At RIASS, we are committed to providing impartial, confidential, and high-quality information, advice and support to parents and carers navigating the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) process. Our goal is to empower families by offering guidance, advice and information tailored to their needs. However, there are instances where we are unable to provide direct information, advice and support, particularly when parents or carers are already receiving assistance from a legal representative, solicitor, or lawyer. This policy outlines the rationale behind this approach.
Impartiality
RIASS operates as an impartial service, which means we must remain unbiased in all interactions. Legal representatives, solicitors, or lawyers act in a professional advocacy role for parents, often representing their interests in disputes or legal proceedings.
Supporting families who are receiving legal assistance could lead to a perceived or actual conflict of interest, as our role is to guide rather than advocate on behalf of one side in a legal matter.
Avoiding Duplication of Services
Legal representatives and RIASS often provide overlapping types of information, advice and support, such as reviewing documentation or advising on SEND processes. Engaging RIASS while working with a lawyer may lead to confusion, mixed messages, or duplicated efforts.
Families benefit most when services are clearly defined and complementary. Legal representatives are trained to handle complex legal matters, while RIASS focuses on empowering parents with accessible information and resources.
Scope of RIASS Services
Our role is distinct from that of legal professionals. RIASS provides advice, information about SEND law, and practical support for engaging with schools, local authorities, and other services. Solicitors or legal professionals are better equipped to handle litigation, tribunal representation, and detailed legal advice, which are outside the scope of RIASS
Protecting Resources for Families Without Legal Support
RIASS operates as a free service with limited resources. To ensure equitable access, we prioritise families who are not already receiving support from other professional representatives. This ensures that families without alternative sources of support receive the attention and assistance they need.
Collaboration Instead of Duplication
Where possible, we encourage collaboration rather than direct involvement when families are working with legal representatives. We are happy to signpost families to relevant resources or organisations that complement their legal support. We also work with families before they engage legal professionals to help them explore all informal resolution options.
While we understand that legal matters can be stressful, our service is designed to support families who need impartial information, advice, support and practical guidance. If you are working with a legal representative, we encourage you to rely on their expertise for matters requiring legal action. Should you no longer require their services, we would be happy to re-engage and provide information, advice and support within our remit.