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IPSEA warns Birmingham parents whose children
have Statements of Special Educational Needs
In November 2001 IPSEA became extremely concerned about a policy
being operated by Birmingham LEA affecting children with statements of special
educational needs transferring from primary to secondary school.
The policy uses a technicality to rob parents of children with
Statements of Special Educational Needs of their right of appeal to the
Special Educational Needs Tribunal against the kind and amount of support their
child would be entitled to receive at their new secondary school.
IPSEA believed the policy to be unlawful but we were unable
to persuade the LEA to our way of thinking. Eventually IPSEA had no option but
to make a formal complaint to the Secretary of State.
Originally we were assured by the Secretary of State that there
would be an outcome to our complaint by November 15 2002. Sadly, we have
learned that this was not possible because Birmingham LEA have not responded to
the Secretary of State's request for information on the situation.
Our concern now is that without swift action parents will be
denied their legal rights for a second year running.
IPSEA calls on Birmingham MPs to:
- urge the Secretary of State for Education and Skills to pursue
their complaint with Birmingham as a matter of urgency;
- use whatever influence they have with the LEA to urge them to
respond to the Secretary of State;
- refer to IPSEA for advice any parents and children with special
needs who may call on them for help with problems they are having with primary
secondary transfer.
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