Barnsley SENDIASS

Mediation and tribunal support

We were contacted by a 20 year old female who'd received a letter telling her the EHCP needs assessment she'd applied for had been refused. She asked us to help her in a mediation meeting with the council.

She was attending college and was struggling with the academic work. She felt she needed more SEN support than college were able to provide, so she'd applied for an EHCP needs assessment.  

Representing herself but with our support in a mediation meeting, the council maintained their position not to assess her needs. She then asked for our support to apply to the tribunal to appeal this decision.

The council then reviewed their initial decision and agreed to her assessment. 

Help with the annual review of an EHCP

A year 13 student diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and epilepsy had been educated out of the local area in specialist college. He asked for our help to prepare for and then attend the annual review of his EHCP. This involved meeting him in the evening to prepare his views for the review meeting.

We supported him to express his views about his provision and describe his aspirations for his future.

This young person was successful in gaining further funding to sustain his current placement for the following year. 

Help to access education

A year 8 student struggling to access education asked for our help. They knew what they wanted and sought our support in meetings between themselves and their school.

The young person was aware of their feelings, but didn't feel they were valued or that their views were appreciated. Working together, we were able to jointly present their views.

Help to complete DSA paperwork

A year 13 student who'd been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), asked for direct support to complete Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) paperwork ready for university. This involved meeting with him, working through the paperwork, and completing it with him.

It required several meetings to go through everything and make sure it was an accurate reflection of him and his needs, and could be presented well.

With out help, the student was successful at applying.

Help getting support at university

A year 13 student diagnosed with epilepsy, chronic fatigue and mental health challenges asked for our support. They needed support getting the right help in place at university and was struggling to explain things to her tutors.

We met with her, scoped out her challenges, and attended meetings with her to help her articulate her views and help create a better working plan. 

Needs planning for the transition to further education

A year 11 pupil at secondary school was about to transition to year 12 at a local college. The young person's parent asked us to support him in a meeting at college to help plan for his needs.

We assigned two people to the case; one to help the parent and one to help the young person in their meeting.  

The young person was able to explain their needs alongside their parent. The college made a support plan in readiness for their start of college in September.

Early help meetings

A year 6 student, diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)/ADHD was struggling at school. She felt the teachers didn’t listen to her and that they didn’t really understand her needs.

We worked with her and her parents to understand her views, and used these to advocate for her in early help meetings.

Information, advice and support officer meetings

A year 6 student diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) regularly asks to meet with his information, advice and support officer.

In these meetings at his home we talk using art to discuss his worries. We then share these with his parents to help get ready for meetings at school.