Derby SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Service) offers free, confidential, and impartial support to children (0-15), young people (16-25) with SEND, and their parents or carers living in Derby City.
Our friendly team is here to help you understand and navigate SEND processes, providing tailored information and advice on:
- SEND law covering education, health, and social care
- The Local Offer – what’s available in Derby
- School choices, admissions, and SEND support in schools and colleges
- School attendance, exclusions, and part-time timetables
- Home to school/college transport
- Phase transfers and post-16 transitions (Preparing for Adulthood)
- Education, Health and Care (EHC) Needs Assessments and Plans, including personal budgets and annual reviews
- Resolving disagreements, including mediation and appeals
- Signposting to other helpful organisations
We work confidentially and impartially, and our advice is always based on current law and best practice. Our service is accessible – our website can be translated into over 100 languages, and we can adjust font size and background colour for easier reading. If you need extra support, just let us know.
All our support is free of charge. We aim to respond to all enquiries within 5 working days, and the level of support is considered on a case-by-case basis. Our team is highly trained, with all staff having completed IPSEA SEND Law training and holding Level 2 certificates in Information, Advice and Guidance.
If you’re unsure about anything related to SEND, or need help with a specific issue, please get in touch. We’re here to help you find the right information and support for your needs.