Islington SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service) offers free, impartial and confidential support for children and young people with SEND – and for the parents and carers who stand with them.
If you’re navigating education, health or social care questions in the London Borough of Islington, the service’s regular coffee mornings, workshops and tribunal drop-ins are a practical, welcoming place to get help, meet others and find your next step.
What Is SENDIASS and who is it for?
SENDIASS provides clear, jargon-free information and one-to-one advice about SEND rights and processes.
The service supports:
- Parents and carers of children with SEND aged 0–25
- Young people aged 16–25 who live in Islington
Support covers education, health and social care matters – from understanding SEN support and EHCPs to help with meetings, paperwork and disputes.
How SENDIASS helps
Islington SENDIASS offers a range of practical help:
- Advice & guidance on SEND law, local policies and the Local Offer
- Workshops & events, including coffee mornings and themed sessions (e.g., EHCP workshops)
- Meeting support – attendance or help preparing for school and local authority meetings
- Paperwork helps with forms, reviews and EHCP-related documents
- Dispute resolution including mediation and tribunal preparation
- Signposting to specialist local and national services
The team aims to respond to first enquiries within three working days and provides ongoing support as needed. If you need urgent mental health support, the Islington crisis team is available 24/7 at 080 0917 3333
Coffee mornings, drop-ins and events – what to expect
SENDIASS runs monthly coffee mornings (10:00-11:45) where parents and carers can meet caseworkers, swap experiences and get informal advice. The service also runs tribunal/general drop-ins and targeted workshops such as “Understanding your child’s EHCP.”
- 11th February – Understanding your EHCP with Centre 404, 1pm-2.30pm, Centre 404, 404 Camden Road, N7 0SJ
- 25th February – Workshop @ Lough Road Centre
- 19th March – Coffee morning & Tribunal/General drop in @ Lough Road
These sessions are parent/carer focused (unless otherwise stated). To register, families are asked to complete the service registration/referral form or contact the team directly.
How to access Islington SENDIASS
You can self-refer – reach out by phone, email or in person:
- Phone: 020 3031 6651
- Email: islingtonSENDIASS@ldnlondon.org
- Address: 61–71 Lough Road Centre, Lough Road, N7 8FF
If SENDIASS isn’t the right fit for your situation, the team can signpost you to alternative local services.
Useful resources provided
SENDIASS offers factsheets and guides on topics including:
- Choosing a school
- Exclusions and appeals
- EHCP annual reviews
- Moving to a new school or naming a school
- Needs assessments and SEN support
- Questions to ask when looking at secondary schools
- What to do if you disagree with a decision
Final thoughts
Navigating SEND processes can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Islington SENDIASS combines expert, impartial advice with local knowledge and supportive peer spaces — and their coffee mornings and drop-ins are a gentle, practical way to get started.
If you’re planning to attend a session, need transport assistance, or would prefer a door-to-door option for peace of mind, Jimac Cars is here to help.
Our drivers are experienced in serving families across London and can provide comfortable, reliable private hire for local journeys and event travel.
More details are available here
Let Jimac Cars provide safe and reliable transport for families and young people with SEND transport, making every journey easier and stress-free.
