Free and impartial information, advice and support to parents, carers, children and young people with special education needs and disabilities
SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service) is a confidential and impartial information, advice and support service on health, social care or education issues that arise through a Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND).
It is free and easy to access. We help parents and carers and young people take part in decisions that affect their lives.
We offer information, advice and support to:
If you have a SEND query, the SENDIASS team host regular drop-in sessions at local libraries.
There is no need to book, just drop in!
Jarrow Focus Library
Thursday 10 September, 1 to 2pm
Thursday 14 January, 1 to 2pm
Thursday 13 May, 1 to 2pm
Hebburn Central Library
Tuesday 6 October, 10 to 11
Tuesday 12 March, 10 to 11
Tuesday 11 June, 10 to 11
Cleadon Park Library
Following feedback from families our Cleadon Park Library session runs as a themed Multi-Agency Drop-In, with attendance from a range of organisations all with a shared focus.
Tuesday 3rd November 10.30-noon (“Inclusion, Connection & Wellbeing for All”)
Tuesday 2nd February 10.30-noon ("Supporting Families, Strengthening Voices”)
Tuesday 1st June 10.30-noon ("Preparing for Transitions and Adulthood”)
During term-time we also hold 2 SEND surgery sessions each week at different Family Hub locations.
Meet a member of the SENDIASS team, and access information, advice or support face-to-face.
For details, and to book, please go to Eventbrite: SEND Surgeries.
There’s also more information on any upcoming events on our Facebook page.
We are continuously looking to improve the service we deliver to parents and carers of children and young people with SEND, and children and young people themselves, in South Tyneside.
You can provide feedback here.
SEND Support is the extra help that early years settings, schools and post 16 providers give to meet a child or young person’s special educational needs.
It is available without an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
According to the SEND Code of Practice (2015), schools must:
This graduated approach helps schools review support regularly and adapt it as needs change.
Schools and colleges should follow a four stage cycle:
All schools must provide a basic level of support using their own resources. This is called Ordinarily Available Provision.
It describes the adjustments, strategies and interventions that should be available to all pupils, including those with SEND, without needing an EHCP.
Examples include:
If a child or young person is still not making expected progress after several cycles of SEND Support and the use of Ordinarily Available Provision, the school—or you as the parent or carer—may consider asking for an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA).
You can find more information on our EHC plan webpage.
The service steering group works to provide unbiased direction to the service, helping to ensure that it is seen as independent and impartial from the Local Authority.
The group is made up of parent carers, members of our SEND Youth Forum, representation from sectors including Education, Social Care, Health and the Voluntary sector.
Meetings are held twice per year, in-person.
The steering group helps to:
Download the Service Development Plan
If you are interested in joining the service steering group, please get in touch with us via email, SENDIASS@southtyneside.gov.uk or by calling 0191 424 6345.
As part of Learning Disability Week, the SENDIASS service hosted an Information, Advice and Support (IAS) event in South Tyneside.
The event took place on Thursday 19 June 2025 at Epinay School.
This community-focused event provided a valuable opportunity for parents / carers, young people, and professionals to explore the range of support and services available locally.
Visitors had the chance to speak to representatives from:
The event was designed to promote awareness, encourage collaboration, and help families and professionals access the support they need.
We support parents and carers by offering information, advice and support. We do this by:
On top of this, our voicemail is active, and you can leave a message for our team and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
We also provide free training to parents and carers in South Tyneside.
As a young person, you have a right to information, advice and support around your special educational needs or disability.
South Tyneside SENDIASS supports young people directly. You can talk to us on your own, or with a trusted adult.
We can help you with lots of things, such as:
You can say how you want your support to work. Someone can email you, call you or meet you in person in a place you feel comfortable (for example at our offices, or at your school/college).
Everything you say to us is private. We will only tell someone what you’ve said if we are worried that someone is being hurt or might be hurt.
Our Young People IAS Officer met with the South Tyneside Young Health Ambassadors as part of their campaign looking at mental health in young people.
As part of their work they developed a podcast ‘What the health are you talking about!?’ which includes interviews with local services across the borough to showcase what they do, and how to access them.
They aim to help ensure that young people can access the right service for them, in the right way, without worrying about what to expect!
For more information, visit Health Ambassadors.
To view the podcast on our service, and lots of others, see YouTube: Young Health Ambassadors.
Our service ‘Pocket Guide’ explains how we support children and young people in South Tyneside.
Pocket guideFor more information email Ryan.houston@southtyneside.gov.uk or call 0191 424 6345.
Our SEND Youth Forum is made up of young people (14-25) with SEND that come together on a termly basis to help develop the service for future users, as well as developing their skills through ongoing projects.
The group also provides the chance to make meaningful connections with others and gain confidence.
If you’re interested in finding out more about the group, email Ryan.houston@southtyneside.gov.uk.
SEND Youth Forum Easy ReadIf you are a service or organisation and would like to consult with members of the SEND Youth Forum, please complete this online form.
SEND Young Inspectors visit local activities and clubs that are suitable for young people with SEND. Our Young Inspectors then tell us what they think about the club or activity. Their views help clubs to make sure they meet the needs of young people with SEND, while also encouraging other young people to try new activities.
Young people can complete inspections of activities they are trying for the first time, or are already taking part in. Inspections involve answering three short questions; these responses are then shared with other young people to encourage them to try new activities, as well as with clubs and activities to support them to improve their offer in the future.
You’ll gain a better understanding of what’s available for young people in the local area.
You’ll have the chance to share your experiences with other young people to give them the confidence to access new clubs/activities that might benefit them.
Thanks to our partnership with Vinspired, you will also have the option of having your time and the skills you’ve developed through your inspections recorded and work towards a V10, 30, 50 or 100 Award, which recognise your contributions and help you stand out to colleges, universities and future employers.
To find out more information about the Inspectors programme, or to take part, email ryan.houston@southtyneside.gov.uk.
If you run a club or activity that is already accessible to young people with a disability, and you are interested in having a visit from a SEND Young Inspector, please complete the online form and we will be in touch.
We support professionals in South Tyneside by offering information, advice and support.
We also provide free training and awareness sessions to professionals in South Tyneside who are new to working in SEND or those that wish to refresh their knowledge.
Please be aware that we cannot accept referrals from professionals on behalf of families. Families are required to make direct contact with the service for information, advice or support. They can do this via email, telephone or by making an online referral via our website.
We have created a number of template letters and resources for parents/carers to use.
We provide free training and awareness sessions to parents/carers, children and young people with SEND and professionals in South Tyneside.
We have also created a list of local groups active in the area who may also be able to offer help.
We provide free training and information sessions to parents / carers, children and young people, and professionals in South Tyneside.
Sessions available include:
Details of upcoming sessions can be found on our South Tyneside SENDIASS EventBrite page.
We are also able to provide bespoke training to teams, schools and professionals. To discuss training needs, you can contact us via SENDIASS@southtyneside.gov.uk.
Throughout the year, we also link with external partners to deliver additional training, this has previously included: Youth Mental Health First Aid Training, a workshop exploring Social Emotional Mental Health Needs and Emotionally Based School Avoidance, and Eating Disorder Awareness.
You can request a meeting with any of the professionals involved with your child or young person.
There are many reasons why you might ask for a meeting, including concerns about:
It’s important to have a clear idea of why you want to have a meeting and who you need to contact.
If all the issues are school related, you may want to meet with your child’s class teacher, form tutor, special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) and head teacher.
There may also be other professionals involved from outside of school, such as:
If the issues are about an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHC Plan), your child will have a named SEND officer at the Council that you can speak to.
To organise a meeting, you can:
Children and young people should be supported so that they are able to prepare for meetings to discuss and review their SEND provision.
We can support by allowing them to express their views and contribute to discussions appropriately, as well as supporting their understanding of processes.
For more guidance, download our ‘Meeting Notes’ document, which includes questions to think about when attending meetings with your child’s school or college.
If you are a parent or carer of a child with behavioural difficulties or who is at risk of being or has been excluded from school, we can provide you with information, advice, or support.
We aim to encourage partnership working and develop possible communication between parents and schools.
We encourage you to meet with school to help look at positive ways to move forward. We may be able to support parents at these meetings or give support by telephone.
Fixed-term exclusion is school exclusion for a set period of time. These should be for the shortest appropriate amount of time. Fixed-term exclusions may be used for up to 45 days per year – this doesn’t have to be for a continuous period.
Permanent Exclusion is where a decision is made to permanently exclude a child. A child is no longer allowed to attend the school and their name will be removed from the school roll.
A permanent exclusion should only be taken:
The service is also able to provide direct support to children and young people. We have produced the ‘Exclusion: My Views’ document to support children in presenting their views to school staff following exclusion.
Exclusion: My ViewsFurther information is available at Department for Education.
Independent Provider of Special Education Advice (known as IPSEA) provide advice on writing ‘written representations’ to the Governors, ‘What should I do as a parent/carer when my child is excluded?’ and Disability Discrimination and exclusions.
This dedicated week aims to:
A range of events will be taking place across South Tyneside for parents and carers, children and young people and professionals. The full programme of events for the week can be found below:
School Exclusions Support Hub: Advice and guidance around children missing education, as well as: Myth Busting Board, Know Your Rights Mini-Station, and attendance from our Wellbeing Partner for the session, Caroline from Underneath App.
Ridgeway Family Hub, 10am-Noon.
School Exclusions Week Launch Event: Drop in to hear from guest speakers, enjoy refreshments, learn more about the week's events, and be part of the unveiling of The Inclusion Quilt.
The Word, 4-5.30pm
Multi-Agency Library Roadshow: A range of organisations in attendance offering advice and guidance.
Cleadon Park Library, 10.30am-noon
Recognising & Managing Burnout for Parent Carers Workshop: A free to access in-person workshop delivered by Choice Wellbeing Service. Booking is required.
Primrose Family Hub, 12-3pm.
Extended Office Hours: Members of the team will be working until 7pm this evening, so you can access support at a time that works for you.
SEND Surgery Sessions: An opportunity to meet with a member of SENDIASS one-to-one for support around SEND issues. Booking is required.
AM: Riverside Family Hub, 9.30-11.30am
PM: Biddick Hall Family Hub, 1-3pm
Exclusions & Part-Time Timetables Workshop: A free to access in-person workshop delivered by SENDIASS. Booking is required.
Primrose Family Hub, 12.30-2.30pm.
SENDIASS on the Key Community Bus: Hop on board and meet members of the SENDIASS team.
One Trinity Green, 10am-11am
Hedworthfield Community Association, 11.30-12.30
Walk & Talk with Nicquina: A relaxed walk & walk for parents and carers, with no expectations, all welcome.
Meet at the bandstand in South Marine Park, 12.30-1.30pm (if the weather turns, we will move inside to Minchella’s)
School Exclusions Support Hub: Advice and guidance around children missing education, as well as: Myth Busting Board, Know Your Rights Mini-Station, and attendance from our Wellbeing Partner for the session, The Emotional Resilience Team.
Hebburn Family Hub, 1-3pm.
Where events require a booking, this can be done via our Eventbrite page
Throughout the week, there will be opportunities to leave messages and reflections for education and school leaders, access helpful information and resources, submit questions through 'Ask SENDIASS', and hear from members of our team each day on social media through 'SENDIASS on Screen'.
We will also be launching a new School Exclusions Resource Pack and launching a free webinar on Exclusions and Part-Time Timetables to support families.
We will also be unveiling The Inclusion Quilt, a creative engagement project that captures the lived experiences of children, young people and families across South Tyneside.
Each contribution helps to amplify voices, share experiences and highlight the importance of inclusive practice across education and local services.
After School Exclusions Week, The Inclusion Quilt will continue to be displayed at service events and made available to schools and organisations as a lasting reminder of the importance of inclusion.
Many thanks to everyone who took part in School Exclusions Week 2025.
One of the highlights of the week was hosting the Project 2,999 Blanket. Created with parents, children, schools, and communities, this large-scale blanket serves as a powerful visual representation of the number of children who experience exclusion each day.
Each square is unique, representing an individual child with their own story, life experiences, and challenges. Together, the squares make the scale of the issue visible in a physically tangible way.
You can find out more about the Project 2,999 Blanket here: https://www.sunderland.ac.uk/news/2024/why-excluded-children-are-at-the-heart-of-giant-patchwork-blanket
Your right to mediation is set out in Section 52 of the Children and Families Act 2014.
Mediation is a voluntary and confidential process. It helps parents, carers and young people resolve disagreements with the local authority or other services about SEND provision.
A trained, independent mediator leads the discussion and helps everyone work towards an agreement without the need for formal legal proceedings.
In most cases, you need a mediation certificate before you can appeal a local authority decision. The only exception is when you are appealing Section I of an EHC plan (the school placement).
You can still choose to take part in mediation if you wish. But because no mediation certificate will be issued in Section I‑only appeals, you must send your appeal within:
If you are considering an appeal, you must contact the mediation service within two months of the date on your decision letter.
In South Tyneside, mediation is provided free of charge by Chapel Mediation. It is a less formal way of trying to reach an agreement.
If you decide to go ahead, the mediator will arrange a meeting with you and South Tyneside Council within 30 days.
If you prefer, or if there are exceptional circumstances such as school holidays, you can agree to a later date.
If you want support from SENDIASS, tell the mediation service so they can invite SENDIASS to the meeting. You should also inform SENDIASS directly.
If mediation is successful, the outcome will be written in a mediation agreement. This is legally binding.
Unless you agree to different timescales during the meeting, everyone must follow the legal deadlines set out in the SEND Regulations 2014 (Regulations 42 and 44).
If no agreement is reached, you will receive a mediation certificate and can continue with your appeal.
If you decide not to take part in mediation, the mediation service will issue a mediation certificate to confirm:
This certificate must be issued within 3 working days of you notifying them that you do not want mediation.
You must then lodge your appeal:
At the meeting, the mediator will:
There must be a local authority representative with the authority to make decisions.
At the meeting, the mediator will:
There must be a local authority representative with the authority to make decisions.
Below are some questions you can use to help prepare for the meeting. They may help you organise your evidence, focus your discussion points and identify next steps if mediation is not successful.
It may also help to review the information on our EHC plans webpage, including the legal tests for assessments and plans.
If you disagree with a decision made by the local authority about your child’s or your own special educational needs and/or disability (SEND), you may be able to appeal to the SEND Tribunal.
The First‑tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability) is an independent court. It looks at appeals and claims about SEND and can make legally binding decisions.
You do not need a solicitor to appeal. Many parents appeal without legal representation, and the process is designed to be accessible.
If you do want legal support, you may be able to get legal aid to help you prepare your case.
SENDIASS can give you independent advice, explain your options and signpost you to further support. Depending on capacity, SENDIASS may also be able to support you during the appeal if you are not using legal representation.
You can appeal if you are:
You can appeal if the local authority:
You can appeal the following sections:
Since 2018, you can also ask the Tribunal to look at the health and social care parts of an EHC plan.
The Tribunal can make recommendations about health and social care support in an EHC plan.
These are not legally binding, but local authorities and health bodies are expected to take them seriously.
To lodge an appeal, you must submit:
Download from the SEND Tribunal website.
There is also an online portal designed to help parents and carers submit appeals.
This letter tells you that you have two months from the date of the decision to appeal.
It is usually the cover letter accompanying the final EHC plan.
This is required for most EHC‑related appeals, unless you are only appealing the school named in Section I.
You can get the certificate by contacting the mediation service listed in the local authority’s decision letter.
You can appeal within one month of receiving the certificate, which may extend your deadline.
You must include the most recent final EHC plan and all appendices.
This is the section on the appeal form where you explain why you disagree with the local authority’s decision.
You can submit your appeal later than usual if the deadline falls:
There is no fee to appeal
Costs only apply if:
You can watch a video explaining how online hearings work:
Video Hearings Explained:
(A British Sign Language version is also available.)
The Education, Health and Care (EHC) assessment is a detailed look at a child’s special educational needs and the support that they may need to be able to learn.
An EHC plan is a legal document that describes a child or young person’s special educational, health and social care needs. It explains the extra help that will be given to meet those needs and how it will support the child or young person to achieve what they want in their life.
The plan is created by the Council after an EHC needs assessment. An EHC plan can be issued between the ages of 0 to 25 years.
The plan has 11 sections labelled alphabetically:
The plan should be written so that everyone can understand it. It should be clear and detailed about the amount and type of support your child will get and how the support will help your child.
Further information, advice and support is available by contacting our service Advice Line (0191 424 6345) or by making a referral via our online request form.
The legal test for deciding if a child or young person should have an EHC needs assessment is set out in section 36(8) of the Children and Families Act 2014.
A local authority must carry out an EHC needs assessment if, after considering the views and evidence provided under subsection (7), it thinks:
In other words, both parts of the test must be met (or may be met):
The decision about whether to issue an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan is set out in section 37(1) of the Children and Families Act 2014.
The law says:
Where, in light of an EHC needs assessment, it is necessary for special educational provision to be made for a child or young person through an EHC plan:
After the assessment, the local authority must decide whether the child or young person requires special educational provision in a way that makes an EHC plan necessary.
A local authority can only refuse to issue a plan if it decides the needs can be met without one (for example, through SEN support or within the resources already available in the school or setting).
The SEND Code of Practice gives guidance on how to interpret “necessary” and what evidence should be considered. This includes looking at:
We offer impartial information, advice and support around special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
We understand that choosing a school for your child can feel overwhelming.
Below you’ll find some example questions that you could ask your child’s potential new school.
Reasonable adjustments are changes that nurseries, schools and colleges must make to ensure disabled children and young people are not significantly disadvantaged.
If you are a child or young person and you have a special educational needs and/or a disability (SEND), you may be able to get help with your transport to school or college. For more information on the type of help that may be available to you see SEND Transport.
There is no direct duty on the Local Authority to provide transport for children below the compulsory school age (5th birthday.)
Some children may find it difficult to attend school because of school-related anxiety or emotional challenges, which can be linked to their special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Anxiety can be caused by many things. These may include:
This type of difficulty is not the same as choosing not to attend school on purpose. Most children want to attend school and enjoy learning, but they may feel unable to cope with the school environment.
Professionals and schools may use different words to describe school‑related anxiety.
They all refer to similar situations where a child is distressed about going to school.
This includes:
All these terms describe a child who is struggling emotionally with school attendance.
Schools have responsibilities under the Children and Families Act 2014. They must work with you to identify and support your child’s needs.
Schools should:
Child Law Advice provide information on the law on school attendance and the powers of the Local Authority in enforcing school attendance
Not Fine in School is a parent‑led organisation that supports families whose children struggle to attend school.
They provide a wide range of helpful resources, including:
South Tyneside SENDIASS views impartiality as one of the most important features of the service.
SENDIASS provides an impartial service to all users. By impartial we mean:
Staff and volunteers will not make judgements on the views, behaviour or policy of any party and will maintain an impartial stance whilst collaborating and engaging with relevant organisations and networks.
Where it is possible, you will be given:
We will also give you details of other agencies eg Advisory Centre for Education (ACE) and Independent Panel for Special Educaional Advice (IPSEA), that allow you to verify the impartiality of the information and advice provided.
All information provided is in line with the SEN Code of Practice, current SEN and disability legislation, local policy and practice. Service staff are fully aware of the implications of equal opportunities and disability discrimination and attempt to make sure that the service is as accessible as possible to all parents and/or carers.
SENDIASS operates under the guidance of a multi-agency development group consisting of both parents/carers and professionals, which monitor and safeguard service impartiality, making sure that impartiality is central to all service activities and delivery.
South Tyneside SENDIASS is committed to providing a high-quality, impartial service to children, young people, and their families.
We welcome feedback and take all comments and complaints seriously as part of our commitment to continuous improvement.
We encourage users to share their experiences with the service, whether positive or constructive.
General comments and feedback following involvement with SENDIASS can be submitted via:
All feedback is reviewed regularly by the Service Lead, Gillian Harte, and shared through the service Annual Report.
If you are unhappy with any aspect of the service, we encourage you to follow our tiered complaints procedure:
Where appropriate, we recommend raising your concern directly with the member of staff involved. Many issues can be resolved quickly and informally through open communication.
If your concern is not resolved or you prefer not to speak to the individual directly, you can contact the Service Lead:
Gillian Harte
Email: Gillian.harte@southtyneside.gov.uk
Gillian will review your complaint and respond within a reasonable timeframe, aiming to resolve the issue constructively and fairly.
As SENDIASS is commissioned by South Tyneside Council, you may also choose to escalate your complaint through the Council’s formal complaints process.
For more information, please visit: South Tyneside Council: How to complain
This policy will be reviewed annually to ensure it remains up to date and reflects best practice.
Review due: September 2026
South Tyneside SENDIASS uses social media to share information, promote services, and engage with families, professionals, and the wider community.
We are committed to maintaining a respectful, inclusive, and supportive online environment.
This policy applies to all users interacting with South Tyneside SENDIASS via social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter / X, Instagram, and any future channels.
We welcome questions, feedback, and discussion. However, to ensure our platforms remain safe and constructive, we ask users to:
We will not tolerate posts that include:
Such posts will be removed without notice.
Repeated posting of inappropriate, disruptive, or aggressive content - even after warnings - will be considered vexatious. This includes:
Users who engage in vexatious behaviour may have their access to our social media platforms revoked permanently.
Our social media accounts are monitored regularly during weekdays. If you see a post that violates this policy, please report it to us directly via private message or email sendiass@southtyneside.gov.uk.
This policy will be reviewed annually or in response to significant changes in social media use or platform guidelines.
Review due: September 2026
This notice provides additional privacy information regarding South Tyneside SENDIASS.
We will keep our privacy notice under regular review and will advise you of any updates on our website.
This Notice was last reviewed in September 2025.
For the purposes of Data Protection legislation, South Tyneside SENDIASS is the Data Controller.
We may collect the following types of personal information:
We may collect your personal information in a number of ways, for example:
We collect your personal information so that we can provide the appropriate support and advice.
We may share your information with a Council staff member if the information has been requested for legal reasons eg judicial review.
If you provide us with permission to speak to your child’s school on your behalf, we will only share information you allow us to share.
We will not share your personal information with any other third parties unless you have specifically asked us to, or if we have a legal obligation to do so.
We will hold your data for the duration of your case and a following two years once the case is closed.
To use your personal information there must be a lawful basis to do this, such as, through a contract, performing a public task or where there is a legal obligation.
Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the lawful bases we rely on for processing this information are:
Some of the information you give us to is written down or recorded on a database. Information held about you electronically is stored on a secure database, and is accessed only by authorised staff.
Paper files are held in a locked filing cabinet and can only be accessed by authorised staff.
We will not process your personal information outside of the European Economic Area (EEA).
Your individual rights are set out in law. Subject to some legal exemptions, you have the following rights:
If you would like to exercise your rights in relation to your personal information, or you feel that something has gone wrong with your personal information, you can contact us in either of the following ways:
If you feel that the Council has not handled your information correctly you can contact the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). The ICO is the Government’s Independent Body responsible for overseeing data protection. In most cases the ICO will only review cases that have exhausted the Council’s internal procedures.
The ICO’s contact details are as follows: Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AF. More information can be found on the ICO’s website at www.ico.org.uk.
A selection of downloadable Microsoft Word templates for various situations that you can edit, print and use. You can email us if you need any help or advice.
The aim of these factsheets and guides is to make subjects related to the SEND system succinct and clear.
The following organisations are provided as suggested support options and do not constitute endorsements.
Enable children with disabilities to come together with their siblings, relatives and friends.
www.newhopenortheast.co.ukThe forum supports families with children aged 0 to 25 who have special educational needs or disabilities. Run by local SEND parents, the forum shares families’ views with local leaders to help improve services in the area.
South Tyneside Parent Carer ForumConnected Caring works closely with health and social care services, voluntary sector organisations, and community services to make sure that unpaid carers receive support. This includes information and advice on short breaks, assessments and plans.
www.connectedcaring.org.ukChoice Wellbeing Service is a group of individuals who all share a passion for mental health. The group is a mix of both parent carers and non-parent carers. They provide holistic therapy and counselling and run events throughout the year.
www.choicewellbeingservice.orgAdditional Needs Support Group ran by a group of dedicated volunteers who are all parents of children with "Additional Needs." We offer a range of activities to help build and promote social skills among our children and young adults as well as friendship, advice and support to parents and carers.
Open Saturdays 12pm till 4pm.
www.waves-support-group.comSouth Tyneside's Kids and Young Adults Klub or "THE KAYAKS" is a registered charity. It provides a weekend, voluntary run play session, Saturdays 1pm to 4pm, and a special needs support groups from their Hub at Horsley Hill. As well as a young adults club on a Friday evening.
www.thekayaks.org.ukProvides a wide range of activity sessions for children and young people, at their base in Sunderland – these are available to children from South Tyneside. The team also run a number of different well-being challenges, which are also available to residents of South Tyneside.
www.foundationoflight.co.ukA multi-sensory theatre company who produce immersive storytelling experiences for young people with learning disabilities.
TimbaDash TheatreA South Shields-based organisation that uses creative arts therapy to support mental health and emotional wellbeing. They offer a variety of workshops and programmes designed for all ages and abilities.
www.lunablu-ne.co.ukSupporting families in South Tyneside The Toby Henderson Trust in collaboration with Autism in Mind, based at the Autism Hub. This unique, specialist lifespan service is being provided with the financial support of the South Tyneside Clinical Commissioning Group with South Tyneside council and it is free to all families in the area with a South Tyneside postcode. To access TTHT services at the Autism Hub you do not need to have a confirmed diagnosis.
For more information please contact-
Email: autismhub@ttht.co.uk
Call: 0191 816055
Website: https://www.ttht.co.uk/autism-hub/
The Local Offer lets parents, carers and young people know what SEND services are available in South Tyneside, and who can access them. It includes lots of helpful information on a range of topics, with tailored, local information.
SEND Local OfferThe Sensory Place is a parent-led charity dedicated to supporting families of children and young people with disabilities and additional needs by providing inclusive, sensory-friendly activities and events. Established to tackle isolation and improve accessibility, it offers a welcoming, non-judgemental environment where children can relax and be themselves, while parents and carers can connect, learn and access tailored courses and support.
Website: https://www.thesensoryplace.net/
A guide packed with information from local and regional organisations that you may come in to contact with. Printed copies are available across the borough, and you can access the digital version any time at The Rainbow Guide to South Tyneside.
Rainbow GuideKey Subject Tuition is a Council-approved alternative education provider offering tailored learning packages. These can include Functional Skills English or Maths or GCSEs in English Language, Maths, and Science. Lessons are delivered online or in person, either one-to-one or in small groups.
Key Subject TuitionMrs Kalisz supports families across England with SEND law, helping them secure the right education, health and care support. She specialises in working with migrant parents facing cultural barriers.
Mrs Kalisz – Independent SEND ConsultantConductive education is a comprehensive, holistic approach to learning. It integrates education, movement, play and psychology. Sessions are flexible and are not medically based, but task oriented focused on the child.
Conductive Education with Rachel ShortThis group supports the neurodivergent community with autistic-led parent sessions, help with SEND / EHCP admin, social groups, and forest school. Services are offered 1:1, in groups, online and in person.
The Neurothentic Network CICYour Voice Counts is a charity that supports adults and young people with a learning disability, autistic people, and people who may be excluded because of disability, illness or other challenges. They offer group sessions and one to one support to help people stay connected, make their own choices, have control over their lives, and speak up about what they need.
Your Voice Counts is also part of the Connected Caring partnership. They provide advice and support to parents and carers of people with a learning disability and autistic people, helping them care for their loved one and look after their own wellbeing.
To find out more or make a referral:
Visit www.yvc.org.uk
Call 0191 478 6472
Email mail@yvc.org.uk
Access arrangements allow candidates / learners with special educational needs, disabilities, or temporary injuries to access the assessment without changing the demands of the assessment for example using readers, scribes and braille question papers.
In this way Awarding Bodies will comply with the duty of the Equality Act 2010 to make ‘reasonable adjustments.
The questions, which the school / college need to ask when supporting children / young people with access arrangements for exams are:
As with any medical evidence, any access arrangements applied for must be the student’s normal way of working in the classroom.
Parents should speak with the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator in the school (SENCO) ideally before the student starts their course of study (from the end of Year 9 ready for their GCSEs in Year 11).
The access arrangement must be appropriate to the exam and the student.
It would be inappropriate to have a reader for an exam testing reading skills (although a computer reader is allowed if this is the student’s normal way of working). Likewise, a student with dyslexia may require additional time for a written exam but not for a practical one.
If a parent/carer believes that their child/young person is likely to fall within the remit of access arrangements, it would be perfectly reasonable to ask the school or college to assess for this, giving reasons why. Alternatively, a parent could commission an independent report and ask the school/college to act on this.
For students, who move to college post-16, a new assessment will normally be needed unless there is an established working relationship between the school and college and the Form 8 has been transferred over.
A Form 8 is the document required to apply for access arrangements. It covers GCSE and many other level 1/2/3/ exams and must be submitted in February for exams in June.
An appointment should be made with the appropriate person in the education setting.
Parent / carers should keep a copy of all requests for reasonable adjustments including access arrangements and the response received. Email is preferable.
If access arrangements have been granted in school, the parent / carer should ask for a copy of the Form 8 and send it to the next post 16 placement.
Even if a new one is required, it can give valuable information to the next placement. Reports expire after 26 months and must be in date at the time the exam is taken.
The governors, or equivalent, have a duty to use their” best endeavours” to secure the special educational provision required. This includes auxiliary aids such as a tablet.
If you have any queries about this topic, please get in touch via our online request form or call 0191 424 6345.