Impartiality Policy

The local authority delegates the responsibility of providing information for parents, carers and young people about SEND legislation and local procedures to the Information, Advice and Support Service (IASS). The service has its own logo, letter heads and branding to reflect its impartiality.

Summary of measures taken to protect impartiality:

• The service has an advisory group which has parents/carers, representatives from voluntary organisations, and health service who are independent of the local authority
• The service manages its own budget
• IASS staff have the authority to challenge local authority policies and practices when in breach of parent’s/carers or young people’s rights
• The service has an independent telephone line, and all calls remain private and confidential.
• The service has its own logo, website, leaflets and letter heads
• IASS staff are based in Local Authority (LA) offices away from other SEND related services.
• The service operates an independent, secure database that is accessed by IASS staff only.