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:
- A regular magazine 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, young people, IASS and other partners. If you are interested in becoming a member of the group or our Young People Advisory Group please contact us.
of respondents found the information and advice given to them was helpful
of those who have accessed the service say IASS has made a great deal of difference
of respondents were ‘very satisfied’ with the service
of people confirmed they would be ‘extremely’ or ‘highly likely’ to recommend WIASS to others
“My son and I have been receiving support from IASS. The help and support during the meeting with school, email and telephone consultation was fantastic. It has definitely improved my relationship with school and built my son’s confidence.”
“I'd like to thank the WIASS team for all your support and help. You all do a great job and were undeniably helpful to us when we were applying for an EHC Needs Assessment, we couldn't have done it without you.”
“I would like to say thank you so much for supporting my family through difficult times…I am grateful for all the work done and support given. Our family can't believe this positive outcome, so grateful for everything and it has made my son so happy…”
“Caring, professional, empathetic, and unconditional positive regards. I would happily recommend your service to anyone that needs support with SEN related matters.”
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