Aimee Bradley, who has three children with SEND, says she is concerned by the areas that she believes are lacking “concrete detail” in the government’s White Paper.
“There are so many unanswered questions,” she says.
“What would happen if there were a change in government? Would our children’s rights and protections still be secure?”
Bradley, who went to a tribunal to secure SEND support for her son, says she is “particularly worried that the legal routes available to challenge or appeal decisions we disagree with” might be weakened.
“That safeguard is essential for families,” she says.
Tribunals take place when there are disputes between local authorities, which provide SEND support, and parents who believe their child isn’t getting the right help.
Under the new plans, parents will still be able to apply for EHCPs, which will be delivered by local authorities, and challenge the decisions made about whether their child can get have an EHCP – or what’s in it – at tribunal.
But if parents have concerns about lower tiers of support they won’t be able to go tribunal, and instead will go through a new complaints process at their child’s school, or ultimately complain directly to the Department for Education.
“While there are some positive elements in the proposals, they require further work and clarification,” Bradley says.