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