Code of Conduct

The work the Westmorland and Furness SEND Information, Advice and Support Service (SEND IASS) undertakes with children, young people and their parents or carers will be done in a way which promotes the following principles:.

• Equality – Westmorland and Furness SEND IAS Service uses an open access policy. It will make sure all service users have the same ease of access and are not restricted for any reason. The intention being to remove barriers, real or perceived around disability, cultural or language differences. The service listens to service users’ views and acknowledges service users’ feelings and concerns.
• Impartiality – The service will provide information to enable children, young people and their parents or carers to make their own informed decisions and choices. Westmorland and Furness SEND IAS Service staff will remain impartial, in respect of the information and support it provides.
• Independence – The service will 'signpost' parents to alternative sources of information and support.
• Confidentiality – Client confidentiality is respected. Information will be shared only with the full understanding and consent of children, young people and their parents or carers.
• The service will listen carefully to service users’ concerns regarding any additional needs and have a non-judgemental, positive regard to all.
• Confidentiality of information received from service users is of paramount importance to all Westmorland and Furness SEND IAS Service staff.
• All requests from service users regarding privacy or confidentiality issues will be respected.
• Westmorland and Furness SEND IAS Service staff will not act in isolation 'on behalf' of service users, nor will they make decisions for them.
• The service will help service users to prepare for meetings with other people and when necessary, practically support them at the meetings, in an appropriate and impartial manner.
• The service will always tell service users about other voluntary and charitable organisations, which may also be of help to them.
• With their permission, the service will make sure service users views are shared with Children’s Services colleagues, where appropriate, and used to influence Local Authority SEND policy and procedure.