Education & Judicial Review News

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...

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...

Plans to merge the 100-year-old Hotwells Primary School with Cathedral Primary prompted widespread concern among parents and carers, who feared the impact on their children’s daily schooling and long-term support. Watkins Solicitors’ Judicial...

This week, Emma Thompson, Solicitor in Watkins Solicitors’ Education Law Team, was invited to speak at Jigsaw Thornbury’s Tuesday Morning Drop-In Session. The session brought together local parents and carers from across South Gloucestershire to...

Through this collaboration, families can access guidance on appeals, parental rights, and the Independent Review Panel (IRP) process, helping them to feel more informed. Permanent exclusions can be distressing and often happen with little notice. Many...

Watkins Solicitors were delighted to take part in Blatchington Court Trust’s Parent and Professionals Conference 2025, held at the University of Sussex on Monday 22 September. The annual event brings together parents, carers, charities, and...

Today is FASD Awareness Day, part of FASD Awareness Month. On the ninth day of the ninth month, communities across the UK wear red to stand with children, young people and adults who live with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, and to recognise the families...