ZLearning from appeals for social care practitioners and managers (SEND)

Target Group / Level

This course is targeted to children’s and adults’ services staff in the People Directorate who work with children and young people aged 0-25 years old and their families to address a broad range of special educational needs in partnership with other agencies.

Course Overview/ Aim

The aim of this course is to share learning about best practice and how to take a child/young person centred approach to avoid a SEND (Special Education Needs/Disabilities) appeal or court case by:

• Providing a brief introduction to the SEN legal framework and the statutory duties for the local authority.
• Examining the engagement and participation principles and how to best ensure that children views and wishes are fully embedded in all parts of the process.
• examining key aspects of the appeal protocol, including how to present written and oral evidence, what to expect on the hearing day(s)

The session will involve taking part in practical exercises that are based on cases that have been subject to a tribunal hearing. 

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course participants will have an:

• Improved knowledge and understanding about the SEN legal framework and common areas of legal challenge;
• Improved knowledge and communication skills to counteract legal challenges
• Improved understanding about how to best apply learning from tribunal hearings in their own practice and case context.

Improved confidence to apply child centred engagement and participation approaches