SEND Guides
Step-by-step guidance on EHCPs, assessments, appeals, and your legal rights.
How to request an EHC needs assessment
7 minA step-by-step guide to requesting an Education, Health and Care needs assessment from your local authority.
What to do if the LA refuses to assess
6 minYour options when your local authority refuses to carry out an EHC needs assessment, including how to appeal.
Assessment taking too long
5 minWhat to do when your child's EHC needs assessment is delayed beyond the 20-week statutory timescale.
Requesting an assessment without school support
5 minHow to request an EHC needs assessment when your child's school does not agree one is needed.
Understanding your draft EHCP
6 minWhat to look for in a draft EHCP, how to respond, and whether you have to accept it.
Challenging vague wording in Section F
6 minHow to spot and challenge vague provision in your child's EHCP, with examples of what good wording looks like.
Preparing for your annual review
6 minHow to prepare for your child's EHCP annual review, what evidence to bring, and what to ask for.
What to do if your EHCP is not being followed
6 minYour options when the school or local authority is not delivering the provision in your child's EHCP.
What SEN Support should look like at school
6 minWhat SEN Support means, what your child should be getting, and what to do if the school is not providing it.
Reasonable adjustments at school
5 minWhat reasonable adjustments your child is entitled to, what schools must do, and what to do if they refuse.
School exclusions and SEND
6 minYour rights if your child with SEND is being excluded, including informal exclusions and what the school cannot do.
Working with your SENCO
5 minHow to build a productive relationship with your child's SENCO and get the best outcomes from meetings.
Appealing to the SEND Tribunal
7 minHow to appeal to the First-tier Tribunal, what you can appeal about, costs, and what to expect.
Mediation before tribunal
5 minWhat mediation is, whether you have to do it, how it works, and when to skip it.
Preparing your evidence
6 minHow to prepare your evidence bundle for a SEND Tribunal appeal, what to include, and how to organise it.
Complaining to the Local Government Ombudsman
6 minWhen to complain to the Ombudsman about your local authority, how the process works, and what they can do.
Moving from primary to secondary school
6 minHow to prepare for the Year 6 to Year 7 transition with an EHCP, key deadlines, and what to ask for.