SEN helpline to be launched

A national helpline for parents of children with SEN is to be launched by the Government.

The phone line is one of several reforms designed to give parents more confidence in the system for assessing children's needs.

It will provide independent, expert advice and information directly to parents, according to a government statement. There will also be stronger independent appeals panels on exclusions and new statutory guidance for schools on excluding children with SEN.

The changes follow an official report on parental confidence in the SEN system by Sir Brian Lamb.