The aims of the Service
To provide you the parent with information and support to help you make informed choices and decisions regarding your child. You may want this at different points in your child's education, such as when there are changes either to your child's needs or to the education your child is receiving, or because you have unresolved concerns about how your child's educational needs are being met. We aim to assist the development of partnership between parents and schools, as a close working relationship will help children to gain the maximum benefit from the educational provision available to them.
What We Do
The Special Educational Needs Support Service (SENSS) at ask offers parents and carers free impartial information and advice about their child’s Special Educational Needs (SEN).
SENSS has been contracted by Wiltshire County Council to provide this service for parents and carers; however we are independent of the Local Authority.
We provide:
- a listening ear
- a free service
- a confidential service
- independent information
- practical help
- support at meetings
- help with form filling
- Parents' Information Sessions with guest speakers
Information is offered on:
- Statutory Assessment
- The Code of Practice
- Annual Reviews
- Parental Rights
- Mediation Services
- Appeals and Tribunals
- Transition Plans
- Local Support Groups
How we can help you?
We have a small team of Area Development Workers (ADW's) who have experience of working with parents, schools, early years settings and other professionals on SEN issues. In some circumstances trained volunteers called Independent Parental Supporters (IPS's) also offer support. We can:
- take the time to listen to you and your concerns on the telephone, at your home or another convenient meeting place.
- provide you with a range of information on SEN and identify additional services or organisations that may be able to help you.
- assist you with paperwork.
- accompany you to meetings with other professionals e.g. an Education Officer or school.
For more information
Contact ask to talk about your particular issue and we will call you back to advise you on the options available to you.
LoCall Helpline 08457 585072
www.askwiltshire.org
Email: info@askwiltshire.org
Maurice Clay is the SENSS team leader and represents the service on some strategy groups. the aim is to highlight the views of our clients to ensure that the LA has regular feedback on how their policies work in practice.
Michelle Morris is the team's Senior Practioner as well as being the Area development Worker (ADW) for West Wilts. She works closely with the other ADW's to ensure the parents who use our service can access the knowledge and expertise available within the team.
Our other Area Development workers are:
Our administrators are Lesley Thomas and Tracy Wilkinson.
We also recruit and train volunteers to work as registered Independent Parental Supporters (IPS).
The IPSs can offer 1:1 support for local families needing advice about SEN, under the guidance from ADW's. If you are interested in finding out about our volunteer opportunities please ring the ask Helpline 08457 585072.
