Frequently Asked Questions

You will have an EHC plan co-ordinator who can help you. If you do not know who it is please call Southwark’s SEN Team on: 0207 525 4278.

Southwark IAS (formally Parent Partnership) can also advise. You can contact this team by calling 0207 525 3104, by emailing sias@southwark.gov.uk or by coming to see us at the drop in. Drop-ins are held at Sunshine House on Mondays 1:00pm-4:00pm Tuesdays 9:30-12:00pm, and Thursdays 3:00-6:00pm.

Southwark IAS, (formally Parent Partnership) can advise on how to request an EHC assessment.

Southwark IAS (formally Parent Partnership) can also advise. You can contact this team by calling 0207 525 3104, by emailing sias@southwark.gov.uk or by coming to see us at the drop in. Drop-ins are held at Sunshine House on Mondays 1:00pm-4:00pm, Tuesdays 9:30-12:00pm, and Thursdays 3:00-6:00pm.

There is an expectation that children and young people attend their local mainstream school if this is what they wish. You should apply in the usual way. Mainstream Schools are very experienced in meeting the needs of young people and children with special educational needs.

Once on roll if the school/setting feel that the child/young persons needs are such that they will need extra help and support to be able to access the school curriculum, the school can request specialist help from the or you or the school may request the Council carry out an EHC assessment.

The decision letter will tell the you why it is not necessary for the EHC assessment to be carried out . You will be advised of your right to appeal to the SEND Tribunal. Southwark IASS can offer support and advice with this process. More information is available in Information, advice and support section.

The Council must consider a request for re-assessment if the parent/young person, governing body or principle of the educational provision requests one, provided it has been more than 6 months since the last EHC assessment. You do this is the usual way and can be supported to apply by the Southwark IAS Team.

You can contact the Southwark SEN Team or Southwark IAS for advice and support. Southwark’s SEN Team on: 0207 525 4278.

Southwark IAS: 0207 525 3104. Drop-ins are held at Sunshine House on Mondays 1:00pm-4:00pm, Tuesdays 9:30-12:00pm, and Thursdays 3:00pm-6:00pm

In the first instance you should contact the school and ask to speak to the SENCO. They are very experienced and should be able to help you. Alternatively you can contact get support from Southwark IAS.

If you have an EHC or statement you must ask the school to call an emergency annual review. The School may do this if they feel that they are no longer meeting needs and a different type of school may be required. The parent/young person can contact their EHC Plan co-ordinator informing them they would like a change of school and why. The discussion will take place at the annual review.

You can contact Southwark’s SEN Team on: 0207 525 4278.

You must have a statement or EHC Plan to attend a special school. Be sure the school you are asking for can meet the needs of your child, and a visit to the school would be advisable. For further advice and support with this speak to your school or contact Southwark IAS.

Southwark IAS: 0207 525 3104. Drop-ins are held at Sunshine House on Mondays 1:00pm-4:00pm, Tuesdays 9:30-12:00pm, and Thursdays 3:00-6:00pm

If the school can no longer meet the needs of the child/young person they need to call an emergency review and inform the Southwark SEN Team of the situation.

You can contact Southwark’s SEN Team on: 0207 525 4278.

The school/setting SENCO would be the best person to discuss this with. Southwark IAS are available at their drop-ins to offer advice and support to parents on how best to get their concerns heard.

Southwark IAS: 0207 525 3104. Drop-ins are held at Sunshine House on Mondays 1:00pm-4:00pm, Tuesdays 9:30-12:00pm, and Thursdays 3:00-6:00pm

Come along to a Southwark IASS drop-in, where we can help with advice, drafting letters, or attending school meetings with the parent/young person if necessary.

There are a variety of support groups in the Information, advice and support service which may help you.

Southwark IAS: 0207 525 3104. Drop-ins are held at Sunshine House on Mondays 1:00pm, Tuesdays 9:30-12:00pm, and Thursdays 3:00-6:00pm.

Reduced timetables are used very rarely and should only be considered as part of a short term plan to re-integrate a child for example after a medical procedure. The plan should be agreed with the parent and young person. The School need to inform the Council of the plan and ensure that full time school attendance is secured as soon as possible in accordance with the agreement made. Every child/young person is legally entitled to 25 hours per week of full time education. If you have any concerns with part time arrangements you can contact the SIAS Team to discuss.

Ask for a meeting with the school SENCO to discuss your concerns. Southwark IASS can advise, help draft letters and support at meetings where possible.

If the reason your child has been permanently excluded is due to their SEN or disability, the parent or young person has the right to ask for an SEN expert to attend the permanent exclusion review panel process. For further information see the Education section which gives information and advice on where to go for help.

The EHC Plan continues through from 0-25 years of age. Support in finding employment, training or housing can be found by accessing The Local Offer. The Southwark SEN Team have some 16plus workers who can attend the young person’s EHC review and advise. Young people are also welcome to attend the Southwark IASS drop-ins to speak to one of the advisers.

Southwark IAS: 0207 525 3104. Drop-ins are held at Sunshine House on Mondays 1:00pm-4:00pm, Tuesdays 9:30-12:00pm, and Thursdays 3:00-6:00pm

The parent/young person needs to inform Southwark SEN of when and where they are moving to. It is the responsibility of Southwark, as the ‘old’ authority to transfer the EHC plan to the new authority within 15 working days of being informed of the move. All Councils have a parent partnership team you can find the one in the area you are moving to by looking on the national parent partnership website http://www.parentpartnership.org.uk/find-your-pps

Southwark’s SEN Team on: 0207 525 4278.

When moving into a new authority with an existing EHC Plan, the new authority may conduct a re-assessment regardless of when the last assessment took place. At the very least they must review the Plan within 12 months of the plan being made or reviewed by the old authority, and within 3 months of the plan being transferred.

You need to ask your current borough to send your file and inform Southwark that you are moving in and what your new address is. You can use the Local Offer to identify schools and services for when you arrive.

Please call the SIAS team and arrange for an appointment to see one of the team. It is really helpful if you bring any reports or documentation with you. It is useful if you bring the child/young person to the meeting. We will talk to you about what you need and signpost you to appropriate services using the Local Offer. Please call 0207 525 3104 to make an appointment.

Southwark IASS have advisers on hand at their drop-ins. They would be happy to meet with parents/young people to help draft letters and support where it is needed.

Southwark IAS: 0207 525 3104. Drop-ins are held at Sunshine House on Mondays 1:00pm-4:00pm, Tuesdays 9:30-12:00pm, and Thursdays 3:00-6:00pm

The Special educational needs and disability code of practice: 0-25 years (issued June 2014) is available to download at: www.gov.uk/government/consultations. Reference: DFE-00205-2013

The Southwark IAS will advise on how and who to make your complaint to. We can help draft a letter for the parent/young person if needed. Advice can also be found on The Local Offer website.

Southwark IAS: 0207 525 3104. Drop-ins are held at Sunshine House on Mondays 1:00pm-4:00pm Tuesdays 9:30-12:00pm, and Thursdays 3:00-6:00pm

Come to a Southwark IAS drop-in, email or call for advice from one of our advisers. Information can also be found on The Local Offer Website.

Southwark IAS: 0207 525 3104. Drop-ins are held at Sunshine House on Mondays 1:00pm-4:00pm, Tuesdays 9:30-12:00pm, and Thursdays 3:00-6:00pm