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.
It is one of the strongest tools parents have when challenging discrimination by schools, LAs, health bodies, transport, leisure providers, clubs, and any organisation delivering a “service” or “public function”.
When a Local Authority refuses to assess or refuses to issue an EHCP, it can feel like the floor drops away. Parents are left holding the weight of unmet need, school pressure, and a decision that often doesn’t reflect the reality of their child’s daily struggles. What matters now is understanding your rights, the next steps,...
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...
When every specialist school consulted says they can’t meet your child’s needs, it can feel frightening and personal. In reality, this happens far more often than people realise, and it does not mean your child is “too complex” or that there is no suitable provision. In many cases, the child has been kept in an unsuitable...
Friendships are often described as a “normal” part of childhood - something that just happens, something every child should have, something schools assume will fall into place. But for many neurodivergent (ND) children and young people, this simply isn’t the reality. Parents know it and children absolutely do feel it. Professionals suspect it but sadly nobody...
When the Education Secretary posted “this is what progress looks like” and then turned off comments, she highlighted only the most flattering parts of the new DfE attendance statistics. The full dataset tells a more complicated story especially for children with SEND, who sit at the heart of the government’s “inclusion for everyone” reforms.
For many families in our community, the journey toward understanding their child’s needs is anything but straightforward. CYP rarely present in neat diagnostic boxes, and when traits from OCD, ADHD, and Autism overlap, the picture becomes even more complex. This overlap can lead to misinterpretation, delayed identification, and support plans that don’t quite fit what the...
A common fear when heading to SEND Tribunal is the idea that the judge will simply choose the cheaper school. Many parents are told this by their Local Authority, caseworkers, or even schools but it is not how the law works. The SEND Tribunal does not start with cost. It starts with NEED. View provision v's...
When a Local Authority submits their R1 response to SENDIST, many parents feel overwhelmed, discouraged, or even blindsided by the volume of inaccuracies, omissions, and tactical framing. But here’s the truth every parent advocate needs to know:
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