Why parents are taking councils to court over special educational needs

·20 min·2 clips

A mum sold her car to fund a tribunal fight for her son's special educational needs support.

The episode opens with a mother named Anna describing the overwhelming fear of taking her council to tribunal for her son's educational support, having sold her car to fund the fight. Host Lucy Watson introduces guests Neil Barber, an ITV Anglia journalist investigating the issue, and Claire Rooney, who runs a not-for-profit supporting parents of children with special educational needs. Neil explains that parents resort to tribunals because councils deny support outlined in legally binding Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). He notes that tribunals are meant to be impartial reviews, not adversarial court battles. Claire adds that the EHCP process is combative and harrowing, causing many parents to bail out early. Neil recounts meeting Anna the day before her tribunal, describing her anxiety and financial strain, despite parents winning 99% of cases. Claire explains that parents don't feel like winners because they're just fighting for basic rights, not extra benefits. Neil reveals that councils spend millions on tribunals annually, with a Local Government Association spokesperson admitting they pursue cases they know they'll lose to ration resources. Claire criticizes this approach, arguing councils should lobby central government instead. She details her organization's app, ehcp.org.uk, which simplifies EHCP applications and automates complaints when deadlines are missed, including helping parents claim £100 monthly payments for late plans. Neil reports that multiple stakeholders call the system broken, with the government acknowledging problems but planning only incremental reforms like £740 million for specialist places. He emphasizes the need for root-and-branch reform, including better funding and accountability. The episode concludes with a reminder to watch Neil's full investigation on YouTube.

As heard by us

A clear look at how families are pushed into a tribunal fight for basic support.

A child''s special educational needs support may sound like a narrow civic issue, but the episode shows how fast it turns into a legal struggle that can leave families exhausted and, in Anna''s case, even selling a car just to keep going.

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Why you'd press play

If you want the human cost behind special educational needs tribunal fights, start here.

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