Last chance to share your experience of the local authority’s mediation and SEND tribunal processes
Professionals working in education settings, and parents and carers, are being encouraged to share their experiences in an online survey, as part of a review into local authority processes for resolving disagreements around special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
The survey will close on Tuesday 25 July 2023, so there is now just over two weeks left to share your views.
As part of the SEND and Inclusion Change programme, Warwickshire County Council is reviewing the process for resolving disagreements following a decision about an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan or EHC needs assessment. We understand there may be occasions when families won’t agree with the decisions that the local authority makes in relation to EHC assessments and EHC Plans, and we recognise the importance of being able to have open and honest discussions with families to resolve any issues.
Since launching the survey in March, we have received valuable feedback from parents and carers, and professionals working in schools and across SEND and health services to help inform this review, however we are keen to hear from as many as possible to understand their experiences.
All feedback is welcome and anyone who has been involved in a disagreement following a decision about an EHC plan or EHC needs assessment in the past two years is encouraged to respond.
Survey for education professionals.
Professionals working in an education setting whose involvement has been through mediation and/or through the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (SENDIST) appeals process can complete the professionals online survey here.
Survey for parents/carers/young people aged 16-24.
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Contact with a Special Educational Needs and Disability Assessment and Review Service (SENDAR) Plan Co-ordinator;
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Independent advice received, for example through the Special Educational Needs and Disability Independent Advisory Service (SENDIAS);
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Mediation;
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Appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (SEND)
We would be grateful if schools and settings could share the link to the parent and carer survey with families before the end of the summer term, and to share the professionals survey internally with staff.
Both surveys will close at midnight on Tuesday 25 July 2023. Information provided by those responding will be strictly confidential and handled according to the County Council’s privacy policy.