Sections
Website Review
We are in the process of reviewing and updating our website content. We would love to gather parent/carer feedback. Please take a moment to complete our short form using the below button.
Advice Clinic
Book an hour face to face appointment with one of our SEND Advisors to discuss or review paperwork related to special educational needs in education.
For example, we can support with:
- EHC Needs Assessment paperwork
- SENDIST (First Tier Tribunal) paperwork
- Draft Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
Due to the high demand for attendance at our monthly advice clinics we have recently had a wait list in case of any cancellations. Unfortunately, we have had a number of people not turning up for their appointments on the day, and although we know sometimes this can’t be avoided if you book an appointment at one of our advice clinics but can no longer make it, please tell us so that we can offer this to others waiting to meet with us.
You will receive reminders for the advice clinic from Eventbrite, and we will also call and email you a few days before to remind you of your appointment.
Parent/carer training
We offer a variety of free SEND training for parent/carers. You can book your place via our website. More training and dates will become available throughout the year.
Upcoming Events
MARCH 2024
4th March 2024 - 11-13:30
EHCP Annual Review
This training is for parent/carers to help in understanding the processes and legal framework of Education, Health and Care Plan Annual Reviews.
APRIL 2024
18th April 2024 - 12:00 - 14:30
Overview of an EHCP
This training is for parent/carers to give an overview and understanding of the processes related to an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
30th April 2024 - 11:00 - 13:30
Suspension and Exclusion
An understanding of the legal tests and processes around fixed term suspensions, illegal suspensions, permanent exclusions and managed moves.
Staff spotlight
Hi, I am Sally, I started working as a Helpline Advisor for Norfolk SENDIASS in November 2023. I am very much enjoying my new role supporting parents/carers and young people who have booked appointments on our SENDIASS helpline.
My role as a full time Helpline Advisor is to give confidential and impartial advice and information to parents/carers and young people on issues relating to Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND). This includes helping to understand the law around SEND, discussing options available to enable informed choices and signposting to appropriate services.
Professionals
We are offering online training for professionals. You can book your place via the professional section of the website.
- Appealing a final EHCP - 29th February 15:30-18:30
- SEN Support - 14th March 15:30 - 17:30
As a professional you can book an appointment to speak with an advisor using the booking link on our website.
Caselaw update
Following a Case Law ruling all other Courts and Tribunals then have to follow this and it takes precedent over what the law says.
MC v Somerset County Council (SEN) [2015] UKUT 0461 (AAC)*
In this case the Local Authority (LA) refused to assess for a Statement of SEN as they were able to provide the school with significant funding and support for the whole academic year. The parent/carers were unhappy and so chose to appeal this decision, the First-Tier Tribunal (SENDIST) agreed with the LA’s decision and felt that an assessment wasn’t needed at that moment in time due to the arrangements the LA had with the school.
The parent/carers then chose to appeal this to the Upper Tier Tribunal (UTT), the UTT agreed that in this case an assessment of need was not required. As part of this ruling the UTT did accept that it might be ‘necessary’ for there to be an assessment of need in relation to enforceability of rights around children and young people getting the support they need for their special educational needs. This is relevant because in situations where an educational placement could do more to support a child or young persons special educational needs but are unable or unwilling to do so it would be necessary to obtain an EHC Needs Assessment and subsequently an EHCP to access that support.
*This case involved a request for an assessment in relation to a Statement of SEN under the Education Act 1996. This piece of legislation has now been replaced by the Children and Families Act 2014, this new legislation uses similar wording to the Education Act 1996 and so this case law is still relevant and used in relation to EHCPs.
Phase transfer
A reminder that if your child is due to transfer from one phase of education to another with an EHCP then you must receive the Phase Transfer EHCP stating the place of learning in Section I by the 15th of February or 31st March if your young person is transitioning into post 16+.
If your child is transferring from
- early years education to school
- infant school to junior school
- primary school to middle school
- primary school to secondary school
- middle school to secondary school
You must have received the phase transfer EHCP by the 15th February if you haven’t received this please call the EHCP Duty Line on 01603 679183.
Personal budgets
A Personal Budget is a notional amount of money identified to pay for the special educational provision specified in an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). You must have an EHCP to have a personal budget. It can give parent/carers and young people more choice and control over how part of the provision in an EHCP is delivered.
If agreed, details of the personal budget will be in section J of the EHC plan. Section J cannot be appealed to the Special Educational Needs and Disability, but you could use the Disagreement Resolution process.
The personal budget allows parents and the young person to have more of a say and greater control over the delivery of the provision specified in the EHC Plan. It can only be used to deliver the provision specified and to meet the outcomes identified. Giving the parents or young person control over some of the budget allows for increased flexibility and more specialised services.
When requesting a personal budget, the parent/carer or young person should explain why they feel they are better able to arrange the provision detailed in section F of the EHCP. For example, the EHCP specifies weekly play therapy and there may already be a Play Therapist working with the child or young person and they would like to organise this weekly provision directly themselves.
What is the difference between a personal budget and a direct payment?
A personal budget shows you what money there is for the provision specified in an EHCP, and who provides it. The parent/carer or YP does not actually manage the funds directly.
With a direct payment, the parent/carer or YP is given the money for some services and manages the funds themselves. The parent/carer or YP is responsible for buying the service and paying for it.
A personal budget can include a direct payment if it is agreed that this is the best way to manage part of the personal budget. Direct payments can be used for special educational provision in a school or college only if the school or college agree.
- Sometimes, the Local Authority (LA), school or college will look after the Personal Budget for the parent/carers or YP. This is called an Arrangement or a Notional Budget
- Sometimes, the parent/carer or the YP may manage all or part of the Personal Budget themselves. The money to do this will come from a Direct Payment
- Sometimes, someone else will manage the Personal Budget for the parent/carer or YP. This is called a Third-Party Arrangement
- Sometimes, the parent/carer or YP will have a mixture of some or all of these arrangements
Norfolk SEND Youth Forum update
In our on-line meeting this month, we were joined by X7 young people with some apologies. We were pleased to introduce Laura and Jo to our members, who have joined Norfolk SENDIASS, in the roles of X2 full time Advice and Engagement workers. Four of our members had met them previously, as they sat on a young person panel as part of the interview process.
Laura and Jo explained their roles which will include working with schools and other education settings to encourage other young people to join the group or, to develop new opportunities for young people with SEND to be heard!
You may be aware of Norfolk’s Flourish pledge:
Flourish Pledge 1
Dawn talked about Flourish.
What is Flourish?
- Flourish means to grow well – be healthy and happy.
- It is an ambition (which means something you want to do or achieve).
- We want Norfolk to be a county where all children and young people can flourish.
Flourish is based on the things that young people have told us are most important to them:
- Family and friends
- Access to learning
- The opportunity to lead a good life.
- Being understood
- Building resilience (resilience means to bounce back and recover and manage things when they are difficult)
- Respect for their individuality
- Feeling safe
- Being healthy
Video link Flourish - Norfolk County Council for more information
The first pledge of Flourish is Family and Friends: -
- children and young people are safe, connected and supported through positive relationships and networks.
Dawn asked how the Youth Forum has helped our members to Flourish?
Members told us:
- Get to be with people who understand me.
- Youth forum helps me feel less alone and less isolated and it gives me a purpose even from my home.
- Meet people like me.
- Gives me sense of achievement and involvement.
- I did not know any one of you before I started.
- Made me more confident.
- I don't feel judged.
Dawn asked what else we could do: -
- To have activity days – have a healthy relationship and interact with other young people e.g. sport activities.
- Try and get more people involved so the group is bigger.
- Help make more friends.
- Have more in-person meetings and events
We are meeting in person on 9th March and will be meeting in a gaming/board Game café in Norwich (venue to be agreed and confirmed once our members have all made their choice from a short list of 3), which was also discussed during the meeting.
The group is committed to making positive change in services for children and young people with SEND, but also enjoy a giggle, and on their suggestion (as time allowed) we had a great game of scavenger hunt, where members had one minute to find something relating to an animal – everyone found something to share on screen!!
We are all keen for new members, please register on-line if you would like to join this brilliant group!!
Bridget Robinson, Engagement and Advice Worker
Just One Number
Norfolk Parent and Carer Panel
Sign up using this link - Start for life parent and carer panel - Norfolk County Council
or email familyhub@norfolk.gov.uk
