IPSEA

Local Offer

Description

IPSEA'S INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

IPSEA provides free and independent online resources to help resolve common issues with getting the right educational support for children and young people with all kinds of special educational needs and disabilities. We also run an Information Service. This uses an online form to clarify your legal position and signpost you to help.

IPSEA’S HELPLINES

IPSEA provides a general Advice Line (giving support with requesting statutory assessment, statements, Education, Health and Care plans, disability discrimination, transport and exclusion). We also provide a Tribunal Helpline (giving next step advice on SEN appeals and disability discrimination claims to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal). When you call the Tribunal Helpline we will assess whether you need Tribunal Casework Support from one of our trained Tribunal Support volunteers (who give support throughout the Tribunal process, including representation at a hearing if needed). 

Both helplines are run by volunteers working from their own homes. After listening to the issue you are calling about, they will ask questions to unpick and clarify your situation. Then they will give you next-step advice. All our volunteer advisers have been highly trained to give advice and support based on the law. They will take some information about you and your child. This is held on our unique database (unless you do not wish it to be kept).

You can call either of the IPSEA helplines as often as you need to. Our volunteers can look on our database to see whether you have contacted us before - and if so, what advice you have been given. If a volunteer cannot advise you immediately, they will consult with IPSEA's Legal Team in order to provide the advice you need.

IPSEA'S TRIBUNAL SUPPORT

Our Tribunal casework volunteers provide free individual support to  families appealing to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal. This unique service can only be accessed by calling the Tribunal Helpline. If our assessment is that you need this support, it will be provided throughout the Tribunal process - including representation at a hearing if needed. Our casework volunteers  work with parents to empower them to obtain the best possible result from their appeal.

Local Offer Age Bands

Early Years (0-4 years)
Primary (4-10 years)
Transitions to Adulthood (16+)

Needs Level

Low
Medium
High

SEN Provision Type

Universal