We want every child and young person with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to receive the education and support they are entitled to by law – so they can thrive and achieve their potential.

Since 1983, IPSEA has used the law to help children and young people with SEND get an education that meets their needs. While we have advised and supported thousands of families, widespread non-compliance with the law remains a significant issue. Too many children and young people are still being denied the education they are entitled to.

Our new strategy sets out how we will strengthen our work over the next four years – empowering families, improving understanding of the law and driving change so that legal rights are protected, applied and enforced.

Empower, educate, influence and innovate

Our strategy focuses on four key areas: empower, educate, influence and innovate.

These priorities will enable us to expand our reach, strengthen our impact and ensure more children and young people with SEND get the educational support they need.

Our strategic objectives will guide our work from 2026 to 2030 and help us build a stronger, more sustainable organisation.

Download and read the full strategy

Our impact

By delivering this strategy between 2026 and 2030, we aim to achieve the following measurable impact:

• 12,500 families across England will be empowered by expert legal advice, so they can understand and use SEND law to secure appropriate education and support for their children.
• 540 families will be supported through our Tribunal Support Service, helping them to challenge unlawful decisions and secure the special educational provision their children are legally entitled to.
• 16,300 pieces of high‑quality legal advice will be delivered to families to help them navigate the SEND system and resolve issues earlier and more effectively.
• 6,000 parents and carers will take part in our SEND law courses and webinars, giving them the knowledge and confidence to enforce their children’s legal rights.  
• 6,400 professionals will receive training on the SEND legal framework, strengthening legal understanding across the sector and contributing to better decision-making and practice. 

Our strategic objectives

Our ambition is big. By empowering families of children and young people with SEND, educating those who work with them, influencing SEND policy, and innovating how we work, our vision is that every child and young person with SEND can access the education and support they are entitled to by law.