Special Educational Needs (SEN) Support
I think my child/ young person may have special educational needs. Who can I speak to about this?
If you feel that your child/young person has special educational needs and may need additional help, firstly please talk to your child/young person’s teacher or to the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) at their setting.
I need some impartial advice and support relating to my Child/ young person’s special educational needs. Who can I contact?
The Birmingham Special Educational Needs & Disability Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) offers impartial information, advice and support to children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities. Please contact them on sendiass@birmingham.gov.uk if you need help understanding the referral process.
Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs)
How do I know if my child/young person qualifies for an EHCP?
If your child/young person attends a setting, you should speak to the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) or Inclusion Lead. If your child/young person does not attend a setting or you would like further information, please see our EHCP guidance.
How do I request an EHCP?
Information on how to request an EHCP is available below:
I do not understand the next steps for my child/young person who is going through the EHCP assessment process.
For further information and a breakdown of what happens at each stage of the process, please visit this link EHCP Guidance Booklet.
I do not understand the next steps for my child/young person who has had a recent annual review
Further information about the review process and timescales you can expect are available below:
My case officer is currently consulting schools for my child/young person. How long does this process take?
Schools have 15 days to respond to a consultation. Please allow this time to pass before contacting your Case Officer to ask for the update.
Following my child/young person’s annual review, I have received a letter stating there are no changes. Why is this?
If the letter states there are no changes, it means the current EHCP is deemed appropriate to meet your child/ young person’s needs based on the most recent assessments and reports. Minor amendments, that do not impact on the support the child will receive, may not be made this time round but will be implemented when the child/ young person transitions to the next key stage.
I requested some information be amended in the draft EHCP, but it has not been changed. Why is this?
Changes to the draft EHCP are made based on evidence provided in reports. If the requested amendments are not reflected in these reports, they may not be included.
School Placements
Do I still need to apply for a school place through the general admissions team if my child/young person has an EHCP?
No, children/young people with EHCPs are placed in schools through the SENAR team, not the general admissions team.
My child/young person has an EHCP, when will I be told their primary/secondary school placement?
Your child/young person’s EHC Plan will be amended to reflect the new setting by the 15th February in the year of transfer.
My child/young person has an EHCP, when will I receive notification of their post 16 placement?
Your child/young person’s EHC Plan will be amended to reflect the new setting by the 31st March in the year of transfer.
Additional Support
I need information on what travel assistance my child/young person is entitled to.
For information on Travel Services and how to apply for support, please visit Children and Young People’s Travel Service – Local Offer Birmingham
What is a personal budget, and how do I apply for one?
A personal budget is an allocation of funding to support a child/young person’s specific needs as outlined in their EHCP. Further details are available from the link below:
Personal Budgets and Direct Payments – Local Offer Birmingham
I am considering Elective Home Education (EHE). What is the process, and how do I apply?
For information, including the EHE policy and referral form, please click the following link:
Contact and Feedback
I want to get in touch with Birmingham Parents Carer Forum. How do I contact them?
You can contact Birmingham Parents Carer Forum at www.birminghampcf.org/contactus.html or by calling 07842706112.
What is the complaints procedure?
You can learn more about the complaints procedure from the link below:
The Complaints Process | The Complaints Process | Birmingham City Council
Safeguarding and Other Concerns
I have a safeguarding concern/complaint about my child/young person’s school, what should I do?
Safeguarding concerns should be reported directly to the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). If you are worried about a child, would like to report concerns about a child, or to make enquiries about specific children and families please contact the Children’s Advice and Support Service (CASS) – Contact us | Birmingham Children’s Trust
I would like to make a complain about my child/young peron's school, what should I do?
Every school has a complaints policy, which can typically be found on the school’s website or obtained by inquiring at the school reception. For more information on resolving concerns with a school, please see our guidance for resolving concerns.
How do SENAR panels work, and how are decisions made?
SENAR panels consist of multi-agency professionals who meet weekly to review submitted evidence and consider recommendations. All decisions are informed by professional reports and made in accordance with statutory guidance.