Case file · Plain terms
Glossary
Plain-English definitions of the terms used across the guides. Jump to a letter, or open a term to see the threads it belongs to.
E
- EHCP
Education, Health and Care Plan
A legal document issued by a local authority that sets out a child or young person's special educational needs and the support that must be provided to meet them. Parts of it — especially Section F — are legally enforceable.
Related threads: SEND and the EHCP
L
- LGSCO
Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman
The independent body that investigates complaints about councils, including failures to deliver SEND provision or to arrange education for a child out of school. It can find maladministration and recommend remedies, but its recommendations are not directly enforceable in court.
Related threads: Complaints, Regulators and escalation, Education out of school
- Local authority
Local authority (the council)
The council responsible for education services in an area. It issues EHCPs, holds the duty to secure Section F provision, and has the duty to arrange education for a child out of school. When support fails, the legal duty usually sits with the council — not only the school.
Related threads: SEND and the EHCP, Education out of school, Complaints
S
- Section F
Section F of an EHCP — special educational provision
The part of an EHCP that lists the special educational provision a child must receive. The local authority has an absolute duty to secure it. Provision written specifically and with quantities ("hours per week") is far easier to enforce than vague wording.
Related threads: SEND and the EHCP
- SEND Tribunal
First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability)
The independent tribunal that hears parents' appeals about EHC needs assessments, the contents of a plan, and refusals to assess or issue. It is free for parents to use and decides the large majority of appeals in the parent's favour.
Related threads: SEND and the EHCP, Regulators and escalation