Introduction
If you feel that your child is not making progress, you might be thinking about requesting an Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment. But the quickest way to get some extra support for your child is to speak to staff at their school, college or education setting. We always recommend having these conversations before proceeding with a request for assessment.
Talking things through
In many cases, you can talk to the SENCO or SEND Lead at your child or young person’s educational setting about your concerns. SENCOs and SEND Leads have regular contact with the SEND Assessment and Review Team and Inclusion Advice Line at the Council and should be able to answer any questions.
Ruth from the Somerset Parent Carer Forum gives tips for parent carers to prepare for meetings.
Somerset Parent Carer Forum (SPCF) run regular chill and chat sessions for parents to get peer support. SPCF believes help and support should be made available to all, no matter what stage of the journey. There is no need for a diagnosis to get support. Find out more on the Somerset Parent Carer Forum page.
Free and impartial advice
All councils must offer access to a free and impartial organisation to support families children and young people with SEND. You can learn more on our advice and advocacy page.
Somerset SENDIAS (Special Educational Needs and Disability Information, Advice and Support) is a free, confidential, and impartial service. Open to all children, young people and their families. For help with special educational needs and disability from birth to 25. You can talk to them by phone, email or meet in person.
Helen talks about SENDIAS in a video from Local Offer Live, February 2022.
IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) gives free legal information to help children and young people with SEND get the right education. They also teach parents, carers and professionals about SEND law.
SOSSEN has a free and friendly phone helpline. It gives advice to parents and others who want help with SEND.