Independent Provider of Special Education Advice
Ensuring SEND children are supported
Many children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in London do not receive the education, health and social care support they are legally entitled to. Parents and carers often have to pursue lengthy tribunal appeals, complaints processes and judicial review claims to secure the provision that their child with SEND needs. The Independent Provider of Special Education Advice (IPSEA) is there for parents and carers when they need help to make sure that their child gets the support they are entitled to.
We are thrilled to support children and young people with SEND, and their families, with a grant of £58,792 to IPSEA. Our award will fund advice for 700 families in London and intensive tribunal support for at least 10 families. Fifty London families will get access to IPSEA’s e-learning course for free. These interventions will improve the educational and personal development of hundreds of children and young people with SEND.
- IPSEA predicts that there will be 13,000 new appeals to the SEND tribunal in England in 2023.
- 91% of IPSEA’s tribunal casework achieves a positive outcome for the child or young person.
- 90% of parents/carers feel better able to enforce their child’s legal rights after support from IPSEA’s helplines.
Empowering parents and carers
IPSEA delivers free and independent telephone advice services to parents/carers and young people. Their advice line provides legal next-step advice on any educational issue that relates to a child or young person’s SEND, such as exclusion from school, discrimination, and the process for securing additional support. Their tribunal helpline gives next-step advice on proceedings in the SEND tribunal. It’s also the gateway to IPSEA’s free support service for parents/carers who are making appeals or claims to the SEND tribunal.
More than 100 volunteers work on the helplines but there is significant unmet demand. IPSEA’s SEND law e-learning course for parents and carers is a key way to empower more families. The self-paced e-learning gives parents/carers the confidence and knowledge they need to secure the right education for their children.
“We are delighted to have the support of Kusuma Trust in reaching, supporting and empowering families of children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). With a grant from Kusuma Trust we will provide advice and casework support to families in London and provide free e-learning courses to 50 families. Children and young people with SEND face significant barriers to getting the education they are legally entitled to. With IPSEA’s support, through gaining knowledge and confidence, parents/carers can better understand and enforce the rights and entitlements of their children.”
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