Independent Parental Special Education Advice (IPSEA)

IPSEA is a registered charity offering free and independent advice to parents of children with special educational needs in England and Wales on:

• local authorities’ legal duties to assess and provide for children with special educational needs;
• exclusions of children with special needs/disabilities
• actions or inaction by local authorities and/or schools which discriminate against children with disabilities

The Information Services is for general legal enquiries and will signpost you to fact sheets and resources on their website.

The Advice Line provides legally based information and next-step advice on any educational issue that is the result of your child’s special educational needs or disability. This could include problems with schools, requesting statutory assessment, statements and Education, Health and Care Plans, annual reviews, and disability discrimination and exclusion.

The Tribunal Helpline gives next step advice on appeals and disability discrimination claims to the SEND Tribunal, as well as being able to talk to you about the Tribunal Support Service and, the possibility of making a referral for support from a volunteer.