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Posted on: 02 Apr 2026

Autism Acceptance Week: understanding strengths, challenging assumptions, and supporting autonomy

Autism Acceptance Week 2026 highlights the importance of moving beyond awareness to a more balanced and respectful understanding of autism. Drawing on recent research and legal frameworks, this article explores how recognising individual strengths alongside support needs can improve wellbeing, decision-making and outcomes. It also examines why deficit-based assumptions can lead to poor support in education and legal settings, and why a strengths-based, person-centred approach is essential to promote autonomy, dignity and meaningful inclusion.

Posted on: 16 Mar 2026

SEND reform and unintended consequences: Lessons from the Cobra and Streisand Effects

In this commentary for SEND reform debates, Polly Kerr, Partner and Head of Education and Children’s Rights at Simpson Millar, explores the potential unintended consequences of proposed changes to the SEND system in England. Using the ideas of the Cobra Effect and Streisand Effect, she reflects on how well-intentioned policies can sometimes worsen problems. The article highlights the importance of legal protections, enforceable support, proper resourcing and transparency to ensure reforms genuinely improve outcomes for children with SEND.

Posted on: 05 Feb 2026

EHCP phase transfer deadlines for 2026: what parents and carers need to know

Strict legal deadlines apply when children with an Education, Health and Care Plan move between phases of education. This guide explains the 2026 phase transfer deadlines, what local authorities must do, and why timely decisions are vital for securing the right school and support. It also outlines what parents and carers can do if deadlines are missed, communication breaks down, or decisions do not reflect a child’s needs, including appeals and urgent legal action.

Posted on: 14 May 2025

Client’s Story: Tribunal Orders Local Authority to Assess Young Child’s Special Educational Needs After Unlawful Refusal

After Alex, a young child with complex communication needs, was unlawfully refused an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA), his mother challenged the decision with help from Simpson Millar’s Education Law team.

Posted on: 30 Apr 2024

Our Guide to Understanding School Admission Appeals

It might be really scary if your child or children isn’t admitted to the right school. At the end of the day, every parent will want what’s best for their child, even more so if they have additional needs, meaning there are more requirements as to the best type of school that suits them.

Posted on: 21 Mar 2023

SEND Tribunal Appeal Delays in 2023 and 2024 - Why Parents Should Act Quickly

Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Tribunal appeals happen when you need to challenge a Local Authority’s decision over your child’s Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP). However, we’re currently seeing serious delays in the Tribunal - many hearings are listed for almost a year in the future.

Posted on: 20 Mar 2023

Everything You Need to Know about Education Health and Care Needs Assessments (EHCNAs)

We come across many frequently asked questions and misconceptions surrounding the assessment process for an EHCP, known as an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA). Jessica Wake from our nationally leading Education Law team tells you everything you need to know.

Posted on: 01 Mar 2023

Secondary School Admissions: What to do if You're not Happy With Your Allocated School

The big day for school admissions is here. Today, families around the country will find out if their children have been allocated places at their chosen secondary schools. Learn how our No 1 Education Solicitors Appeal

Posted on: 09 May 2022

Applied Behavior Analysis FAQ

As Education Lawyers, we are often asked questions about the sometimes controversial subject of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).

Posted on: 22 Apr 2022

The SEND Tribunal – What You Need to Know

If you are a parent of a child with special educational needs and/or disabilities, you may well have heard of the Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND) Tribunal. But what is the SEND Tribunal, what are its powers and why would a parent need to go to the SEND Tribunal?

Posted on: 03 Mar 2022

Navigating the Appeals Process for When Your Child Isn’t Allocated a Preferred Grammar School Place

Aside from a limited number of exceptions, Grammar Schools are the only schools in England and Wales that can admit children based on their academic abilities.

Posted on: 08 Dec 2021

What Does an EHCP Entitle You To?

An EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) identifies your child’s Special Educational Needs (SEN) and should entitle them to the right provision they need to support them.

Posted on: 08 Feb 2021

EHCP Section by Section Explained

In order to protect a child’s interests, we successfully held a Local Authority to account with a Tribunal’s ruling, which they had previously failed to comply with. Here we explain each section of the EHCP.

Posted on: 25 Sept 2020

How Long Does an EHCP Take for a Child with SEND?

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, some of the legal requirements regarding EHCPs and the processes around them have been weakened since 1 May 2020.

Posted on: 22 Jul 2020

Year 12 Students Asked to Leave because of Exam Results

The reality of the end of Year 12 for all students normally includes a set of internal exams. This helps the school or college to have a better understand of how well pupils have coped with the transition from GCSE to A Level work, and helps inform the process of providing predicted grades to universities.

Posted on: 09 Jul 2020

Exceptional Case Funding for Special Education Tribunal Appeals

Legal Aid for First Tier Tribunal Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) appeals is only available through the telephone gateway. This is known as ‘legal help’ and only covers the preparation of a SEND appeal up until the final hearing.

Posted on: 16 Jun 2020

Lack of Consistency about Educational Support after Covid-19

As we begin to see some schools opening up for some year groups, our Education Law Solicitors have seen growing concerns from parents who want to make sure that their children are getting the support they need. Especially from parents who have children with SEND or EHCPs in place.

Posted on: 31 Mar 2020

Phase Transfer Deadline Explained

31 March is an important date for your child or young person if they have an EHCP (Education Health and Care Plan) in place and are due to transfer to the Post 16/19 phase of their education.

Posted on: 20 Mar 2020

What is an EHCP?

An Education, Health and Care Plan, known as an EHCP, is a legal document which includes the details of a child’s Special Educational Needs (SEN) and the support that they may need at school.

Posted on: 14 Feb 2020

Phase Transfer Deadline FAQs and Answers

15 February is an important date for you if your child has an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and is due to transfer to either the primary or secondary phase of their education.