Rights & law
A parent support map to official sources. Bookmark this page. It is not a solicitor, and it is not legal advice.
Laws and guidance change. Always check the linked page for what is current. Most of these links are for England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have different systems.
Children and Families Act 2014
Use this when… you need the law behind special educational needs, EHC needs assessments, and education, health and care (EHC) plans in England.
- Part 3 — children and young people with SEND
legislation.gov.uk
The SEND and EHC rules for England sit in this part of the Act.
- Section 36 — asking for an EHC needs assessment
legislation.gov.uk
A parent, young person, or school can ask the local authority to assess.
- Extra help, including EHC plans
GOV.UK
Plain-English steps for asking your council for an assessment.
- Asking for an EHC needs assessment
IPSEA
A trusted parent guide that points back to the legal test.
SEND Code of Practice 2015
Use this when… you want the official guidance schools, councils and the Tribunal must have regard to — and a parent-facing overview of the SEND system.
- SEND code of practice: 0 to 25 years
GOV.UK
Statutory guidance. Last updated on GOV.UK in September 2024; the Code itself is the January 2015 version.
- Children with SEND — GOV.UK guide
GOV.UK
The current parent hub: SEN support, extra help, and who to talk to.
- SEND: guide for parents and carers
GOV.UK
A Department for Education booklet to read alongside the Code.
- What the Code means in practice
IPSEA
Short parent explainer: “must” is a legal duty; “should” is guidance.
Equality Act 2010
Use this when… your child is disabled, and you need the law on discrimination, reasonable adjustments, or education rights — this sits alongside SEND duties, not instead of them.
- Section 20 — duty to make reasonable adjustments
legislation.gov.uk
The core duty to take reasonable steps so a disabled person is not substantially disadvantaged.
- Section 85 — pupils in schools
legislation.gov.uk
How the Act applies to admission, education, and exclusion in schools.
- Disability and education rights
GOV.UK
Parent-facing overview of education rights under the Equality Act.
- Equality Act 2010: advice for schools
GOV.UK
Department for Education advice on how the Act applies in schools.
School duties
Use this when… you want what schools should be doing on SEN support, the SENCO, or the SEN information report — before or after an EHC plan.
- SEN support in school or nursery
GOV.UK
What extra help in school can look like, and who to speak to first.
- SEND: guide for schools and alternative provision
GOV.UK
Official DfE guide to school SEND duties under the Code of Practice.
- SEN and disability duties for school governing boards
GOV.UK
Current DfE guidance (2025) on what governors and trustees should oversee.
- Section 66 — using best endeavours to secure SEN provision
legislation.gov.uk
The school’s duty to use its best endeavours to meet special educational needs.
Complaints, disagreement resolution, and the SEND Tribunal
Use this when… talking has not worked, you disagree with an EHC decision, or you think a school has discriminated because of disability.
- Complain about a school’s SEN support
GOV.UK
Start with the SENCO, then the school’s complaints process. Councils may also offer disagreement resolution.
- Complain about disability discrimination at school
GOV.UK
How a disability discrimination claim to the SEND Tribunal works.
- Appeal an EHC plan decision
GOV.UK
When you can appeal a local authority decision about an EHC assessment or plan.
- Mediation before you appeal
GOV.UK
In most cases you must consider mediation and get a certificate first.
- First-tier Tribunal (SEND)
GOV.UK
The official Tribunal page: EHC appeals and disability discrimination claims.
- What is the SEND Tribunal?
IPSEA
A calm parent explainer of what the Tribunal can and cannot do.
Attendance and mental health
Use this when… your child is struggling to attend because of SEND, anxiety, or other health needs — and you need the official attendance and education-at-home guidance.
- Working together to improve school attendance
GOV.UK
Statutory attendance guidance. It includes extra support and reasonable adjustments for pupils with SEND.
- Mental health issues affecting a pupil’s attendance
GOV.UK
DfE guidance where social, emotional or mental health needs affect going into school.
- Education for children with health needs who cannot attend school
GOV.UK
Statutory guidance on the council’s duty when a child is too ill to attend.
A quiet reminder
This page is parent support, not legal advice. If you are unsure about your situation, speak to an adviser — for example your local SENDIASS, IPSEA, or a solicitor.
School WhatsApp groups on SEND Unity Circle are peer support. Other parents can walk with you. They are not a substitute for checking the official page, or getting advice on your own facts.