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What is an EHCP?

What is an EHCP? SEND Local Offer

An Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP) is a legal document. EHCP’s are made for children and young people (age 0-25) who have Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) that cannot be met by the support that is already available at their early years setting, school or college within SEND Support through the Torbay SEND Support and Provision – Graduated Response. An EHCP will only be issued for a child or young person following them having had an Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment. An EHCP describes an individual child or young person’s Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND). It also sets out the support necessary to meet those identified needs which will help them achieve their desired outcomes.

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What is an Education, Health and Care Plan? (video for Children & Young People)

This video has been created by local Children and Young People.

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Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessments

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Independent information, advice and support (SENDIASS Torbay) SEND Local Offer

We provide impartial information, advice and support to parents/carers & children/young people in relation to special educational needs and/or disability issues for children/young people aged 0-25. 

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What is an EHC needs assessment? SEND Local Offer

An Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment is:

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When may an EHC needs assessment be required? SEND Local Offer

An Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment may be required for children and young people with SEND aged 0 to 25 years who:

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Section 23 - Duty of health bodies to bring certain children to local authority’s attention SEND Local Offer

Health professionals have a duty to tell the local authority if they believe a child under school age has, or is likely to have, special educational needs or a disability (SEND).

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Who can request an EHC needs assessment? SEND Local Offer

If, following a period of time at within SEND Support through the Torbay SEND Support and Provision – Graduated Response, your child or young person is still not making the expected progress the following people can ask for an Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment:

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Preparing to make an EHC needs assessment request SEND Local Offer

If you are considering making the request for an Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment yourself, it is important to provide the Local Authority with as much possible Information, and evidence, for them to be able to properly consider your request.

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Assess, Plan, Do, Review infographic

The process schools are expected to follow before requesting and EHC needs assessment SEND Local Offer

Educational settings (Pre-schools, Schools and Colleges) are expected to have:

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How to make an EHC needs assessment request SEND Local Offer

The following forms are both available to download from Statutory assessments – Torbay Council:

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What happens after an EHC needs assessment request has been made? SEND Local Offer

Week 0 – The process begins when the Local Authority (LA) received a request for assessment of a child /young person or the child /young person is brought to the LAs attention.

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How and when does the Local Authority decide whether or not to carry out an EHC needs assessment? SEND Local Offer

The Local Authority (LA) must make a decision and let you know their decision within 6 weeks of receiving the request for an Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment.

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What if the LA decide NOT to carry out an EHC needs assessment? SEND Local Offer

You will be informed in writing if the Local Authority (LA) decide that it is not necessary to carry out an Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment. You will probably be informed by email and you may also be informed by phone. This will happen within 6 weeks of the LA having received the request for an EHC needs assessment.

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If the LA agree to carry out an EHC needs assessment what happens next? SEND Local Offer

If the Local Authority (LA) decides to carry out an Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment they will allocate a SEND Officer, who will be responsible for collecting all of the relevant information from education, health and care professionals.

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When will the LA decide whether or not to issue an EHCP? SEND Local Offer

The Local Authority (LA) must make a decision and let you know their decision within 16 weeks of receiving the request for an Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment.

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How does the LA keep parents informed about the EHC needs assessment process? SEND Local Offer

Working Together – Torbay SEND – 20 week process

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What if the LA decides NOT to issue an EHCP? SEND Local Offer

You will be informed in writing if the Local Authority (LA) decide that it is not necessary to issue an Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP). You will probably be informed by email and you may also be informed by phone. This will happen within 16 weeks of the LA having received the request for an EHC needs assessment.

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What happens when a draft EHCP is issued? SEND Local Offer

When you receive the draft Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP) you will also have been sent a form (A2) to complete and return. The A2 form asks:

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How to check you are happy with the contents of the draft EHCP SEND Local Offer

If you have received a draft EHCP you need to complete and return the form that you were sent alongside the draft EHCP within 15 calendar days.

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When will I receive the final EHCP? SEND Local Offer

The final EHCP should be issued within 20 weeks of the request for an EHC needs assessment. But, there are some allowances for this to be delayed, especially if you have asked for more time to respond to the draft EHCP and/or the Torbay SEND team are working with you to get the final agreed contents right.

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What can I do if I am not happy with the contents of the final EHCP? SEND Local Offer

If you do not agree with the contents of the final EHCP you can discuss this with a member of the Torbay SEND team on 01803 208274.

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What happens after the final EHCP has been issued? SEND Local Offer

Within 3 months of the final EHCP having been issued, your child or young person's school should establish and record their short-term targets and incorporate them into your child or young person's individual learning plan. This will be explained further and discussed with you at a meeting set up by your child or young person's school. This will then be monitored, evaluated and amended accordingly at least twice a year.

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Annual Review of an EHCP

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What is an Annual Review of an EHCP? SEND Local Offer

An Annual Review is the legally required process for monitoring the effectiveness of an Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP).

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What Happens In My Annual Review (video for Children & Young People)

This video has been created by local Children and Young People.

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Why does there need to be an Annual Review meeting for an EHCP? SEND Local Offer

The purpose of these meetings is to review your child or young person’s EHCP by:

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Who may attend an Annual Review meeting for an EHCP? SEND Local Offer

When arranging an Annual Review of a child or young person's EHCP, your child or young person’s head teacher or principle, or the Local Authority (if a child or young person who is not in a school) must invite:

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What happens before the Annual Review meeting? SEND Local Offer

Before the Annual Review meeting of a child or young person's EHCP, head teacher or principle of your child or young person's school or Local Authority (LA)(if your child or young person is not in a school) must ask for written reports from: 

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Will your child or young person be involved in Annual Review meetings? SEND Local Offer

Pupils should be encouraged to give their views in the Annual Review process of their EHCP.

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What should I include in my report towards the Annual Review of an EHCP? SEND Local Offer

When a parent or carer has chosen to write a report to contribute to the Annual Review of their child or young person's EHCP, it is always a good idea to include your comments on:

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What happens at the Annual Review meeting? SEND Local Offer

The Annual Review meeting of a child or young person's EHCP will normally include the following:

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What happens after the Annual Review meeting? SEND Local Offer

After the Annual review meeting of a child or young person's EHCP, the school or college prepares a report summarising the results of the review meeting and setting out objectives for the following year. This should be completed within 10 working days. The report must be sent to all those involved in the review. The Local Authority (LA) must then:

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What is a phase transfer (video for Children & Young People)

This video has been created by local Children and Young People.

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Choosing and naming a school (or setting) in an EHCP

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Requesting a particular school/setting SEND Local Offer

Upon receipt of a draft EHCP, a parent or young person has a right to request the school they want to be named in the final EHCP.

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What if I do not make a request for a particular school to be named? SEND Local Offer

In the event of a parent or young person not having made a request or representation for a particular school/setting within the specified period of notice the local authority must still always name an educational provision when issuing the final EHCP.9.88 SEND Code of Practice 2015

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Right to a mainstream education SEND Local Offer

The law says a child or young person with an EHCP must be educated in a mainstream school or post-16 institution unless:

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The Local Authority's Duty to consult SEND Local Offer

Whether or not the parent or young person has made a request for a particular school/setting, before a school/setting can be named on an EHCP the Local Authority (LA) must consult the governing body.

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Making representations for an Independent school not s.41 approved SEND Local Offer

Where a parent wants a place at an independent school (e.g. wholly independent nurseries, schools, colleges etc.) to be named on a child or young persons EHCP, they cannot make a request/state a preference. What they can do is make their views and wishes known by ‘making representations’ for that placement, and the LA must consider their wishes. But, there is no corresponding duty on the local authority to name such an institution in the EHCP or for that institution to be under a duty to admit the child or young person.9.84 SEND Code of Practice 2015

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Can a school/setting simply refuse because they think the child/young person's needs are too great or because they are full? SEND Local Offer

Whenever parents, or young people, ask for a particular school to be named in an EHCP the Local Authority (LA) must consult with the school first. If the school responds that it does not feel able to support the child/young person, then the local authority could still name that school. The LA has overriding power to name a school in an EHCP regardless of the school’s representations.

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Legally valid reasons the Local Authority (LA) can reject your request or representation SEND Local Offer

If a child’s parent or a young person makes a request for a particular nursery, school or post-16 institution, of a type described in s.38(3) C&FA 2014 above in "Requesting a particular school/setting", the local authority must comply with that preference and name the school or college in the EHCP unless:

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Is the school/setting requested suitable for the age, ability, aptitude or SEND of the child or young person? SEND Local Offer

This is one of the three legal tests that may apply when naming a school on an EHCP.

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Would the attendance of the child or young person be incompatible with the provision of efficient education for others? SEND Local Offer

This is one of the three legal tests that may apply when naming a school on an EHCP.

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Would the attendance of the child or young person be incompatible with the efficient use of resources? SEND Local Offer

This is one of the three legal tests that may apply when naming a school on an EHCP.

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What if I choose to electively home educate? SEND Local Offer

Parents are allowed to choose to make their own arrangements for their child/young person's education under s.7 Education Act 1996. This includes choosing to electively home educate their child/young person.

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What if it is not appropriate for your child to be educated in a school? SEND Local Offer

The Local Authority (LA) has a power (not an obligation) to arrange for special educational provision for a child or young person with SEND to be made otherwise than at a school or institution only where education in a school or institution would be inappropriate.s.61 CFA 2014

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Rights to independent advice and support, mediation and tribunal SEND Local Offer

If the final EHCP does not name the school/setting of your choice, parents and young people have a right to:

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Personal Budgets & Direct Payments

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What is a Personal Budget? SEND Local Offer

A personal budget is an amount of money identified to deliver provision set out in an Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP) where the parent or young person is involved in securing that provision. This must be agreed by the local authority for education and care support, and by the health authority for the health provision.

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What are Direct Payments? SEND Local Offer

Direct Payments are payments given to individuals to pay for care/support services which they have been assessed as needing; the intention is to give them greater choice and control in their care services. The payments must only be spent on the services identified in their support plan. 

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Health - Personal Health Budgets SEND Local Offer

A personal health budget is an amount of money allocated to support the identified healthcare and wellbeing needs of an child who has been assessed by health and is eligible for Children’s Continuing Care (CCC).  

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Education - Personal Budgets SEND Local Offer

Personal budgets for Education have only been an option since April 2014. A personal budget for Education can only be agreed to meet provision detailed in section F of an EHCP. Elements of the ‘top up’ funding that schools/education settings receive for a child or young person with SEND may be able to be made available as a personal budget to allow parents to secure alternative support services. 

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Social Care - Personal Budgets SEND Local Offer

Social Care in Children’s and Adults’ services offer personal budgets in Torbay for a range of short break services, including leisure activities, sitters, personal assistants, domiciliary care, domestic services, overnight stays and equipment.

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Resolving disagreements about Special Educational Needs or Disability (SEND) provision

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Resolving disagreements with education settings or other services

Sometimes problems can arise from a misunderstanding which can easily be clarified by talking to the right person.

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Before arranging a meeting (disagreements about SEND provision)

Before arranging a meeting directly with the person or organisation it may be useful for you to make some notes about:

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Handling meetings (disagreements about SEND provision)

Many parents find it daunting even going to an informal meeting. Here are some ideas that may help. Remember that at this point the priority is to share your concerns and explore possible ways forward.

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Gathering information (disagreements about SEND provision)

It is important to keep a written record of all contacts with the school, the local authority or health, particularly if you may be moving on to a formal complaint. These might be:

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Making a formal complaint about a school or college

If you can’t reach agreement, you may wish to proceed to make a formal complaint following the individual educational setting complaints policy and procedures. All schools have their own complaints policy and procedures that must be available to parents. It’s often on the school’s website and should tell you the kind of complaints the school deals with.

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Making a formal complaint about the Local Authority about children's services (education and/or social care)

Local authorities have procedures to deal with complaints from children and young people, or from people complaining on their behalf, such as parents and guardians. You may find information on making a complaint about services you have received helpful.

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Making a formal complaint about NHS services

If you want to complain about an NHS service such as a hospital, GP or dentist, ask the service for a copy of their complaint's procedure, which will explain what you need to do. If you speak to them, they may be able to resolve your concerns without you having to go through the complaints process. If your complaint is about a hospital, you might want to start by contacting its Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS). 

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Disagreement resolution (disagreements about SEND provision)

Disagreement resolution is a voluntary process that can only take place if all parties agree. 

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Mediation (disagreements about SEND provision)

Mediation is similar to, but slightly different from, disagreement resolution. It is where an independent mediator, separate from the council, tries to help parties to reach an agreement about a child or a young person who’s being assessed or has an EHC plan. 

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Appeal to the SEND tribunal

You can make appeal to the SEND tribunal about particular decisions we make.

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SEND Mediation and Tribunal Appeals

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Independent information, advice and support (SENDIASS Torbay) SEND Local Offer

We provide impartial information, advice and support to parents/carers & children/young people in relation to special educational needs and/or disability issues for children/young people aged 0-25. 

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What is Mediation? SEND Local Offer

Mediation is a way to try to resolve issues quickly.

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How do I apply and how does mediation work? SEND Local Offer

You first have to contact Global Mediation to request a mediation meeting. They will then contact the local authority and appoint a mediator to your case. A meeting date will be agreed and your appointed mediator will expplain more. This service is free of charge and your conversations with a Global Mediation advisor are confidential.

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A Young Person’s Experience of Mediation - Video SEND Local Offer

In this short video a young person explains their experience of mediation.

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Do I need to request a mediation meeting? SEND Local Offer

No - mediation is a voluntary process.

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Why do I need to consider mediation? SEND Local Offer

The SEND Code of Practice explains that mediation must be considered before you can submit an appeal to the SEND Tribunal.

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Support of the UK Government

What is the SEND Tribunal? SEND Local Offer

SEND Tribunal is the commonly used term for the First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability), which is an independent national tribunal which hears parents’ and young people’s appeals against:

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Considering Mediation before making a SEND Tribunal appeal SEND Local Offer

Mediation is not compulsory. But, before bringing an appeal to the SEND Tribunal, you must have contacted the mediation service and received a certificate to prove that you have considered mediation. The exception is if you are appealing about the school or other educational placement or where no school or other educational placement is named and that is the only fact that you are appealing about.

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What the SEND Tribunal does SEND Local Offer

The SEND Tribunal looks at the evidence put before it and decides whether the Local Authority (LA) decision followed the law and the SEND Code of Practice. It will make a decision based on what is right for the child or young person at the date of the hearing.

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Who can appeal to the SEND Tribunal? SEND Local Offer

To be able to appeal, you must be:

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What can and can't you appeal via the SEND Tribunal? SEND Local Offer

You can bring an appeal to the SEND Tribunal if the Local Authority:

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Extended SEND Tribunal Appeals (including recommendations for health and/or social care) SEND Local Offer

Extended appeals to the First-tier Tribunal (SEND), allow the tribunal to make non-binding recommendations about the health and social care aspects of Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans. This gives you the opportunity to raise all your concerns about an EHC plan, that is issued or amended, in one place.

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How to submit an appeal to the SEND Tribunal SEND Local Offer

If you want to appeal to the SEND Tribunal there are a range of online forms covering different topics.

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SEND Tribunal information videos SEND Local Offer

These videos explain more about the SEND Tribunal including what happens at Tribunal hearings.

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Disability Discrimination

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What is Disability Discrimination? SEND Local Offer

Disability discrimination is where a person (child, young person or adult) who has a disability is treated less favourably than non-disabled people.

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Equality Act 2010 SEND Local Offer

The Equality Act 2010 brought together existing regulations that already gave protection against all kinds of discrimination and extended them. It gives people the right not to be disadvantaged or treated badly as a result of any ‘protected characteristics’.

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How is disability defined by by Equality Act? SEND Local Offer

To be protected under the Equality Act (EqA), the claimant meet the legal definition. Disability is defined as:

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What would have to be proved to make a claim for Disability Discrimination? SEND Local Offer

This is a two part test:

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Types of possible discrimination related to disability that are covered by the Equality Act. SEND Local Offer

The Equality Act only protects people who have a disability against these types of discrimination:

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Types of Disability Discrimination - Direct Discrimination SEND Local Offer

This is when the claimant is treated worse / less favourably than someone else because they have a disability. Therefore, they have to be able to show that there is a direct link between their disability and the way they have been treated.

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Types of Disability Discrimination - Discrimination arising from disability SEND Local Offer

This is where the claimant is treated badly not because of their disability but because of something that happens because of their disability. Unlike direct discrimination, there is no need for the claimant to compare themselves with anyone else. They just have to show that they were treated badly, and this treatment was linked to their disability.

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Types of Disability Discrimination - Indirect discrimination SEND Local Offer

This is where a person or organisation has policies, practices or arrangements that seem to treat everyone the same, in an equal and non-discriminatory way, but, these policies, practices or arrangements put the claimant and others with the same disability at a disadvantage compared with those who do not have that disability.

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Types of Disability Discrimination - Failure to making reasonable adjustments SEND Local Offer

The Equality Act says that employers and service providers including education providers (ie. schools, colleges etc.), should think about making reasonable adjustments (in other words, changes), if it would place a person with a disability at a major disadvantage compared to other people who do not have a disability.

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What are reasonable adjustments? SEND Local Offer

Reasonable adjustments could include:

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Types of Disability Discrimination - Harassment SEND Local Offer

Harassment happens if the unwanted actions of an education provider violate the claimants dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for them. Unwanted actions may include;

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Discrimination within education SEND Local Offer

Part 6 of Equality Act 2010 (EqA) covers all aspects of educational life to do with how an education provider treats current, prospective, and past pupils/students, parents and carers, employees, and members of the community. Everything an education provider does must be fair, non-discriminatory, and not put individuals or groups of people at a disadvantage. An education provider could be a school (chapter 2 of the EqA), Local Authority, college or university (chapter 3 of the EqA). In particular, any education provider must not discriminate, harass or victimise a pupil or potential pupil in relation to: 

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Types of Disability Discrimination - Victimisation SEND Local Offer

This is when the claimant is treated unfairly as a result of:

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Making a Claim SEND Local Offer

The claimant must usually take their complaint to SEND Tribunal within six months of the date when the alleged discrimination took place. The Tribunal will only deal with claims against schools. Remedies include ordering apologies, staff training, alteration to school policies and that reasonable adjustments are made. The tribunal does not have the power to award monetary compensation, make changes to the contents of an EHCP or to dismiss a teacher .

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