Supporting Families in International Child Abduction Cases: Court Confirms One-Day-Old Baby Was Habitually Resident in England A recent High Court decision has confirmed that a baby was habitually resident in England and Wales from just one day old....

Watkins Solicitors are pleased to announce that we have moved our Hereford team to larger offices in the heart of the city, reflecting our continued growth and long-term commitment to supporting clients in the region. Our new office is located at...

When a parent or carer takes their case to the SEND Tribunal to challenge a decision made by the local authority regarding their child’s EHCP, they may ask the Tribunal to order an EOTAS package. EOTAS is typically considered when a child or young...

Last year the SEND Tribunal put restrictions on expert reports when they will be filed as evidence in SEND Tribunals. These changes are important for families going through the SEND Tribunal process, particularly when expert evidence is being presented....

The government has acknowledged that the current SEND system is under pressure and there are ongoing discussions about potential reforms and changes to EHCPs. Official Labour documents do not confirm any details about changing EHCPs and therefore it is...

The latest SEND Tribunal statistics are from 2024-2025 and detail the increasing number of appeals lodged by parents against decisions made by local authorities and content of EHCPs. The data shows that appeals continue to be resolved however, the number of...

Last week, colleagues from across Watkins Solicitors came together in Bristol for a Christmas team meal at the Hen & Chicken on North Street, with staff attending from all of our offices to celebrate an incredible year together. The evening was an...

The EHCP process has specific deadlines for February and March each year that are important for parents and carers to be aware of. These deadlines help ensure that children and young people receive timely and appropriate support. Here's a summary of the...

Parents often contact us feeling after receiving a late amended Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), particularly where a phase transfer for September is approaching and an appeal has already been lodged. In a recent video on our Education Law TikTok...

Parents often ask how an upcoming phase transfer affects the timing and purpose of their child’s EHCP Annual Review, particularly when they are trying to plan ahead for a change of school. In a recent video on our Education Law TikTok channel,...

Parents often ask who is responsible for arranging their child’s EHCP Annual Review meeting, particularly when communication feels unclear. @watkinssolicitors.sen Who is responsible for organising an EHCP Annual Review meeting? Parents often ask...

After receiving a SEND Tribunal decision, some parents are left feeling that the outcome does not reflect their child’s needs. A common question we hear is whether a Tribunal decision can be challenged if a parent believes it is wrong. ...

Parents preparing for a SEND Tribunal appeal sometimes ask whether legal advice is helpful, particularly as the Tribunal system was originally designed to be accessible and parent-friendly. @watkinssolicitors.sen Do parents need legal advice for a SEND...

Parents often ask whether they need to attend their child’s Annual Review meeting and what they should do beforehand to make the meeting as useful as possible. In a recent video on our Education Law TikTok channel, Beverley Watkins, Managing Partner...

Parents often assume that Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) only apply to children in state schools. A common concern we hear is whether it is possible to apply for an EHCP if a child is already attending an independent school. In a recent video on...

Parents often contact us after receiving an amended Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) for a phase transfer, particularly where Section I names a school they do not agree with. This can be especially stressful when deadlines are tight and a new academic...

Parents often ask how frequently therapy or support written into an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) should be reassessed, particularly where a child is receiving ongoing provision such as Speech and Language Therapy. In a recent video on our...

Watkins Solicitors has launched a new Education Law TikTok channel to answer questions from parents and carers navigating the SEND system. @watkinssolicitors.sen We are pleased to share that our Education Law TikTok channel is now live! In this first...

Recent national news coverage of the abduction of five-year-old Tau Rodriguez-Fairplay has brought attention to the devastating impact international child abduction can have on families. Tau was taken from the UK earlier this year and is believed to be in...

Watkins Solicitors is pleased to share that Managing Partner Beverley Watkins has been appointed to The Law Society Council as the elected representative for Bristol. The Council is the Law Society’s governing body and plays a central role in shaping...