What to do if you are unhappy with the support your child is getting at school

Education settings have a duty to:

  • identify special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and;
  • use best efforts to make sure pupils with SEND get the support they need

If you have a question about support your child or young person is getting:

  1. start by talking to their teacher or form tutor
  2. You may then wish to speak to the special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCo). Or a member of the setting's SEND team. Write down what you want to discuss at the meeting and share it with the SENCo. You might want someone to support you at a meeting if you do not feel confident. This could be a friend, relative or an advocate.
  3. If you feel you have not had a suitable response you can ask to meet with a senior leader or the Head Teacher.
  4. If you are still unhappy, you can contact the settings Governing Body. This may be a named representative if your child or young person attends a Multi Academy Trust. The setting's complaints policy will have details. This will be on their website.
  5. If you remain unsatisfied with the response, Ofsted may be able to help. Information can be found here.

If meeting the school does not lead to agreement, you can contact:

  • SENDIASS Southend - a confidential and impartial information, advice and support service on issues related to SEND
  • IPSEA - a national charity offering free and independent legally based information, advice and support

If you are unhappy about the provision in an EHCP:

  • contact your child or young persons EHCP Case Co-ordinator in the Local Authority SEND team. If you do not know who this is, the SEND team can tell you.

If you are unhappy with the service provided by the Southend Council SEND Team: