As well as our dedicated officers, East Riding SENDIASS has a number of volunteers who can support parents when dealing with schools or the Local Authority.
Our SENDIASS volunteers come from all areas of the East Riding of Yorkshire and have a range of interests and expertise. Having attended a 6-week training course, our volunteers are DBS checked and have all successfully completed IPSEA Level 1 training. With knowledge of the SEN Code of Practice 2014 and the Children and Families Act 2014, SENDIASS volunteers can offer independent parental support to parents of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, whatever level of SEN support the child or young person receives and whatever the Special Educational Need.
Our SENDIASS volunteers can help by:
- listening to what parents have to say
- supporting parents in expressing their views and concerns
- explaining the SEN processes and procedures, the structures and roles of professionals and any confusing SEN terminology
- supporting parents through difficult and confusing times in regards to their child’s SEN
- signposting parents to any relevant literature or other organisations that may be able to offer help
- providing practical support before, during and after meetings
- supporting parents when completing forms and applications.
At all times, our volunteers can refer to the SENDIASS Officers for further advice and support.
East Riding SENDIASS volunteers bring a wealth of their own experience in regards to SEN, a willingness to listen and an understanding of the types of issues parents face. They may be parents themselves, or may have an experience of working with/in schools, or they may have joined our service as they have an interest in Special Educational Needs and have an empathy for parents who are struggling.
Our volunteers will not make judgements about you or your child, or make decisions for you. Instead, they will listen to your concerns and offer their support in seeking to resolve disputes and finding answers to your questions.
The volunteer’s role is to assist you with specific issues concerning your child’s Special Educational Needs and/or Disability. They are not there to get involved in other ways with your family, though they can refer to the SENDIASS officers to help you locate other sources of support.
If you would like a SENDIASS volunteer to assist you, please contact the service today requesting the support of one.
If you are interested in finding out more about the volunteer program, or for further information on how to volunteer, please contact us to see when our next sign-up is.