SEND Law and Your Child’s Education

SEND Law and Your Child’s Education

Feeling overwhelmed by SEND law, EHCPs and navigating your child’s educational journey? You’re not alone.

Understanding your child’s legal rights can feel confusing, especially when you’re already managing the day-to-day challenges of supporting a neurodivergent child. In this informative and empowering podcast, the PDA Society is joined by Laxmi Patel, specialist SEND lawyer and Partner at Boyes Turner, who explains the SEND legal process in clear, accessible language.

From the first signs that your child may need additional support through to Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), school placements, appeals and SEND tribunals, Laxmi guides listeners through every stage of the journey. She answers the questions parents ask most often, helping to demystify the legal system while providing practical advice on how to advocate confidently for your child.

Whether you’re just starting your SEND journey or you’re facing complex decisions about education and support, this session will help you better understand your rights, the responsibilities of schools and local authorities, and the options available when things don’t go to plan.

In this episode you will discover:

• Where to begin if you think your child may have additional educational needs
• How the SEND system works and when an EHCP should be considered
• Why support should be based on need—not diagnosis
• What schools should be doing before an EHCP is requested
• How to prepare a strong EHCP application and avoid common pitfalls
• What happens during the assessment process and key legal timescales to be aware of
• What to do if an EHCP assessment or plan is refused
• How appeals, mediation and SEND tribunals work—and when they may be appropriate
• Your rights when choosing a school or educational placement
• Practical guidance around emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA) and when a placement is no longer meeting your child’s needs
• How SEND law changes as young people move into further education and adulthood
• Where to find reliable information, support and advocacy throughout your journey

Whether you’re seeking your child’s first support plan, navigating an EHCP, considering alternative educational provision or preparing for an appeal, this podcast provides practical guidance and expert insight to help you move forward with confidence.

Ideal for: Parents and carers of neurodivergent children, education professionals, SENCOs, advocates, and anyone wanting a clearer understanding of SEND law and educational rights.

Guest links

Laxmi Patel:  https://www.boyesturner.com/our-people/laxmi-patel

Boyes Turner: https://www.boyesturner.com/

SEND Code of Practice https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7dcb85ed915d2ac884d995/SEND_Code_of_Practice_January_2015.pdf

Further sources of support & information

More podcasts available on the PDA Society Training Hub:
https://training.pdasociety.org.uk/pda-podcasts/

PDA Society Training:
https://www.pdasociety.org.uk/support-and-training/training/

PDA Society Support Service: https://www.pdasociety.org.uk/support-and-training/support/

You can find our Facebook support groups here 

DISCLAIMER

The views and opinions expressed by guest speakers in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the PDA Society.

While we aim to provide balanced and inclusive discussions, individual experiences and perspectives may vary. The PDA Society is committed to using language and terminology that reflects the preferences of PDA and autistic people, but sometimes our guests may use language and terminology which differs.

Appearance on our podcast is not an endorsement of an individual, and not all of our guests will align with our position on the issues discussed.