About

Dorset Special Educational Needs and Disability, Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS)

We are a free, impartial and confidential service that provides information, advice and support to:

children and young people aged from 0 to 25 with special educational needs and/or disability (SEND)
parents and carers of children and young people with SEND.

We also work with:

the local council in Dorset
education and training providers
the voluntary sector
other agencies

We aim for parents and carers, children and young people to play an informed part in:

planning provision
agreeing outcomes to meet SEND

What support we can provide:

SENDIASS officers are trained in Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND).

We will help you:

express your views for assessments or meetings
find other support
if there’s a disagreement
by listening to your concerns and talking to you about your choices and options

Our service provides:

a telephone helpline with 24-hour voicemail
email advice line
face-to-face support
help to prepare for meetings
written information
signposting to other services and people who can help
support through the Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan process

For further information or advice please contact us

Visit our Facebook page

If you are a professional then please see our Professionals Page

In need of mental health support? View our information and signposting page

Annual SENDIASS Report

Read our latest annual SENDIASS report. 2022-23 Annual Report Dorset SENDIASS

Also see our most recent report on Children Missing or unable to attend Full Time Education, jointly created with Dorset Parent Carer Council (DPCC): https://mailchi.mp/dorsetparentcarercouncil/survey-report-children-missing-or-unable-to-attend-full-time-education?e=66766a7f48