Are you the parent or carer of a young person?

Under the Children and Families Act 2014, certain rights and decisions transfer from parents (or carers) to young people.

This can sound alarming for parents and carers. However, the Children and Families Act 2014 relates to a limited set of decisions. It doesn’t cover, for example, who a young person lives with, or anything to do with their personal finances. Parents and carers are likely to remain very much involved in supporting the young person’s decisions about their education and training.

For adults, making decisions about your own welfare, education and health depends on a legal concept called “mental capacity”. This legal concept is applied to decision making about education and training for young people with special educational needs (SEN). You can find out more about the legal concept on our website.

We have prepared some useful resources for young people aged 16-25 with special educational needs and disabilities:

Getting extra help: FAQs
Transport arrangements for young people
Annual reviews in Year 9 or beyond and please see our annual review checklist

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SEND Tribunal hints and tips (2): 7 October

This training is suitable for parents and carers currently going through an appeal against the contents of an EHC plan or an appeal against the school named in a plan

Are you a young person?

As a young person under the Children and Families Act 2014, you have more say about your education and your parents have less say
Mental capacity and decision making

Mental capacity is assessed in relation to the particular decision which needs to be made

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