Frequently Asked Questions

You will have an EHC plan Case Officer who can help you. If you do not know who it is, please look on the Bexley Local Offer where you will find a list of all Case Officers contact details http://www.bexleylocaloffer.uk/home

Bexley IASS can also advise. You can contact us by calling 020 3045 5976, by emailing [email protected] or by coming to see us at one of our drop in’s.
Bexley IASS drop ins are listed on our website at www.bexleyiass.co.uk

Mainstream Schools are very experienced in meeting the needs of young people and children with special educational needs.

Once on roll if the school feel that the child/young persons needs are such that they will need extra help and support to be able to access the school curriculum, the school can request specialist help from the Local Authority. The school may request the Local Authority carry out an EHC Needs assessment.

Bexley IASS can also advise. You can contact us by calling 020 3045 5976, by emailing [email protected] or by coming to see us at one of our drop in’s.
Bexley IASS drop ins are listed on our website at www.bexleyiass.co.uk

The decision letter you have received will tell the you why it is not necessary for the EHC needs assessment to be carried out. This letter will also advise you of your right to appeal to the SEND Tribunal or to go to Mediation.

Bexley IASS can also provide advice. You can contact us by calling 020 3045 5976, by emailing [email protected] or by coming to see us at one of our drop in’s.
Bexley IASS drop ins are listed on our website at www.bexleyiass.co.uk

In the first instance you should contact the school and ask to speak to your child’s teacher and the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO). They are very experienced and will be able to have a conversation with you about your concerns.

Bexley Local offer’s section on SEN Support will be able to provide some valuable information http://www.bexleylocaloffer.uk

Bexley IASS can also advise you on this process. You can contact us by calling 020 3045 5976, by emailing [email protected] or by coming to see us at one of our drop in’s.
Bexley IASS drop ins are listed on our website at www.bexleyiass.co.uk

Some children attend special schools, typically, when they have the highest levels of need and an education, health and care plan (EHCP).

If you think that mainstream isn’t right for your child because of their level of need, you might want to think about requesting a special school place.

Bexley IASS can advise on who to speak to at the Local Authority. You can contact us by calling 020 3045 5976, by emailing [email protected] or by coming to see us at one of our drop in’s.
Bexley IASS drop ins are listed on our website at www.bexleyiass.co.uk

If the school can no longer meet the needs of the child/young person, they need to call an emergency review and inform the Bexley Statutory SEN Team of the situation.

Bexley IASS can also advise you. You can contact us by calling 020 3045 5976, by emailing [email protected] or by coming to see us at one of our drop in’s.
Bexley IASS drop ins are listed on our website at www.bexleyiass.co.uk

Reduced timetables are used very rarely and should only be considered as part of a short term plan to re-integrate a child back into education, for example after a medical procedure.

A plan should be agreed with the parent and child / young person. The School need to inform Bexley Local Authority of the plan and ensure that full time school attendance is secured as soon as possible in accordance with the agreement made.

Every child/young person is legally entitled to 25 hours per week of full time education.

If you have any concerns with part time arrangements you can contact Bexley IASS on 020 3045 5976, by emailing [email protected] or by coming to see us at one of our drop in’s.
Bexley IASS drop ins are listed on our website at www.bexleyiass.co.uk

If the reason your child has been permanently excluded is due to their SEN or disability, the parent or young person has the right to ask for an SEN expert to attend the permanent exclusion review panel process.

For further information please contact Bexley IASS on 020 3045 5976, by emailing [email protected] or by coming to see us at one of our drop in’s.
Bexley IASS drop ins are listed on our website at www.bexleyiass.co.uk

Support in finding employment, training, further education or housing can be found by accessing Bexley The Local Offer http://www.bexleylocaloffer.uk/home

Bexley IASS can also advise you or your young person directly. You can contact us by calling 020 3045 5976, by emailing [email protected] or by coming to see us at one of our drop in’s.
Bexley IASS drop ins are listed on our website at www.bexleyiass.co.uk

The parent/young person needs to inform the Bexley Statutory SEN Team of when and where they are moving. It is the responsibility of Bexley Local Authority, as the ‘old’ authority to transfer the EHC plan to the new authority within 15 working days of being informed of the move. All Local Authority areas have an IASS service that you can contact for support with this process.

https://councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/information-advice-and-supportservices-
network/find-your-local-ias-service

When moving into a new Local authority area with an existing EHC Plan, the new Local authority may conduct a re-assessment regardless of when the last assessment took place.

At the very least they must review the Plan within 12 months of the plan being made or reviewed by the old authority, and within 3 months of the plan being transferred.

You need to ask your current borough to send your file and inform Bexley Local Authority that you are moving in and what your new address is.

You can use the Bexley Local Offer http://www.bexleylocaloffer.uk/ to identify schools and services for when you arrive.

Bexley IASS can also advise you. You can contact us by calling 020 3045 5976, by emailing [email protected] or by coming to see us at one of our drop in’s.
Bexley IASS drop ins are listed on our website at www.bexleyiass.co.uk

Please call Bexley IASS and we can advise you on what you need to do and we can signpost you to the appropriate services.

You can contact us by calling 020 3045 5976, by emailing [email protected] or by coming to see us at one of our drop in’s.
Bexley IASS drop ins are listed on our website at www.bexleyiass.co.uk

Bexley IASS will advise on how to and who to make your complaint to. We can help to draft a letter for the young person if needed.

Bexley IASS can also advise you or your young person directly. You can contact us by calling 020 3045 5976, by emailing [email protected] or by coming to see us at one of our drop in’s.
Bexley IASS drop ins are listed on our website at www.bexleyiass.co.uk

Under the Children and Families Act 2014, it is not until a child has reached the end of compulsory school age (ie the last Friday of June in the year the child turns 16) that they become a young person. At this point parental rights under the law in relation to the young person’s education will automatically pass to the young person themselves.

However, even then, it is still perfectly acceptable for the Local Authority to deal with a parent, rather than the young person, if the young person wishes.

( This is explained at paragraph 8.13 of the SEND Code of Practice 2015 )

Bexley IASS can also advise. You can contact us by calling 020 3045 5976, by emailing [email protected] or by coming to see us at one of our drop in’s.
Bexley IASS drop ins are listed on our website at www.bexleyiass.co.uk

Pupils who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities may qualify for help (called ‘access arrangements’) in public examinations.

It is the school who decides whether this support is needed by reference to rules laid down by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) on behalf of the exam boards,
overseen by Ofqual.

The JCQ rules are updated every year https://www.jcq.org.uk/

Bexley IASS can also advise. You can contact us by calling 020 3045 5976, by emailing [email protected] or by coming to see us at one of our drop in’s.
Bexley IASS drop ins are listed on our website at www.bexleyiass.co.uk

PfA means preparing for adulthood.

All young people with SEN and disabilities should have equal chances as they move to adulthood.

This should include paid employment and higher education, housing options and independent living, good health, friends, relationships, community inclusion and choice & control over their lives and support.

Local authorities must ensure that the EHC plan review at Year 9, and every review thereafter, includes a focus on preparing for adulthood.

Bexley IASS can also advise. You can contact us by calling 020 3045 5976, by emailing [email protected] or by coming to see us at one of our drop in’s.
Bexley IASS drop ins are listed on our website at www.bexleyiass.co.uk