Darlington AssociationIndependent Support
Independent Support is a service provided by Darlington Association on Disability and the Information Advice and Support Service for SEND (formerly Parent Partnership Service), funded by the Council for Disabled Children
Independent Support provides support for parents of children with Special Educational Needs (SEN), and young people with SEN, through the coordinated assessment and Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) processes introduced on the 1st September 2014 by the Children and Families Act 2014.
Some of the key features of the new SEN framework include:
• Education Health and Care (EHC) Plans to replace Statements of Special Educational Needs and Learning Difficulty Assessment for children and young people aged 0-25
• New rights for families to participate in the assessment and planning process
• The opportunity to access a Personal Budget
• Information on services and sources of support to be published in a ‘Local Offer’
Independent Support is provided through a telephone service, trained peer supporters, and qualified Independent Supporters.
Parents and young people up the age of 25 can access the service for information and support on:
• Education, Health and Care Plans
• Transfer Reviews (moving from a Statement or LDA to an EHC Plan)
• Requesting an co-ordinated Education Health and Care needs assessment
• Personal Budgets
• Services and support available in Darlington for families of children with Special Educational Needs and disabled children
If there is a need for on-going support, an Independent Supporter will be allocated until the Education, Health and Care Plan is finalised.
An Independent Supporter may be needed to support parents, children and young people to:
• Understand and navigate the assessment and planning process
• Participate in the assessment and planning process, for example putting your views across in meetings or to be involved in making decisions about support
• Utilise a Personal Budget
• Liaise with professionals
If you would like more information or support please contact ChYPS (Children and Young People’s Service) on:
Tel: 01325 254848
Text: 07624818780
e-mail: chyps@darlington.disability.org
website: www.darlingtondisability.org
Useful Links
Darlington Information Advice and Support Service for SEND
Council for Disabled Children - Independent Support
Every local authority must publish a Local Offer. The Local Offer tells you what support the local authority expects to be available for children and young people with special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities. It must include information about education, health and care provision. It should also tell you about training, employment and independent living for young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
Independent Parental Special Education Advice (known as IPSEA) is a registered charity offering free independent legally based information, advice and supportto help get the right education for children and young people with all kinds of special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities.
SEND Disagreement Resolution and Mediation - Darlington (Link to Word Document)
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Tribunals - Darlington
Resources
Education, Health and Care Plans - Examples of Good Practice (This is a link to an Adobe pdf file, please ask your Independent Supporter for a hard copy of this resource)
Young Persons guide to the Children and Families Act 2014 (This is a link to an Adobe pdf file)
SEND: guide for parents and carers
Annual Review Guidance for Education, Health and Social Care plans