Independent Review Panels, and the role of the SEN Expert

The new Exclusions Framework, introduced in September 2012, provides parents with the right to appeal to an Independent Review Panel in some circumstances, where a child has been excluded from school. 

 

Parents can request the appointment of an SEN expert to provide impartial advice on the nature of the SEN in relation to the exclusion.   The SEN expert must be independent, with no connection to the local authority, school or family in question.

Exclusion should be the last resort, when all other options have been exhausted.  Often a fresh perspective from an independent viewpoint can identify a positive way forward.  It is hoped that the new process will help schools to understand their responsibilities and enable them to develop alternative responses to behaviour management. 

SEN experts will need to have a good knowledge of the Equality Act (2010) as well as expertise across a range of disabilities and SEN.  Barbara Ball took on this role recently at a secondary school in London.   She says, “This was a huge responsibility within a fairly formal meeting involving members of the school leadership team and a head from another school.  As an SEN expert I had a lot to add to the discussion and advice to give on measures that could be taken to enable the child to return to school.  There are elements of mediation involved and I think it is a highly skilled role.”

More information about Independent Review Panels can be found here - Independent Review Panels

If your school is planning an Independent Review Panel and would value an experienced SEN Expert, then contact office@asend.co.uk