SEND Information, Advice and Support Service

We offer free independent, confidential and impartial information, advice and support to children and young people with special educational needs (SEN), and those with disabilities, and their parents or carers who have children and young people 0-25 years.

We work closely with partners including Blackpool council, nurseries, schools, colleges, social services, health organisations and the voluntary sector. 

How we can help 

• Information, advice and support on subjects including local policy and practice, personalisation, personal budgets, preparation for adulthood, the law on SEN and Disability, Health and Social Care.
• Information, advice and support through the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHC) assessment and planning process.
• Information, advice and support about additional SEN support.
• Individual casework and representation
• Support in preparing for and attending meetings
• Help with filling in forms and writing letters/reports
• Support in resolving disagreements, including disagreement resolution, mediation and tribunals
• Signposting to other local or national sources of advice, information and support
• Support using the EHC Hub for accessing online records and viewing progress
• The range and duration of support will vary dependent on the individual needs of the case and the information and support offered by the service will be tailored accordingly. This may include face-to-face meetings, contact by telephone and/or email.

How to make a referral

Parents can contact us direct and you do not need to obtain a referal. However, on occasions it may be considered appropriate for a professional to make contact with the service on behalf of the parent or young person. The service will act upon such requests only on the full understanding that consent has been given.

We operate an answer machine service, so messages may be left at any time and your call will be returned at the first available opportunity.