️⃣ Do ➖ Implement the support plan, providing the necessary resources and interventions.
4️⃣ Review ➖ 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.

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

🌐 Further detailed guidance is available on IPSEA's link here 👉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 👉
https://www.ipsea.org.uk/blog/the-myth-of-needing-a-diagnosis-before-you-can-get-support

14/01/2026

The Newbury SEND Parents group meets on the second Wednesday evening of each month from 7pm to 8pm at the Salvation Army centre, in Northcroft Lane, with the next session tomorrow Wednesday, January 14.
This free monthly meet-up is open to all parents and grandparents of children with SEND.
- See the flyer for more details.

14/01/2026

📄⛔ Have you applied for an EHCP and had your request for an EHC Needs Assessment refused? ⛔📄

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

📅❗ Make note of your appeal deadline ❗📅
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 — whichever gives you more time. If your deadline falls in August, you have until the first working day in September to submit your form.

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

📑 You can also find our guide on completing the 'SEND35a' form here👉https://westberkssendiass.info/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/How-to-compete-a-SEND35a-Form.pdf

💻 Our webinar, 'What to do if an EHC needs assessment is refused,' is available to watch here 👉 https://youtu.be/g1HKoWJ2u6I

13/01/2026

📚 Appealing the School Named in Your Child’s EHCP 📚

🟢 If you're not satisfied with the school or setting named in your child's EHCP, you have the right to appeal. Southampton SENDIASS provides a clear guide on how to navigate this process.

🤔 Key Reasons for Appeal:
🟢 Unsuitability: The named school is not suitable for your child's age, ability, aptitude, or special educational needs.
🟢 Incompatibility: Attending the named school would be incompatible with the efficient education of others or the efficient use of resources.

💡 Ensure that Sections B (needs) and F (provision) of the EHCP accurately reflect your child's requirements, as the Tribunal will select a school that can meet these needs.

📑 Please find our 'Appealing The School Named In EHCP Decision' factsheet here �https://westberkssendiass.info/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/WB-Appealing-the-School-named-in-your-EHCP-2024.pdf

12/01/2026

📋 EHCP Summary Guide – Quick & Simple! 📋

🟢 Looking to better understand your child’s EHCP? This factsheet breaks down the process step-by-step — from understanding each section to making sure the plan truly reflects your child’s needs - Perfect if you're new to EHCPs or want a refresher!

📑 Please find our 'Checking your EHCP: Summary' downloadable factsheet here 👉https://westberkssendiass.info/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/WB-Checking-your-EHCP-Summary.pdf

12/01/2026