Tell us how we can improve our information, advice and support services

These are challenging times and we realise it might be a busy time for you with the family at home and possibly with varying challenges.

This is all the more reason we'd like to let you know about a consultation we are running about SEND information, advice and support (IAS) in Hertfordshire – so that you can tell us how you prefer to receive information from us and how we can improve our service.

Parents/carers of children or young people with SEND have told us it’s not always easy to know what help they need, or where to get it - sometimes they just need to talk to someone.  As part of the improved information, advice and support strategy, we are proposing that a SEND telephone helpline is where we invest in for the future and that we strengthen the capacity of SENDIASS* to meet their statutory obligation. 

All local authorities in England are required to provide a free, confidential and impartial SEND information, advice and support service (SENDIASS) for parents/carers of children and young people aged 0-25 years with special needs. This can range from help to apply for an EHCP, where to go for local support and activity groups to just a friendly voice on the phone.

The consultation is open until 14 June – we hope this is long enough for everyone to have their say. However, we’ll consider extending this deadline if we need to due to the Coronavirus outbreak.

Have your say on the IAS consultation - you will find all the documents you need to give you the detail as well as a comprehensive Frequently asked Questions (FAQs) sheet to answer all the queries you may have. And if it doesn't answer your questions, please email us at csf.commissioning@hertfordshire.gov.uk

* To find out a little more about SENDIASS - see this poster attached here