Independent Support Dorset, Bmth and Poole 1.76

An Independent Supporter gives impartial support and guidance to families with children or young people who are being assessed for an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or those ‘transferring’ from a statement of Special Educational Needs (SEN) to an EHCP under the new system.
Locally, Independent Support is available from SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs and Disability Information Advice and Support Service) and The Rose Road Association.
The team from Rose Road offers support throughout Dorset, Poole and Bournemouth. Having worked with a large amount of families and young people since 2014 the Rose Road team have found that their support has been particularly useful in the following ways:
• Explaining how the new EHCP system works and providing factsheets to support with this.
• Supporting at meetings relating to new EHCPs or transfers from statements.
• The Local Authority now asks for parental and the young person’s contribution towards plans and they can help with this.
• They can come to you at home or meet at the school or somewhere you feel comfortable to talk about what you would like to put in your contribution.
• They can talk through the outcomes you would like to see in the plan.
• They can also act as a named contact and help you to understand how to access services and put you in contact with other organisations that can help.
If you would like to know more about this support you can either contact Rose Road Association direct on: 0300 303 8604 or email: independentsupport@roseroad.org.uk.
Alternatively please contact the Team co-ordinator Tracey Dale on: 07823 353897 or email: traceydale@roseroad.org.uk