Frustratingly, so many of us SEND/ALN parents find that we have to fight to get the information we need to meet our child’s needs. Sadly, too many of us find ourselves in situations where information is being either withheld or just not being offered to us – but the law is in place to offer protection.
In January, we have a webinar called ‘The Ultimate Guide to Rights of Access to Information in SEND’ and it’s all about how you can get hold of information that you need.
It’s being hosted for us by Matthew Wyard from 3PB Barristers, a highly regarded public law barrister who will be breaking the law down into a way we can all understand and giving us actionable steps we can take forward.
Tickets are available now and if you join us live on the night, there is an opportunity to ask any questions you might have. Visit here to get your tickets today: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1036631772537
In the run-up to the webinar, here’s five key pieces of information that you might not know you can request:
Your child’s educational records
You have the right to see your child’s school records. Schools are legally required to provide these upon request. This can include:
- Progress reports
- Individual Education Plans (IEPs)
- Teacher assessments
- Notes from meetings or discussions about your child
Information held by the Local Authority
Local authorities (LAs) often hold crucial information about children with SEND, particularly if your child has an EHCP or IDP. Using a data subject access request (DSAR), you can:
- Obtain details about how decisions regarding your child’s EHCP were made
- Access internal reports or correspondence about your child
- Review any assessments or recommendations by professionals
Understanding what’s on record can help you hold your local authority accountable.
School policies and SEND/ALN provisions
Policies should be hosted on the school’s website in order to be accessible to all but if the information you need is not there then you can make a request to see it. This can include:
- The school’s SEND/ALN policy
- Details about how they allocate resources for children with additional needs
- Information about staff training on SEND/ALN support
Details of complaints or investigations
If you’ve raised concerns about your child’s education or support, you’re entitled to request records of how these were handled. This might include:
- Logs of complaints made
- Notes from investigation meetings
- Outcomes or resolutions proposed
Health records related to your child’s SEND/ALN
If health professionals, such as occupational therapists or speech and language therapists, are involved in supporting your child, you can request access to their records. These might include:
- Assessment results
- Therapy plans
- Progress updates
Data Subject Access Requests
A Data Subject Access Request, also known as DSAR, is one of the most powerful tools you have as a parent. It allows you to request access to any personal data held about your child by schools, local authorities, or other organisations. This can highlight gaps in support, clarify decision-making processes and strengthen your case when advocating for better resources or provisions.
The upcoming webinar on 14 January will guide you step-by-step through how to make an effective DSAR, what to expect in response, and how to use the information you receive.
