Read February's edition online

Sections

  1. SENDIASS update
  2. Phase transfer
  3. Staff spotlight
  4. Register for the Norfolk SEND Youth Forum
  5. Engagement and Outreach update
  6. Have your say
  7. Complex Transition Information Event
  8. Family Voice Norfolk Annual Conference
  9. Advocacy in Norfolk

SENDIASS update

We are currently very busy on our helpline so if you no longer need your appointment, please cancel with at least 24 hours’ notice so that the appointment can be booked by other parent/carers that need to speak with us. 

Whilst we are so busy on our helpline, please look at other ways you can get information, advice and support from us. We have a vast range of resources, booklets and bitesize training videos on our website:
Video's, Information and links | Norfolk SENDIASS

Equally our Engagement and Advice Workers are out and about across Norfolk doing drop ins, in Libraries. Have a look at our website for more information:
Engagement and Advice Library drop in sessions | Norfolk SENDIASS

The below snapshot of data shows how many helpline advice appointments we have offered since August last year and the top reasons for contact.  

Phase transfer

The phase transfer deadline for those children and young people with an EHCP that are moving from:

(a) early years education to school
(b) infant school to junior school
(c) primary school to middle school
(d) primary school to secondary school
(e) middle school to secondary school
 
has now passed, if your child falls into one of the above categories and you have not received the information that contains the place of learning your child will be transitioning into for September 2025, please either contact your EHCP co-ordinator or call the dedicated EHCP phone line on 01603 679183.

If you are unhappy with the place of learning named in the phase transfer information you have a right to appeal this, you only have two months in which to start this process. We have a vast amount of information to help you do this on our website:
Appealing to the SEND Tribunal | Norfolk SENDIASS

Alternatively you can book an appointment to discuss this with us on our helpline or visit us at one of the drop ins across Norfolk.

For those young people that are moving from:

(f) secondary school to a post-16 institution.
 
The deadline for phase transfer is the 31st March and so you may not have received anything yet.

Staff spotlight

Hi, my name is Niamh Keane, and I’ve worked at Norfolk SENDIASS for 8 years in several different roles such as Independent Supporter, Helpline Advisor, Caseworker and Training and Development Officer but I am currently the Service Manager.

In my role I manage the service ensuring we meet our minimum standards, hold a small caseload, create our online resources, provide bespoke training to parent/carers and professionals and contribute to local and national conversations informing and influencing policy and practice.

Before working at Norfolk SENDIASS, I worked in a mainstream high school as a 1:1 personal assistant and at the Hamlet Centre as a Support Worker. Prior to this I attended University and received a degree in ‘Childhood and Family Studies with Special Educational Needs and Inclusion’.

I am incredibly passionate about the service and supporting children and young people with SEND and their families to understand their rights and make informed decisions whilst also trying to help at a strategic level to influence a difficult system.

Register for the Norfolk SEND Youth Forum
CLICK TO REGISTER ONLINE

Engagement and Outreach update

We have been supporting The Hamlet Centre with establishing a Youth Forum made up of their own centre users. It’s purpose is to give the young people the chance and confidence to raise issues that are important to them outside of the centre.

The group have highlighted 3 areas that restrict their independence and they think should change;
  • The accessibility of the local park and outside spaces close to the centre
  • City transport
  • Banking systems
The group have made a good start by taking their thoughts on Marion Road Park and Ketts Heights to local parks Development Officer for Norwich City Council and being part of Norwich City transport survey.

They also invited their local MP to hear their views. This month, Clive Lewis, MP for Norwich South visited the centre for the first time. He had a tour and did a great Q & A session but most importantly he listened! Jack and Emily shared their concerns and the group’s priorities and Clive came up with some great ideas – he even got the issues of the park onto an agenda of a council meeting that was happening the following day!

Read all about his visit here and also watch this space for updates of the influence the group has.
 We were thrilled to welcome Clive Lewis MP to The Hamlet Adult Centre! | The Hamlet

Well done to The Hamlet Centre Youth Forum!
We have been busy running library drop-in sessions across the County.  You can find out where you can find us via our online calendar.

Have your say

Message from Norfolk County Council:

Our special educational needs and disability (SEND) survey 2025 is open Monday 13 January - Sunday 23 February 2025. We really need your views on SEND services and support in Norfolk.

Our survey is for parents, carers, professionals who work with children and young people with SEND and their families, and young people with SEND who are aged 25 or younger.

There is a wide range of support and alternative formats to help you complete the survey.
 
Complete the SEND Survey 2025 on our Consultation Hub
 
Why we want people to complete the SEND survey
The more feedback we get the more accurate picture we have of:
  • How people in Norfolk are experiencing SEND services and support
  • What we need to improve
 
Places of learning are encouraged to make time for children and young people with SEND to complete the survey.
If your child does not attend a place of learning, please encourage and support your child to complete the SEND survey.

How we use the survey feedback
We read all SEND survey feedback and act on it.

Our last SEND survey was in 2023. We analysed the 2023 survey feedback and produced a 2023 survey summary and three reports. 

Senior leaders used the reports' findings to act on what needs to happen to improve the lives of children and young people with SEND, and their families.

The survey feedback helped us to shape our Norfolk Area SEND and Alternative Provision Strategy (NASPAS).  
The feedback also led to different teams taking actions which you can read about in our 'You said, We did' SEND in Norfolk report 2023-2024.  

Other activity is still happening as part of our Local Area Inclusion Plan. 

After the 2025 survey, we will publish feedback reports. We will publish these on the SEND Local Offer for everyone to read.

We will use the results to help us update our Local Area Inclusion Plan for 2025-2027. We will also publish a yearly progress update on actions every July.
 

Complex Transition Information Event

We will be attending this event and look forward to seeing you there!

Family Voice Norfolk Annual Conference

Booking is now open for parent carers wishing to attend the Family Voice Norfolk Annual Conference on
 

Saturday 22nd March 2025
at the  John Innes Centre, Norwich, NR4 7UH.


The Family Voice Norfolk Annual Conference is a free event, exclusively for parents and carers who have children and young people aged 0-25 with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Once again Norfolk SENDIASS will be at the event along with the SEND Youth Forum, this is an event that we always look forward to and speak with many families and professionals on the day.

This is a fantastic event for parent/carers to meet new people, speak to services across Norfolk and learn some new things from the workshops that take place.
Parent/carer booking form

Advocacy in Norfolk
Visit Pohwer website