The SEND system relies on families not knowing their rights. This hub exists to change that — key organisations, a plain-language glossary, and your legal rights, all free and clickable for more detail. For tailored advice on your specific situation, get in touch.
Free to use, built from experience. Below you will find key organisations, a plain-language glossary, and your legal rights — all clickable for more detail. More resources are added regularly. If something is missing or you need advice directly — get in touch.
These are the organisations that parents consistently find most useful — independent from Local Authorities, with real expertise in SEND rights and law.
The gold standard for free SEND legal advice in England. Provides advice on EHCPs, appeals, and parents' legal rights. Helpline is in high demand but the website has excellent free guides and template letters.
ipsea.org.uk →Free legal advice on special educational needs. Particularly useful for tribunal preparation and understanding the appeals process. Often more accessible than IPSEA when you need to speak to someone quickly.
sossen.org.uk →For families with disabled children. Offers a helpline, guides, and community. Particularly strong on benefits, transitions, and emotional support for parents.
contact.org.uk →Extensive resources on autism, education rights, and EHCPs. Their education pages are among the clearest explanations of SEND rights for autistic children available anywhere.
autism.org.uk →The parent carer forum for Cambridgeshire. A strong local network with events, peer support, and a useful local perspective on the Cambridgeshire SEND system specifically.
pinpoint-cambs.org.uk →The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman. If the LA has failed your family — delayed an EHCP, failed to implement it, or acted unlawfully — this is the formal route to a complaint and potential compensation.
lgo.org.uk →The SEND world is full of acronyms and jargon. Here are the ones you will encounter most.
A legal document that describes a child's special educational needs and the support they must receive. Once issued, it is legally binding — the LA and school must provide what it says. Getting one, and getting it right, is often the central battle.
The formal assessment process that comes before an EHCP. You can apply for one — the LA has 20 weeks from request to issuing a final plan if they agree to assess. Refusal can be appealed.
Your local council — in Cambridge, that is Cambridgeshire County Council. The LA is responsible for issuing EHCPs, funding specialist provision, and meeting their legal duties under the Children and Families Act 2014.
The legal framework covering children who have learning difficulties or disabilities that make it harder for them to learn than most children of the same age. SEND is defined under the Children and Families Act 2014.
The independent tribunal that hears appeals against LA decisions about EHCPs — including refusal to assess, contents of the plan, and school placement. Parents have the right to appeal. It is free to use.
A specialist who assesses children's learning, development, and behaviour. An EP report is often central to EHCP applications and tribunal cases. LA EPs work for the council — independent EP reports can carry more weight in disputes.
A trained school-based role focused on supporting children's emotional health, social skills, and wellbeing. ELSA support is often an appropriate provision within an EHCP for children with anxiety, ASD, or emotional difficulties.
Every LA must fund an independent SENDIASS. In practice, many families find them insufficiently independent. They can still be useful for information — but for genuine advocacy, independent support is often needed.
Under the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice, families have clear legal rights. These are not optional — they are enforceable.
Any parent can request an EHCNA for their child at any time. The LA must respond within 6 weeks. If they refuse, you have the right to appeal to the SEND Tribunal.
From the date of request to issuing a final EHCP, the LA has 20 weeks. Delays beyond this are unlawful and can be challenged — including via the Ombudsman.
Parents have the right to request a specific school — including an independent specialist school. The LA can only refuse if the placement would be unsuitable or incompatible with efficient use of resources. "We don't want to pay for it" is not a lawful reason.
Refusal to assess, refusal to issue, contents of the plan, school placement — all appealable to the SEND Tribunal. Appeals are free. You do not need a solicitor, though specialist support helps significantly.
EHCPs must be reviewed at least annually. You have the right to be involved, to submit your views, and to request an early review if your child's needs change. The review must consider whether the plan needs amending.
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