What happens if I disagree with an LEA's decision?

You, your child’s school and ourselves are partners in your child’s education. The school and ourselves will keep you fully informed at all times about your child’s education. Your knowledge of your child, together with the school’s and our knowledge of a wide range of children with SEN, should result in proper help being given to your child quickly.

If, at any stage, you are not happy with a decision, talk to your child’s school or to the Named Officer who has dealt with your child’s case. They will be happy to discuss your worries. In most cases, the problem can be put right quickly.

The local parent partnership service, voluntary organisations and parents’ groups can help you put your views to us and can give you advice about what we say.

It is very important that you discuss your views openly with us and try to reach agreement with us wherever possible.

You may feel disappointed by our decision, but continuing to disagree is not always in your child’s best interests. If you cannot agree with the us, you can ask us to arrange to sort out the disagreement informally. We have arrangements for an independent disagreement resolution service. They will be able to listen to both your and our views and help us both reach an agreement. You can choose whether to use this service and it does not affect your right to appeal to the Tribunal at the same time. Someone totally independent of the school or the ourselves will arrange a meeting where everyone involved can air their concerns and consider how to sort out the disagreement.

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