A

Awareverse

Free Resource

Legal Rights
Checklist

England

Your SEND rights in plain English — England

Free to download, print and share 💜
awareverse.co.uk

Practical support for neurodivergent people, families and learnersawareverse.co.uk

Legal Rights Checklist — England

Your key rights under the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice. Use as a reference — tick what you have already done.

This is a plain English summary only. For legal advice, contact your IASS service, a SEND solicitor, or a specialist charity.

🏫 School must

Identify and assess children with SEND as early as possible

Provide SEN Support without an EHCP if a child needs it

Have a qualified SENCO

Involve parents in decisions about their child's support

Make reasonable adjustments for children with disabilities

Not exclude a child for behaviour related to their SEND

Implement provision set out in an EHCP

🏛️ The Local Authority must

Consider any request for an EHCP assessment

Respond to an EHCP request within 6 weeks

Complete the EHCP process within 20 weeks

Send you a draft EHCP and give you 15 days to comment

Name your preferred school in the EHCP unless it would be unsuitable

Review the EHCP annually

Carry out a transition review at Year 9

Legal Rights Checklist — Englandawareverse.co.uk

✊ Your rights as a parent — England

Request an EHCP assessment at any time

Request a personal budget for your child's support

Be involved in all reviews and meetings

Bring a supporter or advocate to any meeting

Appeal to the SEND Tribunal if you disagree with a LA decision

Request mediation before or instead of tribunal

Complain to the Local Government Ombudsman if the LA fails its duties

Make a Subject Access Request for all records about your child

Choose to home educate and deregister from school

📝 My current situation

What support my child currently has What I am trying to get What has been refused or delayed Next step I need to take

Legal Rights Checklist — Englandawareverse.co.uk

⚖️ If things go wrong — England

If the LA or school fails its duties, you have options. Start with a formal complaint, then escalate.

Step 1 — Formal complaint to school or LA

Put your complaint in writing. Keep copies. They must respond within a set timeframe.

Step 2 — Appeal to SEND Tribunal

For decisions about EHCP assessment, the plan content, or school placement. Mediation certificate usually required first.

Step 3 — Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman

If the LA has not followed process correctly. Free to use.

Step 4 — Judicial Review

Serious failures of public law. Requires a solicitor. Last resort only.

Your local IASS (Information, Advice and Support Service) provides free, independent advice for parents in England.

📞 My key contacts

Local IASS

IASS phone / email

LA SEND team

SEND team phone

Legal Rights Checklist — Englandawareverse.co.uk

Need more in-depth support?

This free tool is a starting point. Our guides go much deeper — written in plain English from lived experience.

A free quick tool gives you the basics. A proper guide gives you the knowledge to advocate confidently.

📋

EHCP Support Guide

Understanding the process, your rights, and how to challenge decisions.

⚖️

Going to SEND Tribunal

What to expect, how to prepare, and what your rights are.

🏫

SEN Support Without a Plan

What schools must provide and how to get it.

📣

Advocating Without Burning Out

How to keep fighting for your child without losing yourself.

All Awareverse guides are written from lived experience — plain English, no jargon, no gatekeeping.

Browse all Awareverse guides →

Share this free resource 💜 — awareverse.co.uk/downloads