Advice for children or young people

We understand that it can be difficult to be a child or young person with disabilities or special educational needs. That's why it's important that we can help you find the advice and support that you need.

How we can help you

If you are under 25 years old and need extra support with learning, we are here to help you in the following ways:

• give you information about your rights and choices
• provide advice to help you make decisions about things that affect you
• listen to you and support you to make your voice heard

We always give impartial advice. This means that we don't take sides. We give you facts so that you can make your own informed decision.

You don't need an EHC Plan to ask for help and it doesn't matter if you don't have a diagnosis. 

We promise to keep everything you tell us private. The only time we might talk to someone else is when you've said it's ok, or if we need to keep you safe.

If you need help at school or college

If you are in school or college and you need more support, the people in charge of making sure you get help are:

• your teachers
• additional learning needs coordinators

If you don't feel comfortable talking to these people, you can talk to an Advocate. An Advocate will help you say what you want to, even when you find it difficult. Find more information on how an Advocate can help you on the offtherecord website.

If you need someone to talk to

If you are concerned about anything involving your care or education and you need someone to talk to, please feel free to talk to us.

You can contact us in the following ways:

• Text or WhatsApp us on 07530 263401 at any time
• Call us on 01225 394382 for confidential advice from Monday to Friday, between 10am and 3pm.
• Email us at send_partnership@bathnes.org.uk (needs updating)
• Fill out our webform and we'll get back to you as soon as we can

It is ok to get your parent, carer or an adult you trust to help you. It is completely up to you and what makes you most comfortable.

If you leave us a message, text, email or fill out our webform, we will try our best to get back to you within 5 days.

If you are over 16 we will need your permission before we can talk to anyone else about you or your situation. Please fill out a consent form as soon as you can when you get in touch to give us your permission to share the information you give us. (we need a consent form)

If you need more support than your school or college can give you

If you are under 25 and your school or college have already given you some support but you feel it isn't enough, you might need an Education Health and Care Needs Assessment.

An EHC Needs Assessment is a tool we use to find out if you need an EHC Plan.

An EHC Plan is a unique plan designed to help you reach your full potential at school or college. All of the people who support you will be able to see your EHC Plan. This should help them deliver the support you need.

The first step in the process of getting more support from your school or college is getting an EHC Needs Assessment. 

Find out how to get an EHC Needs Assessment.

If you are over 16

If you are over 16 and have finished year 11, you have a right to make decisions about your own support.  You should be involved in all decisions about your support. It's very important that you feel like your opinion matters and you have are listened to.

If you are unhappy about a decision that affects you

If you are unhappy about a decision that has been made about your education, please contact us, we can help you.