Parents and carers joined our specialist Education Law team in Bristol on Monday 19 October for a practical information day focused on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), EHCPs and the legal rights of children and young people.
Held at The Foundation in Bristol, the day was designed to help parents and carers better understand what can often feel like a complicated and overwhelming system, while giving them practical information they could use when dealing with schools and local authorities.
The session was delivered by members of Watkins Solicitors’ specialist Education Law team, including Beverley Watkins, Sophia Beekmann, Celine Conley and Wania Hussain.
Practical guidance for parents and carers
Across the day, the team covered some of the issues families most commonly need help with, including:
- EHC needs assessments and the EHCP process
- Understanding EHCP wording and provision
- What to do when a local authority refuses to assess or issue an EHCP
- School placement disputes
- Annual reviews and phase transfers
- School transport
- Children who are out of school or not receiving suitable education
- SEND Tribunal appeals and important deadlines
The afternoon also included a mock tribunal exercise, helping parents understand more about what an appeal may involve in practice.
Importantly, there was plenty of opportunity throughout the day for parents and carers to ask questions and discuss the parts of the SEND process they were finding most difficult to navigate.
Fantastic feedback from parents
We were incredibly grateful for the brilliant feedback received following the event, with parents and carers telling us how useful, informative and reassuring they found the day.
Comments included:
“Amazing event! Incredibly informative and made me feel less anxious. Knowledge is most definitely power.”
“All speakers were fantastically knowledgeable and flexible to hearing varying needs of the attendees.”
“Friendly, approachable staff with excellent up to date information.”
“Very informative for parents trying to navigate this.”
One parent who had not yet started the EHCP process summed up the value of having this information early particularly well:
“As someone yet to start the process this feels like a cheat code to start!”
The feedback reflects exactly what we hoped the day would achieve: helping parents leave feeling better informed, less overwhelmed and clearer about the next steps available to them.
Supporting families beyond the event
Our Education Law team regularly supports parents, carers, children and young people across England with SEND and Education Law matters.
This includes advice on EHC needs assessments, EHCPs, annual reviews, school placements, children who are out of school, Education Otherwise Than at School (EOTAS), disability discrimination and SEND Tribunal appeals.
We know that families often come to us after spending a considerable amount of time trying to secure appropriate support for their child. Our aim is to provide clear, practical advice while helping families understand both their legal rights and the options available to them.
We would like to thank everyone who joined us in Bristol and took the time to share their feedback with the team.
We hope to continue running practical information events like this for parents and carers in the future.
Need advice about SEND or an EHCP?
If you need advice about your child’s education, an EHCP or a SEND Tribunal appeal, our specialist Education Law team can help.
Call 0117 939 0350 or email education@watkinssolicitors.co.uk to speak to the team.