Education Solicitors Bristol

Every child deserves access to the education and support they need. We help families challenge decisions and secure appropriate provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

We can advise on Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), requests for needs assessments, refusals to assess, refusals to issue a plan, disputes about the contents of a plan and failures to deliver the provision specified.

Our SEN solicitors in Bristol can also advise on annual reviews, school placement disputes and concerns about whether the provision set out in an EHCP is being delivered.

If your local authority has refused to assess your child, declined to issue an EHCP or made a decision about a plan that you disagree with, we can advise on your appeal rights and represent your interests through the relevant legal process, including appeals to the First tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability).

A suspension or permanent exclusion can have a significant impact on a child’s education and wellbeing. We advise parents on challenging exclusion decisions, examining whether the correct procedures have been followed and identifying potential discrimination or other grounds for challenge.

If your child has been refused a place at a preferred school, we can advise on school admission appeals and help you understand your options. We can also assist with education disputes involving school placement and access to appropriate provision.

Schools and other education providers have legal responsibilities towards disabled pupils. If you believe your child has experienced disability discrimination, been denied reasonable adjustments or been treated unfairly because of their needs, we can assess your circumstances and advise on possible legal action.

Disagreements with schools can be stressful, particularly when you feel your concerns are not being taken seriously. We help families address disputes involving inadequate support, bullying, unmet needs and other issues affecting a child’s education.

If a school complaint in Bristol is not being resolved, we can advise on the complaints process, the evidence available and whether a formal appeal or legal challenge may be appropriate.

We advise families experiencing difficulties securing appropriate school transport or suitable alternative education. Where a child cannot attend school or their educational needs are not being met, we can help you understand the relevant duties and challenge decisions where appropriate.

Our work also covers disputes involving independent schools, university complaints, academic misconduct, plagiarism allegations, student disciplinary proceedings, examination arrangements and negligence matters. Where necessary, we can also advise on judicial review and other appropriate legal remedies.