In light of the announcement that schools will be closing, IPSEA has put together a list of FAQs on the how the COVID-19 measures will affect children and young people with special educational needs (“SEN”). Read more
We have been paying close attention to the government advice regarding the coronavirus outbreak and will continue to do so. In light of the current advice, all IPSEA staff are now working from home and our administration office is unable to take calls at this time. Read more
The House of Commons Education Committee has published its report following the SEND Inquiry launched in April 2018. IPSEA made a detailed written submission and our CEO gave evidence at one of the Inquiry’s 12 oral evidence sessions. Read more
The Department of Health and the Department for Education issued new guidance on avoiding the use of restraint and restrictive intervention and also how restraint should be used in health and social care services and special education settings. Read more
The SEND Tribunal has provided information about how it is responding to the current situation with regards to Covid-19. Read more
At this time of year, many families will be thinking about their options, as children and young people with special educational needs (“SEN”) prepare for a move from one phase of education to another. Read more
The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (“LGSCO”) has temporarily suspended its central phone line and online complaint submission form from 18 March 2020. Read more
Ofsted’s findings echo those of the Education Select Committee, the LGSCO and the local area SEND inspections that illustrate a system in crisis and demonstrate just how badly children with SEND are being let down all over the country. Read more
We are calling on the next government to make four commitments to improve the education of children and young people with SEND and ensure they receive the support they are legally entitled to. Read more
IPSEA highlighted concerns about the lack of guidance for mainstream settings, despite the fact we know children in mainstream schools and Pupil Referral Units (PRUs) are being restrained and subjected to isolation or seclusion. Read more
“Exceptional and unprecedented”: Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman upholds nearly 9 out of 10 complaints about Education, Health and Care plans. Read more
Some mainstream schools have specialist units or resource bases attached to the mainstream school. How this should be reflected in the child or young person’s EHC plan depends on whether it is a separate institution to the mainstream school or not. Read more
The government has announced a major review into support for children with special educational needs and disabilities, five years on from the introduction of the Children and Families Act 2014 Read more
The House of Commons Committee has published a report, “A ten year plan for school and college funding”, recognising that schools and colleges need a long term plan to meet the wide-ranging challenges they face Read more
After concluding a consultation on home education earlier this year, the government has launched a further consultation which proposes legislation to require local authorities to keep a register of children out of school Read more
What to do if your LA still hasn’t confirmed a school place for your child with SEND Read more
The Department for Education has published the latest statistics in relation to statements of SEN and EHC Plans - we outline some of our concerns about the issues the data reveals Read more
IPSEA is frequently contacted by parents facing difficulties with home to school transport - read our guidance to understand your rights Read more
The Government recently held a consultation on home education - in IPSEA’s response to the consultation, we recommended a number of measures Read more
The National Children’s Bureau, the Association of School and College Leaders and IPSEA, have published a guide to the legal and unlawful use of exclusions and other practices such as off-rolling Read more
The government’s initial response to the children in need review has has fallen short of addressing the key concerns raised by IPSEA Read more
We describe our experiences of a SEND system which fails to ensure families receive the same level of support across the country Read more
At this time of year, our volunteers make lots of calls to parents and carers with questions about support during this transition and beyond and what schools and LAs should be doing Read more
The LGSCO recently reminded LAs of how their duty to secure suitable, full-time alternative education under s.19 Education Act 1996 works Read more