What is Birmingham SENDIASS?

Birmingham SENDIASS is a self-referral service that provides information, advice and support to parents and carers of children under 16 and young people (16-25) who have or may have special educational needs. Birmingham SENDIASS also provide information, advice and support to professionals working with these young people and families.

Birmingham SENDIASS works in line with Children and Families Act 2014, the associated SEND code of practice, and the national quality standards for impartial information, advice and support services.

Birmingham SENDIASS:

  • offer resources and information about the law on special educational needs and disabilities. We offer information, advice and support services.
  • is confidential – unless we have your written consent, we cannot tell anyone else what you have told us.
  • is impartial – we don’t take sides.
  • operates at arm’s length from the local authority – we can help you to understand and challenge local authority decisions.

How does Birmingham SENDIASS Help?

SENDIASS provides:

  • A website – About – Birmingham SENDIASS
  • A confidential helpline and email service – SENDIASS Helpline: 0121 303 5004 – SENDIASS Mailbox: SENDIASS@Birmingham.gov.uk
  • Verbal and written information and advice on rights and responsibilities.
  • Support with understanding complex documents and reports
  • Advice in resolving disagreements, including mediation and appeals to the first tier of the SEN and Disability Tribunal.
  • Information sessions and training
  • Support around meetings – including school, local authority and professional staff
  • Signposting for children, young people and parents/carers to alternative and additional sources of advice, information and support that may be available locally or nationally.
  • An awareness of the local authority’s services for resolving disagreements and for mediation, and the routes of appeal and complaint on matters relating to SEN and disability
  • Advocacy where agreed

Contact

Phone: 0121 303 5004 | 24-Hour answering machine service – Staffed 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday
Email: sendiass@birmingham.gov.uk
Address: Birmingham SENDIASS, Happy Days Nursery, 3 Graham Street, Birmingham B19 1QY