Fiducia TogetherSENDIASS
Also called SEND Information Advice and Support Service, Parent Partnership
Free, confidential and impartial advice on SEND, which every council must fund. Under-used.
Please note: This page explains a word or a process in education. It is general information about the system, the law and the guidance in England — not advice about your child, your school or your exam. If a decision is going against you, get advice from one of the free services we link to before you agree to anything or miss a deadline. If you are revising, check your own exam board's specification: boards word things differently and yours is the one that marks you.
What it is
Every local authority must arrange an information, advice and support service for children, young people and parents on matters relating to SEND. It is free, confidential and impartial — including impartial from the council that funds it.
Where it applies
Parents and carers, and children and young people themselves, in every area of England.
How it works
They explain the system, help you prepare for meetings, check letters, and in many areas will attend meetings with you. Some support people through SEND Tribunal appeals.
Capacity varies and waiting times can be weeks, so contact them early rather than the day before a meeting.
What you can ask for
Ask them to come to an annual review or a placement meeting. Having somebody in the room who knows the vocabulary changes the meeting.
Ask them to read a draft EHCP before you respond. They will spot unquantified provision.
Where to get help
Search your council's name plus "SENDIASS". If your local service is stretched, IPSEA and Contact both run free national helplines, and SOS!SEN runs advice sessions.
Where to read more
Last reviewed 2026-08-28 by Fiducia Together · Next review due 2027-08-28
Please note: This page explains a word or a process in education. It is general information about the system, the law and the guidance in England — not advice about your child, your school or your exam. If a decision is going against you, get advice from one of the free services we link to before you agree to anything or miss a deadline. If you are revising, check your own exam board's specification: boards word things differently and yours is the one that marks you.