Contact Us

SENDIASS is a self-referral service for families, and we require the parent or carer and child or young person to contact our service directly.

We offer information, advice and support that will empower and enable you to move forward independently. The level of support we offer will be determined on a case-by-case basis, depending on our capacity, ensuring we can support as many families as possible. 

SENDIASS is not an emergency service, and we cannot prioritise our contact in the interest of fairness to all our service users. Where contact is about a child or young person who may be at risk and may require assistance from emergency health teams or services, a priority call will be returned to direct the parent or young person to the appropriate service, or to call for emergency assistance. For all other contacts, during term time, we will respond within 10 working days. This may be extended during periods of school holidays.

If you are contacting us on behalf of a young person aged 16 or over, we will require confirmation that they have given you permission for their information to be shared with us.

If you would like to receive information or advice, please complete one of the enquiry forms using the buttons below, or email or call our telephone number.

Parent/carers   Young people

SENDIASS are receiving a high number of contacts, and for this reason, our response time is currently 10 working days.  This may be extended further, subject to our capacity.  We ask that you be patient during these busy periods.

Email: iass@southend.gov.uk

Telephone: 01702 215499
This number has a 24-hour answerphone facility. 

Our team provide a wide range of information, advice, and support on all areas of SEND. When you contact us, we will:

• listen to you and help you to gather, understand, and interpret information and apply it to your own situation
• provide more in-depth information and resources to help you so that you can navigate processes, complete documents, understand policies and local practices, and understand your options and legal rights
• focus on actionable guidance to help you take the next steps regarding your current situation
• signpost you to relevant support from other organisations, agencies, or local authority services

If you need to speak to someone sooner, you can contact

Contact operates the free national SEND helpline manned by helpline advisers Monday to Friday 9:30am - 5pm 0808 808 3555.  They support families by offering a free helpline and a bookable listening ear support appointment. 

IPSEA provide free and independent legal advice and support to families of children and young people with SEND. They offer:

• a telephone helpline 0300 222 5899 manned Tuesday to Thursday 9:30am - 2:30pm
• an information service for general legal enquires, signposting to guides and resources on their website 
• bookable advice line appointments giving free and next-step legal information, advice and support on any educational issue that is a result of a child or young person’s  SEND
• bookable tribunal helpline giving free and independent next-step legal information, advice and support
• a tribunal support service, offering practical workshops, guided telephone support, and caseworker support

SOS SEN are a national charity that aims to empower parents and carers of children and young people with SEND to successfully tackle the difficulties they face when trying to secure the right educational provision for their children.  Helpline open during term time: 020 8538 3731.