A message from Victoria Hunt, SENDiass4BCP Service Manager.
We hear that concerns have been expressed by some parent carers, amongst each other, that there are difficulties in getting a SENDiass Officer to work alongside you.
We currently have a vacancy for a SENDiass Officer, as Claire Murphy left the service during the Easter holidays. A recruitment advert will be going out in the very near future.
However, there is no decrease in access to information, advice and support (IAS), across education, health and social care matters. In response to demands on the service, there is actually an increase in opportunities for us to provide IAS. We want to ensure everyone who needs IAS can access what they need, when they need it and this now happens in a number of ways, depending on your enquiry:
- Our autoresponse from help@sendiass4bcp.org now has links to our website, where you will find a wealth of information and advice including access to our webinars and workshops (delivered by SENDiass Officers).
- Calls and/or email response from our SENDiass Advisors (all have received IPSEA legal training). From the 2nd May following an induction process, we will have 3 SENDiass Advisors able to respond to initial enquiries.
- A one off call & follow up email, from a SENDiass Officer, for more individualised information and advice
- A SENDiass Officer allocated to your child or young person and you, to provide more direct support, should the situation be of a complex nature. Each situation is considered, as to whether further support from a SENDiass Officer is required, however we continue to prioritise young people wanting support in their own right, exclusions, SEND Tribunal, EHCP process and children/young people experiencing barriers to accessing education.
- A combination of all of the above, with increasing support provided as and when required.
We can also connect you with Contact advice line, our national partner in delivering information & advice, should you wish to contact them too(08088 083555).
There are no hard and fast rules, the SENDiass4BCP ethos is to enable parent carers, children and young people to self-advocate wherever possible, by providing them with the information, advice, & support they require. However, we know that with current pressures at a national & local level that it’s really difficult for families, please do not hesitate to come back and request additional help & support should you need it. We are doing our absolute best to support across BCP.
If you would like to give me feedback on your experience, please do not hesitate to contact me victoria.hunt@bcpcouncil.gov.uk.
