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Spotlight on SENDIASS advisers
Published
SENDIASS (SEND Information Advice and Support Service) Gloucestershire provides free, confidential and impartial ADVICE and support on matters relating to children and young people (0-25) with special educational needs and disabilities and their families. Young people 16+ can also access the service by themselves.
In every newsletter, we will be focusing on one member of the hardworking experts at SENDIASS, who provide confidential, impartial advice and support on SEND – for free.
In this edition, we introduce Helen.
Having worked very closely with families and children with SEND for her entire career, Helen is passionate about person-centred support and enabling children and young people to recognise their strengths and fulfil their potential, no matter what the barriers. Having a close family member with a disability has given her even greater understanding of the barriers some face and what equality should look like.
Helen started her career as a primary teacher, and has worked in schools in London, Cardiff, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire. Helen moved into senior leadership roles, such as SENCO, Safeguarding Lead and Deputy Head.
She completed her NASENCO award whilst working as a SENCO in a Gloucestershire school. Helen then went on to complete an MEd in SEND gaining a distinction. She has also completed IPSEA level 3 SEND Law.
Helen has also worked as a private SEND tutor and completed NAS certificates in supporting students with autism, including those in Higher Education as well as completing a diploma in ADHD symptoms & management. Helen also supports neurodiverse students at university with study and everyday life skills.
Helen enjoys spending time with her family, reading, dog-walking and going to the theatre.
More about SENDIASS - like every local authority, Gloucestershire has to provide such a service that is free, easy to access and confidential.
SENDIASS is accountable and legally obliged to have regard to the minimum standards based on the requirements relating to support that SENDIAS services must provide, as set out in the Children and Families Act (CFA) 2014, the SEND Code of Practice.
This means that the information, advice and support that SENDIASS offers is firmly based in the law and the SEND Code of Practice. SENDIASS Gloucestershire provides unbiased information and advice about the local authority’s policies and procedures and about the policy and practice in local schools and other settings.
You will be speaking to an Independent Provider of Special Education Advice (IPSEA)-trained adviser with many years of previous professional experience in SEND.
SENDIASS can offer advice on topics including how schools can support children with SEND, the Gloucestershire Graduated Pathway, the Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) process and more. The service can help you understand and/or complete official documents and help you to prepare for, and even accompany you to, meetings, appeals and tribunals, as well as signpost you to other organisations that may be able to help.
SENDIASS - Expert, confidential, impartial advice and support on SEND – for free. Contact SENDIASS today if you need guidance.
