Information, Advice & Support Service

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Information, Advice & Support Service

Local authorities have a duty to provide, adequately resource and jointly commission impartial and free information, advice and support for disabled children, young people and their parents, and to children and young people with SEN and their parents. This support must cover education, health and social care.

Free and impartial information, advice and support is available from IASS, Bromley who provide support on a wide range of SEND issues, including the statutory assessment process and annual review, to children, young people and parents.

Independent Support was a time limited programme providing additional support for young people and parents while statements were transferred to Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).

Independent Support finished on 31st July 2018.

Bromley Parent Voice was a member of a consortium delivering Independent Support in Bromley.  As part of this work a number of useful resources were developed.

Access these resources here.

Information, Advice & Support Service

IASS: Free, impartial information, advice and support offered in confidence to children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and their parents or carers.

Choice Service: Free advice for all parents and carers with the moves from pre-school to primary school and on to secondary school.

Helplines: 020 8461 7630
Email: iass@bromley.gov.uk or choiceservice@bromley.gov.uk

Information, Advice & Support Service: Bromley

If you have concerns about your child or young person’s special educational needs we can provide free, impartial information, advice and support in confidence. If you are a young person with concerns around SEND, we can also offer you this service.

We offer support from birth to 25 years old:

  • Early Years: 0 – 4
  • Primary: 4 – 11

  • Secondary: 11 – 16
  • Post 16: 16 – 25

Our Services

  • Helpline and email support (phone lines are open between 9.30am – 1pm and 2pm – 4pm)
  • Meetings in a local Children & Family Centre or in central Bromley to discuss difficulties
  • Independent Volunteer Supporter (IVS) assistance at meetings
  • Help communicating with professionals (letter writing, emails, phone calls)
  • Support to achieve positive outcomes at meetings and reviews about your child
  • Help understanding reports by professionals
  • Advice on SEN systems, procedures and processes
  • Guidance on Education Health & Care Plans (EHCPs) and Transition Reviews

  • Mediation at all stages with schools and the Local Authority
  • Information on Health and Social Care policies and procedures
  • Support with the transition between each educational stage
  • Support and advice with Post 16 options
  • Support with SEND Tribunals
  • Signposting to other support services
  • Website (limited information available)
  • Information leaflets (limited information available)

Independent Volunteer Supporters

An Independent Volunteer Supporter (IVS) is a volunteer who has completed training provided by the Information Advice and Support Service (IASS).

  • An IVS can accompany you to meetings with professionals e.g. school meetings or meetings with the Local Authority.
  • An IVS can also meet with you at our office or any of the six children and family centres across the Borough to talk through any difficulties.

NB: IVS support is subject to volunteer availability at the time of the request.

Children & Young People’s Support Worker

Children & young people (CYP) can meet with us, too. We have a designated CYP Support Worker who can meet with children and young people and talk to them in private if wanted.

  • Listening to what young people want and talking through their options
  • Help young people have their say and be included in discussions

Young people can text us on 07834 106 347

Choice Service

We offer support with making a realistic and informed decision about your preferred choice of school including:

  • Telephone helpline and email support
  • Help with understanding the school admissions process and school applications
  • Guidance on admissions policies for specific schools

  • Help with completing forms (eg. Common Application Form)
  • Support preparing an admissions appeal

Contact Us

Telephone: 020 8461 7630
Monday to Friday 9.30am – 1pm and 2pm – 4pm

Text messages: 07834 106 347

Email

iass@bromley.gov.uk
choiceservice@bromley.gov.uk

Web

www.bromley.gov.uk and search for “IASS”

These services are provided on behalf of Bromley Local Authority by the Bromley Children Project and are for residents living in the London Borough of Bromley

Drop In Service

Your local information, advice and support service (IASS) for children and young people with SEND (and their parents and carers) are holding drop-in sessions at the Central Library on Thursday evenings 5 to 7pm.

The drop-in time is aiming to improve their accessibility and hope it will be useful for those who would like to find out more about IASS, but prefer talking in person rather than via email or over the phone.