🐾 PAWSTEPS · SEN SUPPORT

Your Child's SEN Rights

A plain-English guide for parents in England — knowing what your child is entitled to, and how to ask for it.
Written & published by PawSteps · Pets on the Green Ltd

If you're reading this, you may already know how it feels to ask for help for your child and be met with delay, a shrug, or an answer that just doesn't sound right. You are not imagining it — and you are not alone.

The good news is that your child's rights are written into law. Once you know what those rights are, and which law to point to, those difficult conversations become a lot easier to have. That's what this guide is for: clear answers to the questions parents ask most, each one backed by the specific law or statutory guidance behind it.

Work through it in whatever order helps you. Every chapter is short, practical, and written to be read when you're tired and stretched — because we know that's often when you need it.

You know your child best. Stay strong, and keep asking. 🐾 — PawSteps

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The EHCP companion for parents — it walks you through your application in plain English (in 15 languages), so your case is taken seriously.

Free to start. It's an independent tool that helps you make your own application to the council — it doesn't replace the official process. weaveone.co.uk/pathway

Chapters

1SEN provisionDiagnoses, your child's right to support, the assess–plan–do–review cycle, SENCos, adjustments, medical needs, the Equality Act and more (16 questions).› 2EHC needs assessmentsWhat an assessment is, who can request one, the low legal test, the 6-week and 20-week timescales, and what to do if you're refused.› 3EHC PlansThe A–K sections, why Section F is legally binding, how a school is named, and how plans are reviewed.› 5Choosing & naming a schoolYour right to request a school, mainstream and special placements, and why "the school is full" is rarely the whole story.› 4Disagreements & appealsMediation, the SEND Tribunal, complaint routes, deadlines, and how to make a strong case.› 6Everyday support strategiesPractical ideas for home, school, home education, work, wellbeing, therapy and clubs.› 7Spotting the signs & getting supportWhat SEN can look like by age, and a step-by-step route to support — with or without a diagnosis.› 8Funding, grants & local supportDLA, PIP, DSA, Access to Work, grants, personal budgets, and local networks.› 9EOTASEducation Otherwise Than At School — a council-funded package when a school building isn't right.› 10Therapies in an EHCPHow therapies are funded, the support tiers, wording Section F, and animal-assisted therapy.› 11Understanding neurodiversityThe vocabulary, the conditions, PDA, masking, burnout, the 8 senses, and the everyday ND toolkit.› 12Meltdowns & emotional regulationWhat a meltdown is, what helps in the moment and after, triggers, after-school collapse, and looking after yourself.› 13For you: looking after the parent or carerIt's not your fault, it's okay to grieve, protecting yourself from burnout, and real hope for the future.› 14Everyday challenges: school refusal, eating & sleepGentle, practical ways through emotionally-based school avoidance, sensory food refusal, and sleep difficulties.› 15Talking about the diagnosisHow to explain it warmly to your child, their siblings, and extended family.› 16Jargon buster & ready-to-send templatesPlain-English meanings for the acronyms, plus copy-paste emails for school and the council.› 17Exclusions & being sent homeSuspensions, unlawful "informal" exclusions, disability discrimination, and how to challenge it.›

📖 Read the whole guide in one page (print / save PDF)

⚠️ Please note: This guide is general information to help parents understand their child's rights in England and have informed conversations with schools and local authorities. It is not legal advice and does not replace advice from a qualified professional. Laws and guidance are updated from time to time, so always check the current version. © PawSteps · Pets on the Green Ltd.