# The Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014

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Statutory Instruments

# 2014 No. 1530

Education

# The Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014

Made

4th June 2014

Laid before Parliament

11th June 2014

Coming into force

1st September 2014

The Secretary of State makes the following Regulations, in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 30(8) and(9), 34(6),                           36(11), 37(4), 41(5), 44(7), 45(5), 46(2), 47(1) and (2), 51(4), 56(1), 67(3), 69(3)(a), and 80(1) of the Children and Families                           Act 2014 F1:                        

F12014 c.6

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1Regulations applied (1.9.2014) by The Children and Families Act 2014 (Transitional and Saving Provisions) (No. 2) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/2270), **arts. 1(2)**, 20(1)

C2Regulations applied (with modifications) (1.9.2014) by The Children and Families Act 2014 (Transitional and Saving Provisions) (No. 2) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/2270), **arts. 1(2)**, 23(6)(b)

## **PART 1**E+WIntroduction

### Citation and commencementE+W

1.  These Regulations may be cited as the Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014 and come into force on 1st                     September 2014.                  

### InterpretationE+W

2.—(1) In these Regulations F2—                  

“the Act” means the Children and Families Act 2014;                  

“the appropriate authority” means—                  

in relation to a community, foundation or voluntary school F3 or a maintained nursery school F4, the governing body of the school; and                           

in relation to an Academy school F5, the proprietor;                           

[F6“coronavirus” means severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2);]                   

“educational institution” means a school or post-16 institution;                  

“health care professional” means an individual who is a member of a profession regulated by a body mentioned in section 25(3) of the National Health                     Service Reform and Health Care Professions Act 2002 F7;                  

“infant school” means a primary school for the purpose of providing education for children who are of compulsory school age but have not                     attained the age of eight, even though it may also provide education for children below compulsory school age;                  

“junior school” means a primary school for the purpose of providing education for children who are of compulsory school age who have attained                     the age of eight;                  

“relevant school” means a mainstream school or a maintained nursery school;                  

“responsible commissioning body” has the meaning given in section 42(4) of the Act;                  

“the SENCO”, in relation to a relevant school, means the person who has been designated to be the special educational needs co-ordinator                     for the school by the appropriate authority in accordance with section 67 of the Act;                  

“transfer between phases of education” means a transfer from—                  

relevant early years education to school;

infant school to junior school;

primary school to middle school;

primary school to secondary school;

middle school to secondary school; or

secondary school F8 to a post-16 institution;                           

“year 9” means the year of compulsory schooling in which the majority of pupils in the class attain the age of 14.                  

(2) Preparation for adulthood and independent living includes preparation relating to—

(a)finding employment;                  

(b)obtaining accommodation;                  

(c)participation in society.                  

F2The definitions in the Act are applied throughout these Regulations.

F3Community, foundation and voluntary school have the same meaning as in section 20 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 (c.31) (“the 1998 Act”)

F4Maintained nursery school has the meaning given by section 22(9) of the 1998 Act

F5Academy school has the meaning given in section 1A of the Academies Act 2010 (c.32). Section 1A was inserted by section 53(7) of the Education Act 2011 (c.21) (“the 2011 Act”)

F6Words in reg. 2(1) inserted (temp.) (1.5.2020) by virtue of The Special Educational Needs and Disability (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/471), regs. 1, **4** (with reg. 2(2))

F72002 c.17

F8Primary school, middle school and secondary school have the meaning in section 5 of the Education Act 1996 (c.56) (“the 1996 Act”).

### [F9Relaxation of time periods due to coronavirus exceptionE+W

2A.—(1)Where the coronavirus exception applies, any requirement in any of the regulations specified in paragraph (3) for action to                        be taken within a specified period of time or by a certain day is to be read instead as a requirement for such action to be                        taken as soon as reasonably practicable.                  

(2)The coronavirus exception applies where it is not reasonably practicable for a person to meet a requirement referred to in                        paragraph (1) for a reason relating to the incidence or transmission of coronavirus.                  

(3)The following regulations are specified for the purposes of paragraphs (1) and (2)—                  

(a)regulation 15(2) (transfer of EHC plans) (in relation to the second reference to 15 working days), (4), (5), (7) (in relation                           to the second reference to 15 working days) and (8);                  

(b)regulation 16(2) and (3) (change of responsible commissioning body);                  

(c)regulation 20(9) and (10) (review where the child or young person attends a school or other institution);                  

(d)regulation 21(7), (8) and (9) (review of EHC plan where the child or young person does not attend a school or other institution);                  

(e)regulation 25(1) (notification of decision whether it is necessary to re-assess educational, health care and social care provision);                  

(f)regulation 27(4) (amending or replacing an EHC plan following a re-assessment);                  

(g)regulation 33 (requirement to consider mediation);                  

(h)regulation 34(1) and (2) (where a parent or young person does not wish to or fails to pursue mediation);                  

(i)regulation 35(2), (3) and (4) (mediation – health care issues);                  

(j)regulation 36(2) (mediation - no health care issues);                  

(k)regulation 39(1) and (3) (mediation certificate under section 55(5));                  

(l)regulation 42(3) and (4) (steps to be taken by a local authority);                  

(m)regulation 44(2)(d), (e), (f) and (h) (compliance with the orders of the First-tier Tribunal);                  

(n)regulation 45(4), (5) and (6A) (unopposed appeals);                  

(o)regulation 47 (disclosure of EHC plans in relation to higher education); and                  

(p)regulation 56(3) (publication of comments on the local offer).]                  

F9Reg. 2A inserted (temp.) (1.5.2020) by virtue of The Special Educational Needs and Disability (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/471), regs. 1, **5** (with reg. 2(2))

## **PART 2**E+WChildren and young people with special educational needs

### AssessmentsE+W

#### Consideration of requestE+W

3.  A local authority must consult the child's parent or the young person as soon as practicable after—                  

(a)receiving a request for an EHC needs assessment under section 36(1) of the Act, or                  

(b)becoming responsible for the child or young person in accordance with section 24 of the Act,                  

before determining whether it may be necessary for special educational provision to be made in accordance with an EHC plan                     for the child or young person.                  

#### Determination whether or not special educational provision may be necessaryE+W

4.—(1) Where a local authority determines that it is not necessary for special educational provision to be made in accordance with                     an EHC plan it must notify the child's parent or the young person in accordance with section 36(5) of the Act as soon as practicable,                     but in any event within 6 weeks of—                  

(a)receiving a request for an EHC needs assessment under section 36(1) of the Act, or                  

(b)becoming responsible for the child or young person in accordance with section 24 of the Act.                  

(2) Where the local authority is considering securing an EHC needs assessment it must also notify—

(a)the responsible commissioning body;                  

(b)the officers of the local authority who exercise the local authority's social services functions for children or young people                        with special educational needs;                  

(c)in relation to a child—                  

(i)if the child is a registered pupil F10 at a school, the head teacher of that school (or the person holding the equivalent position), or                  

(ii)if the child receives education from a provider of relevant early years education, the person identified as having responsibility                        for special educational needs (if any) in relation to that provider; and                  

(d)in relation to a young person—                  

(i)if the young person is a registered pupil at a school, the head teacher of that school (or the person holding the equivalent                        position), or                  

(ii)if the young person is a student at a post-16 institution, to the principal of that institution (or the person holding the                        equivalent position).                  

[F11(3)The local authority need not comply with the time limit referred to in paragraph (1) if it isimpractical to do so because of a reason relating to the incidence or transmission of coronavirus.]                  

F10Pupil has the meaning in section 3 of the 1996 Act

F11Reg. 4(3) inserted (temp.) (1.5.2020) by virtue of The Special Educational Needs and Disability (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/471), regs. 1, **6** (with reg. 2(2))

#### Decision whether or not to conduct an EHC needs assessmentE+W

5.—(1) The local authority must notify the child's parent or the young person as soon as practicable and in any event within 6 weeks                     of—                  

(a)receiving a request for an assessment under section 36(1) of the Act, or                  

(b)becoming responsible for the child or young person in accordance with section 24 of the Act                  

of its decision whether or not it is necessary to secure an EHC needs assessment for the child or young person.

(2) The local authority must also notify the persons who were notified in accordance with regulation 4(2) of its decision.

(3) When notifying the child's parent or the young person of its decision that it is not necessary to secure an EHC needs assessment                     for the child or young person, it must also notify them of—                  

(a)their right to appeal that decision;                  

(b)the time limits for doing so;                  

(c)the information concerning mediation, set out in regulation 32; and                  

(d)the availability of—                  

(i)disagreement resolution services; and                  

(ii)information and advice about matters relating to the special educational needs of children and young people.                  

(4) The local authority need not comply with the time limit referred to in paragraph (1) if it is impractical to do so because—

(a)the local authority has requested advice from the head teacher or principal of a school or post-16 institution during a period                        beginning one week before any date on which that school or institution was closed for a continuous period of not less than                        4 weeks from that date and ending one week before the date on which it re-opens;                  

(b)the authority has requested advice from the person identified as having responsibility for special educational needs (if any),                        in relation to, or other person responsible for, a child's education at a provider of relevant early years education during                        a period beginning one week before any date on which that provider was closed for a continuous period of not less than 4 weeks                        from that date and ending one week before the date on which it re-opens;                  

(c)exceptional personal circumstances affect the child, the child's parent, or the young person during the time period referred                        to in paragraph (1); [F12or]                  

(d)the child, the child's parent, or the young person, are absent from the area of the authority for a continuous period of not                        less than 4 weeks during the time period referred to in paragraph (1) [F13; or                  

(e)of a reason relating to the incidence or transmission of coronavirus].                  

F12Word in reg. 5(4)(c) omitted (temp.) (1.5.2020) by virtue of The Special Educational Needs and Disability (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/471), regs. 1, **7(a)** (with reg. 2(2))

F13Reg. 5(4)(e) and word inserted (temp.) (1.5.2020) by virtue of The Special Educational Needs and Disability (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/471), regs. 1, **7(b)** (with reg. 2(2))

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C3Reg. 5 modified (1.9.2014) by The Children and Families Act 2014 (Transitional and Saving Provisions) (No. 2) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/2270), arts. 1(2), **6(8)**

C4Reg. 5 modified (1.9.2014) by The Children and Families Act 2014 (Transitional and Saving Provisions) (No. 2) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/2270), arts. 1(2), **5(8)**

#### Information and advice to be obtained of EHC Needs AssessmentsE+W

6.—(1) Where the local authority secures an EHC needs assessment for a child or young person, it must seek the following advice and                     information, on the needs of the child or young person, and what provision may be required to meet such needs and the outcomes                     that are intended to be achieved by the child or young person receiving that provision—                  

(a)advice and information from the child's parent or the young person;                  

(b)educational advice and information—                  

(i)from the head teacher or principal of the school or post-16 or other institution that the child or young person is attending,                        or                  

(ii)where this is not available, from a person who the local authority is satisfied has experience of teaching children or young                        people with special educational needs, or knowledge of the differing provision which may be called for in different cases                        to meet those needs, or                  

(iii)if the child or young person is not currently attending a school or post-16 or other institution and advice cannot be obtained                        under sub-paragraph (ii), from a person responsible for educational provision for the child or young person, and                  

(iv)if any parent of the child or young person is a serving member of Her Majesty's armed forces, also from the Secretary of State                        for Defence;                  

(c)medical advice and information from a health care professional identified by the responsible commissioning body;                  

(d)psychological advice and information from an educational psychologist;                  

(e)advice and information in relation to social care;                  

(f)advice and information from any other person the local authority thinks is appropriate;                  

(g)where the child or young person is in or beyond year 9, advice and information in relation to provision to assist the child                        or young person in preparation for adulthood and independent living; and                  

(h)advice and information from any person the child's parent or young person reasonably requests that the local authority seek                        advice from.                  

(2) Where it appears to the authority, in consequence of medical advice or otherwise, that the child or young person in question                     is either or both—                  

(a)hearing impaired;                  

(b)visually impaired,                  

and any person from whom advice and information is sought as provided in paragraph (1)(b) is not qualified to teach children                     or young people who are so impaired, then the advice sought shall be advice given after consultation with a person who is                     so qualified.                  

(3) When seeking advice in accordance with paragraph (1)(b) to (h), the local authority must provide the person from whom advice                     is being sought with copies of—                  

(a)any representations made by the child's parent or the young person, and                  

(b)any evidence submitted by or at the request of the child's parent or the young person.                  

(4) The local authority must not seek any of the advice referred to in paragraphs (1)(b) to (h) if such advice has previously                     been provided for any purpose and the person providing that advice, the local authority and the child's parent or the young                     person are satisfied that it is sufficient for the purposes of an EHC needs assessment.                  

#### Matters to be taken into account in securing an EHC needs assessmentE+W

7.  When securing an EHC needs assessment a local authority must—                  

(a)consult the child and the child's parent, or the young person and take into account their views, wishes and feelings;                  

(b)consider any information provided to the local authority by or at the request of the child, the child's parent or the young                        person;                  

(c)consider the information and advice obtained in accordance with regulation 6(1);                  

(d)engage the child and the child's parent, or the young person and ensure they are able to participate in decisions; and                  

(e)minimise disruption for the child, the child's parent, the young person and their family.                  

#### Duty to co-operate in EHC needs assessmentsE+W

8.—(1) Where a local authority requests the co-operation of a body in securing an EHC needs assessment in accordance with section                     31 of the Act, that body must comply with such a request within 6 weeks of the date on which they receive it.                  

(2) A body need not comply with the time limit referred to in paragraph (1) if it is impractical to do so because—

(a)exceptional circumstances affect the child, the child's parent or the young person during that 6 week period;                  

(b)the child, the child's parent or the young person are absent from the area of the authority for a continuous period of not                        less than 4 weeks during that 6 week period; [F14or]                  

(c)the child or young person fails to keep an appointment for an examination or a test made by the body during that 6 week period                        [F15; or                  

(d)of a reason relating to the incidence or transmission of coronavirus].                  

F14Word in reg. 8(2)(b) omitted (temp.) (1.5.2020) by virtue of The Special Educational Needs and Disability (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/471), regs. 1, **8(a)** (with reg. 2(2))

F15Reg. 8(2)(d) and word inserted (temp.) (1.5.2020) by virtue of The Special Educational Needs and Disability (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/471), regs. 1, **8(b)** (with reg. 2(2))

#### Provision of advice, information and support to parents and young peopleE+W

9.  When securing an EHC needs assessment the local authority must consider whether the child's parent or the young person requires                     any information, advice and support in order to enable them to take part effectively in the EHC needs assessment, and if it                     considers that such information, advice or support is necessary, it must provide it.                  

#### Decision not to secure an EHC planE+W

10.—(1) Where, following an EHC needs assessment, a local authority decides that it is not necessary for special educational provision                     to be made for a child or young person in accordance with an EHC plan, the notification given in accordance with section 36(9)                     must be given as soon as practicable, and in any event within 16 weeks of the local authority receiving a request for an EHC                     needs assessment in accordance with section 36(1) of the Act, or of the local authority becoming responsible for the child                     or young person in accordance with section 24 of the Act.                  

(2) It must also notify the responsible commissioning body and the person notified in accordance with regulation 4(2)(c) or (d).

(3) When notifying a child's parent or young person in accordance with paragraph (1) the local authority must also notify them                     of—                  

(a)their right to appeal that decision;                  

(b)the time limits for doing so;                  

(c)the information concerning mediation, set out in regulation 32; and                  

(d)the availability of—                  

(i)disagreement resolution services; and                  

(ii)information and advice about matters relating to the special educational needs of children and young people [F16; and                  

(e)the First-tier Tribunal's power to make recommendations under the Special Educational Needs and Disability (First-tier Tribunal                           Recommendations Power) Regulations 2017.]                  

(4) The local authority need not comply with the time limit referred to in paragraph (1) if it is impractical to do so because—

(a)the authority has requested advice from the head teacher or principal of a school or post-16 institution during a period beginning                        one week before any date on which that school or institution was closed for a continuous period of not less than 4 weeks from                        that date and ending one week before the date on which it re-opens;                  

(b)the authority has requested advice from the person identified as having responsibility for special educational needs (if any)                        in relation to, or other person responsible for, a child's education at a provider of relevant early years education during                        a period beginning one week before any date on which that provider was closed for a continuous period of not less than 4 weeks                        from that date and ending one week before the date on which it re-opens;                  

(c)exceptional personal circumstances affect the child or the child's parent, or the young person during that time period; [F17 or]                  

(d)the child or the child's parent, or the young person, are absent from the area of the authority for a continuous period of                        not less than 4 weeks during that time period [F18; or                  

(e)of a reason relating to the incidence or transmission of coronavirus].                  

F16Reg. 10(3)(e) and word inserted (3.4.2018) by The Special Educational Needs and Disability (First-tier Tribunal Recommendations Power) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/1306), regs. 1, **8(2)**

F17Word in reg. 10(4)(c) omitted (temp.) (1.5.2020) by virtue of The Special Educational Needs and Disability (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/471), regs. 1, **9(a)** (with reg. 2(2))

F18Reg. 10(4)(e) and word inserted (temp.) (1.5.2020) by virtue of The Special Educational Needs and Disability (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/471), regs. 1, **9(b)** (with reg. 2(2))

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C5Reg. 10 applied (with modifications) (1.9.2014) by The Children and Families Act 2014 (Transitional and Saving Provisions) (No. 2) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/2270), **arts. 1(2)**, 22(3), as amended (1.9.2015) by The Children and Families Act 2014 (Transitional and Saving Provisions) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/1619), arts. 1, **4**

C6Reg. 10(1) excluded (1.9.2014) by The Children and Families Act 2014 (Transitional and Saving Provisions) (No. 2) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/2270), arts. 1(2), **7(12)**

C7Reg. 10(1) excluded (1.9.2014) by The Children and Families Act 2014 (Transitional and Saving Provisions) (No. 2) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/2270), arts. 1(2), **27(8)**

C8Reg. 10(3) applied (with modifications) (1.4.2015) by The Special Educational Needs and Disability (First-tier Tribunal Recommendation Power) (Pilot) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/358), regs. 1, **7**

### EHC PlansE+W

#### Preparation of EHC plansE+W

11.  When preparing a child or young person's EHC Plan a local authority must—                  

(a)take into account the evidence received when securing the EHC needs assessment; and                  

(b)consider how best to achieve the outcomes to be sought for the child or young person.                  

#### Form of EHC planE+W

12.—(1) When preparing an EHC plan a local authority must set out—                  

(a)the views, interests and aspirations of the child and his parents or the young person (section A);                  

(b)the child or young person's special educational needs (section B);                  

(c)the child or young person's health care needs which relate to their special educational needs (section C);                  

(d)the child or young person's social care needs which relate to their special educational needs or to a disability (section                        D);                  

(e)the outcomes sought for him or her (section E);                  

(f)the special educational provision required by the child or young person (section F);                  

(g)any health care provision reasonably required by the learning difficulties or disabilities which result in the child or young                        person having special educational needs (section G);                  

(i)any social care provision which must be made for the child or young person as a result of section 2 of the Chronically Sick                        and Disabled Persons Act 1970 F19 (section H1);                  

(ii)any other social care provision reasonably required by the learning difficulties or disabilities which result in the child                        or young person having special educational needs (section H2);                  

(i)the name of the school, maintained nursery school, post-16 institution or other institution to be attended by the child or                        young person and the type of that institution or, where the name of a school or other institution is not specified in the                        EHC plan, the type of school or other institution to be attended by the child or young person (section I); and                  

(j)where any special educational provision is to be secured by a direct payment, the special educational needs and outcomes to                        be met by the direct payment (section J),                  

and each section must be separately identified.

(2) The health care provision specified in the EHC Plan in accordance with paragraph (1)(g) must be agreed by the responsible                     commissioning body.                  

(3) Where the child or young person is in or beyond year 9, the EHC plan must include within the special educational provision,                     health care provision and social care provision specified, provision to assist the child or young person in preparation for                     adulthood and independent living.                  

(4) The advice and information obtained in accordance with regulation 6(1) must be set out in appendices to the EHC plan (section                     K).                  

F191970 c.44

#### Timescales for EHC plansE+W

13.—(1) When a local authority sends a draft plan to a child's parent or young person it must—                  

(a)give them at least 15 days, beginning with the day on which the draft plan was served, in which to—                  

(i)make representations about the content of the draft plan, and to request that a particular school or other institution be                        named in the plan; and                  

(ii)require the local authority to arrange a meeting between them and an officer of the local authority at which the draft plan                        can be discussed; and                  

(b)advise them where they can find information about the schools and colleges that are available for the child or young person                        to attend.                  

(2) A local authority must send the finalised EHC plan to—

(a)the child's parent or to the young person;                  

(b)the governing body, proprietor or principal of any school, other institution or provider of relevant early years education                        named in the EHC plan; and                  

(c)to the responsible commissioning body,                  

as soon as practicable, and in any event within 20 weeks of the local authority receiving a request for an EHC needs assessment                     in accordance with section 36(1) of the Act, or of the local authority becoming responsible for the child in accordance with                     section 24 of the Act.                  

(3) The local authority need not comply with the time limit referred to in paragraph (2) if it is impractical for any of the reasons                     set out in regulation 10(4)(a) to [F20(d)][F20(e)].                   

F20Word in reg. 13(3) substituted (temp.) (1.5.2020) by virtue of The Special Educational Needs and Disability (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/471), regs. 1, **10** (with reg. 2(2))

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C9Reg. 13 applied (with modifications) (1.9.2014) by The Children and Families Act 2014 (Transitional and Saving Provisions) (No. 2) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/2270), arts. 1(2), 21(3), as amended (1.9.2015) by The Children and Families Act 2014 (Transitional and Saving Provisions) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/1619), arts. 1, 3

C10Reg. 13(2) excluded (1.9.2014) by The Children and Families Act 2014 (Transitional and Saving Provisions) (No. 2) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/2270), arts. 1(2), **7(12)**

#### Sending the finalised EHC planE+W

14.—(1) The finalised EHC plan must be in the form of the draft plan sent in accordance with regulation 13(1), or in a form modified                     in the light of the representations made in accordance with that regulation.                  

(2) When sending a copy of the finalised EHC plan to the child's parent or the young person in accordance with section 39(8)(a)                     or 40(5)(a) of the Act, the local authority must notify them of—                  

(a)their right to appeal matters within the EHC plan in accordance with section 51(2)(c) of the Act;                  

(b)the time limits for doing so;                  

(c)the information concerning mediation, set out in regulation 32; and                  

(d)the availability of—                  

(i)disagreement resolution services; and                  

(ii)advice and information about matters relating to the special educational needs of children and young people [F21; and                  

(e)the First-tier Tribunal's power to make recommendations under the Special Educational Needs and Disability (First-tier Tribunal                           Recommendations Power) Regulations 2017.]                  

F21Reg. 14(2)(e) and word inserted (3.4.2018) by The Special Educational Needs and Disability (First-tier Tribunal Recommendations Power) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/1306), regs. 1, **8(2)**

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C11Reg. 14(2) applied (with modifications) (1.4.2015) by The Special Educational Needs and Disability (First-tier Tribunal Recommendation Power) (Pilot) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/358), regs. 1, **7**

#### Transfer of EHC plansE+W

15.—(1) This regulation applies where a child or young person in respect of whom an EHC plan is maintained moves from the area of                     the local authority which maintains the EHC plan (“the old authority”) into the area of another local authority (“the new authority”).                  

(2) The old authority shall transfer the EHC plan to the new authority (“the transfer”) on the day of the move or, where it has not become aware of the move at least 15 working days prior to that move, within                     15 working days beginning with the day on which it did become aware.                  

(3) From the date of the transfer—

(a)the EHC plan is to be treated as if it had been made by the new authority on the date on which it was made by the old authority                        and must be maintained by the new authority; and                  

(b)where the new authority makes an EHC needs assessment and the old authority has supplied the new authority with advice obtained                        in pursuance of the previous assessment the new authority must not seek further advice where the person providing that advice,                        the old authority and the child's parent or the young person are satisfied that the advice obtained in pursuance of the previous                        assessment is sufficient for the purpose of the new authority arriving at a satisfactory assessment.                  

(4) The new authority must, within 6 weeks of the date of the transfer, inform the child's parent or the young person of the following—

(a)that the EHC plan has been transferred;                  

(b)whether it proposes to make an EHC needs assessment; and                  

(c)when it proposes to review the EHC plan in accordance with paragraph (5).                  

(5) The new authority must review the EHC plan in accordance with section 44 of the Act before the expiry of the later of—

(a)the period of 12 months beginning with the date of making of the EHC plan, or as the case may be, with the previous review,                        or                  

(b)the period of 3 months beginning with the date of the transfer.                  

(6) Where, by virtue of the transfer, the new authority comes under a duty to arrange the child or young person's attendance at                     a school or other institution specified in the EHC plan but in the light of the child or young person's move that attendance                     is no longer practicable, the new authority must arrange for the child or young person's attendance at another school or other                     institution appropriate for him or her until such time as it is possible to amend the EHC plan.                  

(7) Where, by virtue of the child or young person's move, another commissioning body becomes the responsible commissioning body                     for that child or young person, the original responsible commissioning body must notify the new responsible commissioning                     body of the move on the day of the move or where it has not become aware of the move at least 15 working days prior to that                     move, within 15 working days beginning on the day on which it did become aware.                  

(8) Where it is not practicable for that new commissioning body to arrange the health care provision specified in the EHC plan,                     it must, within 15 working days beginning with the date on which it became aware of the move, request that the new local authority                     makes an EHC needs assessment or reviews the EHC Plan, and where the new local authority receives such a request it must comply                     with that request.                  

#### Change of responsible commissioning bodyE+W

16.—(1) This regulation applies where, in relation to a child or young person in respect of whom an EHC plan is maintained, another                     commissioning body becomes the responsible commissioning body for that child or young person, and the local authority which                     maintains the EHC plan remains the same.                  

(2) The original responsible commissioning body must notify the new responsible commissioning body of the change in responsible                     commissioning body within 15 working days beginning on the day on which it became aware of the change.                  

(3) Where it is not practicable for the new commissioning body to arrange the health care provision specified in the EHC plan,                     it must, within 15 working days beginning with the date on which it became aware that it is the new responsible commissioning                     body, request the local authority makes an EHC needs assessment or reviews the EHC Plan, and where the local authority receives                     such a request it must comply with that request.                  

#### Restriction on disclosure of EHC plansE+W

17.—(1) Subject to the provisions of the Act and of these Regulations, an EHC plan in respect of a child or young person shall not                     be disclosed [F22by the local authority] without the child or young person's consent except—                  

(a)to persons to whom, in the opinion of the local authority concerned, it is necessary to disclose the whole or any part of                        the EHC plan in the interests of the child or young person;                  

(b)for the purposes of any appeal under the Act;                  

(c)for the purposes of educational research which, in the opinion of the local authority, may advance the education or training                        of children or young persons with special educational needs, if, but only if, the person engaged in that research undertakes                        not to publish anything contained in, or derived from, an EHC plan otherwise than in a form which does not identify any individual                        including, in particular, the child concerned and the child's parent or the young person;                  

(d)on the order of any court or for the purposes of any criminal proceedings;                  

(e)for the purposes of any investigation under Part 3 of the Local Government Act 1974 F23 (investigation of maladministration);                  

(f)to the Secretary of State when he requests such disclosure for the purposes of deciding whether to—                  

(i)give directions, make determinations, or exercise any contractual rights under an Academy's funding agreement (for any purpose),                        or                  

(ii)make an order under section 496, 497 or 497A F24 of the Education Act 1996 F25.                  

(g)for the purposes of an assessment of the needs of the child or young person with respect to the provision of any statutory                        services for him or her being carried out by officers of an authority by virtue of arrangements made under section 5(5) of                        the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986 F26;                  

(h)for the purposes of a local authority in the performance of its duties under sections 22(3)(a), 85(4)(a), 86(3)(a) and 87(3)                        of the Children Act 1989 F27;                  

(i)to Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills F28, exercising the right to inspect and take copies of an EHC plan in accordance with section 10(1)(e) of the Education Act                        2005 F29 and section 140(2)(a) of the Education and Inspections Act 2006;                  

(j)to the person in charge of any relevant youth accommodation for the purposes of the provision of education or training for                        a detained person F30;                  

(k)to a youth offending team for the purposes of the provision of education or training for a detained person.                  

(2) A child may consent to the disclosure of an EHC plan for the purposes of this regulation if his or her age and understanding                     are sufficient to allow him or her to understand the nature of that consent.                  

(3) If a child does not have sufficient age or understanding to allow him or her to consent to such disclosure, the child's parent                     may consent on the child's behalf.                  

(4) The arrangements for keeping a child or young person's EHC plan must be such that they ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable,                     that unauthorised persons do not have access to it.                  

(5) In this regulation, any reference to an EHC plan includes a reference to any representations, evidence, advice or information                     obtained in relation to an EHC plan.                  

F22Words in reg. 17(1) inserted (23.3.2015) by The Special Educational Needs and Disability (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/359), regs. 1, **3**

F231974 c.7

F24Section 497A was inserted into the 1996 Act by section 8 of the 1998 Act, and amended by section 60 of and Schedule 22 to                              the Education Act 2002 (c.32) and by section 59 of and Schedule 2 to the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 (c.22)

F251996 c.56

F261986 c.33

F271989 c.41

F28Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills is appointed under the Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/2720) which is made under section 113(1) of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 (c.40)

F292005 c.18

F30‘Relevant youth accommodation’ and ‘detained person’ have the same meaning as in section 72(5) of the 2014 Act.

### Reviews and re-assessmentsE+W

#### Circumstances in which a local authority must review an EHC planE+W

18.—(1) Except where paragraph (3) applies, where a child or young person is within 12 months of a transfer between phases of education,                     the local authority must review and amend, where necessary, the child or young person's EHC plan before—                  

(a)31 March in the calendar year of the child or young person's transfer from secondary school to a post-16 institution; and                  

(b)15 February in the calendar year of the child's transfer in any other case,                  

and where necessary amend the EHC plan so that it names the school, post-16 or other institution, or type of school or institution,                     which the child or young person will attend following that transfer.                  

(2) Where it is proposed that a young person transfers from one post-16 institution to another post-16 institution at any other                     time, the local authority must review and amend, where necessary, the young person's EHC plan at least five months before                     that transfer takes place so that it names the post-16 institution that the young person will attend following the transfer.                  

(3) Where a child or young person is due to transfer from a secondary school to a post-16 institution on 1 September 2015 the                     local authority must amend and review the EHC plan under paragraph (1)(a) before 31 May 2015.                  

#### [F31Circumstances in which it is not necessary to review an EHC planE+W

18A.—(1)It is not necessary for a local authority to review an EHC plan in accordance with section 44(1) of the Act if it is impractical                        to do so because of a reason relating to the incidence or transmission of coronavirus.                  

(2)Where paragraph (1) applies, a local authority must instead conduct such reviews as soon as reasonably practicable.]                  

F31Reg. 18A inserted (temp.) (1.5.2020) by virtue of The Special Educational Needs and Disability (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/471), regs. 1, **11** (with reg. 2(2))

#### Conduct of reviewsE+W

19.  When undertaking a review of an EHC plan, a local authority must—                  

(a)consult the child and the child's parent or the young person, and take account of their views, wishes and feelings;                  

(b)consider the child or young person's progress towards achieving the outcomes specified in the EHC plan and whether these outcomes                        remain appropriate for the child or young person;                  

(c)consult the school or other institution attended by the child or young person.                  

#### Review where the child or young person attends a school or other institutionE+W

20.—[F32(ZA)This regulation applies where a local authority carry out a review of an EHC plan and the child or young person concerned                        attends a school or other institution.]                  

(1) As part of a review of a child or young person's EHC plan, the local authority must ensure that a meeting to review that EHC                     plan is held and in the case of a child or young person attending a school referred to in paragraph (12), can require the                     head teacher or principal of the school to arrange and hold that meeting.                  

(2) The following persons must be invited to attend the review meeting—

(a)the child's parent or the young person;                  

(b)the provider of the relevant early years education or the head teacher or principal of the school, post-16 or other institution                        attended by the child or young person;                  

(c)an officer of the authority who exercises the local authority's education functions in relation to children and young people                        with special educational needs;                  

(d)a health care professional identified by the responsible commissioning body to provide advice about health care provision                        in relation to the child or young person;                  

(e)an officer of the authority who exercises the local authority's social services functions in relation to children and young                        people with special educational needs.                  

(3) At least two weeks' notice of the date of the meeting must be given.

(4) The person arranging the review meeting must obtain advice and information about the child or young person from the persons                     referred to in paragraph (2) and must circulate it to those persons at least two weeks in advance of the review meeting.                  

(5) The child or young person's progress towards achieving the outcomes specified in the EHC plan must be considered at the meeting.

(6) When the child or young person is in or beyond year 9, the review meeting must consider what provision is required to assist                     the child or young person in preparation for adulthood and independent living.                  

(7) Where the child or young person attends a school referred to in paragraph (12), the local authority must ask the head teacher                     or principal of the school to prepare a written report on the child or young person, setting out that person's recommendations                     on any amendments to be made to the EHC plan, and referring to any difference between those recommendations and recommendations                     of others attending the meeting.                  

(8) Where the child or young person does not attend a school referred to in paragraph (12), the local authority must prepare a                     written report on the child or young person, setting out its recommendations on any amendments to be made to the EHC plan,                     and referring to any difference between those recommendations and recommendations of others attending the meeting.                  

(9) The written report must include advice and information about the child or young person obtained in accordance with paragraph                     (4) and must be prepared within two weeks of the review meeting, and sent to everyone referred to in paragraph (2).                  

(10) The local authority must then decide whether it proposes to—

(a)continue to maintain the EHC plan in its current form;                  

(b)amend it; or                  

(c)cease to maintain it,                  

and must notify the child's parent or the young person and the person referred to in paragraph (2)(b) within four weeks of                     the review meeting.                  

(11) If the local authority proposes to continue or to cease to maintain the child or young person's EHC plan, it must also notify                     the child's parent or the young person of—                  

[F33(a)their right to appeal in accordance with section 51(2)(e) or (f) of the Act;]                  

(b)the time limits for doing so;                  

(c)the information concerning mediation, set out in regulation 32; and                  

(d)the availability of—                  

(i)disagreement resolution services; and                  

(ii)information and advice about matters relating to the special educational needs of children and young people [F34; and                  

(e)the First-tier Tribunal's power to make recommendations under the Special Educational Needs and Disability (First-tier Tribunal                           Recommendations Power) Regulations 2017.]                  

(12) Schools referred to in this paragraph are—

(a)maintained schools;                  

(b)maintained nursery schools;                  

(c)Academy schools;                  

(d)alternative provision Academies F35;                  

(e)pupil referral units F36;                  

(f)non-maintained special schools F37;                  

(g)independent educational institutions approved under section 41 of the Act.                  

F32Reg. 20(ZA) inserted (1.9.2014) by The Special Educational Needs (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/2096), regs. 1, **3(2)**

F33Reg. 20(11)(a) substituted (23.3.2015) by The Special Educational Needs and Disability (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/359), regs. 1, **4**

F34Reg. 20(11)(e) and word inserted (3.4.2018) by The Special Educational Needs and Disability (First-tier Tribunal Recommendations Power) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/1306), regs. 1, **8(2)**

F35Alternative provision Academies has the meaning given in section 1C of the Academies Act 2010 . Section 1C was inserted by                              section 53(7) of the 2011 Act

F36Pupil Referral Units has the same meaning given in section 19 of the 1996 Act

F37Non-maintained special school has the same meaning given in section 342 of the 1996 Act

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C12Reg. 20(11) applied (with modifications) (1.4.2015) by The Special Educational Needs and Disability (First-tier Tribunal Recommendation Power) (Pilot) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/358), regs. 1, **7**

#### Review of EHC plan where the child or young person does not attend a school or other institutionE+W

21.—(1) This regulation applies where a local authority carry out a review of an EHC plan and the child or young person concerned                     does not attend a school or other institution.                  

(2) The local authority must invite the following persons to a meeting as part of the review of an EHC plan—

(a)the child's parent or the young person;                  

(b)an officer of the authority who exercises the local authority's education functions in relation to children and young people                        with special educational needs;                  

(c)a health care professional identified by the responsible commissioning body to provide advice about health care provision                        to the child or young person;                  

(d)an officer of the authority who exercises the local authority's social services functions in relation to children and young                        people with special educational needs;                  

(e)any other person whose attendance the local authority considers appropriate.                  

(3) At least two weeks' notice of the date of the meeting must be given.

(4) The local authority must obtain advice and information about the child or young person from the persons referred to in paragraph                     (2) and must circulate it to those persons at least two weeks in advance of the review meeting                  

(5) The meeting must consider the child or young person's progress towards achieving the outcomes specified in the EHC plan.

(6) When the child or young person is in or beyond year 9, the review meeting must consider what provision is required to assist                     the child or young person in preparation for adulthood and independent living.                  

(7) The local authority must prepare a report on the child or young person within two weeks of the review meeting setting out                     its recommendations on any amendments required to be made to the EHC plan, and should refer to any difference between those                     recommendations and recommendations of others attending the meeting.                  

(8) The written report must include advice and information about the child or young person obtained in accordance with paragraph                     (4) and must be prepared within two weeks of the review meeting, and sent to everyone referred to in paragraph (2).                  

(9) The local authority must decide whether it proposes to—

(a)continue to maintain the EHC plan in its current form;                  

(b)amend it; or                  

(c)cease to maintain it,                  

and must notify the child's parent or the young person within four weeks of the review meeting.

(10) If the local authority proposes to continue or to cease to maintain the child or young person's EHC plan, it must also notify                     the child's parent or the young person of—                  

[F38(a)their right to appeal in accordance with section 51(2)(e) or (f) of the Act;]                  

(b)the time limits for doing so;                  

(c)the information concerning mediation, set out in regulation 32; and                  

(d)the availability of—                  

(i)disagreement resolution services; and                  

(ii)advice and information about matters relating to the special educational needs of children and young people [F39; and                  

(e)the First-tier Tribunal's power to make recommendations under the Special Educational Needs and Disability (First-tier Tribunal                           Recommendations Power) Regulations 2017.]                  

F38Reg. 21(10)(a) substituted (23.3.2015) by The Special Educational Needs and Disability (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/359), regs. 1, **5**

F39Reg. 21(10)(e) and word inserted (3.4.2018) by The Special Educational Needs and Disability (First-tier Tribunal Recommendations Power) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/1306), regs. 1, **8(2)**

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C13Reg. 21(10) applied (with modifications) (1.4.2015) by The Special Educational Needs and Disability (First-tier Tribunal Recommendation Power) (Pilot) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/358), regs. 1, **7**

#### Amending an EHC plan following a reviewE+W

22.—(1) Where the local authority is considering amending an EHC plan following a review it must comply with the requirements of regulations                     11, and 12, and with sections 33 of the Act, and with sections 39 and 40 of the Act (as appropriate).                  

(2) Where the local authority is considering amending an EHC plan following a review it must—

(a)send the child's parent or the young person a copy of the EHC plan together with a notice specifying the proposed amendments,                        together with copies of any evidence which supports those amendments;                  

(b)provide the child's parent or the young person with notice of their right request the authority to secure that a particular                        school is or other institution is named in the plan under section 38(2)(b)(ii)                  

(c)give them at least 15 days, beginning with the day on which the draft plan was served, in which to—                  

(i)make representations about the content of the draft plan;                  

(ii)request that a particular school or other institution be named in the plan;                  

(iii)request a meeting with an officer of the local authority, if they wish to make representations orally.                  

(d)advise them where they can find information about the schools and colleges that are available for the child or young person                        to attend.                  

(3) Where the local authority decides to amend the EHC plan following representations from the child's parent or the young person,                     it must send the finalised EHC plan to—                  

(a)the child's parent or to the young person;                  

(b)the governing body, proprietor or principal of any school or other institution named in the EHC plan; and                  

(c)to the responsible commissioning body                  

as soon as practicable, and in any event within 8 weeks of the local authority sending a copy of the EHC plan in accordance                     with paragraph (2)(a).                  

(4) Where the local authority decides not to amend the EHC plan, it must notify the child's parent or the young person of its                     decision and its reasons for this as soon as practicable and in any event within 8 weeks of the local authority sending a                     copy of the EHC plan in accordance with paragraph (2)(a).                  

(5) When sending a the finalised EHC plan to the child's parent or the young person in accordance with paragraph (3), or notifying                     them in accordance with paragraph (4) the local authority must also notify them of—                  

(a)their right to appeal matters within the EHC plan in accordance with section 51(2)(c) or 51(2)(e) of the Act (as appropriate);                  

(b)the time limits for doing so;                  

(c)the information concerning mediation, set out in regulation 32; and                  

(d)the availability of—                  

(i)disagreement resolution services; and                  

(ii)advice and information about matters relating to the special educational needs of children and young people [F40; and                  

(e)the First-tier Tribunal's power to make recommendations under the Special Educational Needs and Disability (First-tier Tribunal                           Recommendations Power) Regulations 2017.]                  

[F41(6)The local authority need not comply with the time limit referred to in paragraphs (3) and (4) if it isimpractical to do so because of a reason relating to the incidence or transmission of coronavirus.]                  

F40Reg. 22(5)(e) and word inserted (3.4.2018) by The Special Educational Needs and Disability (First-tier Tribunal Recommendations Power) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/1306), regs. 1, **8(2)**

F41Reg. 22(6) inserted (temp.) (1.5.2020) by virtue of The Special Educational Needs and Disability (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/471), regs. 1, **12** (with reg. 2(2))

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C14Reg. 22(5) applied (with modifications) (1.4.2015) by The Special Educational Needs and Disability (First-tier Tribunal Recommendation Power) (Pilot) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/358), regs. 1, **7**

#### Other circumstances in which a local authority must secure a re-assessmentE+W

23.  A local authority must secure a re-assessment of a child or young person's EHC Plan where it receives a request to do so from                     the responsible commissioning body for that child or young person.                  

#### Circumstances in which it is not necessary to re-assess educational, health care and social care provisionE+W

24.  Where a local authority receives a request to re-assess a child or young person in accordance with section 44(2) of the Act                     it does not need to do so where—                  

(a)it has carried out an assessment or re-assessment within the period of six months prior to that request, or                  

(b)it is not necessary for the authority to make a further assessment.                  

#### Notification of decision whether it is necessary to re-assess educational, health care and social care provisionE+W

25.—(1) The local authority must notify the child's parent or the young person whether or not it is necessary to reassess the child                     or young person within 15 days of receiving the request to re-assess.                  

(2) Where the local authority does not need to re-assess the child or young person the notification under paragraph (1) must also                     notify them of—                  

(a)their right to appeal matters within the EHC plan in accordance with section 51(2)(d) of the Act;                  

(b)the time limits for doing so;                  

(c)the information concerning mediation, set out in regulation 32; and                  

(d)the availability of—                  

(i)disagreement resolution services; and                  

(ii)advice and information about matters relating to the special educational needs of children and young people [F42; and                  

(e)the First-tier Tribunal's power to make recommendations under the Special Educational Needs and Disability (First-tier Tribunal                           Recommendations Power) Regulations 2017.]                  

F42Reg. 25(2)(e) and word inserted (3.4.2018) by The Special Educational Needs and Disability (First-tier Tribunal Recommendations Power) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/1306), regs. 1, **8(2)**

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C15Reg. 25(2) applied (with modifications) (1.4.2015) by The Special Educational Needs and Disability (First-tier Tribunal Recommendation Power) (Pilot) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/358), regs. 1, **7**

#### Securing a re-assessment of educational, health care and social care provisionE+W

26.—(1) When securing a re-assessment of educational, health care and social care provision in a child or young person's EHC plan                     a local authority must comply with the requirements of regulations 6 and 7.                  

(2) Regulations 8 and 9 also apply to re-assessments.

#### Amending or replacing an EHC plan following a re-assessmentE+W

27.—(1) Where the local authority decides to amend or replace an EHC plan following a reassessment it must comply with the requirements                     of regulations 11, 12, 13(1) and 14, and with sections 33 and 38 of the Act and with section 39 or 40 of the Act (as appropriate).                  

(2) The local authority must send a copy of the finalised EHC plan in accordance with section 39(8) or 40(5) of the Act (as appropriate)                     as soon as practicable, and in any event within 14 weeks of the notification under regulation 25(1)or of deciding it is necessary                     to reassess under section 44(3) to—                  

(a)the child's parent or the young person;                  

(b)the governing body, proprietor or principal of any school or other institution named in the plan; and                  

(c)the relevant responsible commissioning body.                  

(3) The local authority need not comply with the time limit referred to in paragraph (2) if it is impractical to do so because—

(a)the authority has requested advice from the head teacher or principal of a school or post-16 institution during a period beginning                        one week before any date on which that school or institution was closed for a continuous period of not less than 4 weeks from                        that date and ending one week before the date on which it re-opens;                  

(b)the authority has requested advice from the person identified as having responsibility for special educational needs (if any)                        in relation to, or other person responsible for, a child's education at a provider of relevant early years education during                        a period beginning one week before any date on which that provider was closed for a continuous period of not less than 4 weeks                        from that date and ending one week before the date on which it re-opens;                  

(c)exceptional personal circumstances affect the child or his parent, or the young person during that time period; [F43or]                  

(d)the child or his parent, or the young person, are absent from the area of the authority for a continuous period of not less                        than 4 weeks, during that time period [F44; or                  

(e)of a reason relating to the incidence or transmission of coronavirus].                  

(4) (a) Where the local authority carries out a reassessment, it must review the EHC plan within 12 months of the date on which a                     copy of the finalised plan is sent to the child's parent or the young person in accordance with the requirements in Regulation                     14; and                  

(b)in each subsequent period of 12 months starting with the date on which the plan was last reviewed.                  

F43Word in reg. 27(3)(c) omitted (temp.) (1.5.2020) by virtue of The Special Educational Needs and Disability (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/471), regs. 1, **13(a)** (with reg. 2(2))

F44Reg. 27(3)(e) and word inserted (temp.) (1.5.2020) by virtue of The Special Educational Needs and Disability (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/471), regs. 1, **13(b)** (with reg. 2(2))

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C16Reg. 27 applied (with modifications) (1.9.2014) by The Children and Families Act 2014 (Transitional and Saving Provisions) (No. 2) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/2270), **arts. 1(2)**, 24(2), as amended (1.9.2015) by The Children and Families Act 2014 (Transitional and Saving Provisions) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/1619), arts. 1, **5**

#### Amending an EHC plan without a review or reassessmentE+W

28.  If, at any time, a local authority proposes to amend an EHC plan, it shall proceed as if the proposed amendment were an amendment                     proposed after a review.                  

### Ceasing to maintain an EHC planE+W

#### Circumstances in which a local authority may not cease to maintain an EHC plan where the person is under the age of 18E+W

29.—(1) A local authority may not cease to maintain an EHC plan for a child or young person under the age of 18 unless it determines                     that it is no longer necessary for special educational provision to be made for the child or young person in accordance with                     an EHC plan.                  

(2) Where a child or young person under the age of 18 is not receiving education or training, the local authority must review                     the EHC plan in accordance with regulations 18 and 19 and amend it in accordance with regulation 22 where appropriate, to                     ensure that the young person continues to receive education or training.                  

#### Circumstances in which a local authority may not cease to maintain an EHC plan where the person is aged 18 or overE+W

30.—(1) When a young person aged 18 or over ceases to attend the educational institution specified in his or her EHC plan, so is no                     longer receiving education or training, a local authority may not cease to maintain that EHC plan, unless it has reviewed                     that EHC plan in accordance with regulations 18 and 19 and ascertained that the young person does not wish to return to education                     or training, either at the educational institution specified in the EHC plan, or otherwise, or determined that returning to                     education or training would not be appropriate for the young person.                  

(2) Where following the review, the local authority ascertains that the young person wishes to return to education or training                     either at the educational institution specified in the EHC plan, or at another educational institution, and determines that                     it is appropriate for the young person to do so, it must amend the young person's EHC plan as it thinks necessary in accordance                     with regulation 22.                  

#### Procedure for determining whether to cease to maintain EHC planE+W

31.—(1) Where a local authority is considering ceasing to maintain a child or young person's EHC plan it must—                  

(a)inform the child's parent or the young person that it is considering ceasing to maintain the child or young person's EHC plan;                        and                  

(b)consult the child's parent or the young person;                  

(c)consult the head teacher, principal or equivalent person at the educational institution that is named in the EHC plan.                  

(2) Where, following that consultation the local authority determines to cease to maintain the child or young person's EHC plan,                     it must notify the child's parent or the young person, the institution named in the child or young person's EHC plan and the                     responsible commissioning body of that decision.                  

(3) When notifying the child's parent or the young person of its decision to cease to maintain the EHC plan, it must also notify                     them of—                  

(a)their right to appeal that decision;                  

(b)the time limits for doing so;                  

(c)the information concerning mediation, set out in regulation 32; and                  

(d)the availability of—                  

(i)disagreement resolution services; and                  

(ii)advice and information about matters relating to the special educational needs of children and young people [F45; and                  

(e)the First-tier Tribunal's power to make recommendations under the Special Educational Needs and Disability (First-tier Tribunal                           Recommendations Power) Regulations 2017.]                  

F45Reg. 31(3)(e) and word inserted (3.4.2018) by The Special Educational Needs and Disability (First-tier Tribunal Recommendations Power) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/1306), regs. 1, **8(2)**

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C17Reg. 31(3) applied (with modifications) (1.4.2015) by The Special Educational Needs and Disability (First-tier Tribunal Recommendation Power) (Pilot) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/358), regs. 1, **7**

### MediationE+W

#### Information to be included in notices sent by a local authorityE+W

32.  Where a notice sent by a local authority must include the information set out in this regulation, that information is—                  

(a)the right of the child's parent or young person to request mediation under section 53 or 54 of the Act;                  

(b)the requirement to obtain a certificate in accordance with section 55(4) or (5) (“a mediation certificate”) before any appeal                        can be made to the First-tier Tribunal F46;                  

(c)contact details for the mediation adviser that the child's parent or young person should contact to obtain that certificate;                  

(d)the timescales for requesting mediation;                  

(e)the requirement to inform the local authority—                  

(i)if the parent or young person wishes to pursue mediation,                  

(ii)the mediation issues F47, and                  

(iii)where 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 EHC plan, the health care provision that the child's parent or young person wishes to be specified                        in the EHC plan;                  

(f)contact details for any person acting on behalf of the local authority whom the child's parent or young person should contact                        if they wish to pursue mediation.                  

F46The First-tier Tribunal was established under section 3 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 (c.15)

F47Mediation issues has the same meaning as in section 53(1)(b) of the Act

#### Requirement to consider mediationE+W

33.  Where a parent or young person is required to obtain a mediation certificate, he or she must contact the mediation adviser                     within 2 months after written notice of the local authority's decision was sent, and inform the mediation adviser that he                     or she wishes to appeal and inform the mediation adviser whether they wish to pursue mediation.                  

#### Where a parent or young person does not wish to or fails to pursue mediationE+W

34.—(1) Where a parent or young person who is required to obtain a mediation certificate informs the mediation adviser that he or                     she does not wish to pursue mediation, the mediation adviser must issue a mediation certificate under section 55(4) within                     3 working days of being informed by the parent or young person.                  

(2) The mediation adviser may not issue such a certificate if the parent or young person did not contact the mediation adviser                     within 2 months of the date of the notice issued by the local authority.                  

(3) A parent or young person may seek leave to appeal to the First-tier Tribunal not withstanding that he or she is required to                     obtain a mediation certificate and a mediation adviser has not issued a certificate to him or her, where the parent or young                     person has failed to comply with Regulation 33 and the time for doing so has elapsed.                  

#### Mediation – health care issuesE+W

35.—(1) This regulation applies where a parent or young person has informed the local authority that he or she wishes to pursue mediation                     and the mediation issues relate solely or in part to the healthcare provision specified in the EHC plan, or the fact that                     no health care or no health care of a particular kind is specified in the EHC plan.                  

(2) The local authority must, within 3 working days, from the date of being informed that the child's parent or the young person                     wishes to pursue mediation, notify each relevant commissioning body of—                  

(a)the mediation issues; and                  

(b)where 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 EHC plan, the health care provision that the child's parent or young person has informed the local                        authority he or she wishes to be specified in the plan.                  

(3) Where the mediation issues relate solely to health care provision, the responsible commissioning body (or, where there is                     more than one, the responsible commissioning bodies acting jointly) must arrange for mediation between it (or them) and the                     child's parent or young person within 30 days from the date on which it (or they) receive notification from the local authority                     under paragraph (2).                  

(4) Where the mediation issues do not relate solely to health care provision, the local authority must arrange for mediation between                     it, each responsible commissioning body and the parent or young person within 30 days from the date on which it was informed                     by the parent or young person that he or she wished to pursue mediation.                  

#### Mediation – no health care issuesE+W

36.—(1) This regulation applies where a parent or young person has informed the local authority that he or she wishes to pursue mediation                     and the mediation issues do not relate to health care provision.                  

(2) The local authority must arrange for mediation between it and the child's parent or young person, within 30 days from the                     date of on which it was informed by the child's parent or young person that he or she wished to pursue mediation.                  

#### Arrangements for mediationE+W

37.—(1) The body (or bodies) arranging the mediation must ensure that it is attended by persons who have authority to resolve the                     mediation issues.                  

(2) That body must inform the child's parent or the young person of the date and place of the mediation at least 5 working days                     prior to the mediation unless the child's parent or the young person consents to this period of time being reduced.                  

#### Attendance at the mediationE+W

38.—(1) The following persons may attend the mediation—                  

(a)the parties to the mediation;                  

(b)any advocate or other supporter that the child's parent or the young person wishes to attend the mediation;                  

(c)where the child's parent is a party to the mediation, the child (with the agreement of the parent and the mediator);                  

(d)where the young person's alternative person F48 is a party to the mediation, the young person (with the agreement of the alternative person and the mediator);                  

(e)any other person, with the consent of all of the parties to the mediation, or where there is no such agreement, with the consent                        of the mediator.                  

(2) Where the child's parent is a party to the mediation, the mediator must take reasonable steps to ascertain the views of the                     child about the mediation issues.                  

(3) Where the young person's alternative person is a party to the mediation, the mediator must take reasonable steps to ascertain                     the views of the young person about the mediation issues.                  

F48Alternative person has the meaning given in Regulation 64

#### Mediation certificate under section 55(5)E+W

39.—(1) Where mediation is pursued before making an appeal to the First-tier Tribunal, the mediation adviser must issue a certificate                     under section 55(5) to the parent or young person within 3 working days of the conclusion of the mediation.                  

(2) Where mediation is pursued before making an appeal to the First-tier Tribunal and the local authority is unable to arrange                     for mediation within the period specified in regulation 35(4) or 36(2), the local authority must notify the mediation adviser                     of this fact as soon as possible after it realises that it is unable to arrange for mediation within that period.                  

(3) Where paragraph (2) applies, it is deemed that the child's parent or the young person has participated in mediation, and the                     mediation adviser will issue a certificate under section 55(5) within 3 working days of being notified of this by the local                     authority, whether or not the child's parent or the young person later participates in mediation.                  

#### Training, qualifications and experience of mediatorsE+W

40.  Mediators must have sufficient knowledge of the legislation relating to special educational needs, health and social care                     to be able to conduct the mediation.                  

#### ExpensesE+W

41.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the body arranging the mediation shall pay the following expenses in connection with the child's                     parent or young person attending mediation—                  

##### Table 1

(2) The body arranging the mediation may require either or both of the following conditions before making payment of a claim for                     expenses under paragraph (1)—                  

(a)payment is made with the prior agreement of the body arranging the mediation;                  

(b)payment is made upon receipt of satisfactory supporting evidence of the expenses claimed.                  

#### Steps to be taken by a local authorityE+W

42.—(1) This regulation applies where mediation has taken place and the parties to the mediation reach an agreement, to be recorded                     in writing (“the mediation agreement”).                  

(2) Where the mediation issues in the mediation agreement are those on which the child's parent or young person has a right to                     appeal to the First-tier Tribunal, the local authority shall comply with the time limits set out in regulation 44, as if the                     mediation agreement were an order of the First–tier Tribunal.                  

(3) Where the mediation agreement requires the local authority or responsible commissioning body to do something in relation to                     which the child's parent or young person has no right of appeal to the First-tier Tribunal, the local authority or responsible                     commissioning body must do that thing within two weeks of the date of the mediation agreement.                  

(4) Where the local authority was not a party to the mediation, the responsible commissioning body must notify the local authority                     of the mediation agreement within 1 week of the date of that agreement.                  

(5) The timescales referred to in paragraphs (2) and (3) do not apply where the parties to the mediation agree in writing to a                     different timescale.                  

### AppealsE+W

#### Powers of the First-tier TribunalE+W

43.—(1) Before determining any appeal, the First-tier Tribunal may, with the agreement of the parties, correct any deficiencies in                     the EHC Plan which relate to the special educational needs or special educational provision for the child or the young person.                  

(2) When determining an appeal the powers of the First-tier Tribunal include the power to—

(a)dismiss the appeal;                  

(b)order the local authority to arrange an assessment of the child or young person under section 36 or a reassessment under section                        44(2) where the local authority has refused to do so, where the appeal made under section 51(2)(a) or (d);                  

(c)order the local authority to make and maintain an EHC Plan where the local authority has refused to do so, where the appeal                        is made under section 51(2)(b);                  

(d)refer the case back to the local authority for them to reconsider whether, having regard to any observations made by the First-tier                        Tribunal, it is necessary for the local authority to determine the special educational provision for the child or young person,                        where the appeal is made under section 51(2)(b);                  

(e)order the local authority to continue to maintain the EHC Plan in its existing form where the local authority has refused                        to do so, where the appeal is made under section 51(2) F49... (f);                  

(f)order the local authority to continue to maintain the EHC Plan with amendments where the appeal is made under [F50section 51(2)(c), (e) or (f)] so far as that relates to either the assessment of special educational needs or the special educational provision and make                        any other consequential amendments as the First-tier Tribunal thinks fit;                  

(g)order the local authority to substitute in the EHC Plan the school or other institution or the type of school or other institution                        specified in the EHC plan, F51... where the appeal is made under section 51(2)(c)(iii) or (iv) [F52, (e) or (f)];                  

(h)where appropriate, when making an order in accordance with paragraph (g) this may include naming—                  

(i)a special school or institution approved under section 41 where a mainstream school or mainstream post-16 institution is specified                        in the EHC Plan; or                  

(ii)a mainstream school or mainstream post-16 institution where a special school or institution approved under section 41 is specified                        in the EHC Plan.                  

F49Words in reg. 43(2)(e) omitted (23.3.2015) by virtue of The Special Educational Needs and Disability (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/359), regs. 1, **6(a)**

F50Words in reg. 43(2)(f) substituted (23.3.2015) by The Special Educational Needs and Disability (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/359), regs. 1, **6(b)**

F51Words in reg. 43(2)(g) omitted (23.3.2015) by virtue of The Special Educational Needs and Disability (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/359), regs. 1, **6(c)(i)**

F52Words in reg. 43(2)(g) inserted (23.3.2015) by The Special Educational Needs and Disability (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/359), regs. 1, **6(c)(ii)**

#### Compliance with the orders of the First-tier TribunalE+W

44.—(1) Subject to paragraph (3) or any direction made by the First-tier Tribunal, if the First-tier Tribunal makes an order requiring                     a local authority to take any action, the local authority shall take that action within the period specified in paragraph                     (2).                  

(2) Where the order—

(a)dismisses an appeal against a determination to cease an EHC Plan, the local authority shall cease to maintain the EHC Plan                        immediately;                  

(b)requires a local authority to make an assessment or reassessment, the local authority shall within 2 weeks of the order being                        made notify the child's parent or the young person that it shall make the assessment or reassessment and shall—                  

(i)where, following the assessment or reassessment, the local authority decides that it is not necessary for special educational                        provision to be made for the child or the young person, in accordance with an EHC plan, notify the child's parent or the young                        person of its decision, giving reasons for it as soon as practicable, and in any event within 10 weeks of the date of the                        First-tier Tribunal's order; or                  

(ii)where, following the assessment or reassessment, it decides that it is necessary for special educational provision to be made                        for the child or the young person, in accordance with an EHC plan, it must send the finalised plan to [F53the child’s parent or the young person under regulation 14(2) and] those specified in regulation 13(2) as soon as practicable and in any event within 14 weeks of the date of the First-tier                        Tribunal's order;                  

(c)requires a local authority to make and maintain an EHC Plan, the local authority shall—                  

(i)issue a draft EHC Plan within 5 weeks of the order being made; and                  

(ii)send a copy of the finalised EHC plan to the child's parent or young person under [F54Regulation 14(2) and to those specified in regulation 13(2)], within 11 weeks of the order being made.                  

(d)refers the case back to the local authority for it to reconsider, the local authority shall do so within 2 weeks of the order                        being made and shall either send a copy of the draft EHC Plan as required under Regulation 13 or give notice as required under                        Regulation 5 of any decision not to maintain an EHC Plan;                  

(e)requires a local authority to amend the special educational provision specified in an EHC Plan, the local authority shall                        issue the amended EHC Plan within 5 weeks of the order being made;                  

(f)requires the local authority to amend the name of the school or other institution or the type of school or other institution                        specified in the EHC plan, the local authority shall issue the amended EHC plan within 2 weeks of the order being made;                  

(g)requires the local authority to continue to maintain an EHC Plan in its existing form, the local authority shall continue                        to maintain the EHC Plan; and                  

(h)to continue and amend an EHC Plan, the local authority shall continue to maintain the EHC Plan and amend the EHC Plan within                        5 weeks of the order being made.                  

(3) The local authority need not comply with the time limits specified in paragraph (2)(b) and (c) if it is impractical to do                     so because—                  

(a)exceptional personal circumstances affect the child or their parent, or the young person during that period of time;                  

(b)the child or their parent or the young person is absent from the area of the authority for a continuous period of 2 weeks                        or more during that period of time; or                  

(c)any of the circumstances referred to in regulation 13(3) apply.                  

F53Words in reg. 44(2)(b)(ii) inserted (23.3.2015) by The Special Educational Needs and Disability (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/359), regs. 1, **7(a)**

F54Words in reg. 44(2)(c)(ii) substituted (23.3.2015) by The Special Educational Needs and Disability (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/359), regs. 1, **7(b)**

#### Unopposed appealsE+W

45.—(1) This regulation applies where the child's parent or young person has appealed to the First-tier Tribunal and the local authority                     notifies the First-tier Tribunal that it will not oppose the appeal before it submits a response.                  

(2) The appeal is to be treated as if it was determined in favour of the appellant and the First-tier Tribunal is not required                     to make an order.                  

[F55(3)If the appeal is made under section 51(2)(a) or (d) of the Act, the local authority must, within 2 weeks of the date it notified                        the First-tier Tribunal under paragraph (1), notify the child’s parent or the young person that it must make the EHC needs                        assessment or reassessment.                  

(3A)If following the EHC needs assessment or reassessment, the local authority—                  

(a)decides that it is not necessary for special educational provision to be made for the child or young person in accordance                           with an EHC plan, the local authority must notify the child’s parent or the young person of its decision, giving reasons for                           it as soon as practicable, and in any event within 10 weeks of the date it notified the First-tier Tribunal under paragraph                           (1), or                  

(b)decides that it is necessary for special educational provision to be made for the child or young person in accordance with                           an EHC plan, it must send the finalised plan to the child’s parent or the young person under regulation 14(2) and those specified                           in regulation 13(2) as soon as practicable and in any event within 14 weeks of the date it notified the First-tier Tribunal                           under paragraph (1).                  

(4)If the appeal is made under section 51(2)(c)(i) or (ii), or (e) of the Act, the local authority must issue the amended EHC                        plan to those specified in regulation 22(3) within 5 weeks of the date it notified the First-tier Tribunal under paragraph                        (1).                  

(5)If the appeal is made under section 51(2)(c)(iii) or (iv) of the Act, the local authority must issue the amended EHC plan                        to those specified in regulation 22(3)—                  

(a)within 2 weeks of the date it notified the First-tier Tribunal under paragraph (1), or                  

(b)where the local authority is also required to amend the EHC plan under paragraph (4), within 5 weeks of the date it notified                           the First-tier Tribunal under paragraph (1).                  

(6)If the appeal is made under section 51(2)(b) of the Act, the local authority must—                  

(a)issue a draft EHC plan within 5 weeks of the date it notified the First-tier Tribunal under paragraph (1), and                  

(b)send a copy of the finalised EHC plan to the child’s parent or the young person under regulation 14(2) and to those specified                           in regulation 13(2), within 11 weeks of the date it notified the First-tier Tribunal under paragraph (1).                  

(6A)If the appeal is made under section 51(2)(f) of the Act, the local authority must continue to maintain the EHC plan, and where                        the local authority has also agreed to amend the EHC plan, the local authority must amend it within 5 weeks of the date it                        notified the First-tier Tribunal under paragraph (1).]                  

(7) The local authority need not comply with the time limits specified in paragraphs (3) F56... or (6) if it is impractical to do so because—                  

(a)exceptional personal circumstances affect the child or their parent or the young person during the relevant period;                  

(b)the child or their parent or the young person are absent from the area of the local authority for a continuous period of not                        less than 2 weeks during the relevant period; or                  

(c)any of the circumstances referred to in regulation 13(3) apply.                  

[F57(8)The local authority need not comply with the time limits specified in paragraph (3A) if it is impractical to do so because                        the circumstances referred to in regulation 10(4)(e) apply.]                  

F55Reg. 45(3)-(6A) substituted for reg. 45(3)-(6) (23.3.2015) by The Special Educational Needs and Disability (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/359), regs. 1, **8(a)**

F56Word in reg. 45(7) omitted (23.3.2015) by virtue of The Special Educational Needs and Disability (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/359), regs. 1, **8(b)**

F57Reg. 45(8) inserted (temp.) (1.5.2020) by virtue of The Special Educational Needs and Disability (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/471), regs. 1, **14** (with reg. 2(2))

### Miscellaneous provisionsE+W

#### Academic yearE+W

46.—(1) For the purposes of section 46 of the Act, an academic year is the period of twelve months which ends—                  

(a)in relation to a young person attending an institution within the further education sector on 31st July;                  

(b)in relation to a young person receiving apprenticeship training, on the date that that apprenticeship training finishes, or                        on the day before the young person attains the age of 26 if earlier;                  

(c)in all other cases, on the day that the young person's course of education or training is scheduled to end, or on the day                        before the young person attains the age of 26 if earlier.                  

(2) In this regulation ‘apprenticeship training’ has the same meaning as in section 83(5) of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children                     and Learning Act 2009 F58.                  

F582009 c.22

#### Disclosure of EHC plans in relation to higher educationE+W

47.  When a young person is intending to undertake a course of higher education, the local authority must disclose a copy of that                     young person's EHC plan to—                  

(a)any person in connection with the young person's application for a disabled student's allowance in accordance with chapter                        3 of part 5 of the Education (Student Support) Regulations 2011 F59; and                  

(b)the principal (or equivalent position) of the institution at which it has been confirmed that the young person has a place                        to undertake a course of higher education,                  

within 15 working days of being asked to do so by the young person.

F59S.I.2011/1986

#### Remaining in a special school or special post-16 institution without an EHC planE+W

48.—(1) Where a child or young person has been admitted to a special school or special post-16 institution for the purposes of an                     EHC needs assessment, he or she may remain at that school or post-16 institution—                  

(a)for a period of ten school or institution days after the local authority serves a notice under section 36(9) of the Act informing                        the child's parent or the young person that it does not propose to make an EHC plan; or                  

(b)until an EHC plan is finalised.                  

(2) In this regulation “school or institution day” means a day on which the school or post-16 institution is open to admit students.                  

## **PART 3**E+WDuties on schools

### Special Educational Needs Co-ordinatorsE+W

#### Prescribed qualifications and experience of SENCOsE+W

49.—(1) The appropriate authority of a relevant school must ensure that the SENCO appointed under section 67(2) of the Act meets all                     of the requirements in either paragraph (2) or (3).                  

(2) The requirements in this paragraph are that the SENCO—

(a)is a qualified teacher [F60other than by virtue of paragraph 8A of Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the Education (School Teachers’ Qualifications) (England)                           Regulations 2003];                  

(b)if required to complete an induction period under regulations made under section 135A of the Education Act 2002 F61, has satisfactorily completed such an induction period; and                  

(c)is working as a teacher at the school.                  

(3) The requirement in this paragraph is that the SENCO is the head teacher or acting head teacher (or equivalent in the case                     of an Academy school) of the school.                  

(4) Where a person becomes the SENCO at a relevant school after 1st September 2009, and has not previously been the SENCO at that or any other relevant school for a total period of more than                     twelve months, the appropriate authority of the school must ensure that, if the person is the SENCO at the school at any time                     after the third anniversary of the date on which that person becomes a SENCO, that person holds the qualification, mentioned                     in paragraph (5).                  

(5) The qualification referred to in paragraph (4) is a postgraduate qualification in special educational needs co-ordination,                     for the time being known as “The National Award for Special Educational Needs Co-ordination”, awarded by a recognised body.                  

(6) For the purposes of paragraph (5), a recognised body is a body designated by the Secretary of State by order made under section                     216(1) of the Education Reform Act 1988 F62;                  

F60Words in reg. 49(2)(a) inserted (19.12.2016) by The Education (School Teachers Qualifications and Induction Arrangements and Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators) (Amendment)                                 Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1123), regs. 1, **4(2)**

F612002 c.32. Section 135A was inserted by section 9 of the Education Act 2011 (c.21)

F621988 c.40

#### Appropriate authority functions and duties relating to the SENCOE+W

50.—(1) The appropriate authority of a relevant school must determine the role of the SENCO in relation to the leadership and management                     of the school.                  

(2) The appropriate authority of a relevant school must determine the functions of the SENCO in addition to those under section                     67(2) of the Act and monitor the effectiveness of the SENCO in undertaking those responsibilities.                  

(3) The functions referred to in paragraph (1) may include the carrying out, or arranging for the carrying out, of the following                     tasks—                  

(a)in relation to each of the registered pupils who the SENCO considers may have special educational needs, informing a parent                        of the pupil that this may be the case as soon as is reasonably practicable;                  

(b)in relation to each of the registered pupils who have special educational needs—                  

(i)identifying the pupil's special educational needs, and co-ordinating the making of special educational provision which meets                        those needs,                  

(ii)monitoring the effectiveness of any special educational provision made,                  

(iii)securing relevant services for the pupil where necessary,                  

(iv)ensuring that records of the pupil's special educational needs and the special educational provision made are maintained and                        kept up to date,                  

(v)liaising with and providing information to a parent of the pupil on a regular basis about that pupil's special educational                        needs and the special educational provision being made,                  

(vi)ensuring that, where the pupil transfers to another school or educational institution, all relevant information about the                        pupil's special educational needs and the special educational provision made is conveyed to the appropriate authority or (as                        the case may be) the proprietor of that school or institution, and                  

(vii)promoting the pupil's inclusion in the school community and access to the school's curriculum, facilities and extra-curricular                        activities;                  

(c)selecting, supervising and training learning support assistants who work with pupils with special educational needs;                  

(d)advising teachers at the school about differentiated teaching methods appropriate for individual pupils with special educational                        needs;                  

(e)contributing to in-service training for teachers at the school to assist them to carry out the tasks referred to in paragraph                        (b); and                  

(f)preparing and reviewing the information required to be published by the appropriate authority pursuant to regulation 51, the                        objectives of the appropriate authority in making provision for special educational needs, and the special educational needs                        policy referred to in paragraph 3 of Schedule 1 to these Regulations.                  

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(b)(iii) “relevant services” means—                  

(a)special educational provision, or advice or assistance in relation to such provision or its management; and                  

(b)the assessment of special educational needs, or advice or assistance in relation to such needs or in relation to the management                        of pupils with such needs.                  

### SEN information reportE+W

#### Prescribed information that must be included in SEN information reportE+W

51.  For the purpose of section 69(3)(a) of the Act the SEN information which the governing body or proprietor of every maintained                     school, maintained nursery school and Academy school (other than a special school that is established in a hospital) must                     include in a report containing SEN information is set out in Schedule 1.                  

#### Manner of publication of reportE+W

52.  The governing body or proprietor of the school must publish on the school's website its report containing SEN information.                  

## **PART 4**E+WLocal Offer

### Information to be included in the local offerE+W

53.  A local authority must include the information in Schedule 2 when it publishes its local offer.                  

### ConsultationE+W

54.—(1) When preparing and reviewing its local offer, a local authority must consult the following persons in its area—                  

(a)children and young people with special educational needs and the parents of children with special educational needs;                  

(b)children and young people with a disability, and the parents of children with a disability;                  

(c)the governing bodies of maintained schools and maintained nursery schools;                  

(d)the proprietors of Academies F63;                  

(e)the governing bodies, proprietors or principals of post-16 institutions;                  

(f)the governing bodies of non-maintained special schools;                  

(g)the management committees of pupil referral units;                  

(h)the advisory boards of children's centres;                  

(i)the providers of relevant early years education;                  

(j)the youth offending teams that the authority thinks have functions in relation to children or young people for whom it is                        responsible;                  

(k)any other person that makes special educational provision for a child or young person for whom it is responsible and those                        who provide advice in relation to making that provision;                  

(l)persons who make provision to assist children and young people in preparation for adulthood and independent living;                  

(m)its officers who—                  

(i)exercise the authority's functions relating to education or training;                  

(ii)exercise the authority's social services functions for children or young people with special educational needs or a disability;                  

(iii)so far as they are not officers within paragraph (i) or (ii), exercise the authority's functions relating to provision to                        assist children and young people in preparation for adulthood and independent living; and                  

(n)such other persons as it thinks appropriate.                  

(2) When preparing and reviewing its local offer, a local authority must also consult—

(a)the National Health Service Commissioning Board;                  

(b)any clinical commissioning group—                  

(i)whose area coincides with, or falls wholly or partly within, the local authority's area, or                  

(ii)which exercises functions in relation to children or young people for whom the authority is responsible;                  

(c)any NHS trust or NHS foundation trust which provides services in the authority's area, or which exercises functions in relation                        to children or young people for whom the authority is responsible;                  

(d)any local Health Board which exercises functions in relation to children or young people for whom the authority is responsible;                  

(e)any health and wellbeing board established under section 194 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 F64 which exercises functions in relation to children or young people for whom the authority is responsible.                  

(3) When preparing and reviewing its local offer, a local authority must also consult any bodies specified in paragraphs (1)(b)                     to (k) and (m) that are not in the local authority's area, but which the local authority thinks are or are likely to either—                  

(a)be attended by children or young people for whom it is responsible; or                  

(b)have functions in relation to children or young people for whom it is responsible.                  

F63An academy has the same meaning as in section 1(10) of the Academies Act 2010

F642012 c.7

### Involvement of children, their parents and young people in preparation and review of local offer.E+W

55.  A local authority must consult children and young people with special educational needs or a disability and the parents of                     children with special educational needs or a disability in their area about—                  

(a)the services children and young people with special educational needs or a disability require;                  

(b)how the information in the local offer is to be set out when published;                  

(c)how the information in the local offer will be available for those people without access to the Internet;                  

(d)how the information in the local offer will be accessible to those with special educational needs or a disability;                  

(e)how they can provide comments on the local offer.                  

### Publication of comments on the local offerE+W

56.—(1) A local authority must seek from children and young people with special educational needs or a disability, and the parents                     of children with special educational needs or a disability comments on—                  

(a)the content of its local offer, including the quality of the provision that is included and any provision that is not included;                  

(b)the accessibility of the information contained in its local offer; and                  

(c)how the local offer has been developed or reviewed, including how those children, parents and young people have been involved                        in the development and review of the local offer.                  

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), a local authority must publish comments received by or on behalf of those people in accordance with                     paragraph (1), and its response to those comments (including details of any action the authority intends to take) on its website,                     with the local offer.                  

(3) Comments received and the local authority's response must be published at least annually, and must be in a form that does                     not enable any individual to be identified.                  

(4) The local authority is not required to publish or respond to any comments which—

(a)it considers to be vexatious; or                  

(b)relate to services provided to a particular individual.                  

### Manner of publicationE+W

57.  A local authority must—                  

(a)publish its local offer by placing it on their website;                  

(b)publish its arrangements for enabling—                  

(i)people without access to the Internet; and                  

(ii)different groups, including people with special educational needs or a disability,                  

to obtain a copy of the offer; and

(c)publish how those people identified in paragraph (b) can provide comments on the local offer.                  

## **PART 5**E+WApproval of independent special schools and special post-16 institutions

### Types of special post-16 institution that may be approvedE+W

58.  The Secretary of State may approve a special post-16 institution under section 41 of the Act where it is not—                  

(a)an institution within the further education sector;                  

(b)a 16 to19 Academy F65;                  

(c)maintained by a local authority.                  

F6516 to19 Academy has the same meaning as section 1B of the Academies Act 2010. Section 1B was inserted by section 53(7) of                              the 2011 Act

### Matters to be taken into account in deciding to give approvalE+W

59.—(1) The Secretary of State may take into account the following matters when deciding whether to give approval to a special post                     16 institution, an independent educational institution or an independent school—                  

(a)evidence relating to the financial viability of the institution;                  

(b)the proportion of children and young people attending the institution who have an EHC plan (or a statement of special educational                        needs or learning difficulty assessment); and                  

(c)reports relating to the institution by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills, the Care                        Quality Commission F66, and any inspectorate which inspects independent schools in accordance with an agreement with the Secretary of State or which                        is approved by the Secretary of State under section 106 of the Education and Skills Act 2008 F67.                  

(2) Where reports referred to in paragraph 1(c) are not available, the Secretary of State may consider such other evidence as                     the Secretary of State considers appropriate in relation to the quality of the educational provision at the institution or                     school concerned.                  

F66The Care Quality Commission was established under section 1 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (c.14)

F672008 c.25

### Matters to be taken into account in deciding to withdraw approvalE+W

60.  The Secretary of State may take into account the following matters when deciding whether to withdraw approval—                  

(a)the matters identified in regulation 59(1); and                  

(b)any serious concerns about the institution received from a local authority or a child or young person attending the institution                        or from any other person.                  

### Procedure when the Secretary of State decides to withdraw approvalE+W

61.—(1) When the Secretary of State decides to withdraw the approval of an institution, the Secretary of State must notify the proprietor                     of the institution of that decision.                  

(2) The Secretary of State must also notify all local authorities in England of that decision.

(3) The decision will take effect 28 days after that notification is given, and shall remove the institution from the list published                     in accordance with regulation 62 on the date that the decision takes effect.                  

### Publication of list of approved institutionsE+W

62.  The Secretary of State must publish a list of all institutions that have been approved, and have not had that approval withdrawn,                     on the Internet.                  

## **PART 6**E+WParents and young people lacking capacity

### Where a child's parent lacks capacityE+W

63.  In a case where a child's parent lacks capacity at the relevant time references in—                  

(a)Part 3 of the Act, and                  

(b)these regulations, except the references in regulation 6(1)(b)(iv) and paragraph 15(b) of Schedule 2,                  

to a child's parent or the parent of a detained person who is a child are to be read as references to a representative of                     the parent.                  

### Where a young person lacks capacityE+W

64.—(1) In a case where a young person lacks capacity at the relevant time—                  

(a)references to a young person in the provisions of Part 3 of the Act listed in Part 1 of Schedule 3 are to be read as references                        to both the young person and the alternative person;                  

(b)references to a young person or a detained person who is a young person in the provisions of Part 3 of the Act listed in Part                        2 of Schedule 3 are to be read as references to the alternative person instead of the young person; and                  

(c)references to a young person in these regulations listed in Part 3 of Schedule 3 are to be read as references to both the                        young person and the alternative person; and                  

(d)references to a young person in these regulations listed in Part 4 of Schedule 3 are to be read as references to the alternative                        person instead of the young person.                  

(2) For the purposes of this regulation, “the alternative person” means—                  

(a)a representative of the young person;                  

(b)the young person's parent, where the young person does not have a representative;                  

(c)a representative of the young person's parent, where the young person's parent also lacks capacity at the relevant time and                        the young person does not have a representative.                  

### Mental Capacity Act 2005E+W

65.  Regulations 63 and 64 have effect in spite of section 27(1)(g) of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 F68.                  

F682005 c.9 Section 27(1)(g) 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.

Edward Timpson

 Parliamentary Under Secretary of State

 Department for Education

 Regulation 51

## SCHEDULE 1E+WInformation to be included in the SEN information report

1.  The kinds of special educational needs for which provision is made at the school.E+W

2.  Information, in relation to mainstream schools and maintained nursery schools, about the school's policies for the identification                     and assessment of pupils with special educational needs.E+W

3.  Information about the school's policies for making provision for pupils with special educational needs whether or not pupils                     have EHC Plans, including—E+W

(a)how the school evaluates the effectiveness of its provision for such pupils;

(b)the school's arrangements for assessing and reviewing the progress of pupils with special educational needs;

(c)the school's approach to teaching pupils with special educational needs;

(d)how the school adapts the curriculum and learning environment for pupils with special educational needs;

(e)additional support for learning that is available to pupils with special educational needs;

(f)how the school enables pupils with special educational needs to engage in the activities of the school (including physical                        activities) together with children who do not have special educational needs; and

(g)support that is available for improving the emotional, mental and social development of pupils with special educational needs.

4.  In relation to mainstream schools and maintained nursery schools, the name and contact details of the SEN co-ordinator.E+W

5.  Information about the expertise and training of staff in relation to children and young people with special educational needs                     and about how specialist expertise will be secured.E+W

6.  Information about how equipment and facilities to support children and young people with special educational needs will be                     secured.E+W

7.  The arrangements for consulting parents of children with special educational needs about, and involving such parents in, the                     education of their child.E+W

8.  The arrangements for consulting young people with special educational needs about, and involving them in, their education.E+W

9.  Any arrangements made by the governing body or the proprietor relating to the treatment of complaints from parents of pupils                     with special educational needs concerning the provision made at the school.E+W

10.  How the governing body involves other bodies, including health and social services bodies, local authority support services                     and voluntary organisations, in meeting the needs of pupils with special educational needs and in supporting the families                     of such pupilsE+W

11.  The contact details of support services for the parents of pupils with special educational needs, including those for arrangements                     made in accordance with section 32.E+W

12.  The school's arrangements for supporting pupils with special educational needs in a transfer between phases of education or                     in preparation for adulthood and independent living.E+W

13.  Information on where the local authority's local offer is published.E+W

 Regulation 53

## SCHEDULE 2E+WInformation to be published by a local authority in its local offer

1.  The special educational provision and training provision which the local authority expects to be available in its area for                     children and young people in its area who have special educational needs or a disability by—E+W

(a)providers of relevant early years education;

(b)maintained schools, including provision made available in any separate unit;

(c)Academies, including provision made available in any separate unit;

(d)non-maintained special schools;

(e)post-16 institutions;

(f)institutions approved under section 41 of the Act;

(g)pupil referral units; and

(h)persons commissioned by the local authority to support children and young people with special educational needs or a disability.

2.  The special educational provision and training provision the local authority expects to be made outside its area by persons                     specified in sub-paragraphs (a) to (g) of paragraph 1 for children and young people in its area with special educational needs                     or a disability.E+W

3.  The information in paragraphs 1 and 2 must include information about—E+W

(a)the special educational provision and training provision provided for children and young people with special educational needs                        or a disability by mainstream schools and mainstream post-16 institutions including any support provided in relation to learning                        or the curriculum;

(b)the special educational provision and training provision provided by special schools and special post-16 institutions, and                        those approved under section 41 of the Act;

(c)the special educational provision and training provision secured by the local authority in mainstream schools, mainstream                        post-16 institutions, pupil referral units and alternative provision Academies for children and young people with special                        educational needs or a disability; and

(d)the arrangements the local authority has for funding children and young people with special educational needs including any                        agreements about how any of the persons specified in paragraph 1 will use any budget that has been delegated to that person                        by the local authority.

4.  The arrangements the persons specified in paragraphs 1 and 2 have for—E+W

(a)identifying the particular special educational needs of children and young people;

(b)consulting with parents of children with special educational needs or a disability and with young people with special educational                        needs or a disability;

(c)securing the services, provision and equipment required by children and young people with special educational needs or a disability;                        and

(d)supporting children and young people with special educational needs or a disability in a transfer between phases of education                        and transfers from one post-16 institution to another, and in preparation for adulthood and independent living.

5.  Information, in relation to the persons specified in paragraphs 1 and 2, about-E+W

(a)their approach to teaching of children and young people with special educational needs;

(b)how they adapt the curriculum and the learning environment for children and young people with special educational needs or                        a disability;

(c)the additional learning support available to children and young people with special educational needs;

(d)how the progress towards any of the outcomes identified for children and young people with special educational needs will                        be assessed and reviewed, including information about how those children, their parents and young people will take part in                        any assessment and review;

(e)how the effectiveness of special educational provision and training provision will be assessed and evaluated, including information                        about how children, their parents and young people will take part in any assessment and evaluation;

(f)how facilities that are available can be accessed by children and young people with special educational needs or a disability;

(g)what activities (including physical activities) are available for children and young people with special educational needs                        or a disability in addition to the curriculum;

(h)what support is available for children and young people with special educational needs or a disability;

(i)how expertise in supporting children and young people with special educational needs or a disability is secured for teaching                        staff and others working with those children and young people;

(j)how the emotional, mental and social development of children and young people with special educational needs or a disability                        will be supported and improved.

6.  Where further information about the bodies specified in paragraphs 1 and 2, including the information required by section                     69 of the Act, can be obtained.E+W

7.  Where the strategy prepared by the local authority under paragraph 1 of Schedule 10 to the Equality Act 2010 F69 can be obtained.E+W

F692010 c.15

8.  Special educational provision and training provision the local authority expects to be made in relation to young people with                     special educational needs or a disability who have entered into an apprenticeship agreement within the meaning of section                     32(1) of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 [F70or approved English apprenticeship agreement within the meaning of section A1(3) of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children                        and Learning Act 2009].E+W

F70Words in Sch. 2 para. 8 inserted (26.5.2015) by The Deregulation Act 2015 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/971), art. 1(2)(a), **Sch. 1 para. 2(2)**

9.  Special educational provision and training provision the local authority expects to be made by providers of training in its                     area, and outside its area for young people in its area with special educational needs or a disability.E+W

10.  Provision available in the local authority's area to assist children and young people with special educational needs or a                     disability in preparation for adulthood and independent living.E+W

11.  Information about support available to young people with special educational needs or a disability receiving higher education,                     including any disabled student's allowance available under chapter 3 of Part 5 of the Education (Student Support) Regulations                     2011 F71.E+W

F71SI 2011/1986, as amended by the Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2012[SI 2012/1628] and                              Education (Student Support and European University Institute) (Amendment) Regulations 2013[SI 2013/1728]

12.  Health care provision for children and young people with special educational needs or a disability that is additional to or                     different from that which is available to all children and young people in the area, including—E+W

(a)services for relevant early years providers, schools and post-16 institutions to assist them in supporting children and young                        people with medical conditions, and

(b)arrangements for making those services which are available to all children and young people in the area accessible to children                        and young people with special educational needs or a disability.

13.  Social care provision for children and young people with special educational needs or a disability and their families including—E+W

(a)services provided in accordance with section 17 of the Children Act 1989;

(b)the arrangements for supporting young people when moving from receiving services for children to receiving services for adults;

(c)support for young people in planning and obtaining support to assist with independent living;

(d)information and advice services made available in accordance with section 4 of the Care Act 2014 F72.

F722014 c.23

14.  Transport arrangements for children and young people with special educational needs or a disability to get to and from school                     or post-16 institution, or other institution in which they are receiving special educational provision or training provision                     including—E+W

(a)arrangements for specialist transport;

(b)arrangements for free or subsidised transport;

(c)support available in relation to the cost of transport, whether from the local authority or otherwise.

15.  Sources of information, advice and support in the local authority's area for children and young people with special educational                     needs or a disability and their families including information—E+W

(a)provided in accordance with section 32 of the Act;

(b)about forums for parents and carers of children and young people with special educational needs or a disability;

(c)about support groups for children and young people with special educational needs or a disability and their families;

(d)about childcare for children with special educational needs or a disability;

(e)about leisure activities for children and young people with special educational needs or a disability and their families;

(f)about persons who can provide further support, information and advice for children and young people with special educational                        needs or a disability and their families.

16.  The procedure for making a complaint about provision mentioned in section 30(2) of the Act.E+W

17.  The procedure for making a complaint about any provision or service set out in the local offer.E+W

18.  Information about any criteria that must be satisfied before any provision or service set out in the local offer can be provided.E+W

19.  Information about how to request an EHC needs assessment, and the availability of personal budgets.E+W

20.  Information on where the list of institutions approved under section 41 of the Act is published.E+W

21.  Arrangements for notifying parents and young people of their right to appeal a decision of the local authority to the Tribunal.E+W

22.  Arrangements for mediation made in accordance with section 53 or 54 of the Act.E+W

23.  Arrangements for the resolution of disagreements made in accordance with section 57 of the Act.E+W

## SCHEDULE 3E+W

 Regulation 64(1)(a)

### **PART 1**E+WReferences to a young person in the Act that are to be read as references to both a young person and an alternative person

#### 

The provisions referred to in regulation 64(1)(a) are—
          -  section 19(a), (b), (c) and (d) (first reference); 
          -  section 27(3)(a) and (b); 
          -  section 30(6)(a)(i) and (ii); 
          -  section 30(8)(d)(i) and (ii); 
          -  section 32(1) (first reference) and (2) (first reference); 
          -  section 32(3)(c). 

 Regulation 64(1)(b)

### **PART 2**E+WReferences to a young person in the Act that are to be read as references to an alternative person

#### 

The provisions referred to in regulation 64(1)(b) are—
          -  section 33(2)(a); 
          -  section 34(5)(c) and (7)(c); 
          -  section 36(1) (second reference), (4), (5) (second reference), (7) (opening words and paragraph (b)) and (9) (opening words); 
          -  section 38(1) (second reference), (2)(a) and (b), and (5); 
          -  section 39(8)(a); 
          -  section 40(5)(a); 
          -  section 42(5); 
          -  section 44(2)(a) and (6); 
          -  section 49(1) (second reference), (2) (second reference), (3)(d) and (4)(a); 
          -  section 51(1) and (3) (opening words); 
          -  section 52(2), (3) and (4) ; 
          -  section 53(1)(a), (3)(a) and (4)(a)(i); 
          -  section 54(1)(a) and (2)(a); 
          -  section 55(1), (3), (4) (opening words and (b)) and (5) (both references); 
          -  section 56(1)(f); 
          -  section 57(2)(b), (3)(b), (5)(a) and (8)(b); 
          -  section 61(3); 
          -  section 68(2) (first reference); 
          -  section 70(5) (paragraph (b) of the definition of “appropriate person”). 

 Regulation 64(1)(c)

### **PART 3**E+WReferences to a young person in the Act that are to be read as references to both a young person and an alternative person

#### 

The provisions referred to in regulation 64(1)(c) are—
          -  regulation 5(4)(c) and (d); 
          -  regulation 7(a), (b), (d) and (e); 
          -  regulation 8(2)(a) and (b); 
          -  regulation 10(4)(c) and (d); 
          -  regulation 12(1)(a); 
          -  regulation 17(1)(c) (second reference); 
          -  regulation 19(a); 
          -  regulation 27(3)(c) and (d) 
          -  regulation 41(1) (opening words); and the description accompanying ‘Travel Costs’ 
          -  regulation 44(3)(a) and (b); 
          -  regulation 45(7)(a) and (b); 
          -  regulation 54(1)(a) and (b) 
          -  regulation 55(opening words); 
          -  regulation 56(1) (opening words) and (c); 
          -  Schedule 2 paragraph 5(d) (second reference) and (e) 

 Regulation 64(1)(d)

### **PART 4**E+WReferences to a young person in the Act that are to be read as references to an alternative person

#### 

The provisions referred to in regulation 64(1)(d) are—
          -  regulation 3 (opening words); 
          -  regulation 4(1) (opening words); 
          -  regulation 5(1) (opening words) and (3); 
          -  regulation 6(1)(a) and (h), (3)(a) and (b) and (4); 
          -  regulation 9; 
          -  regulation 10 (3); 
          -  regulation 13(1) and (2)(a); 
          -  regulation 14(2); 
          -  regulation 15(3)(b); 
          -  regulation 17(1) (second reference in opening words); 
          -  regulation 20(2)(a), (10), and (11)(second reference in opening words) 
          -  regulation 21(2)(a), (9), and (10)(second reference in opening words); 
          -  regulation 22(2)(a) and (b), (3)(opening words and (a)), (4) and (5) (opening words); 
          -  regulation 25(1) (first reference); 
          -  regulation 27(2)(a); 
          -  regulation 31(1)(a) (first reference) and (b), (2) (second reference) and (3) (opening words); 
          -  regulation 32; 
          -  regulation 33; 
          -  regulation 34; 
          -  regulation 35; 
          -  regulation 36; 
          -  regulation 37; 
          -  regulation 38(1)(b); 
          -  regulation 39; 
          -  regulation 44 (2)(b)(opening words)(i) (second reference); and (2)(c)(ii); 
          -  regulation 45(1); 
          -  Schedule 2 paragraph 4(b). 

## Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations supplement the procedural framework assessing a child or young person with special educational needs, and                        the procedure for making, reviewing, amending and ceasing to maintain an EHC plan, set out in Part 3 of the Children and Families                        Act 2014 (“the Act”). They require local authorities to notify the child's parent or the young person of decisions within certain timescales,                        as well as notifying them of any right to appeal such decision. (*regulations 3 to 31*).                     

The Regulations include details of mediation, both where mediation has to be considered before issuing an appeal in the First-tier                        Tribunal, and where mediation is desired in any other case, and the action local authority and commissioning bodies must take                        as a result of the mediation (*regulations 32 to 42*).                     

The Regulations also set out the powers of the First-tier Tribunal and the timescales in which local authorities must comply                        with orders of the Tribunal (*regulations 43 to 45*).                     

The Regulations prescribe the period of the academic year, for the purposes of continuing to maintain an EHC plan beyond a                        young person's 25th birthday (*regulation 46*). They also make provision requiring a local authority to disclose an EHC plan to a person in connection with an assessment                        for a disabled student's allowance in connection with undertaking higher education, and to the higher education institution                        itself, at the request of the young person (*regulation 47*). They set out the time period in which a child or young person may remain at a special school or post-16 institution when                        admitted for the purposes of an assessment (*regulation 48*).                     

The Regulations set out the qualifications and experience that SENCOs must have (*regulation 49*) and details of functions in relation to those SENCOs (*regulation 50*). They also set out details of the information to be included in a school's SEN information report and requirements for publication                        (*regulations 51 and 52 and schedule 1*).                     

Provision is made in relation to the local offer. The Regulations set out details of what must be included in the local offer                        (*regulation 53 and Schedule*2) and who the local authority must consult about the local offer (*regulations 54 and 55*), as well as requirements in relation to publication (*regulations 56 and 57*).                     

The Regulations also make provision in relation to approving schools and post-16 institutions under section 41. They set out                        the type of special post-16 institution that can be approved, and matters to be taken into account when approving such institutions                        and independent educational institutions and independent schools. They also set out the matters to be taken into account and                        the procedure when withdrawing approval, and require the list of approved institutions to be published (*regulations 58-62).*                     

Part 6 of the Regulations deals with parents and young people who lack mental capacity to take the decisions or actions required.                        For the purposes of the Act, a person lacks capacity when they lack capacity within the meaning of the Mental Capacity Act                        2005, that is when they lack mental, and not legal capacity. The Regulations provide that where a child's parent lacks capacity                        all references to a child's parent in Part 3 of the Act and all references in these Regulations (except two which are identified                        in regulation 63) are to be read as a reference to the representative of the parent (*regulation 63*). The Regulations also provide that, where a young person lacks capacity, the references to a young person in provisions                        in the Act identified in Part 1 of Schedule 3 to the Regulations are to be read as if they referred to both the young person                        and his alternative person; the references to a young person in provisions in the Act identified in Part 2 of Schedule 3 are                        to be read as if they referred to the young person's alternative person instead of the young person; the references to a young                        person in the provisions in these Regulations identified in Part 3 of Schedule 3 are to be read as if they referred to both                        the young person and to his alternative person; and the references to a young person in the provisions in these Regulations                        identified in Part 4 of Schedule 3 are to be read as if they referred to the young person's alternative person instead of                        to the young person (*regulation 65 and Schedule 3*).                     

The provisions identified in Parts 1 and 3 of Schedule 3 are those provisions in which, in relation to a child rather than                        a young person, both the child and the child's parent are involved in the decision or action. The provisions identified in                        Parts 2 and 4 of Schedule 3 are those provisions in which, in relation to a child rather than a young person, only the child's                        parent is involved.                     

The Regulations also make clear that the provisions concerning mental capacity have effect in spite of section 27(1)(g) of                        the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (*regulation 65*)