The SEND Solicitor

18/08/2026

SEND Tribunal pilot for section I only appeals registered from 17 August 2026 📣

The SEND Tribunal is going to case manage appeals which are only about placement differently.

What you need to know for section I only appeals:

🔷 Hearing dates will not be included in the initial case directions sent out on registration

🔶 After the bundle deadline, the SEND Tribunal will respond to any SEND7 Request for change forms (earlier responses will only be in exceptional circumstances) and consider if the appeal is ready to be heard

🔷 If the appeal is ready to be heard, it will be listed for the next available hearing date and/or a JADR hearing

🔶 If the appeal is not ready at that point, the SEND Tribunal will set further directions. This may include a revised timetable or action relating to non-compliance.

You can find more information on our website:

➡️ https://www.ipsea.org.uk/what-happens-after-i-submit-my-appeal-registration-and-key-forms

➡️ https://www.ipsea.org.uk/appealing-against-the-school-or-other-setting-named-in-your-ehc-plan

➡️ https://www.ipsea.org.uk/what-happens-after-i-submit-my-appeal-case-review-and-management-hearings

17/08/2026

Holiday mode deactivated…

06/08/2026

Holiday mode activated…

31/07/2026

I haven’t posted any reviews for a while, there hasn’t been the time!

Reviews like this make all the hard work worthwhile though ❤️

20/07/2026

And just like that, we have a new education secretary…

An in-depth look at which Labour MPs have been appointed to cabinet roles by new Prime Minister Andy Burnham

18/07/2026

07/07/2026

Following Friday's investigation by ITV News, which raised concerns from a whistleblower about local authorities failures to meet their legal duties, Chris Coghlan MP has written to the Education Secretary urging the Department of Education to take action.

As a campaign group, we and our partners have been asking for public bodies to be held accountable for their repeated failure to implement the law for years, and we are grateful to everyone who continues to use their voice to expose this systemic issue.

What must be made clear is that the answer to widespread unlawful practice is not to weaken or dismantle the law and remove children and young people's legal protections, but to enforce it!

Children and young people with SEND deserve the support they are legally entitled to, and families deserve a system that upholds their rights rather than forces them to fight for them.

03/07/2026

I’m disgusted by this, although I am not surprised.

Staff turnover in LA SEND departments is high. Those with a heart seem to learn very quickly that there is no care for SEND children.

LA’s are laughing, while SEND families are crying.

Do they really not see the damage they are causing?!

Disgusted 😡

Managers told council staff to delay access to SEND support and laughed about it, whistleblower says
https://www.itv.com/news/2026-07-03/council-staff-told-to-delay-access-to-send-support-whistleblower-claims

28/06/2026

Families in Kent,

Here is a chance to have your say…

SEND inspection in Kent - share your views

Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) have now started a SEND inspection of Kent.

Inspectors will begin their detailed work next week, with on-site visits taking place at Sessions House from 6 -10 July.

You can find guides about the inspection here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-area-send-inspections-information-for-families

A really important part of the inspection is hearing directly from young people, families and practitioners about their experiences of SEND services.

👉 You can share your views by completing the official survey:
https://ofsted.smartsurvey.co.uk/p/AreaSend/10414224

The survey is confidential and goes straight to Ofsted. There are no right or wrong answers - they just want your honest experience.

Please take a few minutes to have your say and help shape future services in Kent.

Find out more about the inspection here: https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/send-ofsted-inspection