Working with disabled children, young people and their families

1994 Independent Education Advisory Service

In September 1994, with the introduction of the first Special Educational Needs Code of Practice, KIDS developed the Independent Education Advisory service (IEAs) to provide information, advice and support to parents and carers on the processes and procedures relevant to their child’s special educational needs.

The development of the IEA service preceded the statutory requirement for Parent Partnership services which came later when the revised 2001 SEN Code of Practice was issued.

In many ways, KIDS were trailblazers in the development of what are now referred to as Parent Partnership Services, receiving a grant from the Department of Education to take the Yorkshire and Humber-based IEA service national.

Initially, parents living in the Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire local authorities benefited from impartial advice and support from the KIDS IEA service. This moved to a national helpline and then further funding was secured to set up a number of active parent forums operating in various regions within KIDS, plus parent partnership services in the following service areas:

 

• Medway 
• Kingston
• Children’s Fund Family Link Workers in Hull
• Hampshire East Riding, Yorkshire
• National Telephone Helpline
• London SEN Mediation Service

IEAs continue to demonstrate all of KIDS' original guiding principles: working with statutory services and offering both practical and skilled support as part of a true partnership with parents.