North West Regional Disagreement Resolution Service
15 Moor Park Avenue
Preston
PR1 6AS
Tel: 01772 204494
Fax: 01771 204501
Email: gayle.drs@virgin.net
Website: www.sennorthwest.org.uk
Providing access to independent disagreement resolution for parents
of children with special educational needs, Local Educational Authorities and
schools.
What is the Special Education Needs Disagreement Resolution
Service?
The service is for the parents of children with special education
needs (SEN), Local Education Authorities (LEAs) and schools.
It aims to resolve disagreements about special educational needs provision
through informal meetings and discussion.
Agreements reached at disagreement resolution meetings are not legally binding
and the service does not replace the SEN Tribunal or informal arbitration.
What will the service provide?
A safe, quiet environment where everyone involved will be heard and
can listen to everything that is said.
One, or more, meetings lasting about an hour that are managed by an independent
facilitator.
The facilitator will be able to offer clarification and guidance to those
involved in the meeting.
Above all the service offers access to a neutral third party whose only interest
lies in supporting those in disagreement to resolve their differences.
About the Disagreement Resolution meeting
An independent, specially trained facilitator will manage the
meeting. He/she is impartial and has not vested interest in the outcome of the
disagreement.
Attendance at the disagreement resolution meeting is voluntary.
The facilitator will explain how the disagreement resolution process works and
what can be expected from it. He/she will support those involved as they work
towards reaching an agreement.
The only decision a facilitator can make is to end the meeting and this would be
done in consultation with those involved.
Should anyone involved with the original disagreement request a review meeting
at a later date the service will arrange this.
Who provides the Disagreement Resolution Service in the North
West?
The Boys and Girls Welfare Society (BGWS) provide the service. BGWS
is a voluntary organisation with experience in disagreement resolution. It is
independent of Local Education Authorities, schools and parents and can offer a
neutral stance when disagreements arise.
Stages in the Disagreement Resolution process
-
Enquiries to the service are welcome from anyone and at any time.
-
A named officer in the Local Education Authority will make a
referral to the service.
-
The service will contact those involved with advice on what needs
to be done next.
-
Those involved will be invited to a meeting at a convenient time
and at a neutral venue.
-
Those involved in the meeting will have the opportunity to
explain their view of the disagreement and agree an agenda.
-
The issues will be clarified and options can be explored to try
to resolve the disagreement.
-
Ideally an agreement will be made and the service will put this
in writing for those involved.
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