Some children or young people who have complex educational needs require additional support to enable them to meet those needs. In the past, the support required to meet such needs was detailed in a document known as a Statement of Special Educational Needs (Statements). Statements have now been replaced by Education, Health & Care Plans (EHCPs).
As the name suggests, an EHCP is a legal document that describes the child or young person’s educational, health and social care needs. It should also specify how those needs should be met, including who should deliver the support and the frequency/duration of the support.
Children or young people who have special educational needs, but do not have an EHCP in place, have the right to request an assessment of their needs at any point before their 25th birthday.
Deputies and families require specialist advice throughout a child or young person’s education, to ensure that educational needs and targets are accurately defined and that any support included in an EHCP remains appropriate. This is particularly important at transitional stages of education.
Our Expertise In Special Educational Needs Cases
At Anthony Gold, we understand that children and young adults, who have special educational needs as a result of an injury or disability, require specialist and tailored support. This is to ensure that their needs are met so that they can realise their full potential.
Our Court of Protection team supports children and young people who lack capacity and who have special educational needs. We have experience in cases where:
- A school or local authority fails to acknowledge the child’s educational needs, or the EHCP does not accurately define those needs;
- Insufficient support is provided in school or college to meet special educational needs;
- The child or young person is not able to access suitable school transport;
- The local authority will not agree to fund the school or educational placement required to meet the child or young person’s special educational needs;
- The local authority will not agree to assess social care needs, or insufficient support is provided to meet those needs.
How might we be able to help?
- The child or young person has a robust EHCP in place, accurately defining their special educational needs, appropriate outcomes and the support required to meet those needs so that it is legally enforceable;
- The child or young person is able to access suitable school transport, if they are eligible;
- The child or young person is able to attend a school or educational placement that meets their special educational needs;
- Social care needs are identified and provided for in the EHCP. This can include a package of care.
Our Court of Protection team have experience in Court of Protection, Family and Education Law issues. This provides unique insight into the challenges experienced by children and young people who have special educational needs, and the support they require to meet those needs, to ensure that they reach their full potential.
