Parental opposition to SEN provision

Get to grips with how to talk to parents/carers about their concerns about SEN provision for their child. Understand what you should do to prepare for meetings with parents/carers and key questions you should have the answers to.

Last reviewed on 13 February 2025
School types: AllSchool phases: AllRef: 11285
Contents
  1. You must keep parents/carers informed
  2. Meet with concerned parents/carers
  3. Opposition to an EHC needs assessment
  4. Opposition to placement on your SEND register
  5. Opposition to specific provision
  6. Refer continuous opposition to your LA
  7. If parents/carers make a complaint

You must keep parents/carers informed

Once you've recognised that a child has a special educational need (SEN), their parents/carers must be formally informed that special educational provision will be made.

This is set out in paragraph 6.43 of the statutory Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Code of Practice.

Get advice on how to inform parents/carers, and consider organising a meeting to discuss the pupil's SEN, and how the school and family can work together to best support the child's learning. 

Share our factsheet about SEN with parents/carers so they have an overview of what SEN is and what support is available.

Meet with concerned parents/carers

Use the meeting to get the views of parents/carers and to inform any provisions the school