We are a statutory and confidential service working with parents, carers, children and young people. We offer free and impartial information, advice and support on matters relating to a child or young person's special educational needs or disability from birth to 25 years.
Wolverhampton Information, Advice and Support Service can help you to:
Understand more about SEND support
Develop good relationships with professionals
Prepare well for meetings
Express yours and/or your child’s views
Understand processes and paperwork
We offer information, advice and support about:
- Education, health and social care matters and relevant law
- Support available in schools, early years & post 16 settings
- Funding arrangements and personal budgets
- How needs are identified and met
- Disagreements and moving forward
- Exclusion from school
Based on your circumstances our skilled and supportive team can offer individual support which may include:
- Support at and preparing for meetings
- Help to understand and complete paperwork
- Help to participate in discussions and decision making
- Liaising with other services and organisations
- Looking at positive outcomes
Our friendly and flexible service also offers:
- Informative factsheets and other resources
- A regular E- Bulletin
- Information events and learning opportunities
- Opportunities to meet others in a similar situation
- Help and support to navigate the Local Offer
- A listening ear
Influencing policy and practice
We work with national and local organisations and teams to influence policy and change or improve practice. We aim to ensure children and young people with additional needs and their parents and carers have their views heard and are involved in the planning and shaping of services they receive.
Training
We offer an extensive SEND training package for parents, carers and young people to feel confident in participating in discussions and decision making. Parents, carers, young people and professionals can access a variety of informative sessions including how children and young people are supported through the Graduated Approach of SEN support, and the Education, Health and Care needs assessment and annual review processes.
To register for our coming events, please visit IASS Training Events.
WIASS Advisory Group
The WIASS Advisory Group aims to ensure the continued development and best practice of our service in a way that best meets the needs of children and young people with SEND in Wolverhampton and their parents and carers. The group includes representatives from education, health, social care, parents/carers, IASS and other partners. If you are interested in becoming a member of the group please contact us. Read the WIASS Advisory Group annual statement.
Case Studies
of people found the information and advice offered to them by WIASS helpful
of those who have accessed the service say WIASS has made a difference
of people who have used the service were very satisfied
of people confirmed they would recommend WIASS to others
“I was quickly contacted by a member of the team who was very helpful and very knowledgeable…She reassured me and sent me an email with all the information that had been discussed during our phone call. I really appreciate the help and support I received, and I am thankful there is such a useful service.”
“My Caseworker helped me stay at my college. She's patient and understanding and came to see me at my school with my support where I felt most comfortable. She made it a bit less scary to talk to new people and make the LA listen to what I wanted. She understood my home situation and always asked me before she spoke to other people. Her support made a big difference.”
“I have found the advice and information shared with me has given me a better understanding of the processes. It has led me to feel confident with dealing with school meetings…knowing what should be expected from the school support and if they aren’t offering it, I now ask.“
“She listened and gave me advice when I needed. She came to a meeting at school and guided me on what to do next…a friendly person on the end of my frustrated phone calls and emails repeatedly helping me each step of the way.”
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