Introduction According to the government, as of 2025, there are approximately 1.7 million children & young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities and the vast majority (approximately 80%) do not have education, health and care plans (EHCP). It is therefore, important to understand your duties and obligations in respect of supporting children and young […]
Introduction The Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice: 0 to 25 years (January 2015) is the statutory guidance for organisations in England which work with and support children and young people who have special educational needs or disabilities (Click here). It takes into account the duties and obligations of organisations under The Children & […]
Introduction The majority of children & young people with special educational needs will be appropriately supported without Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP) in place. In the majority of cases, schools are able to use their delegated budgets to put in place appropriate support and intervention. It is at times necessary however, for an EHCP […]
Introduction The local authority (LA) will conduct an Education, Health & Care (EHC) Needs Assessment if it thinks that the child or young person may have special educational needs and that it may be necessary for those needs to be supported through an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). If the local authority decides to conduct an EHC Needs Assessment then the child / young person’s educational, health […]
Introduction Introduced in September 2014 through the Children & Families Act 2014, an Education, Health & Care Plan or EHCP is a legal document which sets out the education, health and social care needs of a child or young person and the support that is necessary to meet those needs. They replaced Statements of Special Educational Needs. Certain sections within the EHCP […]
Introduction This is a formal statutory review of the education, health and care plan (EHCP) that has to take place at least every 12 months. Annual Reviews are an essential part of the EHCP statutory process. It is essential that educational settings are aware of the statutory requirements and their duties and responsibilities in respect […]
Introduction Often senior members of school staff, such as SENCOs, deputy headteacher, headteachers etc, are required to provide evidence for Tribunal appeals and at times are required to attend Tribunal hearings. It is therefore, important to have a firm understanding of the appeal process and what to expect if you have to attend a hearing. […]
Introduction The Children & Families Act 2014 requires Local Authorities to establish local mediation and dispute resolution processes for parents & young people. (Section 57 (4) of The Children & Families Act 2014 & Section 11 of the COP) Mediation & dispute resolution are terms often used interchangeably. They are however, two separate processes albeit […]
What this section covers We focus on the school’s duties under The Equality Act 2010 and Equality Act 2010 (Disability) Regulations 2010 in respect of children with special educational needs and disabilities. It does not therefore, address a school’s duty for other protected classes such as race, religion, gender etc. Whilst the duties are the […]
Introduction If a parent is of the view that a school has discriminated against their child then they can bring a claim for disability discrimination against the school. These claims are heard by The SEN Tribunal. How a disability claim works is very much the same as when an appeal has been lodged as part […]
Introduction This section covers the general duties of educational settings when they receive a request by a parent or young person for a copy of all information that is held relating to the child or young person. For more detailed information about data protection obligations, there are a number of sources information such as on […]
Frequently asked questions – FAQs The SENCO Assist FAQ section is where you can review actual questions asked by your fellow members. All answers are provided by our SENCO Assist specialists. If you have a question that is not included in our FAQs then feel free to ask us a question. Click the Just Ask! […]
Below you will find all of the SENCO Assist Webinars in one place. They provide an alternative to reading the information within each module. The Webinars can also be found on the respective module pages. We hope you find them useful. Children & Young People with SEND – General Duties http://sencomembers-co-uk.stackstaging.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/2.-General-SEN-Duties-1-c-smaller.mp4 SEN Code of Practice […]
Introduction We would have all seen the news lately about the government’s plan to reform the SEN system. They are laid out in the government paper: SEND Reform consultation: Putting Children and Young People First. The proposals are far reaching and will have a fundamental impact on the system should they be implemented as proposed. […]
