Kids SENDIASS

Free and impartial information, advice, and support for the families of children and young people with disabilities or special educational needs.

About SENDIASS

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.

There is a SENDIAS Service in every local authority in England. Kids provide a number of these services. Use our search box below to find out if we offer a SENDIAS service where you live and get in touch with our experienced and supportive staff by phone or email.

We also provide information on a wide range of SEND topics for anyone to access. See our Information and Advice section below. And we have a dedicated YouTube channel that offers free information and training webinars, as well as local content in those area where we host a SENDIAS service.

Browse our SENDIAS services

A young man in an electric wheelchair smiling at the camera
SENDIASS

Lewisham SENDIASS

Information, advice, and support for people in Lewisham on disability and special educational needs.

A young man in an electric wheelchair smiling at the camera
SENDIASS

Croydon SENDIASS

Information, advice, and support for people in Croydon on disability and special educational needs.

A young man in an electric wheelchair smiling at the camera
SENDIASS

Hull SENDIASS

Information, advice, and support for people in Hull on disability and special educational needs.

Impartiality and quality

SENDIASS is a completely independent and impartial service. All SENDIAS services are funded by local authorities. However, they are required by law to be at arm’s length of the local authority and to provide impartial information, advice, and support. For more information about how we ensure impartiality and confidentiality please see our policies page.

Our SENDIAS services strive for the highest quality. The government publishes Minimum Standards for SENDIASS. Kids aims to meet and exceed those standards in all our work. Our staff are all highly experienced and knowledgeable. They receive regular training and updates on all aspects of SEND policy and legislation so they can advise you and your family on your rights. You can watch a short animation about the minimum standards.

Information and advice

Our advice guides offer information on a wide range of topics relating to special educational needs and disabilities.

Advice

Understanding SEND

An introduction to SEND for people at the start of their SEND journey

Advice

National organisations

National organisations that provide support for families with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

Advice

Who’s who in SEND

A guide to the titles and roles of various professionals you might come across in your SEND journey.

Advice

SEND Glossary

There are lots of abbreviations used in the world of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. Find explanations of the most common ones in our glossary.

Advice

What are Special Educational Needs?

Read out guide if you want to find out what special educational needs are.

Advice

The Local Offer

Find out what a Local Offer is and how it can help you find services for special educational needs and disabilities.

Advice

School meetings

Attending a meeting about your child at school can be difficult. Find out how to get the most from school meetings.

Advice

School refusal

How to support a child who is refusing to go to school.

Advice

Personal budgets

Explore the range of personal budgets available to families of children and young people with SEND.

Advice

Choosing a primary school

Top tips on choosing a primary school for a child with special educational needs or disabilities.

Advice

SEND support in schools

Schools are required to provide support to young people with SEND. Find out more in this guide.

Advice

SEN Funding

Schools receive funding to support children with SEN. Find out how you can ensure your child gets the support they need.

Advice

SEND in early years

Discover the support that is available in the early years for children with special educational needs and disabilities

Advice

School exclusions

Find out when and how school exclusions can happen and what your rights are if you or your child is excluded.

Advice

Transitioning to adulthood

Navigate the transition from childhood to adulthood.

Advice

Appealing to the SEND Tribunal

If you want to appeal a decision in your EHC Plan you need to appeal to the SEND Tribunal. This guide shows you how.

We’re Kids

We’re here for children and young people with special education needs and disabilities, young carers and family members.

We’re on a mission to create a world where all kinds of children and young people have all kinds of opportunities.

We create life-changing opportunities by providing, finding and inventing a wide range of support. Together, we’ll empower you to stand up for your rights.