If these proposals are passed, these will be the first changes to the law in relation to children and young persons with disabilities and special educational needs, which reduces both their and their parent’s rights. This proposed legislation is anti parent, and turns the clock back over 30 years.

Our concerns:
No right for parents or schools to request the equivalent of a Statutory Assessment (if children have been missed or the complexity of their needs have not been recognised, there is nothing parents or schools can do about it).

Dilution of the duty to specify the special education provision. Current requirement to “specify” special educational provision in astatement is watered down to a lesser duty to “set out” provision in a EHC plan.

Mandatory Mediation – with anti parent penalties
· A parent has no choice and is forced to do this.
· It is not independent (the LA appoints the mediator).
· It includes penalties against parents, but not Local Authorities.
· The system of mandatory mediation is highly complex, provides a system similar to an SEND Tribunal Appeal, and will delay and obstruct parents who are attempting to get a quick and easy decision about their children.

We have posted a form letter (In Word) that you can download from out Facebook page (see links) and send to your local MP.

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