41 Independent special schools and special post-16 institutions: approval
(1) The Secretary of State may approve an institution within subsection (2) for the purpose of enabling the institution to be the subject of a request for it to be named in an EHC plan.
(2) An institution is within this subsection if it is—
(a) an independent educational institution (within the meaning of Chapter 1 of Part 4 of ESA 2008)—
(i) which has been entered on the register of independent educational institutions in England (kept under section 95 of that Act), and
(ii) which is specially organised to make special educational provision for students with special educational needs,
(b) an independent school—
(i) which has been entered on the register of independent schools in Wales (kept under section 158 of the Education Act 2002), and
(ii) which is specially organised to make special educational provision for pupils with special educational needs, or
(c) a special post-16 institution which is not an institution within the further education sector or a 16 to 19 Academy.
(3) The Secretary of State may approve an institution under subsection (1) only if its proprietor consents.
(4) The Secretary of State may withdraw approval given under subsection (1).
(5) Regulations may make provision about giving and withdrawing approval under this section, in particular—
(a) about the types of special post-16 institutions which may be approved under subsection (1);
(b) specifying criteria which an institution must meet before it can be approved under subsection (1);
(c) about the matters which may or must be taken into account in deciding to give or withdraw approval;
(d) about the publication of a list of all institutions who are approved under this section.
42 Duty to secure special educational provision and health care provision in accordance with EHC Plan
(1) This section applies where a local authority maintains an EHC plan for a child or young person.
(2) The local authority must secure the specified special educational provision for the child or young person.
(3) If the plan specifies health care provision, the responsible commissioning body must arrange the specified health care provision for the child or young person.
(4) “The responsible commissioning body”, in relation to any specified health care provision, means the body (or each body) that is under a duty to arrange health care provision of that kind in respect of the child or young person.
(5) Subsections (2) and (3) do not apply if the child's parent or the young person has made suitable alternative arrangements.
(6) “Specified”, in relation to an EHC plan, means specified in the plan.
43 Schools and other institutions named in EHC plan: duty to admit
(1) Subsection (2) applies if one of the following is named in an EHC plan—
(a) a maintained school in England;
(b) a maintained nursery school in England;
(c) an Academy;
(d) an institution within the further education sector in England;
(e) a non-maintained special school in England;
(f) an institution approved by the Secretary of State under section 41.
(2) The governing body, proprietor or principal of the school or other institution must admit the child or young person for whom the plan is maintained.
(3) Subsection (2) has effect regardless of any duty imposed on the governing body of a school by section 1(6) of SSFA 1998.
(4) Subsection (2) does not affect any power to exclude a pupil or student from a school or other institution.
(1) A local authority must review an EHC plan that it maintains—
(a) in the period of 12 months starting with the date on which the plan was first made, and
(b) in each subsequent period of 12 months starting with the date on which the plan was last reviewed under this section.
(2) A local authority must secure a re-assessment of the educational, health care and social care needs of a child or young person for whom it maintains an EHC plan if a request is made to it by—
(a) the child's parent or the young person, or
(b) the governing body, proprietor or principal of the school, post-16 institution or other institution which the child or young person attends.
(3) A local authority may also secure a re-assessment of those needs at any other time if it thinks it necessary.
(4) Subsections (1) and (2) are subject to any contrary provision in regulations made under subsection (7)(b).
(5) In reviewing an EHC plan maintained for a young person aged over 18, or deciding whether to secure a re-assessment of the needs of such a young person, a local authority must have regard to whether the educational or training outcomes specified in the plan have been achieved.
(6) During a review or re-assessment, a local authority must consult the parent of the child, or the young person, for whom it maintains the EHC plan.
(7) Regulations may make provision about reviews and re-assessments, in particular—
(a) about other circumstances in which a local authority must or may review an EHC plan or secure a re-assessment (including before the end of a specified phase of a child's or young person's education);
(b) about circumstances in which it is not necessary for a local authority to review an EHC plan or secure a re-assessment;
(c) about amending or replacing an EHC plan following a review or re-assessment.
(8) Regulations under subsection (7) about re-assessments may in particular apply provisions of or made under this Part that are applicable to EHC needs assessments, with or without modifications.
(9) Regulations under subsection (7)(c) must include provision applying section 33 (mainstream education for children and young people with EHC plans) to a case where an EHC plan is to be amended following a review.
(1) A local authority may cease to maintain an EHC plan for a child or young person only if—
(a) the authority is no longer responsible for the child or young person, or
(b) the authority determines that it is no longer necessary for the plan to be maintained.
(2) The circumstances in which it is no longer necessary for an EHC plan to be maintained for a child or young person include where the child or young person no longer requires the special educational provision specified in the plan.
(3) When determining whether a young person aged over 18 no longer requires the special educational provision specified in his or her EHC plan, a local authority must have regard to whether the educational or training outcomes specified in the plan have been achieved.
(4) A local authority may not cease to maintain an EHC plan for a child or young person until—
(a) after the end of the period allowed for bringing an appeal under section 51 against its decision to cease to maintain the plan, where no such appeal is brought before the end of that period;
(b) after the appeal has been finally determined, where such an appeal is brought before the end of that period.
(5) Regulations may make provision about ceasing to maintain an EHC plan, in particular about—
(a) other circumstances in which it is no longer necessary for an EHC plan to be maintained;
(b) circumstances in which a local authority may not determine that it is no longer necessary for an EHC plan to be maintained;
(c) the procedure to be followed by a local authority when determining whether to cease to maintain an EHC plan.
46 Maintaining an EHC plan after young person's 25th birthday
(1) A local authority may continue to maintain an EHC plan for a young person until the end of the academic year during which the young person attains the age of 25.
(2) “Academic year” means the period of twelve months ending on the prescribed date.
(1) Regulations may make provision for an EHC plan maintained for a child or young person by one local authority to be transferred to another local authority in England, where the other authority becomes responsible for the child or young person.
(2) The regulations may in particular—
(a) impose a duty on the other authority to maintain the plan;
(b) treat the plan as if originally prepared by the other authority;
(c) treat things done by the transferring authority in relation to the plan as done by the other authority.
48 Release of child or young person for whom EHC plan previously maintained
(1) This section applies where—
(a) a child or young person who has been subject to a detention order (within the meaning of section 562(1A)(a) of EA 1996) is released,
(b) on the release date, a local authority in England becomes responsible for him or her, and
(c) an EHC plan was—
(i) maintained for him or her immediately before the start of the detention, or
(ii) kept for him or her under section 74 during the detention.
(2) The local authority must—
(a) maintain the plan, and
(b) review the plan as soon as reasonably practicable after the release date.
(3) Subsection (2)(b) is subject to any contrary provision in regulations under section 44(7)(b).
(1) A local authority that maintains an EHC plan, or is securing the preparation of an EHC plan, for a child or young person must prepare a personal budget for him or her if asked to do so by the child's parent or the young person.
(2) The authority prepares a “personal budget” for the child or young person if it identifies an amount as available to secure particular provision that is specified, or proposed to be specified, in the EHC plan, with a view to the child's parent or the young person being involved in securing the provision.
(3) Regulations may make provision about personal budgets, in particular—
(a) about requests for personal budgets;
(b) about the amount of a personal budget;
(c) about the sources of the funds making up a personal budget;
(d) for payments (“direct payments”) representing all or part of a personal budget to be made to a child's parent or a young person, or a person of a prescribed description in prescribed circumstances, in order to secure provision to which the budget relates;
(e) about the description of provision to which personal budgets and direct payments may (and may not) relate;
(f) for a personal budget or direct payment to cover the agreed cost of the provision to which the budget or payment relates;
(g) about when, how, to whom and on what conditions direct payments may (and may not) be made;
(h) about when direct payments may be required to be repaid and the recovery of unpaid sums;
(i) about conditions with which a person or body making direct payments must comply before, after or at the time of making a direct payment;
(j) about arrangements for providing information, advice or support in connection with personal budgets and direct payments.
(4) If the regulations include provision authorising direct payments, they must—
(a) require the consent of a child's parent or a young person, or a person of a prescribed description in prescribed circumstances, to be obtained before direct payments are made;
(b) require the authority to stop making direct payments where the required consent is withdrawn.
(5) Special educational provision acquired by means of a direct payment made by a local authority is to be treated as having been secured by the authority in pursuance of its duty under section 42(2), subject to any prescribed conditions or exceptions.
(6) Subsection (7) applies if—
(a) an EHC plan is maintained for a child or young person, and
(b) health care provision specified in the plan is acquired for him or her by means of a payment made by a commissioning body under section 12A(1) of the National Health Service Act 2006 (direct payments for health care).
(7) The health care provision is to be treated as having been arranged by the commissioning body in pursuance of its duty under section 42(3) of this Act, subject to any prescribed conditions or exceptions.
(8) “Commissioning body”, in relation to any specified health care provision, means a body that is under a duty to arrange health care provision of that kind in respect of the child or young person.
50 Continuation of services under section 17 of the Children Act 1989
After section 17 of the Children Act 1989 (provision of services for children etc) insert—
Section 17 services: continued provision where EHC plan maintained
17ZG (1) This section applies where, immediately before a child in need reaches the age of 18—
(a) a local authority in England is providing services for the child in the exercise of functions conferred by section 17, and
(b) an EHC plan is maintained for the child.
(2) The local authority may continue to provide services for the child in the exercise of those functions after the child reaches the age of 18, but may not continue to do so after the EHC plan has ceased to be maintained.
(3) In this section “EHC plan” means a plan within section 37(2) of the Children and Families Act 2014.
(1) A child's parent or a young person may appeal to the First-tier Tribunal against the matters set out in subsection (2), subject to section 55 (mediation).
(2) The matters are—
(a) a decision of a local authority not to secure an EHC needs assessment for the child or young person;
(b) a decision of a local authority, following an EHC needs assessment, that it is not necessary for special educational provision to be made for the child or young person in accordance with an EHC plan;
(c) where an EHC plan is maintained for the child or young person—
(i) the child's or young person's special educational needs as specified in the plan;
(ii) the special educational provision specified in the plan;
(iii) the school or other institution named in the plan, or the type of school or other institution specified in the plan;
(iv) if no school or other institution is named in the plan, that fact;
(d) a decision of a local authority not to secure a re-assessment of the needs of the child or young person under section 44 following a request to do so;
(e) a decision of a local authority not to secure the amendment or replacement of an EHC plan it maintains for the child or young person following a review or re-assessment under section 44;
(f) a decision of a local authority under section 45 to cease to maintain an EHC plan for the child or young person.
(3) A child's parent or a young person may appeal to the First-tier Tribunal under subsection (2)(c)—
(a) when an EHC plan is first finalised for the child or young person, and
(b) following an amendment or replacement of the plan.
(4) Regulations may make provision about appeals to the First-tier Tribunal in respect of EHC needs assessments and EHC plans, in particular about—
(a) other matters relating to EHC plans against which appeals may be brought;
(b) making and determining appeals;
(c) the powers of the First-tier Tribunal on determining an appeal;
(d) unopposed appeals.
(5) Regulations under subsection (4)(c) may include provision conferring power on the First-tier Tribunal, on determining an appeal against a matter, to make recommendations in respect of other matters (including matters against which no appeal may be brought).
(6) A person commits an offence if without reasonable excuse that person fails to comply with any requirement—
(a) in respect of the discovery or inspection of documents, or
(b) to attend to give evidence and produce documents,
where that requirement is imposed by Tribunal Procedure Rules in relation to an appeal under this section or regulations under subsection (4)(a).
(7) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (6) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.
(1) This section applies where—
(a) a decision against which an appeal may be brought under section 51 is made in respect of a child or young person, or
(b) an EHC plan for a child or young person is made, amended or replaced.
(2) Before the end of the prescribed period after the decision is made, or the plan is made, amended or replaced, the local authority must notify the child's parent or the young person of—
(a) the right to mediation under section 53 or 54, and
(b) the requirement to obtain a certificate under section 55 before making certain appeals.
(3) If the parent or young person wishes to pursue mediation under section 53 or 54, he or she must inform the local authority of—
(a) that fact, and
(b) the issues in respect of which he or she wishes to pursue mediation (“the mediation issues”).
(4) If the mediation issues are, or include, the fact that no health care provision, or no health care provision of a particular kind, is specified in the plan, the parent or young person must also inform the local authority of the health care provision which he or she wishes to be specified in the plan.
(1) This section applies where—
(a) the parent or young person informs the local authority under section 52 that he or she wishes to pursue mediation, and
(b) the mediation issues include health care provision specified in the plan or the fact that no health care provision, or no health care provision of a particular kind, is specified in the plan.
(2) The local authority must notify each relevant commissioning body of—
(a) the mediation issues, and
(b) anything of which it has been informed by the parent or young person under section 52(4).
(3) If the mediation issues are limited to the health care provision specified in the plan or the fact that no health care provision, or no health care provision of a particular kind, is specified in the plan, the responsible commissioning body (or, where there is more than one, the responsible commissioning bodies acting jointly) must—
(a) arrange for mediation between it (or them) and the parent or young person,
(b) ensure that the mediation is conducted by an independent person, and
(c) participate in the mediation.
(4) If the mediation issues include anything else—
(a) the local authority must—
(i) arrange for mediation between it, each responsible commissioning body and the parent or young person,
(ii) ensure that the mediation is conducted by an independent person, and
(iii) participate in the mediation, and
(b) each responsible commissioning body must also participate in the mediation.
(5) For the purposes of this section, a person is not independent if he or she is employed by any of the following—
(a) a local authority in England;
(b) an integrated care board;
(c) NHS England.
(6) In this section “responsible commissioning body”—
(a) if the mediation issues in question are or include the health care provision specified in an EHC plan, means a body that is under a duty to arrange health care provision of that kind in respect of the child or young person;
(b) if the mediation issues in question are or include the fact that no health care provision, or no health care provision of a particular kind, is specified in an EHC plan, means a body that would be under a duty to arrange health care provision of the kind in question if it were specified in the plan.
54 Mediation: educational and social care issues etc
(1) This section applies where—
(a) the parent or young person informs the local authority under section 52 that he or she wishes to pursue mediation, and
(b) the mediation issues do not include health care provision specified in the plan or the fact that no health care provision, or no health care provision of a particular kind, is specified in the plan.
(2) The local authority must—
(a) arrange for mediation between it and the parent or young person,
(b) ensure that the mediation is conducted by an independent person, and
(c) participate in the mediation.
(3) For the purposes of this section, a person is not independent if he or she is employed by a local authority in England.
(1) This section applies where a child's parent or young person intends to appeal to the First-tier Tribunal under section 51 or regulations made under that section in respect of—
(a) a decision of a local authority, or
(b) the content of an EHC plan maintained by a local authority.
(2) But this section does not apply in respect of an appeal concerning only—
(a) the school or other institution named in an EHC plan;
(b) the type of school or other institution specified in an EHC plan;
(c) the fact that an EHC plan does not name a school or other institution.
(3) The parent or young person may make the appeal only if a mediation adviser has issued a certificate to him or her under subsection (4) or (5).
(4) A mediation adviser must issue a certificate under this subsection to the parent or young person if—
(a) the adviser has provided him or her with information and advice about pursuing mediation under section 53 or 54, and
(b) the parent or young person has informed the adviser that he or she does not wish to pursue mediation.
(5) A mediation adviser must issue a certificate under this subsection to the parent or young person if the adviser has provided him or her with information and advice about pursuing mediation under section 53 or 54, and the parent or young person has—
(a) informed the adviser that he or she wishes to pursue mediation under the appropriate section, and
(b) participated in such mediation.
(1) Regulations may make provision for the purposes of sections 52 to 55, in particular—
(a) about giving notice;
(b) imposing time limits;
(c) enabling a local authority or commissioning body to take prescribed steps following the conclusion of mediation;
(d) about who may attend mediation;
(e) where a child's parent is a party to mediation, requiring the mediator to take reasonable steps to ascertain the views of the child;
(f) about the provision of advocacy and other support services for the parent or young person;
(g) requiring a local authority or commissioning body to pay reasonable travel expenses and other expenses of a prescribed description, up to any prescribed limit;
(h) about exceptions to the requirement in section 55(3);
(i) about the training, qualifications and experience of mediators and mediation advisers;
(j) conferring powers or imposing requirements on local authorities, commissioning bodies, mediators and mediation advisers.
(2) In section 55 and this section “mediation adviser” means an independent person who can provide information and advice about pursuing mediation.
(3) For the purposes of subsection (2), a person is not independent if he or she is employed by any of the following—
(a) a local authority in England;
(b) an integrated care board;
(c) NHS England.
(4) In this section “commissioning body” means a body that is under a duty to arrange health care provision of any kind.
(1) A local authority in England must make arrangements with a view to avoiding or resolving disagreements within subsection (2) or (3).
(2) The disagreements within this subsection are those about the exercise by the local authority or relevant bodies of their functions under this Part, where the disagreement is between—
(a) the local authority or a relevant body, and
(b) the parents of children, and young people, in the authority's area.
(3) The disagreements within this subsection are those about the exercise by the local authority of its functions relating to EHC needs assessments, the preparation and review of EHC plans, and re-assessment of educational, health care and social care needs, where the disagreement is between—
(a) the local authority and a responsible commissioning body, or
(b) a responsible commissioning body and the parents of children, or young people, in the authority's area.
(4) A local authority in England must make arrangements with a view to avoiding or resolving, in each relevant school or post-16 institution, disagreements within subsection (5).
(5) The disagreements within this subsection are those about the special educational provision made for a child or young person with special educational needs who is a registered pupil or a student at the relevant school or post-16 institution concerned, where the disagreement is between—
(a) the child's parent, or the young person, and
(b) the appropriate authority for the school or post-16 institution.
(6) Arrangements within this section must provide for the appointment of independent persons with the function of facilitating the avoidance or resolution of the disagreements to which the arrangements apply.
(7) For the purposes of subsection (6) a person is not independent if he or she is employed by any of the following—
(a) a local authority in England;
(b) an integrated care board;
(c) NHS England.
(8) A local authority in England must take such steps as it thinks appropriate for making the arrangements under this section known to—
(a) the parents of children in its area with special educational needs,
(b) young people in its area with special educational needs, and
(c) the head teachers, governing bodies, proprietors and principals of schools and post-16 institutions in its area.
(9) A local authority in England may take such steps as it thinks appropriate for making the arrangements under this section known to such other persons as it thinks appropriate.
(10) In this section—
“relevant body” means—
the governing body of a maintained school, maintained nursery school or institution within the further education sector;
the proprietor of an Academy;
“relevant school or post-16 institution” means—
a maintained school;
a maintained nursery school;
a post-16 institution;
an Academy;
an independent school;
a non-maintained special school;
a pupil referral unit;
a place at which relevant early years education is provided;
“responsible commissioning body”, in relation to any particular health care provision, means a body that is under a duty to arrange health care provision of that kind in respect of the child or young person concerned.
(11) For the purposes of this section, the “appropriate authority” for a relevant school or post-16 institution is—
(a) in the case of a maintained school, maintained nursery school or non-maintained special school, the governing body;
(b) in the case of a post-16 institution, the governing body, proprietor or principal;
(c) in the case of an Academy or independent school, the proprietor;
(d) in the case of a pupil referral unit, the management committee;
(e) in the case of a place at which relevant early years education is provided, the provider of the relevant early years education.
(1) The Secretary of State may by order make pilot schemes enabling children in England to—
(a) appeal to the First-tier Tribunal under section 51;
(b) make a claim to the First-tier Tribunal under Schedule 17 to the Equality Act 2010 (disabled pupils: enforcement) that a responsible body in England has contravened Chapter 1 of Part 6 of that Act because of the child's disability.
(2) An order under subsection (1) may, in particular, make provision—
(a) about the age from which children may appeal or make a claim;
(b) in respect of appeals under section 51, about mediation and the application of section 55;
(c) about the bringing of appeals or making of claims by a child and by his or her parent concurrently;
(d) about determining whether a child is capable of bringing an appeal or making a claim, and the assistance and support a child may require to be able to do so;
(e) enabling a person to exercise a child's rights under an order under subsection (1) on behalf of the child;
(f) enabling children to have access to advice and information which is available to a parent or young person in respect of an appeal or claim of a kind mentioned in subsection (1);
(g) about the provision of advocacy and other support services to children;
(h) requiring notices to be given to a child (as well as to his or her parent);
(i) requiring documents to be served on a child (as well as on his or her parent).
(3) An order under subsection (1) may apply a statutory provision, with or without modifications.
(4) In subsection (3), “ statutory provision ” means a provision made by or under this or any other Act, whenever passed or made.
(5) This section is repealed at the end of five years beginning with the day on which this Act is passed.
59 Appeals and claims by children: follow-up provision
(1) The Secretary of State may by order provide that children in England may—
(a) appeal to the First-tier Tribunal under section 51;
(b) make a claim to the First-tier Tribunal under Schedule 17 to the Equality Act 2010 (disabled pupils: enforcement) that a responsible body in England has contravened Chapter 1 of Part 6 of that Act because of the child's disability.
(2) The Secretary of State may not make an order under subsection (1) until the end of two years beginning with the day on which the first order is made under section 58(1).
(3) An order under subsection (1) may, in particular, make provision—
(a) about the age from which children may appeal or make a claim;
(b) in respect of appeals under section 51, about mediation and the application of section 55;
(c) about the bringing of appeals or making of claims by a child and by his or her parent concurrently;
(d) about determining whether a child is capable of bringing an appeal or making a claim, and the assistance and support a child may require to be able to do so;
(e) enabling a person to exercise a child's rights under an order under subsection (1) on behalf of the child;
(f) enabling children to have access to advice and information which is available to a parent or young person in respect of an appeal or claim of a kind mentioned in subsection (1);
(g) about the provision of advocacy and other support services to children;
(h) requiring notices to be given to a child (as well as to his or her parent);
(i) requiring documents to be served on a child (as well as on his or her parent).
(4) An order under subsection (1) may—
(a) amend, repeal or revoke a statutory provision, or
(b) apply a statutory provision, with or without modifications.
(5) In subsection (4), “statutory provision” means a provision made by or under this or any other Act, whenever passed or made.
60 Equality Act 2010: claims against schools by disabled young people
In Part 2 of Schedule 17 to the Equality Act 2010 (disabled pupils: enforcement in tribunals in England and Wales), in paragraph 3 (who may make a claim that a school has contravened Chapter 1 of Part 6 of that Act because of a person's disability) for “to the Tribunal by the person's parent” substitute
—
(a) to the English Tribunal by the person's parent or, if the person is over compulsory school age, the person;
(b) to the Welsh Tribunal by the person's parent.
61 Special educational provision otherwise than in schools, post-16 institutions etc
(1) A local authority in England may arrange for any special educational provision that it has decided is necessary for a child or young person for whom it is responsible to be made otherwise than in a school or post-16 institution or a place at which relevant early years education is provided.
(2) An authority may do so only if satisfied that it would be inappropriate for the provision to be made in a school or post-16 institution or at such a place.
(3) Before doing so, the authority must consult the child's parent or the young person.
62 Special educational provision outside England and Wales
(1) This section applies where a local authority in England makes arrangements for a child or young person for whom it maintains an EHC plan to attend an institution outside England and Wales which specialises in providing for children or young people with special educational needs.
(2) The arrangements may (in particular) include contributing to or paying—
(a) fees charged by the institution;
(b) the child's or young person's travelling expenses;
(c) expenses reasonably incurred in maintaining the child or young person while at the institution or travelling to or from it;
(d) expenses reasonably incurred by someone accompanying the child or young person while travelling to or from the institution or staying there.
63 Fees for special educational provision at non-maintained schools and post-16 institutions
(1) Subsection (2) applies where—
(a) a local authority maintains an EHC plan for a child or young person,
(b) special educational provision in respect of the child or young person is made at a school, post-16 institution or place at which relevant early years education is provided, and
(c) that school, institution or place is named in the EHC plan.
(2) The local authority must pay any fees payable in respect of education or training provided for the child or young person at that school, institution or place in accordance with the EHC plan.
(3) Subsection (4) applies where—
(a) a local authority is responsible for a child or young person for whom no EHC plan is maintained,
(b) special educational provision in respect of the child or young person is made at a school, post-16 institution or place at which relevant early years education is provided, and
(c) the local authority is satisfied that—
(i) the interests of the child or young person require special educational provision to be made, and
(ii) it is appropriate for education or training to be provided to the child or young person at the school, institution or place in question.
(4) The local authority must pay any fees payable in respect of the special educational provision made at the school, institution or place in question which is required to meet the special educational needs of the child or young person.
(5) Where board and lodging are provided for the child or young person at the school, post-16 institution or place mentioned in subsection (2) or (4), the authority must also pay any fees in respect of the board and lodging, if satisfied that special educational provision cannot be provided at the school, post-16 institution or place unless the board and lodging are also provided.
(1) A local authority in England may supply goods and services to—
(a) the governing body of a maintained school or maintained nursery school in England;
(b) the proprietor of an Academy;
(c) the governing body of an institution within the further education sector that the authority thinks is or is to be attended by a young person for whom the authority maintains an EHC plan,
but only for the purpose set out in subsection (2).
(2) The purpose is that of assisting the governing body or proprietor in the performance of—
(a) any duty imposed on the body under section 66(2) (duty to use best endeavours to secure special educational provision called for by special educational needs);
(b) in the case of a governing body of a community or foundation special school, any duty imposed on the body.
(3) The goods and services may be supplied on the terms and conditions that the authority thinks fit, including terms as to payment.
(4) A local authority in England may supply goods and services to any authority or other person (other than a governing body or proprietor within subsection (1)), but only for the purpose set out in subsection (5).
(5) The purpose is that of assisting the authority or other person in making special educational provision for a child who is receiving relevant early years education, in a case where the authority has decided that the special educational provision is necessary for the child.
65 Access to schools, post-16 institutions and other institutions
(1) This section applies where a local authority in England maintains an EHC plan for a child or young person.
(2) A person authorised by the authority is entitled to have access at any reasonable time to the premises of a school, post-16 institution or other institution at which education or training is provided in pursuance of the plan, for the purpose of monitoring the education or training.
(3) Subsection (2) does not apply to the premises of a mainstream post-16 institution in Wales.
66 Using best endeavours to secure special educational provision
(1) This section imposes duties on the appropriate authorities for the following schools and other institutions in England—
(a) mainstream schools;
(b) maintained nursery schools;
(c) 16 to 19 Academies;
(d) alternative provision Academies;
(e) institutions within the further education sector;
(f) pupil referral units.
(2) If a registered pupil or a student at a school or other institution has special educational needs, the appropriate authority must, in exercising its functions in relation to the school or other institution, use its best endeavours to secure that the special educational provision called for by the pupil's or student's special educational needs is made.
(3) The “appropriate authority” for a school or other institution is—
(a) in the case of a maintained school, maintained nursery school or institution within the further education sector, the governing body;
(b) in the case of an Academy, the proprietor;
(c) in the case of a pupil referral unit, the management committee.
(1) This section imposes duties on the appropriate authorities of the following schools in England—
(a) mainstream schools;
(b) maintained nursery schools.
(2) The appropriate authority must designate a member of staff at the school (to be known as the “SEN co-ordinator”) as having responsibility for co-ordinating the provision for pupils with special educational needs.
(3) Regulations may—
(a) require appropriate authorities which are subject to the duty imposed by subsection (2) to ensure that SEN co-ordinators have prescribed qualifications or prescribed experience (or both);
(b) confer other functions relating to SEN co-ordinators on appropriate authorities which are subject to the duty imposed by subsection (2).
(4) The “appropriate authority” for a school is—
(a) in the case of a maintained school or maintained nursery school, the governing body;
(b) in the case of an Academy, the proprietor.
(1) This section applies if—
(a) special educational provision is made for a child or young person at a maintained school, a maintained nursery school, an Academy school, an alternative provision Academy or a pupil referral unit, and
(b) no EHC plan is maintained for the child or young person.
(2) The appropriate authority for the school must inform the child's parent or the young person that special educational provision is being made for the child or young person.
(3) The “appropriate authority” for a school is—
(a) in the case of a maintained school or maintained nursery school, the governing body;
(b) in the case of an Academy school or an alternative provision Academy, the proprietor;
(c) in the case of a pupil referral unit, the management committee.
(1) This section imposes a duty on—
(a) the governing bodies of maintained schools and maintained nursery schools in England, and
(b) the proprietors of Academy schools.
(2) A governing body or proprietor must prepare a report containing SEN information.
(3) “SEN information” is—
(a) such information as may be prescribed about the implementation of the governing body's or proprietor's policy for pupils at the school with special educational needs;
(b) information as to—
(i) the arrangements for the admission of disabled persons as pupils at the school;
(ii) the steps taken to prevent disabled pupils from being treated less favourably than other pupils;
(iii) the facilities provided to assist access to the school by disabled pupils;
(iv) the plan prepared by the governing body or proprietor under paragraph 3 of Schedule 10 to the Equality Act 2010 (accessibility plan).
(4) In this section—
“disabled person” means a person who is a disabled person for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010;
“disabled pupil” includes a disabled person who may be admitted to a school as a pupil.
(1) Subject to this section and sections 71 to 75, nothing in or made under this Part applies to, or in relation to, a child or young person detained in pursuance of—
(a) an order made by a court, or
(b) an order of recall made by the Secretary of State.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to—
(a) section 28;
(b) section 31;
(c) section 77;
(d) section 80;
(e) section 83;
(f) any amendment made by this Part of a provision which applies to, or in relation to, a child or young person detained in pursuance of—
(i) an order made by a court, or
(ii) an order of recall made by the Secretary of State.
(3) Regulations may apply any provision of this Part, with or without modifications, to or in relation to a child or young person detained in pursuance of—
(a) an order made by a court, or
(b) an order of recall made by the Secretary of State.
(4) The Secretary of State must consult the Welsh Ministers before making regulations under subsection (3) which will apply any provision of this Part to, or in relation to, a child or young person who is detained in Wales.
(5) For the purposes of this Part—
“appropriate person”, in relation to a detained person, means—
where the detained person is a child, the detained person's parent, or
where the detained person is a young person, the detained person;
“detained person” means a child or young person who is—
18 or under,
subject to a detention order (within the meaning of section 562(1A)(a) of EA 1996), and
detained in relevant youth accommodation,
and in provisions applying on a person's release, includes a person who, immediately before release, was a detained person;
“detained person's EHC needs assessment” means an assessment of what the education, health care and social care needs of a detained person will be on his or her release from detention;
“relevant youth accommodation” has the same meaning as in section 562(1A)(b) of EA 1996, save that it does not include relevant youth accommodation which is not in England.
(6) For the purposes of this Part—
(a) “beginning of the detention” has the same meaning as in Chapter 5A of Part 10 of EA 1996 (persons detained in youth accommodation), and
(b) “the home authority” has the same meaning as in that Chapter, subject to regulations under subsection (7) (and regulations under section 562J(4) of EA 1996 made by the Secretary of State may also make provision in relation to the definition of “the home authority” for the purposes of this Part).
(7) For the purposes of this Part, regulations may provide for paragraph (a) of the definition of “the home authority” in section 562J(1) of EA 1996 (the home authority of a looked after child) to apply with modifications in relation to such provisions of this Part as may be specified in the regulations.
71 Assessment of post-detention education, health and care needs of detained persons
(1) This section applies in relation to a detained person for whom—
(a) the home authority is a local authority in England, and
(b) no EHC plan is being kept by a local authority.
(2) A request to the home authority to secure a detained person's EHC needs assessment for the detained person may be made by—
(a) the appropriate person, or
(b) the person in charge of the relevant youth accommodation where the detained person is detained.
(3) Where this subsection applies, the home authority must determine whether it may be necessary for special educational provision to be made for the detained person in accordance with an EHC plan on release from detention.
(4) Subsection (3) applies where—
(a) a request is made under subsection (2),
(b) the detained person has been brought to the home authority's attention by any person as someone who has or may have special educational needs, or
(c) the detained person has otherwise come to the home authority's attention as someone who has or may have special educational needs.
(5) In making a determination under subsection (3), the home authority must consult—
(a) the appropriate person, and
(b) the person in charge of the relevant youth accommodation where the detained person is detained.
(6) Where the home authority determines that it will not be necessary for special educational provision to be made for the detained person in accordance with an EHC plan on release from detention, it must notify the appropriate person and the person in charge of the relevant youth accommodation where the detained person is detained—
(a) of the reasons for that determination, and
(b) that accordingly it has decided not to secure a detained person's EHC needs assessment for the detained person.
(7) Subsection (8) applies where—
(a) the detained person has not been assessed under this section or section 36 during the previous six months, and
(b) the home authority determines that it may be necessary for special educational provision to be made for the detained person in accordance with an EHC plan on release from detention.
(8) The home authority must notify the appropriate person and the person in charge of the relevant youth accommodation where the detained person is detained—
(a) that it is considering securing a detained person's EHC needs assessment for the detained person, and
(b) that the appropriate person and the person in charge of the relevant youth accommodation where the detained person is detained each have the right to—
(i) express views to the authority (orally or in writing), and
(ii) submit evidence to the authority.
(9) The home authority must secure a detained person's EHC needs assessment if, after having regard to any views expressed and evidence submitted under subsection (8), the authority is of the opinion that—
(a) the detained person has or may have special educational needs, and
(b) it may be necessary for special educational provision to be made for the detained person in accordance with an EHC plan on release from detention.
(10) After a detained person's EHC needs assessment has been carried out, the local authority must notify the appropriate person and the person in charge of the relevant youth accommodation where the detained person is detained of—
(a) the outcome of the assessment,
(b) whether it proposes to secure that an EHC plan is prepared for the detained person, and
(c) the reasons for that decision.
(11) Regulations may make provision about detained persons' EHC needs assessments, in particular—
(a) about requests under subsection (2);
(b) imposing time limits in relation to consultation under subsection (5);
(c) about giving notice;
(d) about expressing views and submitting evidence under subsection (8);
(e) about how detained persons' EHC needs assessments are to be conducted;
(f) about advice to be obtained in connection with a detained person's EHC needs assessment;
(g) about combining a detained person's EHC needs assessment with other assessments;
(h) about the use for the purposes of a detained person's EHC needs assessment of information obtained as a result of other assessments;
(i) about the use of information obtained as a result of a detained person's EHC needs assessment, including the use of that information for the purposes of other assessments;
(j) about the provision of information, advice and support in connection with a detained person's EHC needs assessment.
72 Securing EHC plans for certain detained persons
(1) Where, in the light of a detained person's EHC needs assessment it is necessary for special education provision to be made for the detained person in accordance with an EHC plan on release from detention, the home authority must secure that an EHC plan is prepared for him or her.
(2) Sections 37(2) to (5) and 38 to 40 apply in relation to an EHC plan secured under subsection (1) as they apply to an EHC plan secured under section 37(1), with the following modifications—
(a) references to “the child or young person” are to be read as references to the detained person,
(b) references to the local authority are to be read as references to the home authority, and
(c) references to the child's parent or the young person are to be read as references to the appropriate person.
(3) Section 33(2) to (7) apply where a home authority is securing the preparation of an EHC plan under this section as they apply where a local authority is securing a plan under section 37, with the following modifications—
(a) references to “the child or young person” are to be read as references to the detained person,
(b) references to the local authority are to be read as references to the home authority,
(c) references to the child's parent or the young person are to be read as references to the appropriate person, and
(d) the reference in subsection (2) to section 39(5) and 40(2) is to be read as a reference to those provisions as applied by subsection (2) of this section.
73 EHC plans for certain detained persons: appeals and mediation
(1) An appropriate person in relation to a detained person may appeal to the First-tier Tribunal against the matters set out in subsection (2), subject to section 55 (as applied by this section).
(2) The matters are—
(a) a decision of the home authority not to secure a detained person's EHC needs assessment for the detained person;
(b) a decision of the home authority, following a detained person's EHC needs assessment, that it is not necessary for special educational provision to be made for the detained person in accordance with an EHC plan on release from detention;
(c) where an EHC plan is secured for the detained person—
(i) the school or other institution named in the plan, or the type of school or other institution named in the plan;
(ii) if no school or other institution is named in the plan, that fact.
(3) The appropriate person may appeal to the First-tier Tribunal under subsection (2)(c) only when an EHC plan is first finalised for the detained person in accordance with section 72.
(4) Regulations may make provision about appeals to the First-tier Tribunal in respect of detained persons' EHC needs assessments and EHC plans secured under section 72, in particular about—
(a) making and determining appeals;
(b) the powers of the First-tier Tribunal on determining an appeal;
(c) unopposed appeals.
(5) A person commits an offence if without reasonable excuse that person fails to comply with any requirement—
(a) in respect of the discovery or inspection of documents, or
(b) to attend to give evidence and produce documents,
where that requirement is imposed by Tribunal Procedure Rules in relation to an appeal under this section.
(6) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (5) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.
(7) Section 55(2) to (5) apply where an appropriate person intends to appeal to the First-tier Tribunal under this section as they apply where a child's parent or young person intends to appeal under section 51, with the following modifications—
(a) references to the child's parent or young person are to be read as references to the appropriate person, and
(b) references to mediation under section 53 or 54 are to be read as references to mediation with the home authority.
(8) Where, by virtue of subsection (7), the appropriate person has informed the mediation adviser that he or she wishes to pursue mediation with the home authority—
(a) the adviser must notify the authority, and
(b) the authority must—
(i) arrange for mediation between it and the appropriate person,
(ii) ensure that the mediation is conducted by an independent person, and
(iii) participate in the mediation.
For this purpose a person is not independent if he or she is employed by a local authority in England.
(9) Regulations under section 56 may make provision for the purposes of subsections (7) and (8) of this section, and accordingly section 56 has effect for those purposes with the following modifications—
(a) the references in subsection (1) to commissioning bodies are to be ignored;
(b) the reference in subsection (1)(e) to a child's parent is to be read as a reference to the parent of a detained person who is a child;
(c) the reference in subsection (1)(f) to the child's parent or young person is to be read as a reference to the appropriate person;
(d) in subsection (3), paragraphs (b) and (c) are to be ignored;
(e) subsection (4) is to be ignored.
(1) This section applies in relation to a detained person—
(a) for whom a local authority in England was maintaining an EHC plan immediately before the beginning of his or her detention, or
(b) for whom the home authority has secured the preparation of an EHC plan under section 72.
(2) The home authority must keep the EHC plan while the person is detained in relevant youth accommodation.
(3) Regulations may make provision about the keeping of EHC plans under subsection (2), and the disclosure of such plans.
(4) The home authority must arrange appropriate special educational provision for the detained person while he or she is detained in relevant youth accommodation.
(5) If the EHC plan specifies health care provision, the detained person's health services commissioner must arrange appropriate health care provision for the detained person while he or she is detained in relevant youth accommodation.
(6) For the purposes of subsection (4), appropriate special educational provision is—
(a) the special educational provision specified in the EHC plan, or
(b) if it appears to the home authority that it is not practicable for that special educational provision to be provided, educational provision corresponding as closely as possible to that special educational provision, or
(c) if it appears to the home authority that the special educational provision specified in the plan is no longer appropriate for the person, such special educational provision as reasonably appears to the home authority to be appropriate.
(7) For the purposes of subsection (5), appropriate health care provision is—
(a) the health care provision specified in the EHC plan, or
(b) if it appears to the detained person's health services commissioner that it is not practicable for that health care provision to be provided, health care provision corresponding as closely as possible to that health care provision, or
(c) if it appears to the detained person's health services commissioner that the health care provision specified in the plan is no longer appropriate for the person, such health care provision as reasonably appears to the detained person's health services commissioner to be appropriate.
(8) In this section, “detained person's health services commissioner”, in relation to a detained person, means the body that is under a duty under the National Health Service Act 2006 to arrange for the provision of services or facilities in respect of the detained person during his or her detention.
(1) A local authority in England may supply goods and services to any authority or other person making special educational provision for a detained person, but only for the purpose set out in subsection (2).
(2) The purpose is that of assisting the local authority in the performance of a duty under section 74.
(3) The goods and services may be supplied on the terms and conditions that the authority thinks fit, including terms as to payment.
76 Provision and publication of special needs information
(1) The Secretary of State must exercise the powers listed in subsection (2) with a view to securing, in particular, the provision of special needs information which the Secretary of State thinks would be likely to assist the Secretary of State or others in improving the well-being of—
(a) children in England with special educational needs, and
(b) young people aged under 19 in England with special educational needs.
(2) The powers are those of the Secretary of State under the following provisions of EA 1996 (so far as relating to England)—
(a) section 29 (information from local authorities for purposes of Secretary of State's functions);
(b) section 408 (information in relation to maintained schools);
(c) section 537 (information about schools);
(d) section 537A (information about individual pupils);
(e) section 537B (information about children receiving funded education outside school);
(f) section 538 (information from governing bodies for purposes of Secretary of State's education functions).
(3) In each calendar year, the Secretary of State must publish, or arrange to be published, special needs information which has been obtained under EA 1996, where the Secretary of State thinks the publication of the information would be likely to assist the Secretary of State or others in improving the well-being of —
(a) children in England with special educational needs, and
(b) young people aged under 19 in England with special educational needs.
(4) Information published under subsection (3) must be published in the form and manner that the Secretary of State thinks fit, except that the names of the children and young people to whom the information relates must not be included.
(5) The Secretary of State may make a charge, or arrange for a charge to be made, for documents supplied by virtue of this section.
(6) A charge under subsection (5) must not exceed the cost of supply.
(7) “Special needs information” means—
(a) information about children, and young people, in England with special educational needs, and
(b) information about special educational provision made for those children and young people.
(8) References in this section to the well-being of children and young people with special educational needs are to their well-being so far as relating to—
(a) physical and mental health and emotional well-being;
(b) protection from abuse and neglect;
(c) control by them over their day-to-day lives;
(d) participation in education, training or recreation;
(e) social and economic well-being;
(f) domestic, family and personal relationships;
(g) the contribution made by them to society.
(1) The Secretary of State must issue a code of practice giving guidance about the exercise of their functions under this Part to—
(a) local authorities in England;
(b) the governing bodies of schools;
(c) the governing bodies of institutions within the further education sector;
(d) the proprietors of Academies;
(e) the management committees of pupil referral units;
(f) the proprietors of institutions approved by the Secretary of State under section 41 (independent special schools and special post-16 institutions: approval);
(g) providers of relevant early years education;
(h) youth offending teams;
(i) persons in charge of relevant youth accommodation;
(j) NHS England;
(k) integrated care boards;
(l) NHS trusts;
(m) NHS foundation trusts;
(n) Local Health Boards.
(2) The Secretary of State may revise the code from time to time.
(3) The Secretary of State must publish the current version of the code.
(4) The persons listed in subsection (1) must have regard to the code in exercising their functions under this Part.
(5) Those who exercise functions for the purpose of the exercise by those persons of functions under this Part must also have regard to the code.
(6) The First-tier Tribunal must have regard to any provision of the code that appears to it to be relevant to a question arising on an appeal under this Part.
(1) Where the Secretary of State proposes to issue or revise a code under section 77, the Secretary of State must prepare a draft of the code (or revised code).
(2) The Secretary of State must consult such persons as the Secretary of State thinks fit about the draft and must consider any representations made by them.
(3) If the Secretary of State decides to proceed with the draft (in its original form or with modifications), the Secretary of State must lay a copy of the draft before each House of Parliament.
(4) The Secretary of State may not take any further steps in relation to—
(a) a proposed code unless the draft is approved by a resolution of each House, or
(b) a proposed revised code if, within the 40-day period, either House resolves not to approve the draft.
(5) Subsection (6) applies if—
(a) both Houses resolve to approve the draft, as mentioned in subsection (4)(a), or
(b) neither House resolves not to approve the draft, as mentioned in subsection (4)(b).
(6) The Secretary of State must issue the code or revised code in the form of the draft, and it comes into force on such date as the Secretary of State may by order appoint.
(7) Subsection (4) does not prevent a new draft of a proposed code (or proposed revised code) from being laid before Parliament.
(8) In this section “40-day period”, in relation to the draft of a proposed revised code, means—
(a) if the draft is laid before one House on a later day than the day on which it is laid before the other, the period of 40 days beginning with the later of the two days, and
(b) in any other case, the period of 40 days beginning with the day on which the draft is laid before each House.
(9) For the purposes of subsection (8), no account is to be taken of any period during which Parliament is dissolved or prorogued or during which both Houses are adjourned for more than four days.
(1) The Secretary of State and the Lord Chancellor must carry out a review of how effectively disagreements about the exercise of functions under this Part are being resolved.
(2) The Secretary of State and the Lord Chancellor must prepare a report on the outcome of the review.
(3) The Secretary of State and the Lord Chancellor must lay the report before Parliament before the end of the period of three years beginning with the earliest date on which any provision of this Part comes into force.
(1) Regulations may apply any statutory provision with modifications, for the purpose of giving effect to this Part in a case where the parent of a child, or a young person, lacks capacity at the relevant time.
(2) Regulations under subsection (1) may in particular include provision for—
(a) references to a child's parent to be read as references to, or as including references to, a representative of the parent;
(b) references to a young person to be read as references to, or as including references to, a representative of the young person, the young person's parent, or a representative of the young person's parent;
(c) modifications to have effect in spite of section 27(1)(g) of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (Act does not permit decisions on discharging parental responsibilities in matters not relating to a child's property to be made on a person's behalf).
(3) “Statutory provision” means a provision made by or under this or any other Act, whenever passed or made.
(4) “The relevant time” means the time at which, under the statutory provision in question, something is required or permitted to be done by or in relation to the parent or young person.
(5) The reference in subsection (1) to lacking capacity is to lacking capacity within the meaning of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
(6) “Representative”, in relation to a parent or young person, means—
(a) a deputy appointed by the Court of Protection under section 16(2)(b) of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 to make decisions on the parent's or young person's behalf in relation to matters within this Part;
(b) the donee of a lasting power of attorney (within the meaning of section 9 of that Act) appointed by the parent or young person to make decisions on his or her behalf in relation to matters within this Part;
(c) an attorney in whom an enduring power of attorney (within the meaning of Schedule 4 to that Act) created by the parent or young person is vested, where the power of attorney is registered in accordance with paragraphs 4 and 13 of that Schedule or an application for registration of the power of attorney has been made.