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Advocacy · Training· Information for disabled children & young people and their carers
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Education As a disabled child or young person you have a right to be involved in your education, and you should be asked about the best way to help you learn. The SEN Code of Practice states that children and young people "should feel confident that they will be listened to and that their views are valued". If you feel you need support to express your views, you have a right to ask for this support. If you are a parent or carer of a child with disabilities or "special educational needs" you have a right to ask for an assessment of your child's needs under the Education Act 1996. This can happen before your child starts school, from the age of about 3 years old. You can talk to your doctor, health visitor, or the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (called a SENCO) in your child's pre-school or school. Useful books to look at are: Special Educational Needs (SEN) - A guide for Parents and Carers (from the Department for Education and Skills, or your local education authority) Special Educational Needs Code of Practice (also from the Department for Education and Skills or your local education authority) As a parent or carer you have a right to be involved in all decisions that are being made about your child. Your local education authority should also offer you a person to support you when your child is being assessed. If not, ask to speak to the Parent Partnership Service. (You can find where your local Parent Partnership Service is through the Parent Partnership Network - see below.) The SEN Code of Practice states that local education authorities should ensure "they are accessible, welcoming, and value the views and involvement of parents". In Year 9, all young people who have a Statement of Special Educational Needs must have a Connexions Personal Adviser at their Transition Planning Review Meeting (also called the 14 plus Review meeting). The Connexions Personal Adviser helps the young person to choose what they want to do in Post-16 at school or college, and helps them choose what they want to do when they leave school. More information from: National Parent Partnership Network: 020 7843 6318 Or their website: www.parentpartnership.org.uk Rathbone (Special Education Advice Line): 0800 917 6790 Or their website: www.rathbonetraining.co.uk Or email at: advice@rathbonetraining.co.uk Children's Legal Centre: 01206 873873 Or email at: clc@essex.ac.uk Or their website: www.childrenslegalcentre.com Connexions: you can find your local Connexions service on their website: www.connexions.gov.uk Or by writing to: Connexions Service National Unit, Department for Education and Skills, Moorfoot, Sheffield, S1 4PQ Skill (National Bureau for Students with Disabilities): 0800 328 5050 Or fax: 020 7450 0650 Or textphone: 0800 068 2422 Or their website: www.skill.org.uk Or email at: info@skill.org.uk (Skill gives information and advice for disabled students on further and higher education, employment, and training.) Back to Information page.
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