This website helps parents of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities living in England to get the right educational provision for their child or young person.

We provide information, support and inspiration to help you argue your case and if necessary appeal against decisions made by Local Authorities.

We know that the system can be confusing and sometimes frightening. It won't be easy, but the harder you try and the longer you persist the more likely you are to get the support needed. We have been through this ourselves, and we know how tough it can be. Don't give up.

The website is relevant to children and young persons up to the age of 25.  People aged 16 and over can use the website and if necessary make an appeal themselves.

Working through the website

Start by looking at The System. This section tells you how the system should work, and should help you to identify where your child is in the system.

Then look at How to Argue.  This section gives advice on how to make your case as convincing as possible.  We give general advice on the skills you need to get help for your child, such as working with schools, note-taking and video evidence.

The How to Appeal sections tells you how to appeal against Local Authority decisions affecting your child, including when and what you can appeal.  

You might be eligible for Legal Aid to help with the preparation of your appeal.  For more information see here.

Really Useful Sources of help

This part of our website has recently been updated with more sources of help.  

Training

We are also able to offer training for parents living in England.  We have provided training to Parent Forums and can provide testimonials. Please see further details.

Feedback

Please provide some feedback if you have found this site useful (or not). 

Printing from this website

If you need to print from the website (other than specific downloads), it is best to print in landscape mode.  

Special Needs Green Paper- update.

The government published their response to the consultation on the Special Needs Green Paper on 2 March 2023 in a document called 'SEND and alternative provision improvement plan' on 2 March 2023.  Please see here.  

Important:  please be aware that the key message is that the law (Children and Families Act 2014, together with the regulations and SEN Code of Practice 2015) have NOT changed.

Annual Reviews Timetable

In a recent judgment the High Court has made it clear that every Local Authority must keep to fixed legal time scales when undertaking an Annual Review of a child or young person’s Education, Health and Care plan (EHC plan).  More details here.