Islington SENDIASS Services

SENDIASS stands for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service.

It’s a free, impartial, and confidential service offering information to young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and to their parents and carers.

We provide free, impartial, confidential, and accessible information, advice and support about matters relating to SEN or disabilities, including matters relating to education, health, and social care. This also includes information, advice and support around Personal Budgets. Our objective is to ensure children and their parents and young people have sufficient information and support necessary to participate in decision making.

Who can access this service

Parents and carers of children with SEN and or disabilities aged 0 to 25 and Young People aged 16 to 25 living in Islington.

How to access

You can self refer to access this service. Simply get in touch with our team:

Call: 020 3031 6651

Email: islingtonSENDIASS@ldnlondon.org

About this service

Islington SENDIASS provides free, confidential, and impartial support to parents, carers, children, and young people with diagnosed or potential special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). We help you understand your rights under SEND law and navigate the education system. Our service is available to families and young people up to the age of 25 who live in the London Borough of Islington.

We know that understanding SEND processes can sometimes feel overwhelming. That’s why we’re here to empower you with the information, advice, and support you need. Whether you have questions about education, health, or social care, we’ll guide you through your rights and the legal responsibilities of schools and local authorities.

Our team is available Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, all year round. However, there may be times when staff are out at meetings, events, or working flexibly to meet service needs. You can always leave us a message at 020 3031 6651 or email islingtonSENDIASS@ldnlondon.org. We aim to respond to initial enquiries within three working days and provide ongoing support as needed.

Types of Support

We provide free, impartial information, advice, and support on all matters related to special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This includes:

Local policies, practices, and the Local Offer
Information around Personal Budgets
SEND, health, and social care law
Understanding and applying information to your situation
Transition to adulthood and adult services
Resolving disagreements with the local authority
Information and advise around short breaks and applying for short breaks

How We Help

Advice & Guidance – On education, health, and social care issues
Workshops & Events – Parent/carer coffee mornings and themed SEND sessions
Empowering Families – Helping parents, carers, and young people express their views
Meeting Support – Assistance at school and local authority meetings
Paperwork Help – Guidance on SEND-related forms, including EHCPs
Dispute Resolution – Mediation support and tribunal preparation
Signposting – Information on specialist services, both local and national

We’re here to ensure you have the knowledge and support you need to navigate the SEND system with confidence.

Join us for coffee

Please join us for our monthly coffee mornings. This is supportive environment for parents/carers. You can meet other parents over coffee facilitated by our case workers. Please note, this is for parent/carers only.

Upcoming sessions:

Thursday 24^th April

Thursday 22nd May

Thursday 26^th June

Factsheets

We have produced a range of factsheets to support you with key information around important decisions and transitions

Choosing a school

Exclusions

EHCP Annual review

How to get support with health

Moving to a new school

Naming a school

Needs Assessments

SEN Support

Tips and questions to ask when looking at secondary schools

What do I do if I do not agree with decisions

Need different support?

Whatever issues you or your family face, we are here to help. If this service isn’t right for you, you can find a different service, contact us and we can help signpost you to the right support for you.

Where else can I get support in Islington?

Islington Local Offer – A directory of what support is available for children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities, and their families. Including information about education, health and care provision. SEND local offer | Islington Council

IMAX – Income Maximisation team Find Your Islington | Islington Council Income Maximisation Team (iMAX)

Short Breaks team Find Your Islington | Short Breaks Offer

Islington Parent Carer Forum Islington Parent Carer Forum

Islington SEN Team Find Your Islington | Special Educational Needs (SEN) Team

SEMH Front Door – Services offered by in Islington by CAMHS and their partner agencies Islington CAMHS: Social Emotional Mental Health Services (SEMH) | Waiting Room (nclwaitingroom.nhs.uk)

ILDP – Islington Learning Disability Partnership Support from the Islington community for people with learning disabilities | Islington Council

Islington Family Hubs Family Hubs | Islington Council

Bright Start – family support service <5s Bright Start Islington: Start for Life, children’s centres and family hubs| Islington Council

Bright Futures – family support service 5+ Find Your Islington | Bright Futures, Early Help 5-19 (school-age to 19 years)

Disability Action in Islington (supporting disabled adults) Home | Disability Action in Islington | England (daii.org)