Feeling lost with EHCPs or SEN support? Join our specialist education solicitors for a practical day of information. Understand your rights

SEN Information Day for Parents in Bristol

Unlock the knowledge you need about Education, Health, and Care (EHC) needs assessments and Plans in just one day!

Trying to understand SEN support, EHCPs or local authority decisions can feel overwhelming, especially when your child is struggling and you are not sure what help they should be receiving.

This practical SEN Information Day is designed to help parents and carers understand the process, know what questions to ask, and feel clearer about the next steps for their child.

Delivered by Watkins Solicitors’ specialist Education Law team, the session will cover EHC needs assessments, EHCPs, school placement disputes, annual reviews, phase transfers, SEND Tribunal appeals and what to do when a child is not receiving suitable education.

The event will be clear, practical and parent-focused. You do not need any legal knowledge to attend, and there will be time for general questions.

Presented by Watkins Solicitors | www.watkinssolicitors.co.uk | 0117 939 0350

Event Details:

Date: 19th October 2026

Time: 10 am

Venue: The Foundation, Lower Ground Floor, St George’s Road, Bristol, BS1 5BE

Tickets: £15

What's Included:

Refreshments and a light lunch will be provided. Please inform us of any dietary requirements by selecting the appropriate option when ordering tickets.

Who Should Attend?

This event may be helpful if:

Your child is struggling in school and you are unsure what support they should receive

You are considering requesting an EHC needs assessment

The local authority has refused to assess your child

The local authority has refused to issue an EHCP

You have received a draft EHCP and do not know whether it is good enough

You are unhappy with the wording, provision or placement in an EHCP

You are concerned about the school or placement named in Section I

Your child is out of school, on a reduced timetable or not receiving suitable education

You are preparing for an annual review or phase transfer

You are considering an appeal to the SEND Tribunal

You want to understand your child’s legal rights before deciding what to do next

This event is suitable for parents and carers at any stage of the SEN process.

What Will Be Covered?

The session will explain key parts of the SEN legal process in plain English, including:

What an EHC needs assessment is

When a child or young person may need an EHCP

How to request an EHC needs assessment

What to do if the local authority refuses to assess

What to do if the local authority refuses to issue an EHCP

What should be included in an EHCP

How to respond to a draft EHCP

How to check whether Sections B, F and I are clear and specific

What to do if the EHCP does not properly describe your child’s needs or provision

School placement disputes

Annual reviews and phase transfers

What to do when a child is out of school or not receiving suitable education

SEND Tribunal appeals and key deadlines

Practical tips for communicating with schools and local authorities

When specialist legal advice may be needed

There will also be time for general questions.

Please note that this event provides general legal information only. We will not be able to give detailed legal advice about individual cases during the session, but the information should help you understand the process and identify possible next steps.

What You Will Leave With

By the end of the session, you should leave with:

A clearer understanding of the EHCP process

A better understanding of what local authorities must consider

Practical tips on evidence, wording and deadlines

A clearer idea of what can be challenged

More confidence when speaking to schools and local authorities

A better understanding of when specialist legal advice may be needed

A clearer sense of what steps may be available for your child

Planned Schedule

The final timings may be adjusted slightly, but the day is expected to follow this format:

10:00am – Arrival, refreshments and welcome

10:15am – EHC needs assessment, timelines and EHCP wording

11:15am – Break

11:30am – School placement disputes, annual review and transport

1:00pm – Lunch

1:30pm – Preparing for tribunal appeal and mock tribunal

About Watkins Solicitors

Watkins Solicitors are a multi award-winning law firm with offices in Bristol, Bath and Hereford.

Our specialist Education Law team advises families across England and Wales on special educational needs, EHCPs, school placement disputes, EHC needs assessment refusals, refusal to issue appeals, contents appeals, annual reviews, phase transfers, Education Otherwise Than at School, disability discrimination and related public law issues.

We are one of Bristol’s leading specialist firms for Education Law and have a strong reputation for helping parents understand their child’s rights and challenge decisions where the right support is not being provided.

Our Education

Description supplied by the event organiser.