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RIASS Redbridge
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About us

RIASS (Redbridge Information, Advice and Support Service) We offer information, advice and support to Redbridge parents and children & young people with SEN 0-25 years of age.

Our primary aim is to empower you with the information, advice and support you need to achieve the best possible outcomes. We will listen to your concerns, gather information about your situation and determine what level of support we can provide to you and your family.

What is an Information, Advice and Support (IAS) service?

Video transcript

what is an information advice and support service IAS services provide information advice and support to children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities also known as send and their parents the information advice and support IAS services provide can be about health social care and education the service will make sure you understand what support and services you are entitled to and how to access it children and young people with send can contact or visit their service independently or through their parents IAS services a statutory this means that every local authority in the country has to have one this is because being able to have free information advice and support is a legal right for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities and their parents the service is free and confidential meaning unless someone is worried about your safety anything you say to someone who works for the service will not be shared with anyone outside the service the service is impartial meaning they do not take anyone's side they just stick to the facts IAS services must do certain things and work in a certain way to meet strict standards these are known as the minimum standards these animations are about these minimum standards and will help you understand more about information advice and support services what they do why they do it and how you can complain if they're not doing it you

We are impartial, confidential and free.

We can help by providing information, advice and support on a range of issues including:

  • Telephone and email information, advice and support
  • Face to face meetings
  • Information about all aspects of SEND (Special Educational Needs and/or Disability)
  • Support preparing for meetings
  • Information around Education Health and Care Plans (EHCP) including requesting a plan, EHC Needs Assessments and Annual Reviews
  • Advice to prevent disagreements and major disputes
  • Support for appeals, mediation and preparing for tribunals
  • Advice and support for parents/carers whose children have been excluded or are at risk of exclusion from school
  • Signposting to other local or national support
  • Local policy and practice including transition to adulthood, the law on SEN and disability, and information on health and social care
  • Transitions and preparing for adulthood
  • The Local Offer in Redbridge

Support from our service can take place via the telephone, email or at our offices. If support is needed at a school or Local Authority (LA) meeting we would need five working days' notice.