Special Educational Needs Solicitors - SEN Solicitors

We can provide expert legal advice to ensure your child has the support they need for their education.

Special Educational Needs (SEN) is always an emotive area. If your child has Special Educational Needs, it is vital to make sure they have all of the care and support they need for their education and beyond.

What is an Education Health and Care Plan?

There are processes in law that allow for an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) to be created to help identify a child’s needs and the provision necessary to meet those needs. Getting an EHCP in place is a vital first step to making sure your child gets the educational support they need. EHCPs have been in use for about 10 years, designed to ensure that education, health care and social care services work together more effectively in the interests of the child and young people. If you would like advice on how to secure an EHCP or advise on an existing EHCP, please please contact Kinjal or Rachael, our education law legal administrators, on 01895 207 961, or by email at educationteam@ibblaw.co.uk.

Unfortunately, the process of securing an EHCP for your child is not always straightforward. This can also be true when it comes to ensuring your child is provided with the support required by an ECHP. In such cases, you and your child will likely benefit significantly from specialist legal advice.

At IBB Law, our specialist education law solicitors are experienced in helping parents and guardians in obtaining the EHCP, working with schools to achieve the right placement for the child and representing clients in the First Tier and Upper Tribunals when disputes arise with the Local Authority.

We offer a fixed fee video consultation with our team to discuss your needs and see how we can help. Contact us to book an online appointment. We then charge for our services on an hourly basis,  providing you with a clear estimate as to the likely time and cost involved, as well as the work to be undertaken.

Quick answers about Special Educational Needs and EHCPs

Looking for quick answers about Special Educational Needs and EHCPs? Take a look at our FAQs.

Our expertise with special educational needs

Our SEN solicitors have experience supporting individuals and families throughout the appeals process and have a proven track record handling:

• Requests for EHCPs
• Providing expert guidance throughout the process.
• Ensuring correct and suitable provisions are stated in the EHCP for the child/young person in question by working closely with relevant experts such as psychologists or psychiatrists
• Assisting families throughout the tribunal process.

How can our team can help with all special educational needs issues?

We can provide practical support through:

• Initial fixed fee video consultation with one of our specialist education solicitors
• Challenge local authorities regarding payment for specialist residential school care
• Providing instruction to independent and specialist barristers
• Instructing medical experts
• Document drafting
• Case Preparation
• Providing specialist advice regarding negotiations and settlement

Common questions about Special Educational Needs and EHCPs

How do you request an EHCP?

You need to request an EHC needs assessment from your local authority by filling out an EHC needs assessment form. There is a different form depending on whether you are a young person requesting an EHC needs assessment or a parent, guardian or carer making the request on behalf of a young person.

How long does it take to get an EHCP?

Once a request for an assessment for an EHCP is made, the Local Authority has 6 weeks to respond and make a decision about whether to conduct an assessment. This process will result in a decision about whether to conduct an assessment.

If the assessment is approved, the process will take up to a maximum of 20 weeks from the initial date of receipt of your request for the final EHCP to be issued.

What happens if your local authority won’t carry out an EHC needs assessment?

In some cases, a local authority may decide that a child doesn’t require an EHC needs assessment. If this happens, they will write to you to inform you of this decision.

You have the right to appeal this decision and should be notified by your local authority of the process for doing so when they write to you to inform you of their initial decision.

What can you do if your child is refused an Education Health and Care Plan?

If your local authority carries out an EHC needs assessment only to decide that an EHC Plan is not needed, they must explain their reasons for doing so and your options for getting further advice and support.

They must also notify you of the option to use independent disagreement resolution and mediation to find a positive way forward, as well as your right to appeal and how the appeals process works.

Can you get an EHCP changed?

An EHC Plan will be reviewed at least once per year, which is something the child’s education provider should arrange. If your child’s needs have changed, their EHC Plan will be updated to reflect this.

If you feel your child’s needs have changed since their plan was last reviewed, then you can ask for an early review.

What is the Cost of Legal Special Educational Needs advice?

We offer a fixed fee consultation, for you to explain your circumstances and story, as well as providing your documents, so we can provide advice on your legal rights in respect of special educational needs. Please contact Kinjal or Rachael, our education law legal administrators, on 01895 207 961, or by email at educationteam@ibblaw.co.uk. They can arrange a fixed fee consultation and send you a link to our online booking suite, where you can choose a day and time most convenient for your meeting with the specialist education solicitor.

If you would like us to help you beyond the initial consultation meeting, we can do so and will discuss with you the work required and the likely cost involved.

What others say about IBB’s specialist education solicitors

“We needed an urgent consultation about an educational issues we had with the school. We were very impressed by Celia Whittuck with whom we had the consultation; we were able to ask questions and discuss our situation and we were very happy with the way Celia Whittuck handled our conversation-we felt listen to and that she provided the help we required, thank you!”

“Thank you so much for all your work on this. I have heard from staff and parents that safeguarding is now a huge priority for the school, so I feel that the action we took has had the desired effect.”

“Hi Celia.  To say I am so thankful and happy with this outcome is an understatement.  The best best news.  Thank you again.”

“We can’t thank you enough for your expert assistance throughout this case and we particularly appreciated the clarity and kindness you showed in every communication. The matter could have escalated very unpleasantly except for your intervention, for which we are extremely grateful.”

“From the outset, they listened and guided me through my options. I have been struck by the consistency in their process, their professionalism and empathy. Their strengths have definitely been in their willingness to collaborate with other legal professionals in order to give you the best possible chance of success. They don’t shy away from meeting online, so I really feel understood and cared for.”

“Very personal service where nothing is too much trouble. Prompt in all responses and no stone left unturned to advise thoroughly ensuring the best decision is made. Impressive high standards in all aspects of service. I can’t rate them highly enough.”

“I believe IBB Law Education Team have shown themselves to be true to their word. They have collaborated with me in terms of what to expect at each stage of my case. Their practice is transparent and open, and they are clear and concise regarding the fees.”

“The experience was excellent. I was able to sort out my issue in less than a month with the help of the team at IBB Law. Right from the beginning of contacting the firm, I was provided with all the support and communication with the team was also very smooth. I am more than happy to have contacted the firm. I would definitely recommend IBB Law to anyone that is going through a similar situation as mine.”

“IBB offer unrivalled skill and expertise when it comes to education law matters. They are very well-placed to represent students in all types of public and private law claims against universities. They also do a lot of work in the school sector, in particular when representing parents in claims against independent schools. They are knowledgeable in the main areas of law that cut across these and associated areas of the education sector. Given their level of experience in these areas, they also have a very good practical understanding of the education sector and are geared towards achieving good practical outcomes for their clients.”

“The gold standard team for higher education work. IBB is one of my main instructing solicitors and I always feel completely confident that they will do an excellent job for the client. The cases are meticulously prepared, and they are very client-focused and practical in their approach.”

“Very empathetic and attentive to each individual client’s needs. I felt heard and understood for the first time by professionals. The team was easy and quick to communicate with and the whole process made me feel at ease.”

“My matter was dealt and over with quite quickly with a happy outcome.”

“IBB offer an excellent education law service, with particular expertise in higher education matters.”

“Celia Whittuck is a star individual. She has gained considerable experience in education law and has excellent strategic litigation strategy, particularly for civil claims against independent schools and universities, and internal complaints and appeal processes in relation to these institutions. She puts the client’s outcome at the heart of what she does and has a track record for achieving good results.”

“Growing education law team focusing on higher education law matters.”

“Celia Whittuck is a phenomenally dedicated solicitor and a real delight to work with.”

“Focused and determined education team.”

“I wish give my heartfelt thanks to education team at IBB Law for assisting me through a very peculiar education matter, with specific regards to and commendation for Victoria Denis, the solicitor who had represented my matter.”

“Victoria successfully assisted me through an issue.”

“Throughout the months Victoria represented my matter, Victoria always gave me clear and detailed counsel and helped me explore all the options in terms of what action Victoria and I myself was able to take.”

“Victoria was attentive with keeping me updated in her correspondence.”

“Ultimately, the expeditious success of the matter speaks volumes to Victoria’s ability to navigate a rare and perplexing matter, especially as the matter took place in a transnational context.”

“Victoria empowered me to both move forward with my home life in the United States and to amicably resolve my affairs.”

The Education Law Team at IBB is ranked by Legal 500. Legal 500 describe themselves as the leading guide to law firms and solicitors across the UK.

Celia Whittuck at IBB is ranked by Chambers and Partners. Chambers and Partners say of themselves: “Our rankings are the most thoroughly researched and independent on the market. Each one is assessed by our dedicated team of experienced researchers using our unrivalled research methodology, which includes tens of thousands of one-to-one interviews every year.

“If you are buying legal services in the UK and need reliable recommendations on the best law firms and solicitors, our rankings, editorial and analysis will provide you with the information you need to make the most well-informed decision when it matters.”

Get clear legal advice and support for dealing with special educational needs

The information given here is intended for general information purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice.

To find out how our special educational needs solicitors can help, please contact Kinjal or Rachael, our education law legal administrators, on 01895 207 961, or by email at educationteam@ibblaw.co.uk.  They can arrange a fixed fee consultation and send you a link to our online booking suite, where you can choose a day and time most convenient for your meeting with the specialist education solicitor.