Information, Advice and Support Service (IASS)

IASS provides support, advice and information for parents and carers of children and young people who are disabled, may have SEN or have already been identified with SEN.

It also provides support if your child is excluded from school.

IASS is currently provided by Carers of Barking and Dagenham on behalf of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.

However, it is independent of schools and the borough.

The service provides training, advice and support to:

• schools
• education and health staff
• voluntary organisations
• other agencies

The support it provides includes:

• clear information about your child's entitlements once they have been identified with an SEN
• support through the assessment process to help you express what you want for your child
• space to talk and time to listen
• support at meetings such as school reviews, annual reviews, and transition reviews
• speaking on your behalf
• practical help, including letter-writing
• support in talking with professionals, to help you express your views
• preparation and support for exclusion meetings
• telephone support
• a regular newsletter

IASS's confidentiality policy means that all information is confidential within the service, unless you have given permission for the information to be shared or there are child protection issues.