Additional Policy Documents

Pearl Barnes, Founder and Executive Director

SENDISS has full liability and indemnity insurance through HISCOX, part of the Alan Boswell Group. 1, Great St. Helen's, London, EC3A 6HX.

The opinions expressed in the SENDISS website are those of the publisher, Pearl Barnes. The publisher cannot be held liable for incorrect information, omissions or the opinions of third parties.

Mission Statement

1.0.

The goal of SENDISS is to enhance outcomes for children and young people who are experiencing special educational needs and/or disabilities which act as barriers to their development and learning and impedes them from developing their potential to the full.

2.0. This is achieved by:

• 2.1.
  Offering quality bespoke training and professional development for teachers and non-teaching staff
• 2.2.
  Offering quality assessment of needs of children, young people and adults
• 2.3.
  Offering extensive, detailed and impartial auditing of SEND provision to ensure compliance with current legislation and best practice
• 2.4.
  Offering ongoing SEND consultancy to develop SEND provision towards the goal of outstanding provision

3.0. The Goal:

The ultimate aim of assessments is to offer holistic, detailed and accurate assessments of children and young people, offering judgements and advice based upon extensive experience within the field of best practice and effective support strategies.

4.0. Key Principles

SENDISS believes that:

• Every individual is unique in terms of characteristics, interests, abilities, motivation and learning
• Every individual, from every walk of life, should have equal opportunities and equal access to appropriate provision and support,
• Education systems should respond appropriately to every individual's diversity of needs; increasing participation and inclusion through quality and equity,
• Every individual has a right to live a rewarding and fulfilling life irrespective of their level of disability and learning needs
• Every individual should be given the opportunity of reaching their full potential.

5.0. SENDISS Promise to you

• 5.1. Assessments:
  Assessments will respect the privacy of each individual and shall only seek the information necessary to make an informed assessment of the individual strengths and weaknesses of the child. Parental consent shall always be sought before sharing any information with schools or other professionals. SENDISS shall always act in the best interest of the child and family, providing assessment and advice based upon the needs identified through rigorous assessment. Parents shall be informed of their rights and shall be kept fully informed throughout the assessment process. SENDISS shall offer impartial advice based upon the needs of the individual within the current legislative framework. SENDISS shall not offer information or advice relating to areas within which they are not trained.
  
  SENDISS shall uphold the Code of Good Practice as outlined by The British Psychological Society at all times.
• 5.2. Training:
  SENDISS aims to deliver innovative and experiential training of the highest quality which is engaging and based upon current research and thinking. The aim is to stimulate discussion around learning and provide a forum for teachers/SENCOs to begin to evaluate and reflect upon their practice. SENDISS shall uphold confidentiality of individuals at all times and shall draw upon prior knowledge and experience alongside current research when developing training packages. SENDISS shall endeavour to make the training as tailor-made to the setting as possible based upon the information provided prior to the training session.
• 5.3. Audit:
  SENDISS offers auditing of SEND provision in line with current legislation and best practice. The audit shall be wholly impartial and make recommendations for future development based upon the observations and information provided. SENDISS makes recommendations without prejudice and which are unbiased, but based upon the current legislative frameworks, Inspection Frameworks (ISI and Ofsted) and the SEND Code of Practice.

Updated August 2022, Pearl Barnes, Founder and Executive Director, SENDISS

Safeguarding Policy

1.0. Introduction

• 1.1.
  This policy has been developed in accordance with the principles established by the Children Acts 1989, 2004, 2014; the Education Act 2002, and in line with government publications: 'Working Together to Safeguard Children' 2006 and 2013.
• 1.2.
  SENDISS takes seriously the responsibility under section 175 of the Education Act 2002 to safeguard and promote the welfare of children
• 1.3.
  SENDISS believes that their service should provide a caring, positive, safe & stimulating environment that promotes the social, physical and moral development of the individual child.
• 1.4.
  Pearl Barnes will ensure that a fully up-to-date Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) certificate is maintained and that her Safeguarding training is updated annually. Pearl will ensure she has her DBS certificate available for anyone contracting her services.
• 1.5.
  When working within an educational setting Pearl Barnes will familiarise herself with the specific safeguarding policy of the setting and will ensure she has full access to the appropriate Designated Senior Person (DSP) and is able to raise concerns, where necessary, in accordance with the policy of the setting where she has concerns about unsafe practices.
• 1.6.
  When working within the child/young person's home, the child's parents will remain within the home for the entire period of the assessment for a child aged 18 or younger.

• 1.7. When a concern arises:

  • 1.71. In the child's home/at the assessment centre:
    Pearl Barnes recognises that confidentiality is essential when working with children and young people. However, where a concern arises where Pearl deems the child or young person to be at significant risk of harm, or where information has been disclosed by the child or young person which indicates a significant risk of harm, Pearl will not investigate the allegations or concerns but, under safeguarding law, will refer any significant concerns to the Social Services, where the allegation or concern relates to the parent/carer. Where an allegation or concern relates to a third party (such as someone outside the family) Pearl will discuss her concerns with the child’s parent/carer.
  • 1.72. At School:
    Pearl Barnes recognises that confidentiality is essential when working with children and young people. However, where a concern arises where Pearl deems the child or young person to be at significant risk of harm, or where information has been disclosed by the child or young person which indicates a significant risk of harm, Pearl will not investigate the allegations or concerns but, under safeguarding law, will refer any significant concerns to the Designated Senior Person of the setting. Where the DSP is unavailable, Pearl will pass on any concerns to the SENCO and/or the Head Teacher.

2.0. Confidentiality

• 2.1.
  SENDISS recognises that all matters relating to Safeguarding is strictly confidential.
• 2.2.
  Pearl Barnes will only share information with a third party where she deems that there may be a significant risk of harm to the individual child/young person.
• 2.3.
  Pearl Barnes will ensure that pupil’s and/or parent’s confidentiality must not be breached and that information is only shared on a need to know basis.
• 2.4.
  Pearl Barnes will keep on file information relating to the child’s date of birth, parents’ address and email address and associated reports as a result of assessment or tuition, for a period of 7 years in line with data protection law. Confidential information will be stored in a secure and locked cabinet.
• 2.5.
  Pearl will provide any copies of information regarding the child/young person to the child’s/young person’s parents, under the Data Protection Act, when a request for information is made in writing.
• 2.6.
  Pearl Barnes will not pass on any information to a third party regarding the child/young person and/or parents without prior consent from parents and/or the setting unless she deems the child/young person to be at significant risk of harm.

3.0. Code of Conduct: Safe Working Practice

• 3.1.
  It is the responsibility of everyone who works with children/young people to ensure that pupils’ are cared for appropriately and safeguarded from any harm, and it is their duty of care to promote the health, safety and welfare of all members of the school community.
• 3.2.
  It is acknowledged that the vast majority of people working with children behave appropriately whilst working with children or young people. Whilst it is recognised that the individual members of an organisation may hold differing values and opinions, adults working in a school are in a position of trust and their conduct is, therefore, governed by specific laws and guidance and the policies and procedures agreed by the head teacher and governing body.
• 3.3.
  Although there are no general hard-fast rules as to what is and is not acceptable or appropriate, the following information is deemed to be a code of appropriate conduct for all adults working with children and young people. Adherence to this code should ensure that both children and adults are safe from misconduct or unfounded allegations of misconduct.

4.0. You should always:

• Adhere to all school policies, many of which are specifically written with safeguarding in mind. For example: Child Protection and Safeguarding, Behaviour, Physical Intervention, Anti Bullying, Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety, Use of Images (photography and DVD), Disability Discrimination, E safety.
• Behave in a mature, respectful, safe, fair and considered manner at all times.
• Provide a good example and 'positive role model' to the pupils.
• Observe other people's right to confidentiality (Unless you need to report something to the Headteacher or DSP e.g. concerns about a child protection issue).
• Treat all children equally; never confer favour on particular children, however, a ‘special rapport’ with individual children, may be deemed appropriate where providing one-to-one tuition.

5.0. Report to the Head teacher / (or in the case of an allegation concerning the Headteacher the Chair of Governors):

• Any behaviour or situation which may give rise to complaint, misunderstanding or misinterpretation against yourself.
• Any difficulties that you are experiencing, for example, coping with a child presenting particularly challenging behaviour; situations where you anticipate that you may not be sufficiently qualified, trained or experienced to deal with or handle appropriately.
• Any behaviours of another adult in the school which give you cause for concern or breach of this code of conduct or other school policies and procedures.

6.0. You should never:

• Behave in a manner that could lead a reasonable person to question your conduct, intentions or suitability to care for other people’s children.
• Touch children in a manner which is or may be considered sexual, threatening, gratuitous or intimidating.
• Discriminate either favourably or unfavourably towards any child.
• Give personal contact details, text, email or telephone except for agreed work purposes using work IT, or make arrangements to contact, communicate or meet children outside of work.
• Develop ‘personal’ or sexual relationships with children.
• Push, hit, kick, punch, slap, throw missiles at or smack a child or threaten to do so.
• Be sarcastic, embarrass or humiliate, make remarks or “jokes” to children of a personal, racist, discriminatory, intimidating or otherwise inappropriate* or offensive nature.
• Allow, encourage or condone children to act in an illegal, improper or unsafe manner e.g. smoking or drinking alcohol.
• Behave in an illegal or unsafe manner.
• Undertake any work with children when you are not in a fit and proper physical or emotional state to do so.

Updated August 2022, Pearl Barnes, Founder and Executive Director, SENDISS

Privacy Policy

1.0. Introduction:

• 1.1.
  SENDISS is committed to protecting your privacy. SENDISS complies fully with General Data Protection Regulations 2018 and will only use the information collected lawfully (in accordance with the Data Protection Regulations, 2018).
• 1.2.
  SENDISS is registered with the Data Commissioners Office for holding personal information relating to clients and other bodies associated with SENDISS.
• 1.3.
  This Privacy Policy applies to all the products, services, websites and reports provided by SENDISS. We refer to those products, services, websites and reports collectively as the “services” in this policy.
• 1.4.
  References to "data" in this Privacy Policy will refer to any personal data collected during the commission of the services of SENDISS. The data controller for SENDISS is Pearl Barnes. The service users are parents, young people, schools, colleges and training providers.
• 1.5.
  Non-personal data is any information which does not relate to a person and/or cannot be used to identify a person.
• 1.6.
  Reference to “you” will relate to anyone using the services of SENDISS, including: parents, children and young people, schools, colleges and training providers.
• 1.7.
  Personal data collected by SENDISS will include personal information which is provided voluntarily and data which is requested by SENDISS for the purpose of conducting their services.
• 1.8.
  Personal information, “data”, will be obtained only for the purpose of carrying out our services.
• 1.9.
  SENDISS will obtain full consent from you before carrying out our Services and holding personal data.

2.0. What data do we collect?

• 2.1.
  Data held about you will vary according to the purpose of the service use.
• 2.2.
  Personal data collected about you will always include, without limitation: Name, address, telephone number, email address and will include other personal information according to the use of the service.
• 2.3.
  Data held for the purpose of training will include details of the training provider’s address, email address, name of contact, telephone number and any other information necessary for delivering the training. Data of delegates will include: name, employers address, employers email address, and any other data deemed necessary for conducting the training.
• 2.4.
  Data held for the purpose of diagnostic assessment will include: your name, address, telephone number, email address, personal history of the child or young personal undertaking the assessment, and any other information deemed necessary for conducting the assessment process.
• 2.5.
  Data held for the purpose of auditing provision will include: name of key personnel, address, telephone number, email address, information relating to other personnel and any other data deemed necessary for undertaking the audit.

3.0. How We Use Your Personal Data:

SENDISS collects and uses the Personal Data we collect in a manner that is consistent with this Privacy Policy. We may use the Personal Data as follows:

• To conduct diagnostic assessments
• To conduct audits of Provision
• To conduct training
• To provide advice and support
• There might be other services for which SENDISS uses personal data which are not listed above

4.0. Sharing Information:

SENDISS will not share any personal information with a third party without the written consent from the client.

However, we may disclose your Personal Data, if required to do so by law, in order to (for example) respond to a subpoena or request from law enforcement, a court or a government agency (including in response to public authorities to meet national security or law enforcement requirements), or in the good faith belief that such action is necessary to (a) comply with a legal obligation, (b) protect or defend our rights, interests or property or that of third parties, (c) prevent or investigate possible wrongdoing in connection with the Services, (d) act in urgent circumstances to protect the personal safety of Users of the Services or the public, or (e) protect against legal liability.

SENDISS is often contracted to conduct services which process personal information relating to children and families. SENDISS reserves the right to share personal information with these children and families upon their request in writing. SENDISS reserves the right to inform the commissioning service user when this personal data is requested.

5.0. Assessments commissioned by schools and colleges:

Where SENDISS is requested to conduct either short or diagnostic assessments within schools, paid for by the setting, it is the responsibility of the setting to inform the child’s parents of the assessment where the child is under the age of 16 years. SENDISS also recommends that the setting informs parents of commissioned assessment for all children and young people under the age of 19 years.

6.0. How We Store Your Personal Data:

SENDISS will take every reasonable steps to protect your data from loss, misuse, unauthorised use, access, inadvertent disclosure, alteration and destruction. However, no network, server, database or Internet or e-mail transmission is ever fully secure or error free. Therefore, you should take special care in deciding what information you send to us electronically. Please keep this in mind when disclosing any Personal Data.

7.0. How can you access, update, correct or delete your personal data?

You can request in writing access to your Personal Data being stored by SENDISS. You can also ask us to correct, update or delete any inaccurate Personal Data that we process about you. You can do this by writing to SENDISS directly.

Since SENDISS processes personal data relating to children and young people, SENDISS reserves the right to disclose information directly to that individual once they turn 18 years old.

Where information is held relating to children and young people which is commissioned by schools, this data can be accessed by the children/young person and/or their family upon request in writing. However, SENDISS reserves the right to inform the setting which commissioned the services in the first place, if necessary.

You can opt out of bulletins and email communications by clicking on the unsubscribe link embedded within the email. It may take up to 72 hours for the unsubscribe to be updated.

SENDISS will consider and respond to all requests in accordance with applicable law.

8.0. How Long We Retain Your Personal Data:

We may retain your Personal Data as long as is necessary and will vary according to the service.

Typically, data relating to a diagnostic assessment will be kept until the child or young person is aged 19 years. Where an assessment has been conducted for a young person aged 19 years, the data will be held for a period of 5 years.

Data collected for training will typically be kept for no more than 5 years.

Data collected for auditing provision will typically be kept for 5 years.

9.0. Changes To This Privacy Policy:

The Services and our business may change from time to time. As a result, at times it may be necessary for us to make changes to this Privacy Policy. We reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to update or modify this Privacy Policy at any time (collectively, "Modifications"). Modifications to this Privacy Policy will be posted to the Site with a change to the "Updated" date at the top of this Privacy Policy.

Please review this policy periodically, and especially before you provide any Personal Data. This Privacy Policy was updated on the date indicated above. Your continued use of the Services following the effectiveness of any Modifications to this Privacy Policy constitutes acceptance of those Modifications. If any Modification to this Privacy Policy is not acceptable to you, you should cease accessing and using the Services.

10.0. Legal grounds for processing your Personal Data:

The GDPR requires SENDISS to tell you about the legal ground we're relying on to process any Personal Data about you. The legal grounds for us processing your Personal Data for the purposes set out in this policy will typically be because:

• you provided your consent;
• it is necessary for our contractual relationship;
• it is necessary for our contractual relationship;

Personal information will be held securely in accordance with our internal security policy and the law. Protectivity will try to ensure that the information it holds will be accurate and up to date. You can check the information that we hold about you by contacting us. If you find any inaccuracies SENDISS will delete or correct it promptly.

Updated August 2022, Pearl Barnes, Founder and Executive Director, SENDISS

Terms and Conditions

SENDISS reserves the right to amend details, prices and withdraw services without prior notice.

Our contract:

By placing an order for booking a place/places for a training/audit/assessment product you ('you' being the purchasing organisation, or 'you' being the purchasing individual) are entering into a legally binding contract. Your order or booking, and thereby the contract with SENDISS, can be made by various methods; for example: online via our website(s), email, order form, letter, verbally on the telephone or verbally during a face-to-face conversation. By placing an order or booking, and thereby entering into a contract with SENDISS, you agree to be bound by our terms and conditions.

For all commissioning of services, whether commissioning an assessment, training or audit of provision, the initial consultation (usually 30 minutes) is free. Sometimes ongoing advice is requested, and this shall be provided, within reason, for a maximum period of 3 months from the assessment, training or audit taking place.

Where ongoing advice and support is requested, an additional hourly charge may be incurred. SENDISS is unable to offer a free service of advice and will endeavour to refer you on to the relevant organisation where advice continues to be sought.

1.0.

It is the policy of SENDISS to endeavour to determine a mutually agreeable date for services to be delivered, and to ensure this date is adhered to. It is recognised, however, that complications sometimes arise, where an agreed date needs to be re-scheduled, postponed or cancelled by either party.

2.0.

SENDISS always aims to deliver the service as agreed; however, SENDISS reserves the right to cancel services of assessment, training or audit at short notice. In the unfortunate event that services are cancelled, a refund in full will be given.

3.0.

SENDISS accepts that the Client may also require to alter or cancel services. In the event of alteration or cancellation, SENDISS requests that the Client does so at the earliest possible opportunity. There are specific cancellation terms and conditions according to the service being provided.

4.0.

Where transport (e.g. train fare) or room hire have been made prior to this date, SENDISS reserves the right to charge the client in full for these charges upon the client’s cancellation, where these additional charges cannot be refunded to SENDISS.

5.0. Training:

• 5.1. Payment terms:

  • 5.11.
    Unless otherwise stated on the invoice, payment terms are strictly 14 days from date of invoice. SENDISS reserves the right to apply a late payment charge of £40.00 on invoices that are still outstanding beyond this period.
  • 5.12.
    SENDISS reserves the right to enforce the Late Payment of Commercial Debts Act 1998 on invoices that are still outstanding after 60 days; meaning a late payment charge of £80.00 plus interest will be added to the outstanding amount.

• 5.2. Content:

  • 5.21.
    The content in SENDISS events has been written to comply with the regulations and law of England and Wales. SENDISS cannot guarantee their suitability for other parts of the UK or abroad. In many cases the content will need to be adapted to take into account your organisation’s specific circumstances. The content in SENDISS events is not intended to replace any legal or professional advice when dealing with specific situations. SENDISS cannot accept any responsibility for any action taken or not taken as a result of any of the content.

• 5.3. Liability:

  • 5.31.
    SENDISS will not be liable to you for any loss, damages, costs, claims or expenses incurred as a result of any customisation of or amendment made by you to any of contents available from SENDISS. SENDISS cannot be held liable for any damage or expenses incurred as a result of any premises or accommodations which are utilised by its services.

• 5.4. Cancellations:

  • 5.41.
    SENDISS will endeavour to re-schedule training when training is cancelled by the Client in extreme circumstances.
  • 5.42
    Where the Client cancels their attendance at pre-booked training, they will be offered a 75% refund for cancellation of more than 20 working days. SENDISS reserves the right to make a 100% charge for Training services cancelled by the client within 5 days, in addition to any expenses incurred (such as specific resources, prior booked travelling expenses and/or overnight costs, room hire). SENDISS reserves the right to make a 50% charge for training cancelled between 2 weeks and 5 days before the training in addition to any additional expenses incurred, such as travelling expenses.

• 5.5. Provisional bookings:

  • 5.51.
    Can be made and a place held for 14 days or until the enrolment form is received. A full place cannot be guaranteed without the completion of the enrolment form.

• 5.6. Training Courses:

  • 5.61.
    Where training is provided over the course of a term or a year, enrolment must be for the entire course; there is no facility to enrol on only part of the course.
  • 5.62.
    SENDISS reserves the right to cancel or alter the course at short notice.
  • 5.63.
    Payment will be refunded in full where training is cancelled.
  • 5.64.
    If a delegate cancels the course after commencing the course, full payment of the entire course will be required unless in extreme circumstances.
  • 5.65.
    Delegates from the same institution may be substituted at any time.

• 5.7. Copyright:

  • 5.71.
    For all training material remains with the author, Pearl Barnes, and is provided for the sole use of the delegate within their setting and must not be used by the delegate for any other purpose than for which it is intended. The delegate is not permitted to sell or loan the materials to a third party. The delegate is permitted to use the forms and alter the information for their own use within the setting.

• 5.8. Coaching and mentoring:

  • 5.81.
    Additional coaching and mentoring sessions which takes place within your setting will incur an additional charge of travelling expenses which will be mileage at 45ppm (or second class rail travel) and, where the distance travelled is more than 120miles, and where it is impossible to travel by rail within 15hours, overnight accommodation at no more than £70per night.

• 5.9. Additional support and advice:

  • 5.91.
    Following training it is inevitable that some delegates will have further questions. A reasonable level of advice will be provided following the training for a period of three months. Where a training course is offered, the advice will be provided for up to 3 months following the completion of the course. SENDISS is unable to offer free advice and support. Where the request for advice and support is excessive, SENDISS will refer you to a charitable organisation which should be able to answer your questions. By excessive, SENDISS refers to regular contact (more than twice a week) from you, with complex and extensive questioning.

6.0. Diagnostic Assessment and School Commissioned Access Arrangement Assessments:

• 6.1. Parent Commissioned Assessment:

  • 6.11.
    The assessment will take place as agreed with the parents, either within the Child's school, in the child's home or in the assessor's home. The date of the assessment will be agreed in advance and a Parent Questionnaires will be issued. Where appropriate and with the parents' permission, the Child's school will be informed of the assessment date and any questionnaires will be issued.
  • 6.12.
    SENDISS recognises that emergencies happen and therefore where an assessment is cancelled by the Client, SENDISS will endeavour to re-schedule at a mutually convenient date at no extra charge.
  • 6.13.
    Where cancellation is made by the Client at any time, SENDISS reserves a right to charge for any prior-booked incurred costs, such as overnight accommodation, prior booked travelling expenses and/or room hire.
  • 6.14.
    Where cancellation of the assessment by the client takes place within 48 hours, SENDISS reserves the right to levy a 75% charge for the assessment, except in exceptional circumstances.
  • 6.15.
    SENDISS reserves the right, in exceptional circumstances, to cancel the assessment at short notice, but will endeavour to re-schedule at a mutually convenient date where possible.

• 6.2. Payment Terms for parents:

  • 6.21.
    Payment terms are strictly 14 days from date of invoice. An invoice will be issued following the assessment along with a summary of the assessment information by email. Following receipt of payment in full the diagnostic report will be issued by email and as a hard copy through the post, within 10 working days of receipt of payment.

• 6.3. Payment Terms for schools:

  • 6.31.
    Unless otherwise stated on the invoice, payment terms are strictly 14 days from date of invoice. SENDISS reserves the right to apply a late payment charge of £40.00 on invoices that are still outstanding beyond this period.
  • 6.32.
    SENDISS reserves the right to enforce the Late Payment of Commercial Debts Act 1998 on invoices that are still outstanding after 60 days; meaning a late payment charge of £80.00 plus interest will be added to the outstanding amount.

• 6.4. School Commissioned Assessments for Access Arrangements:

  • 6.41.
    The assessments will take place as agreed with the school, within a suitable quiet room at the school. The date will be agreed in advance and teacher questionnaires will be issued for the SENCO to forward to the students’ teachers in advance of the assessment. It is the responsibility of the school to information the students’ parents of the upcoming assessment.
  • 6.42.
    Where more than one assessment is commissioned for the full day of assessments, it is the responsibility of the school to organise the schedule of assessments and organise the students themselves to ensure they are available for assessment on the day.
  • 6.43.
    Where a student is absent on the day of the assessment SENDISS reserves the right to charge for the payment in full, but is happy to accept a substitute student for assessment if organised by the school themselves.
  • 6.44.
    Following the assessments Pearl Barnes will complete Form 8 Section C within 10 working days of the assessments taking place. She will also complete a short Pupil Profile, summary report which will provide an overview of the students’ profile of strengths and areas to develop, along with recommendations for teachers.
  • 6.45.
    All assessments comply with current JCQ Regulations, using the most recent editions of fully standardised, norm-referenced assessments, which are appropriate for the age-group. It is expected that the SENCO will provide Pearl with the completed Form 8 Section A prior to assessment and that the SENCO will collaborate closely with Pearl over the implementation of access arrangements.
  • 6.46.
    Where cancellation is made by the client (school) at any time, SENDISS reserves the right to charge for any prior-booked incurred costs, such as overnight accommodation and prior booked travelling expenses
  • 6.47.
    Where cancellation of the assessment by the client takes place within 48 hours, SENDISS reserves the right to levy a 75% charge for the assessment, except in exceptional circumstances.
  • 6.48.
    SENDISS reserves the right, in exceptional circumstances, to cancel the assessment at short notice, but will endeavour to re-schedule at a mutually convenient date where possible.

7.0. Audit and Consultancy:

• 7.1. Payment terms:

  • 7.11.
    Unless otherwise stated on the invoice, payment terms are strictly 14 days from date of invoice. SENDISS reserves the right to apply a late payment charge of £10.00 on invoices that are still outstanding beyond this period.
  • 7.12.
    SENDISS reserves the right to enforce the Late Payment of Commercial Debts Act 1998 on invoices that are still outstanding after 60 days; meaning a late payment charge of £40.00 plus interest will be added to the outstanding amount.

• 7.2. Content:

  • 7.21.
    The content of SENDISS audits comply with the regulations and law of England and Wales. SENDISS cannot guarantee their suitability for other parts of the UK or abroad. The content in SENDISS audits is not intended to replace any legal or other professional advice when dealing with specific situations. SENDISS cannot accept any responsibility for any action taken or not taken as a result of any of the content within the SEN Audit.

• 7.3. Liability:

  • 7.31.
    SENDISS will not be liable to you for any loss, damages, costs, claims or expenses incurred as a result of any customisation of or amendment made by you to any of contents available from SENDISS.

• 7.4. Cancellations:

  • 7.41.
    SENDISS will endeavour to re-schedule SEN Audit when it is cancelled by the Client in extreme circumstances.
  • 7.42.
    Where an audit or SEN Consultancy is cancelled by the Client, SENDISS will endeavour to re-schedule at a mutually convenient date.
  • 7.43.
    However, where cancellation is made by the Client at any time, SENDISS reserves a right to charge for any prior-booked incurred costs, such as overnight accommodation, prior booked travelling expenses and/or room hire.
  • 7.44.
    Where cancellation of the audit takes place within 48 hours, SENDISS reserves the right to levy a 75% charge of the agreed invoice costs, except in exceptional circumstances.

8.0. Payment:

• 8.1. Training:

  • 8.11.
    An invoice will be issued following the training session, where training is arranged via a third party.
  • 8.12
    Where training is arranged directly through SENDISS, an invoice will be issued and full payment should be made by the Client prior to the training session and within 14 days of the invoice.

• 8.2. Parent Assessment:

  • 8.21.
    An invoice will be issued following the diagnostic assessment. The full diagnostic report will be issued following payment in full and within 14 days of the payment being processed. A hard copy will be issued by post.
  • 8.22.
    Where the invoice is outstanding after 14 days, SENDISS reserves the right to levy a late payment fee of £40. Where the invoice remains outstanding after 60 days, SENDISS reserves the right to levy a 10% admin fee and late payment fee of £80 under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts Act 1998.

• 8.3. School Assessment:

  • 8.31.
    An invoice will be issued to the school following completion of the assessments taking place and the short reports and Form 8 Section C documentation will follow the assessments within 5 working days. Payment is expected within 10 working days of the invoice being issued.
  • 8.32.
    Where the invoice is outstanding after 14 days, SENDISS reserves the right to levy a late payment fee of £40. Where the invoice remains outstanding after 60 days, SENDISS reserves the right to levy a 10% admin fee and late payment fee of £80 under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts Act 1998.

• 8.4. Audit and SEND Consultancy:

  • 8.41.
    An invoice will be issued along with the final Audit Report. Payment in full is required within 14 days.
  • 8.42.
    Where the invoice is outstanding after 14 days, SENDISS reserves the right to levy a late payment fee of £40. Where the invoice remains outstanding after 60 days, SENDISS reserves the right to levy a 10% admin fee and late payment fee of £80 under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts Act 1998

• 8.5. In all cases:

  • 8.51.
    SENDISS requests that the Client notifies them immediately (within 48 hours) upon receiving the invoice, in the event of there being any query regarding the invoice, quoting the invoice number.
  • 8.52.
    Payment is to be made by cheque or BACS transfer.

Updated August 2022, Pearl Barnes, Founder and Executive Director, SENDISS

Assessment Policy

1.0.

SENDISS is commissioned to conduct assessments by parents of children and young people, and by schools or colleges.

All assessments are conducted with full integrity and in accordance with the Code of Practice as set out by the British Psychological Society.

No test will be used which is not suited for the individual, for instance, which is not standardised for the particular age group.

All assessments will use fully norm-referenced, standardised tests, which are the most recent editions.

Most tests are suitable for application for exam access arrangements, and can be tailored to the needs of the assessment.

2.0. Request for assessment by parents:

Where a full diagnostic assessment has been requested by parents, the following will be the protocol:

• Initial telephone conversation with parents regarding their concerns and to set a date for the assessment.
• Terms and conditions issued to parents, along with a link to the online parent questionnaire for completion before the assessment.
• Assessment will be conducted either in the child or young person's school or their home, or the assessor's home.
• SENDISS will make contact with the child/young person's school, after the parent has been in contact with them, if a request for a diagnostic assessment within the school is made.
• Following assessment, Pearl Barnes (the specialist assessor) will feedback to parents (and school, where requested to do so).
• The full diagnostic report and invoice will be issued to parents within 10 working days of the assessment.

Where access arrangements are requested, the school must forward the completed Form 8 Section A prior to the assessment.

SENDISS will only forward a Teacher Questionnaire to the setting, where there is a close and established relationship with the setting and the assessor, prior to the assessment taking place.

It is the responsibility of the setting to make the application for access arrangements in good time and in accordance with the current JCQ Regulations.

The final decision relating to the access arrangements being applied for lies with the setting.

See cancellation policy under 'Terms and Conditions' for information regarding cancellation of the assessment.

3.0. Request for assessment by Schools/Colleges:

When SENDISS is requested to conduct assessments by the school or college setting, it is the responsibility of the setting to:

• Obtain the Data Protection notice required by the school for sharing information with the exam boards.
• Ensure the child or young person is fully aware of the reason for the assessment.
• Obtain evidence of need for application for access arrangements, from the young person’s teachers, in order for completion of the Form 8.
• Ensure the child or young person's parents are informed of the assessment.
• Liaise with the child or young person's parents when there is a dispute or query.
• Arrange for meetings with parents at the educational setting and have a member of staff present at any meetings.
• Arrange meetings at a time/date when SENDISS is available.
• Make the final decision regarding the access arrangements to be made and to sign off the Form 8 following completion.
• Inform the pupils' parents of the outcome of the assessment and of any decision resulting from the assessment.

SENDISS reserves the right to not communicate with the parents of a child or young person directly, where services have been commissioned by schools or colleges, in order to prevent mis-communication. It is the responsibility of the setting to substantiate to the parents, the request for assessment, at all times.

Following receipt of the completed Form 8 Section A, Pearl Barnes will complete the Form 8 Section C following the assessment taking place. A short Profile report will also be issued.

4.0. Access arrangements:

It is the responsibility of the setting to make the application for access arrangements for any student who has been assessed by SENDISS in good time and in accordance with the current JCQ Regulations.

Pearl Barnes, the specialist assessor for SENDISS, will conduct assessments which are suitable for exam access arrangements.

No more than 5 assessments will be conducted within a day (short assessments) due to the time taken to complete the tests and the devaluing of the assessment, if not conducted in full.

The setting is required to complete Form 8 Section A prior to the assessment, unless they request the completion of Form 8 Section A by the specialist assessor. In this circumstance, the school/college must provide the specialist assessor with information from the student’s teachers in order for the completion of Form 8 Section A.

The setting is responsible for making the final decision regarding the access arrangements to be applied for and to liaise with the students’ parents.

It is the responsibility of the setting to ensure students and their parents are fully informed of the assessment taking place.

The specialist assessor for SENDISS will always complete the Form 8 Section C, where it is needed.

SENDISS will forward the appropriate documents for application for access arrangements to the setting, in good time.

SENDISS will provide details of the specialist assessor’s qualifications, prior to assessment.

The specialist assessor for SENDISS will liaise closely with the setting to ensure applications for access arrangements reflect the student’s normal way of working.

The specialist assessor will follow safer working practices and will report any concerns directly to the Head, in accordance with SENDISS Safeguarding policy.

The information held within this assessment policy is not mutually exclusive, and where specific circumstances arise, which are out of the ordinary, SENDISS reserves the right to make a judgement regarding the most appropriate approach.

Updated August 2022, Pearl Barnes, Founder and Executive Director, SENDISS

Accessibility Policy

1.0.

SENDISS recognises the Equality Act (2010) and operates within an inclusive framework. SENDISS aims to make its services as accessible as possible.

SENDISS works within a range of settings including:

• Schools and colleges
• Training and conference centres
• Homes

SENDISS is not responsible for the accessibility of services where SENDISS is commissioned to conduct assessments, audits or training by schools and colleges in their settings.

Where assessments are commissioned by parents directly with SENDISS, SENDISS will endeavour to do everything that is reasonable to enable parents and their child/young person to access the information available. This might include: enlarged information, changing the colour of the paper or font, or providing a sign language interpreter.

The client will provide reasonable notice of the requirement for reasonable adjustments, in order for them to be arranged.

Where training is provided in a training centre or conference centre, SENDISS will ensure the setting is disability accessible, with lift access and a hearing loop (where possible). SENDISS will request information from clients relating to any specific need before delivering services, and in order to be able to provide the adjustment. In a similar way, any dietary requirements will be requested prior to the delivery of the training.

Updated August 2022, Pearl Barnes, Founder and Executive Director, SENDISS