Legal Aid for SEN appeals

PRESS RELEASE - Legal Aid 
22 June 2:30pm

Jane McConnell, Chief Executive of IPSEA says;
"IPSEA welcomes the confirmation from the Government that legal help and legal aid support will remain in place for the preparation of Special Educational Needs (SEN) appeals to the Special Education Needs and Disability Tribunal, as well as for preparation and representation at the Upper Tribunal and beyond. 

This is an outcome that IPSEA has worked hard throughout the consultation process to achieve. We met with key personnel to explain why the proposed cuts for legal aid in SEN cases should be removed from the bill. Thankfully our arguments were heard. Legal aid will continue to be available for SEN cases just as it has been. 

The Government response to the consultations recognises that the strength of our objections (along with the others who also responded to the consultation) persuaded them to modify their proposals.

For families who work tirelessly to support their children with SEN and who live in poverty, legal aid is crucial. Without it they could not challenge the wrongful decisions that deny their child’s legal entitlement to special education. IPSEA will continue to work to ensure that every child with SEN receives the education they need in order to maximise their potential."

NOTES FOR EDITORS
1. IPSEA is a national charity providing free legally based advice and support for families who have a child with Special Educational Needs and/ or a disability. We are the largest single provider of support and advice for parents appealing decisions made concerning their child’s Special Educational Needs. For more information on our work please see our website www.ipsea.org.uk.

2. Jane McConnell, IPSEA’s Chief Executive, is a parent of a child with special needs and was an expert adviser to Brian Lamb throughout the Lamb inquiry into parental confidence.

3. For comment or explanation on any of the above please contact:
Jane McConnell, IPSEA Chief Executive.