03 Feb GIVING SEND CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE, AND THEIR FAMILIES A VOICE – COMMUNITY MATTERS
By Kelly Givens, SENDIASS Torbay Lead
We want children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and their families to be heard at every level.
SEND Information Advice and Support Services (IASS) is a statutory service that provides free impartial, confidential, accurate, information advice and support regarding education, health and social care for children, young people and their parents on matters relating to special educational needs and disability.
The provision of information, advice and support should help to promote independence and self-advocacy for children, young people and parents. Chapter two of the SEND Code of Practice sets out the role and activities of an IASS. SENDIASS Torbay has been hosted by Torbay CDT since 2014.
We believe by taking a partnership approach, we can help create positive and impactful change.
Over the last nine months, SENDIASS Torbay has been working with SEND Family Voice Torbay, a newly formed and independent Parent Carer Forum, recognised by the Department for Education and supported by the National Network of Parent Carer Forums and Contact.
All participating parents and carers are volunteers. The group is chaired by Rebecca Box, who works alongside the steering group.
Rebecca Box said, “We want to help create positive change in Torbay so that all children and young people with SEND will have the very best life chances, where they can be truly valued, follow their own pathways and thrive as adults.
“We want to empower our parents and carers to share their voices and create a culture of participation where parents and carers work in co-production with professionals in education, health, social care, and the voluntary and community sector.”
“Please visit our website to see what events we run where parents and carers can get involved. By joining our mailing list, we will keep you up to date with any local updates, events and opportunities to have your say. If you would like to volunteer as a parent representative or be more involved with our work, please get in touch via Facebook or our website.”
To contact SENDIASS Torbay, call us on 01803 210 371 or email [email protected]
Woman helping boy with homework photo courtesy of Freepik.com
