The Local Authority (LA) may also have been called the Local Educational Authority (LEA), the Education Department or Children & Young People’s Services. You may need to speak to the Local Authority about issues around Special Educational Needs such as:
• Requesting a statutory assessment;
• Discussing a proposed statement
• Asking for changes (amendments) to your child’s statement;
• Changing or choosing a school for a child with a statement;
• If your child’s statement is to be ended;
• If you feel the school is not meeting the statement (try to speak to school first).

Letters from the Local Authority will have a contact name and telephone number on them. Before you telephone, make sure you are clear about what questions you want to ask. You will be asked for your child’s name and date of birth when you call.

If you call the Local Authority, you will probably be put through to a case clerk – they will have access to your child’s file, but you can also ask to speak to an education officer. It is often useful to have an informal discussion or meeting with an officer first, if you disagree with anything that the Local Authority have done.

If you prefer to write to the Local Authority, make sure you include your name, full address and telephone number. Also include your child’s full name, their date of birth and the school they attend.

You may need to meet with an officer from the Local Authority to discuss the contents of your child’s statement, or your choice of school. These meetings may be arranged locally, or at your local authority building.

Keeping track

You are likely to collect a large amount of paperwork relating to your child. It is helpful if you can keep this in one place, and, if possible, in date order. A loose leaf folder is useful for this.

Keep a note of the names, roles and contact details of professionals who are involved.

If you have a telephone conversation make notes immediately afterwards to remind you of what was said. If you attend a meeting, take brief notes to remind you of what was discussed. If it is difficult for you to do this, ask if someone can take notes of the meeting for you.

Meetings

If you are worried about the meeting, don’t go alone. Choose someone supportive to take with you. Let the school know you will be bringing a friend or relative with you.

Take time to prepare for the meeting in advance. Think about questions you want to ask, or points you want to raise. Make a note of these to remind yourself.

Make sure that any paperwork you need to take with you is sorted and easy to find. You may want to use a loose leaf folder. Make sure you have paper and something to write with so that you can make notes if necessary.

Ask to be introduced to anyone at the meeting who you don’t know. Don’t be afraid to ask for any jargon or abbreviations to be explained.

Try to stay calm and polite as this will help you to get your point of view across. If you think you may need them – remember to take some tissues.

At the end of the meeting, ask for somebody to sum up what has been agreed and what will happen next. When you get home, check and tidy up any notes you made, so that you can refer to them in the future if necessary.

If you disagree with education provision for your child

Even where everyone is trying to work together, there may be times when things go wrong. Keep talking and try to keep your discussions polite and calm.

Make clear notes, with dates, about anything that happens or conversations that you have, and keep any documents together and in date order.

You may feel comfortable and confident about managing any disagreement yourself but do contact Parent Partnership Service if you would like information, advice or support.

If, at any time, you feel that after having discussed your concerns with a school or the Local Authority that you have been unable to reach an agreement - then you can ask your Local Authority for information about going to a Mediation Service.

This is an independent service which:
• Helps when there is disagreement about meeting the needs of a child with SEN;
• Manages discussions fairly to help people to communicate and to explore options;
• Helps both sides to reach an acceptable solution (which is then binding);
• Keeps the child’s needs and interest at the heart of the discussions.

The mediator is an independent facilitator who has had special training.

Mediation is free (although you will have to travel to a mediation meeting).

You can go to mediation at the same time as making a complaint or appealing to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (see below).

A Parent Partnership Officer may be able to support you at a mediation hearing.

Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (SEND)

If you disagree with a Local Authority decision and you have not been able to reach an agreement through discussion, then you may have rights to appeal to SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal). For example - if the Local Authority:
• Has decided not to carry out a statutory assessment or reassessment requested by school or you;
• Has decided not to issue a statement after carrying out a statutory assessment;
• Has decided not to amend a statement when requested as part of Annual Review process;
• Has decided to end the statement;
• If you are unable to reach an agreement with the Local Authority over what should be included in a new statement;
• If you disagree with any changes that the Local Authority has made to an existing statement (amending the statement);
• If you are unable to agree with the Local Authority on the appropriate school for a child with a statement.
There is a time limit for lodging a SEND appeal (filling in the application form).
Parent Partnership Service can offer one to one support to help you with this process.

SEND First tier Tribunal - Telephone 01325 392760

www.justice.gov.uk/global/contacts/hmcts/tribunals/send.htm

Complaints
If you are unhappy about the way that the Local Authority has dealt with your case, rather than with their decision, then you can make a complaint using the Local Authority Complaints Procedure.

If you make a complaint to the Local Authority and are not satisfied then you can contact the Local Government Ombudsman. This free service looks at complaints about councils and some other authorities, including education admissions appeal panels.

Tel: 0300 061 0614
www.lgo.org.uk

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Parent Partnership Service - Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin
Telford & Wrekin CVS - Registered Charity Number 702589