Shropshire Council has announced the current providers of the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Information, Advice and Support Service (Shropshire IASS) as able to continue.

Citizens Advice Shropshire were re-awarded the contract to deliver Shropshire IASS for the next four years, with an option to extend for a further year, set to start from September 1, 2024.

Having delivered IASS since 2015, Citizens Advice have built a reputation for providing a high-quality, impartial and accessible service to the local community, helping hundreds of families to navigate the complex and often challenging system of SEND provision and to achieve positive outcomes for their children and young people.

Councillor Kirstie Hurst-Knight, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children’s services, said “We are delighted to award the contract” and “recognise the importance of having a strong and independent service that can support and empower our children, young people and their parent carers to make informed decisions about their education, health and social care needs.

“We look forward to continuing our work with Citizens Advice Shropshire to ensure that our SEND community receives the best possible information, advice and support.”

Jackie Jeffrey, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice Shropshire, said the team were “very pleased to have been re-awarded the contract for SENDIASS,” and “grateful for the support and collaboration of Shropshire Council.”