Copyright IPSEA 20111

IPSEA - Who we are An Indpendent charity Provide legally based advice & support Parents who have a child with SEN &/ or a disability Navigating the education system Copyright IPSEA 20112

How we do it? Over 160 volunteers throughout England & Wales All different backgrounds Parents who have been through the system People with legal background Professionals with experience of SEN/ disability Copyright IPSEA 20113

What do our volunteers do? Provide support to families through our: Advice Line Tribunal Helpline Tribunal Support service Copyright IPSEA 20114

What do we do with what parents tell us? It is evidence of how the system is working for children, parents, schools & LAs: 1.We lobby government to influence policy 2.Support legal challenges to refine the law Copyright IPSEA

“Essentials” for supporting Pathfinder parents 1.Be clear that joining a Pathfinder pilot is optional 2.Provide written details of the scheme you are piloting 3.Provide a named contact within your Pathfinder team to co-ordinate parents 4.Detail exit criteria from the pilot – notice period etc. Copyright IPSEA 20116

5. Be clear that the existing LA statutory duties under the SEN legal framework still apply To have regard to the SEN C. o P. To identify children with SEN To assess the needs of children with SEN To make and maintain a statement of SEN To arrange the provision in a statement of SEN Copyright IPSEA 20117

How IPSEA will support the Pathfinder projects Provide advice & support to parents considering opting into a Pathfinder pilot Provide advice & support to parents who have opted into a Pathfinder pilot Provide information & support to LAs on fulfilling their existing statutory duties Provide evidence of the experience of parents contacting us from Pathfinder LAs Copyright IPSEA 20118

What IPSEA would like the Pathfinder pilots to achieve Tangible evidence of how proposed changes being piloted will positively benefit children & why Evidence of what does not work & why Assessment of the importance of existing statutory duties It is all about the child! Copyright IPSEA 20119

Jane McConnell Chief Executive Copyright IPSEA