RESOURCES LIBRARY

Empowering you by improving your understanding of SEND process.

Bexley IASS believe very strongly in empowering Parents, Carers, Children and Young People to have a voice and to be able to participate fully in decisions affecting education, health and social care.

We have developed lots of information on the most common questions we are asked by Parents, Carers and Young People and we hope you find this information useful in increasing your knowledge and understanding of SEND processes and your rights.  Please click on the relevant link below.

If you cannot find the answer to your question here, please click onto the Information and Advice section of this website for lots more information on a range of subjects relating to SEND or, contact Bexley IASS if you need to discuss your issue further on 0203 045 5976 or email us at [email protected]

Capturing the voice of the child

It’s important to frame conversations with professionals about your child’s needs from your child’s perspective.

One effective way to do this is by creating a One Page Profile and you can download a copy of this document HERE

This straightforward document outlines what is important to your child and how to best support their needs. 

We recommend using this tool to prepare for any meetings or discussions regarding your child. For more information please click on the link here: Working with the School & other Professionals | Bexley IASS

INFORMATION & ADVICE

Navigating the statutory SEN (Special Educational Needs) system can be confusing for families and sometimes complex, but Bexley IASS have provided numerous resources below to help.

Please click on the relevant information button below to open the information. If you cannot find what you are looking for in our resources library please contact us. 

Special Educational Needs Support (SEN Support) explained

Education, Health and Social care Plans (EHCP) explained

EASY READ Resources

CLICK HERE to understand what an Easy Read is?
A Guide to SEN Support in Mainstream Schools
A guide to the Education Health Care Plan ( EHCP )
Bexley SEND IASS services explained
Quality First Teaching and Special Educational Needs Toolkits in schools
Making an application for the EHC Needs Assessment in Bexley
Understanding the EHCP (education, health and care plan)
EXAMPLE: SEN Support document for an Early Years child
EHC Needs Assessment support tooklkit for Parent carers
Understanding SEN Support in schools and Colleges
EXAMPLE: SEN Support document for Primary & Secondary age child
EXAMPLE: EHCP Good Practice
Personal Budgets: What are they?
EXAMPLE: SEN Support document for a Post 16 young person
EHCP: The Statutory Process
The Bexley SEND Local Offer for families of children & YP 0-25 years
SEN Support at sixth form or college
The EHCP Co Production Meeting in Bexley
Helping you to prepare for school meetings
Special Educational needs support in independent schools
Checking the EHC Draft Plan
Keeping what you say private
Understanding reasonable adjustments in schools.
Choosing a school with an EHC Plan
Healthcare: Easy Read guides
Choosing a school (without an EHCP)
Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities: Arranging Alternative Provision
Understanding the Care Act: An Easy Read Guide
YOUNG MINDS guide to supporting your child at school
Understanding Personal Budgets & Direct Payments
What are Reasonable Adjustments
Understanding SEN Support when you have No Recourse to Public Funds
Preparing for the EHCP Annual Review
What is the Learning Disability Register for those over age 14 years
Requesting an Early Review of the EHC Plan
EASY READ Letter to your GP asking to join the Learning Disability Register
Requesting a Re Assessment of Needs
What is an Annual Health Check
Understanding what 'Cease to Maintain the EHC Plan' means
What is the Dynamic Support Register (DSR)

INFORMATION & ADVICE

ATTENDANCE & EBSA

EXCLUSIONS

Attendance & Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA)
VIDEO: Understanding the different types of exclusion
Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) support group for Parent carers in Bexley
CORAM School Exclusion Hub for Parent Carers and families
Guidance for Schools: Responsibilities where are mental Health issue is affecting attendance
Permanent Exclusion: the Head Teachers power to exclude
Duty to provide an alternative education age 5 - 16 years (Sec 19)
A step by step Guide: Finding an alternative to a Permanent Exclusion
The Bexley Education Inclusions & Welfare services
What should I do if my child has been excluded from school
School Attendance. The duty on Parents: Understanding fines, fixed penalty and prosecution
The Governing Board Hearing: what to expect and how to prepare
The Independent Review Panel (IRP): what to expect and how to prepare
Preparing your questions or concerns regarding an exclusion for the Governors meeting & the Independent review Panel (IRP)
Understanding the process of a Managed Move Agreement
Education after Permanent Exclusion & Alternative provision

INFORMATION & ADVICE

HEALTH

SOCIAL CARE

Understanding how Health systems are broken down in England
Understanding your rights under The Care Act 2014
VIDEO: What is the Learning Disability Register for those over age 14 years
FACT SHEET: Understanding the duties for Children and Young People ( under the CFA 2014) and Adults (under the Care Act 2014)
EASY READ Letter to your GP asking to join the Learning Disability Register
Social Care Rights: Children & Young People under 18
VIDEO: Understanding the Annual Health Check
Children's Social Workers, Service Referrals and Assessments in Bexley
EASY READ DOCUMENT explaining the Annual Health Check
Social Care Rights: Young People 18 years and over
Continuing Care for those under 18 years of age
Your right to request assessment under the Care Act 2014
Continuing Care for those over 18 years of age
Adult Social Care, Service Referrals and Assessments in Bexley
The Care, Education & Treatment Reviews (CETR) and the Dynamic Support Register (DSR) explained
VIDEO: Understanding how Direct Payments and Personal Budgets work
EASY READ DOCUMENT explaining the Dynamic Support Register (DSR)
TOOLS AND RESOURCES: Preparing for Adulthood (PfA)
Understanding the Individual Health Care Plans (IHP)
Bexley Local Authority - The Preparing for Adulthood (PfA) Team (Social Care)
Getting a Diagnosis, referral Pathways in Bexley and Right to Choose

INFORMATION & ADVICE

In July 2025, the Council for Disabled Children launched new guides regarding the disability duties outlined in the Equality Act. These guides are designed for Early Years settings, schools, and further education colleges.

The guides address both strategic duties, such as the Public Sector Equality Duty and accessibility planning, as well as day-to-day responsibilities. They draw on recent case law to provide relevant information.

Each guide emphasises the importance of a whole-setting approach to fulfilling these duties. For these responsibilities to be effective, everyone involved—whether in teaching, management, or leadership—must integrate them into their specific roles.

Although the guides are primarily directed at professionals, they also serve as a valuable resource for parent carers navigating the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system and understanding Equality Act duties.

Please click on the links below to access the new guides. 

 

EARLY YEARS (0-5)

Disabled Children and the Equality Act 2010: What Early Years providers need to know and do
Click Here

SCHOOLS (5-16)

Disabled children and the Equality Act 2010: What teachers need to know and what schools need to do
Click Here

COLLEGES

Disabled students and the Equality Act 2010: What colleges need to know and do
Click Here

RESOLVING DISAGREEMENTS

To ensure that a child’s special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported, it is essential for parents and professionals to collaborate effectively. This partnership should involve shared decision-making and a coordinated approach to support the child’s development both at home and in educational settings. It is important to communicate information about the child’s progress, challenges, and specific needs.

At Bexley IASS, we want to ensure that you are aware of your rights as parent carers of children and young people with special educational needs, empowering you in your decision-making and ensuring that the voice of the child or young person is taken into account.

To support your child’s journey through the SEND system, we are providing information below on how to approach resolving disagreements related to various issues.

If, however, you cannot find what you are looking for, please do not hesitate to contact us directly. 

RESOLVING DISAGREEMENTS AT SEN SUPPORT LEVEL

RESOLVING DISAGREEMENTS AT EHCP LEVEL

EMPOWERING YOU: INFORMING YOU OF YOUR RIGHTS

How do I complain if SEN Support is not being delivered
EHC Needs Assessment rejection
Statutory complaints procedures: Disputes relating to education, health and social care
My child has SEN needs and I don't agree with professionals.
What are my rights?
What can I do if the EHCP is not being delivered by the school?
Visiting a new school - a Checklist for parent carers
A guide for Young People on resolving SEN Support disagreements
Refusal to Issue the EHC Plan following the EHC Needs Assessment
Moving into or out of Bexley with a child with special educational needs
A guide for Parent Carers on resolving disagreements regarding SEN Support
Understanding SEN Mediation
A guide to preparing for meetings with the school or college
Understanding SENDist Tribunal
Accessing information: Subject Access Request, Freedom of Information, School Records
Access Arrangements in schools and Special Considerations

RESOLVING DISAGREEMENTS REGARDING ATTENDANCE & EBSA

RESOLVING DISAGREEMENTS REGARDING EXCLUSION

EMPOWERING YOU: INFORMING YOU OF YOUR RIGHTS

Understanding attendance problems & barriers
Understanding School Exclusion
Duty to provide Alternative education (Sec 19)
My child has a medical condition:The school's duty?
School Exclusion - what is legal?
Children who do not have a school place (age 5 - 16)
The Bexley EBSA Identification of Need Tool for parent carers and professionals
School Exclusion -Your rights to access information
Understanding Disability Discrimination
Statutory Guidance: Working together to improve school attendance
Detentions & Isolation: Your rights
Understanding Judicial Review
A Guide for parent carers: School behaviour and Exclusion
Understanding Independent schools and SEND Law
Bexley Local Authority - Good Practice Guide for schools: reduced time tables
What is Flexi schooling, EOTAS and Elective Home education
Education Welfare, Exclusions and Reduced Timetables in Bexley
Understanding School Transport at compulsory school age (Age 5-16)
CORAM Childrens Legal centre: School Exclusion Clinic
Post 16 transport & travel support: Government guidance for local authorities

If you can’t find the answer to your question, or you would like further advice, you are welcome to send us a SELF – REFERRAL FORM

UNDERSTANDING TERMINOLOGY & BUSTING SEND MYTHS

As any parent carer of a child or young person with special educational needs or disabilities knows, it can sometimes be challenging to keep up with the many acronyms and terms used by professionals when discussing your child.
 
To support you, we have created a glossary of acronyms and terminology to help you navigate the complex systems in education, social care, and health.
 
We have also developed a short slide deck on some Myth Busters.
These are live quotes from parent carers and young people and we wanted to ensure we bust the myths here for you moving forward on your journey.
 
Both of the documents can be accessed by clicking on the boxes below.

IASS Glossary of terms

Click Here

SEND Myth Busters

Click Here

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR PARENT CARERS AND YOUNG PEOPLE

IPSEA has developed a ‘quick guides’ reference tool to provide Parent Carers and Young People with simple definitions and descriptions of some of the key terms when you want to understand more about children’s legal rights and entitlements to educational support.
 
IPSEA have also developed template letters for Parent Carers to support in many situations. Some examples are:  
 
  • Complaining when the school is not using its best endeavours to secure special educational provision for a child with SEN
  • To request an EHC Needs Assessment
  • Asking the LA to provide alternative education for children who cannot attend school.
  •  Asking for help in exams
  • Asking the LA for a Personal Budget and Direct Payment
 
Click on the boxes below to access IPSEA Quick Guides and Template Letters.

IPSEA's new SEND Quick Guides

Click Here

IPSEA's TEMPLATE LETTERS

Click Here

ADDITIONAL LOCAL SUPPORT FOR PARENT CARERS

Bexley SEND Local Offer

Information and services for Children & Young People ages 0-25 years with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their Parent Carers
Click Here

Bexley Voice Parent Carer Forum

Bexley Voice is a voluntary organisation of parents and carers of children and young people (age 0-25) with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) living in the London Borough of Bexley.
Click Here
Click here to return to the parent carers information and advice landing page