Provision of Special Educational Needs and Disability Information Advice and Support Service.

Liverpool City Council and Knowsley Council are under a statutory duty to arrange for advice for children and parents in respect of special educational needs and disabilities. The duty is contained in section 32 of the Children and Families Act 2014 and is supplemented by the SEND Code of Practice. The Code sets out the requirements for such advice in more detail; this includes how this advice and information is communicated to children, young people and families, schools and post 16 institutions.

The advice and support service, known as the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS), requires an external provider who uses staff specifically trained by IPSEA (Independent Provider Of Special Education Advice) in Special Educational Needs and Disability law. This service should be impartial, confidential and accessible and should have the capacity to handle face-to-face, telephone and electronic enquiries.