The Special Educational Needs (SEN) system is complex and it can be very difficult to navigate, leading to anxiety and frustration for parents and carers. It is also littered with bad advice; misunderstandings of the legal duties that apply; and an apathy from advice providers and educational settings who may promote a culture of “least resistance” or a view that “we can’t do anything about it”, “we have children with more severe needs” or “your child is not eligible for support or an assessment”. This often creates a sense of helplessness when in fact, the law is often clear and is misapplied by local authorities.
The key for parents and carers is to be able to access independent advice, guidance and resources so that action can be taken quickly for the benefit of the child or young person concerned. It is proven that early intervention is likely to lead to better outcomes for children and young people with SEN and disabilities.
We provide a range of different guides, videos and model documents for parents and carers which you can access by clicking on the links below: