Living with Special Educational Needs (SEN) means that you may face challenges every day before you even get to the school gates. SEN services in the UK are usually excellent and balanced to your needs, but if those services fail, it can leave you daunted and unsure of where to turn.
If you are (or you care for) a child or young person with SEN and you want to challenge a local authority decision, you need an experienced lawyer who understands your needs. At Irwin Mitchell, our national team of dedicated SEN solicitors have helped clients make successful challenges where:
- A school or local authority may not be recognising the child or young person’s needs
- There’s difficulty obtaining a diagnosis
- There’s been disability discrimination
- There’s been issues accessing the appropriate support in schools or colleges
- There are difficulties accessing a Home Education package where a child or young person can’t attend school
- You’re having trouble accessing suitable school transport
- You need to secure statutory funding for independent school placements (including residential schools and colleges, therapeutic provision and 1:1 support)
- You need to obtain and challenge the contents of Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plans
- You have difficulty accessing suitable and full time education at your child’s school
- There's an appeal to the SEN Tribunal (SENDIST)
- Advising on an annual review of a child’s SEN Needs
- Your legal rights to obtain a EHCP and rights to an appeal
- There’s difficulty in securing provision in your child’s EHCP
- Your child isn't receiving any suitable education.
We understand that these situations can be tough for everyone, compounding the difficulties of living with SEN but, as a firm, we are recognised as one of the leading authorities in this legal area. We are experts in the changes to SEN law introduced with the Children and Families Act 2014 and were involved in the first judicial review of local authority duties under the Act, which you can read about here.
We have also, in partnership with deaf-blind charity Sense and 39 Essex Chambers barrister Steve Broach, created a host of factsheets and template letters to help you better understand the changes introduced by the act and to legally represent yourself if you do find yourself affected.
If you’d like to begin legal proceedings, or just want to find out a bit more about the process then don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can either call us on 0800 028 1943 or you can contact us online and we’ll get back to you.
Fixed-Fee SEN Legal Advice
SEN Advice
We have a range of options to help your family access the legal advice and support you need. Please note our fees exclude VAT.
EHCP and evidence health check - £750 plus VAT
Covers a review of the EHCP as well as relevant appendices or school and expert reports from the last 12 months. We’ll advise if the plan is legally enforceable and whether there is enough evidence to achieve the changes you want.
Education legal review and advice meeting - £350 plus VAT
A one hour meeting (video, or telephone) to discuss your legal options for challenging a local authority decision or changing an ECHP. We'll also review initial paperwork (up to 5 pages including the decision letter) in advance so you can get as much out of your meeting as possible.
Contact us online or call 0800 028 1943 to find out more about our fixed-fee options.
National team of specialist solicitors
Leading experts in SEN law
Established track record of acting in complex Tribunal appeals
We provide support at mediation and annual reviews
Call one of our team free on
0370 1500 100
Or we can call you back at a time of your choice
Phone lines are open 24/7, 365 days a year