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Bromley Information, Advice and Support Service (IASS)

Information, advice and support about special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) for children and young people up to age 25, and their parents and carers.

Topics: information and advice

Schools and settings

Choosing the right school

Advice to help you choose an education setting for your child if they require additional or specific support to meet their diagnosed or undiagnosed SEND.

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Communicating with school

Tips to help you think about communicating with the school staff and what you can do if you are unhappy about how they are communicating with you.

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What schools should do

All schools have a legal duty to support children who have SEND and every child has a right to an inclusive education with their typically developing peers.

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School transport

The Council’s SEN transport policies set out in detail who is eligible for transport support in mainstream and specialist settings from primary to post-16.

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Refusing to go to school

School refusal can be really stressful. It is important to seek help as soon as possible when a child has been refusing to attend school.

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Excluded from school

Child can only be excluded (permanent and fixed-period) for disciplinary reasons. They cannot be excluded because a school cannot meet their needs.

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SEN support and EHC plans

Graduated Approach

The Graduated Approach is a step-by-step way of making sure children with emerging needs as well as SEND get the right support at the right time.

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Ordinarily Available Provision (OAP)

OAP describes what pupils can typically expect to access in mainstream schools to support their SEND.

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SEN support

If a child needs more help than what’s ordinarily available, the school will move to SEN Support using the Assess – Plan – Do – Review cycle.

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EHC needs assessments

An education, health and care (EHC) needs assessment is an assessment of the education, health and social care needs of a child.

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EHC plans
An EHC plan is a legal document which describes a child’s SEN, the support they need and the outcomes they would like to achieve.

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EHC annual reviews

If a child has an EHC plan, the Council must review it at least once a year to make sure it stays up-to-date and continues to provide the support needed.

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Mediation and appeals

Appealing a decision

If the Council have made a decision you don’t agree with, you may have the right to mediation or to appeal.

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Mediation

Mediation is a less formal way of trying to settle the dispute to help you reach agreement on the points of dispute.

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Tribunals and appeals

An appeal can be made regarding decisions the Council has made in relation to an EHC needs assessment or plan.

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Health and care support

Health and care

Some children benefit from extra help and support from health and social care services.

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Mental health & wellbeing

Having good mental health helps us relax and enjoy our lives more.

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Moving to adult services

Some disabled children will transition to adult services when they turn 18.

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Choose by age

Early years (under 5’s)

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School aged (5 to 16)

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Young adults (16 and over)

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About us

We provide free, confidential and impartial information, advice and support relating to special educational needs and disability (SEND).

Learn more about us and what we do:

Help and resources

The law

Understanding the law will help you in your journey through SEND system.

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Videos

Information, advice and support provided in video format.

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Useful links

A list of useful links of advice and organisations both in Bromley and nationally.

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Downloads

Our key information and advice – provided in downloadable guides and documents.

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The use of AI

The IASS Network have produced this short statement for use by services in their work with parent/carers, children and young people which advises on the risks associated with using artificial intelligence tools in relation to the law and accessing legal guidance.

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News and events