Every few years, a new education headline sweeps across the country and right now, it’s the Government’s push for “mobile phone free schools.”
Schools are being told they’ll be “backed” to enforce strict bans, Ofsted will check compliance, and from June onwards many families are receiving letters announcing zero‑tolerance policies.
For most families, this is an inconvenience. For SEND families, it’s a panic.
Because for many autistic, ADHD, PDA, or sensory‑sensitive children, a phone isn’t a social device it’s a regulation tool.
A single earbud with low‑level music can be the difference between:
- meltdown or stability
- shutdown or participation
- overwhelm or access to learning
So, when schools send out blanket statements like:
“We only allow exceptions for medical needs such as diabetes. “We cannot authorise phone use for emotional regulation or SEMH.”
…it hits differently.
It feels like a door slamming shut on invisible disabilities.
And here’s the truth: That position is not supported by law.
Let’s break this down clearly, calmly, and factually so SEND parents know exactly where they stand.⬇️
- The Phone Ban Isn’t a SEND Ban: What Parents Need to Know About the New Government Guidance
- What happens if every specialist school consulted says they can’t meet your child’s needs?
- Friendships, Neurodiversity & School: What Our Community’s Data Finally Reveals
- Bridget Phillipson’s “This is What Progress Looks Like” Attendance Stats: Let’s Look Deeper!
- Why Schools Refuse to Start the EHCP Process — And What Parents Can Do Next
Communicating With School
- LETTER: To School Requesting Reasonable Adjustment for Mobile Phone
- RESOURCE: How To Write A Structured / Impactful Complaint (LA or School)
- LETTER: To School When They Enforce a Part Time Timetable Without Acknowledging Need
- LETTER: To School For Referral To OT/SALT/EP as Part of APDR Cycle
- RESOURCE: Eating Disorders and School Adjustments
All Things EHCP
- LETTER: To LA (Formal Notice) When Amendments Not Applied to Draft
- Annual Review During Your Appeal?
- LETTER: To LA When They Fail to Give extra 15 Days After Their Amendments
- LETTER: To LA When They Use Specialist Advisory Service (SAS) INSTEAD of Educational Psychologist During EHCPNA Process
- LETTER: LA Failure To Notify If Issuing the plan
Attendance, Exclusions & Sanctions
Complaints
- LETTER: To School Requesting Reasonable Adjustment for Mobile Phone
- RESOURCE: How To Write A Structured / Impactful Complaint (LA or School)
- LETTER: Formal Complaint for RTC Pause
- LETTER – Enforcing Interim Education S43 with LA + Escalation Letter + Tribunal Request
- LETTER: To School When Whole School Approach To Adjustments Is Not Applied Consistently (IEP or EHCP)
