Impartiality policy
We offer free, confidential and impartial information, advice and support to children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, and their families.
Our aim is to help you feel informed, confident and supported to understand your rights, explore your options and make decisions about education, health and social care.
We work collaboratively with you to build knowledge, confidence and independence, empowering you to take an active role in self advocacy and engage meaningfully in decisions that shape your experiences.
What impartiality means to us
Impartiality means being fair, balanced and unbiased, without favouring any person, service or organisation.
In practice, this means we:
→ Provide clear, factual information based on relevant law and guidance
→ Explain your rights, options and next steps
→ Support you to make your own informed decisions
→ Do not take sides or promote a particular outcome
→ Have no vested interest in decisions made about you
How we support you
Our advice is grounded in the following:
- The Children and Families Act 2014
- The SEND Code of Practice 2015, Chapter 2 (paras 2.1–2.8), which sets out the information, advice and support should be free, accessible, confidential, accurate and impartial, provided at arm’s length from the local authority and health services
- The individual circumstances of the child or young person
We aim to:
- Explain all available options clearly
- Present information in a balanced and accessible way
- Help you understand your rights and responsibilities
- Offer support across the range of SEND, without prioritising any need, diagnosis or approach
Where we identify a decision, action, or process may not be in line with the law or statutory guidance, we will explain this and signpost you to the relevant information.
Our independence
Hertfordshire SENDIASS is commissioned by Hertfordshire County Council. We operate as an arm’s length service, with clear separation from operational SEND decision making, ensuring independence is embedded structurally rather than relying on informal or discretionary practices.
We do not undertake statutory functions on behalf of the local authority or the Integrated Care Board (ICB).
Our independence is demonstrated through:
→ Clear and accessible routes into support, including self referral
→ Separate systems and databases used only by SENDIASS staff
→ Distinct branding and a standalone website
These features provide reassurance of impartiality and help establish trust, with families experiencing SENDIASS as a neutral and reliable source of advice.
Working with you and others
We work in partnership with families, schools, the local authority and health services, while remaining clear about our offer and independent role.
This means we:
- Support inclusive and respectful conversations
- Are clear about the difference between informing, advising, supporting and representing
- Maintain professional boundaries
- Offer constructive, evidence-based challenge where needed
- Do not endorse or promote any particular agenda
We do not act on behalf of the local authority, education settings or other organisations, and we do not make decisions for families.
What you can expect from us
→ Provide accurate, lawful and easy-to-understand advice
→ Listen without judgement and respect your views
→ Support children and young people to share their voice
→ Help you feel confident to navigate the SEND system
→ Draw on trusted local and national resources
How we maintain our impartiality
We take active steps to ensure we remain impartial and trusted:
- Staff declare any conflicts of interest
- Supervision, alongside ongoing feedback, supports quality and consistency
- Governance arrangements support independence and accountabilityÂ
- Our communication consistently reflects we are free, confidential and impartial
- Any data shared is anonymised and used to support service improvement
This statement is reviewed annually to make sure it continues to reflect best practice and the needs of Hertfordshire families.