When a case goes to tribunal, one of the most confusing and anxiety provoking parts for parents is the Local Authority’s consultation process with schools. It often feels opaque, rushed, or strategically timed, and families are left wondering what is happening behind the scenes. In reality, the consultation process is one of the most important pieces...
Absence is rising again and the government’s own data makes one thing painfully clear: children with SEND are still being failed. Not because families don’t value education, not because parents aren’t “prioritising attendance”, but because the system designed to support their children simply isn’t functioning and hasn't for a long time!
Social stories are one of the most widely used tools in SEND practice, yet most parents only encounter them when a transition is already going wrong. At their core, social stories are short, personalised visual narratives that explain a situation in calm, concrete language. They give a child a preview of what will happen, who will...
Right now, EOTAS is a direct Local Authority responsibility written into Section F of the EHCP. Under the new model, a school becomes the accountable body even if the child cannot attend that school. The DfE suggests this would “generally be a specialist setting,” not the school where the child previously experienced trauma or placement breakdown.
The Department for Education has released new inclusion guidance, and understandably it has created a lot of discussion. Whenever something new appears, families worry about what it means for their children, and professionals want to understand how it fits with the duties they already work under. The most important point to hold onto is this: guidance...
The Department for Education has released a major update to how schools must communicate with parents about attendance. This new guidance replaces the older 2024 version and introduces a completely new, research‑based approach one that focuses on understanding, belonging, and support, not blame.
Most parents don’t realise this until they’re standing in the rubble of a Tribunal decision that simply doesn’t reflect their child: sometimes the First‑tier Tribunal gets it wrong. Not because parents didn’t present the evidence or because the child doesn’t have the needs. But because the judge has made a procedural error, ignored evidence, or produced...
There’s a lot of confusion about Section 19 once a young person turns 16 especially when they have EBSA, no exams, no attendance, or they’re stuck in the EHCP assessment process. So here’s a clear breakdown for everyone in this situation.
Winning at the SEND Tribunal is often described as a “huge relief” for families it’s an acknowledgment that their child’s needs were not being met and a legally binding order requiring the Local Authority (LA) to put things right. But what happens when the Tribunal is over, the decision has been issued… and the LA still...
The Department for Education has released a new version of the statutory exclusion guidance, coming into force on 26 July 2026. This update matters for every parent of a child with SEND, because it changes what schools must consider before suspending or permanently excluding a pupil. You will also be pleased to hear that it also...
Book Your Mentor Support Call Today to kickstart your journey navigating through SEN.
Have questions or need support? Contact us today—we’re here to help you on your SEND journey.
Explore our directory of trusted SEN professionals to find the support your child needs. From Educational Psychologists to Speech and Language Therapists, start your search now and connect with experts ready to help.
SEN Parent Support Group supports parents and carers navigating the SEND journey with resources, advice, and a welcoming community.
© 2020–2025 SEN Parent Support Group™. All Rights Reserved.
No part of this website or its downloadable content may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form without prior written permission.
This site is governed by the laws of England and Wales.
Designed & Developed By Sprout Hub
