If you have additional needs you may be wondering what extra support there is for you. There’s lots of great information across this site and on this page we outline some of the really useful bits.
On this page we cover
- Post 16 Transition Guide and The Local Offer
- I’m not getting the support I need
- Friendships and bullying and relationships
- My health
- Quick links and useful websites
- Links for parents and carers
Throughout this site we use this peach colour to highlight information for people with additional needs (SEND).
Do you have a brother or sister with additional needs? There is information and tips for you at YoungSibs.
“What is the Post 16 Options Transition Guide?“
A guide to transition planning from Year 9 for parents and carers of young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
This handy guide explains about:
- types of support available
- learning routes and qualification levels
- funding options and benefit entitlements
“What is the SEND Local Offer?”
The Suffolk Local Offer is a website with information and advice for families of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in Suffolk.
- Schools and colleges
- Traineeships and supported internships
- Apprenticeships
- Social care and health services
- Leisure activities
If you’re unsure whether a service is right for you, contact the service and see what they can do to help meet your needs.
You can contact a Local Offer Advisor for help on 0345 606 1490.
“I’m not getting the support I need, who can I speak to?”
Suffolk SENDIASS – Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service
SENDIASS is a confidential and impartial information, advice and support service on issues related to Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND).
It is free, easy to access and confidential.
Get in touch with them to see how they can help.
We can help children, parents and young people take part in decisions that affect their lives.
SENDIASS
Suffolk Advocacy Service:
We are independent of your care givers, social worker and your school.
We are a confidential service unless we are worried about your safety or the safety of anyone else.
What is an Advocate?
An Advocate is someone who will make sure you are fully involved in decisions being made about your life by:
- Listening to you,
- going to meetings with you and explaining things to you
- Being on your side,
- helping you speak up and making sure your views are listened to
- Helping you make a complaint if you are unhappy about your care
Do you need an independent advocate?
If you feel like your views aren’t being listened to or you need extra support you might find an independent advocate useful. Read the leaflet below for contact details.
“I’m being bullied – who can help me?”
Young people with additional needs can experience bullying and hate crime more than young people without disabilities. Bullying and hate crime is best not dealt with on your own, if you can, find someone to speak to. Remember, it is not your fault!
Use the links below to find out more:
- Bullying information – Easy read
- Bullying and Hate Crime – Find out what a hate crime is, listen to other people’s stories and find out how to report it.
- #Stopthehate – YPN Campaign against hate crime in Suffolk
My health
What is an Education, Health and Care Plan (which professionals refer to as an EHCP or EHC Plan)?
It’s a document that outlines a child or young person’s special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and the support they need. It describes a child’s educational, health, and social care needs, as well as their desired outcomes and aspirations.
An EHC plan is created when a child or young person undergoes an assessment with their educational setting.
The below video from SENDIASS explains more…
Young people can now request an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment to create an EHC plan using the Education Health and Social Care Plans Online Portal (suffolk.gov.uk)
You can access the portal to:
- Track your progress with your Needs Assessment process
- See when your EHC Plan is due to be reviewed
- See who your allocated Family Services worker is, and send them a message
- View documents sent to you, such as letters
- You can use the portal on your smartphone or tablet
Looking after our health is really important – this includes our mental and physical health.
Browse our ‘My Body’ and ‘My Mind‘ sections on our website and for health advice and support services:
Quick links and useful websites:
For some useful websites you might like to visit, go to our ‘Ask the Expert Directory’
Mencap Easy read leaflets and online guides
“I am a parent/carer”
As well as the links on this page you might be interested in the following pages:
- Suffolk Parent Carer Forum – aim to be a voice to inform service providers of the needs of children and young people with special educational needs/additional needs or disabilities and their families.
- Special Needs Jungle – News, info, resources & informed opinion about Special Educational Needs, disability, children’s physical and mental health, rare disease. Campaigning to #FixSEND
- Help and support for young disabled people to find and stay in work – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- Moving into adulthood – Frequently asked questions and answers on transitions from Suffolk Infolink
Page updated on April 16th, 2026 at 03:52pm