Do the LA need to involve me in its decisions?

Yes. The views, wishes and feelings of children, young people and their parents, and their participation, must be central to every decision the LA makes regarding assessing a child or young person’s SEN and how to support them.

If your LA does not involve you, any subsequent decision could be viewed as invalid and could be challenged on appeal. It is not good enough to offer a ‘token’ involvement.

Case law has made clear that decisions taken in breach of procedural legal requirements, including consultation, are liable to be held invalid and set aside by the SEND Tribunal on appeal.