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SNAP Cymru Information

RCT works in partnership with SNAP Cymru which is an all-Wales children’s charity working with families, young people and professionals on issues regarding additional learning needs and disabilities.

SNAP Cymru is a national charity, unique to Wales, founded in 1986. Its main aim is to advance the education of people in Wales and support their inclusion. SNAP Cymru has worked to facilitate partnership for over 30 years and has a wealth of knowledge and experience.

The charity offers free and independent information, advice and support to help get the right education for children and young people with all kinds of special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities.  They give advice and support on a range of issues including assessments, statements of special educational needs, bullying, school attendance, exclusion, health and social care provision and discrimination.

They also provide advocacy, disagreement resolution and training for young people, parents and professionals.

Who do they help?

All families, children and young people who live in Wales who have, or may have, Additional Learning Needs, including Special Educational Needs or Disabilities and other barriers to education e.g. children in need, disaffection, poverty, deprivation or English or Welsh as a second language. They can also help carers, professionals and others who support children and young people including schools, colleges and other community education establishments.

Pupil Participation

SNAP Cymru works with Young people, families, schools and other professionals to seek to ensure that children and young people’s voices are heard and their views considered in planning and decisions which affect them.

What they can help with?

There are teams of trained staff and volunteers help:

  • Families make informed decisions about school and other educational placements and provision from health, education, social services and other agencies.
  • Families work in partnership and maintain good working relationships with relevant professionals.
  • Schools in continuing to develop good working practice with parents/carers.
  • Families play an active and valued role in their child’s education and development – giving families a choice.
  • Confidential, accurate information, advice and support.
  • A listening ear, an opportunity for families to talk things through.
  • Help to gain access to a range of support services and expert advice.
  • Practical help in dealing with letters, filling in forms and understanding professional reports.

Their team of trained staff and volunteers provide:

Information, advice and support about concerns that may affect children and young people’s education and development including:

  • Advice on rights and responsibilities.
  • Additional needs for children, including those of pre-school age.
  • Understanding a child’s Individual Educational Plan
  • School Action & School Action Plus, Statementing and Annual Review process.
  • Transition planning.
  • Bullying.
  • Non-attendance or truanting.
  • Exclusions, appeals and tribunals.
  • Provide information on how Special Educational Needs are identified and assessed by schools and the Local Authority
  • Help with preparing meetings, paperwork, finding appropriate information and help to decide what questions to ask
  • Help with communication with schools and resolve disagreements early on. 

Advocacy

SNAP Cymru’s Independent advocacy service “ABOUT ME”, provides:  information, advice, advocacy, representation and support to children and young people with ALN, including SEN and disability.

Advocacy is crucial in ensuring their wishes and views are heard at all times, safeguarding children and young people and empowering them to speak up for themselves.

SNAP Cymru have adopted the following core principles:

  • Their advocates work for children and young people and no one else, they value and respect children and young people as individuals.
  • Their advocates work to ensure that children and young people can understand what is happening to them, can make their views known and, where possible exercise choice when decisions about them and their future are being made.
  • Their advocates help children and young people raise issues and concerns about things they are unhappy about. This will also include making formal and informal complaints under Section 26 of The Children’s Act 1989.

Children and young people’s active participation in the information gathering, planning and decision making process can help to avoid disagreements and conflict.

Advocacy is crucial in ensuring their wishes and views are heard at all times, safeguarding children and young people and empowering them to speak up for themselves.

Telephone Helpline

SNAP Cymru has an all Wales bilingual telephone helpline service.

The helpline is open from 9:30am – 16:30pm every weekday.

Families can also email them on:  helpline@snapcymru.org

Families requiring additional support will be referred into our casework service.

Their Independent Parent Partnership is free to families and offers impartial, accurate information, advice and support through our Independent Parental Support Scheme (IPS):

Helpline: 0808 801 0608
Mon – Fri: 09:30am – 16:30pm
Email: 
enquiries@snapcymru.org
Website: http://www.snapcymru.org/