IASS information

Our Independent Volunteer Supporters Understanding what they do

An Independent Volunteer Supporter (IVS) is someone who is able to support children and young people and/or their parents or carers, with issues around Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND).

Our IVS will: be someone that you can trust and rely on respect your confidence and privacy listen and help decide what they want rather than tell them what to do understand the education system be good at making themselves understood not have a clash of interests They are independent of decision making professionals. This means that they have no conflict of interest, which could be seen as influencing their ability to give impartial information or advice when they are providing support.

IVS are trained to be fully informed about local and national policies and procedures around SEND. This helps them to feel confident when working with children and young people, and their parents or carers, in a variety of ways and in different situations. They also have good communication skills and the ability to listen.

Call us on 020 8461 7630 or visit www.bromleyiass.org.uk

What our IVS can do Listen to you Listen to any concerns you may have Provide emotional support and encouragement Recognise and maintain confidentiality Ensure that you understand how the Special Needs Code of Practice works in schools Accompany and inform you on visits to schools Support you to act in partnership with schools and colleges Support you in meetings - and you may request an IVS to ask questions, seek clarification and afterwards talk with them about what was discussed Encourage you to be confident in you views Encourage you to seek clarification on points and issues raised Give accurate information about the statutory assessment procedure Help you to prepare your contribution for the statutory assessment Ensure that you understand the content of information received from the Council Help you in you negotiations with the Council Discuss a draft Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan with you and help you with your response Help you to write letters and complete forms if appropriate Encourage you to understand it is important to help you to express your views Talk through procedures, choices and the implication of choices Provide you with information on your rights and responsibilities, the law and local practice and procedures Attend annual reviews or other school meetings with you Inform you of contacts who could give appropriate support, advice and information

Call us on 020 8461 7630 or visit www.bromleyiass.org.uk

How we support our IVS We support our IVS by: Providing regular supervision meetings to discuss caseloads and help identify development needs Providing training opportunities on a continuing basis Providing opportunities for IVS to meet each other for mutual support

Get in touch with us Email us on iass@bromley.gov.uk or choiceservice@bromley.gov.uk for our Choice Service

Alternatively, you can text us on 07834 106 347

Call us on 020 8461 7630 Monday to Friday 9.30am - 1pm and 2pm - 4pm

or visit www.bromleyiass.org.uk

February 2021, Crafted by Burning Leaf Creatives