Special Educational Needs Disagreement Resolution Service – National Evaluation
| Author | Rosalind Tennant, Meg Callanan, Dawn Snape, Ian Palmer and Janet Read |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Department for Children, Schools and Families |
| Description |  A report which presents the findings of an evaluation of independent special educational needs (SEN) disagreement resolution services (DRS). These DRS were implemented after the 2001 SEN and Disability Act, and required local education authorities in England to appoint independent persons or bodies to help to mediate in cases of disagreement regarding educational provision for children with SEN. The evaluation involved a mapping study in nine regions of England, in depth interviews with families involved with DRS and interviews with local authorities which had not been using DRS. The evaluation found that parents’ motivations for using DRS included a desire to engage with local authorities, speed up resolution of disagreements and demonstrate a willingness to ‘fight’. Parents also mentioned potential barriers using DRS, including a lack of distinction between independent mediation and other avenues for conflict resolution. In addition, parents identified a number of benefits associated with using DRS, such as equalising power differentials between parents and local authorities or schools. |
| Download free material(s) |  Special Educational Needs Disagreement Resolution Services (794 KB) |