About us What we do Our impact For over 40 years, IPSEA has helped children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) get the education they are entitled to by law. The struggle facing thousands of families of children and young people with SEND can take years to resolve and often has a devastating effect on children and their families, so the free legal advice and support we provide is vital. Despite a strong legal framework in place to protect their rights, far too many children with SEND are being denied the education support they need. We do what we do because children and young people with SEND are legally entitled to the right education. Our key achievements last year 1,140,923 visitors to our website, providing them with a wealth of free SEND legal guides 3,017 pieces of advice delivered via our free helpline services 3,438 parents, carers and professionals trained on the SEND legal framework 8 national consultations that IPSEA have been asked to respond to 4 changes to SEND policy secured in local authority areas 2 parliamentary calls for evidence from IPSEA's team "IPSEA service is incredibly helpful and empowering. Having knowledge of the legal rights enabled me to take the action needed with confidence. Can't recommend the service enough " ~ Parent Your support Every year, we support thousands of children and young people with SEND to access the education they need to thrive. By challenging unlawful decision-making, we help to secure life-changing outcomes for children and young people. IPSEA provides free legal advice, information, and training, and we utilise evidence from our services to inform local and national policy and challenge unlawful practices. We provided dedicated casework support for the families most in need. We are led by individuals with personal experience of parenting or caring for a child with SEND. A significant number of our staff and volunteers have lived experience, which strengthens our work and deepens our understanding of the challenges that families of children and young people face whilst navigating the SEND legal framework. We are an independent charity and our impact is made possible through the continued generous support of individuals and organisations. Hear from our families: Christina and Jackson Jackson was seven years old and in a mainstream school when Christina first contacted IPSEA’s helplines. “IPSEA was my constant saviour for two years while we battled with two local authorities. I am very grateful and always will be for IPSEA. I know my son would not be where he is today without IPSEA." Read Christina and Jackson's story Defending children's rights In July 2025, we launched a new national campaign, Save Our Children's Rights (SOCR), in collaboration with Special Needs Jungle, SOS!SEN, and other organisations across the SEND sector, after reports that the Government is considering SEND reforms that could remove EHC plans and weaken children's legal rights. We launched with an open letter published in The Guardian signed by over 100 SEND campaigners, academics and public figures - including Chris Packham, Christine McGuiness and Carrie Grant - warning of the serious risk to the legal rights of children and young people with SEND, and generating widespread national media attention on the issue. Our campaign calls on Government ministers to keep the existing SEND legal framework, including EHC plans, when they publish their plans for SEND reform in the autumn. Visit our campaign website and get involved "You are all wonderful people. At one of the most stressful times in my life, you provided a lifeline to me and I can't thank you enough. What an organisation you are - thank you all for all you do to help people. I'm so very grateful" ~ Parent You can review our performance for previous years, as well as the progress we have made against our objectives and aims for the future on 'our annual reports' page. If you want to find out more about IPSEA, take a look at our 'about us' page. Manage Cookie Preferences