Today’s independent report by the Isos Partnership, commissioned by the County Councils Network and the Local Government Association, provides a comprehensive analysis of systemic issues within the SEND system and asserts that reform is essential and unavoidable – it’s a matter of when, not if. The report sets out a broad and comprehensive blueprint for reform,…
New DfE statistics show an alarming rise in exclusions in the year 2022/23, as permanent exclusions jump 44% in a year. Coram has responded to the release by the Department for Education (DfE) of the number of suspensions and permanent exclusions from state schools in England during the academic year 2022/23. A large increase in…
Many measures in the King’s Speech have a strong focus on children’s wellbeing, others present opportunities to focus on children’s rights
Coram Children’s Legal Centre (CCLC) is in the High Court today and tomorrow (May 21-22) at the start of a vital case against the Director of Legal Aid Casework and the Lord Chancellor. The Claimant is represented by Stephanie Harrison KC and Ollie Persey of Garden Court Chambers, with the support of the Equality and…
Qaisar Sheikh, Head of Education Law at Coram Children’s Legal Centre (CCLC), was announced as one of the winners of the prestigious Legal Hero Awards 2023 on 7 September. The awards, run by the Law Society, recognise the solicitors who have made the biggest difference to the lives of others, their local communities and society…
On 2 March 2023, the Department for Education (DfE), after much anticipation, issued its SEND Improvement Plan: An initial overview. The plan is a follow-up to the March 2022 green paper SEND Review; Right Support, Right Place, Right Time and explains what the Government intends to do to make sure more children and young people…
The Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, today met with staff from Coram Children’s Legal Centre (CCLC) and Coram Family and Childcare (CFC) at CCLC’s Leeds office, to hear about Coram’s work to support families in a number of key areas. Rachel Reeves, the MP for Leeds West, was welcomed by Coram CEO Dr…
Qaisar Sheikh, head of Education Law at CCLC, has been named Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year in the category of public law at the Legal Aid Practitioner Group’s 20th Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards which took place on the 12th of July. Qaisar received the award from Baroness Helena Kennedy and said:…
CCLC successfully defends taking a holistic approach to section 9 of the Education Act 1996, in an important decision on Education, Health and Care plans (EHC plans). Qaisar Sheikh, Head of Education Law at CCLC, was instructed by the parent of a boy with complex needs in the case of London Borough of Croydon v…
Qaisar Sheikh, head of education law and senior solicitor at Coram Children’s Legal Centre, outlines the key proposals and flaws in the government’s intended reforms to the special educational needs system in an article published in Children & Young People Now. For further media information please contact Dominique Fourniol: Dominique.fourniol@coram.org.uk Telephone: 07999 877 413 Find…
Coram Children’s Legal Centre (CCLC) is today publishing details of its successful legal challenge to Norfolk County Council’s unlawful policy to slash speech and language therapy provision for children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) by 50%. The new policy, which Norfolk introduced to its Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) provision for children with…
Qaisar Sheikh, Head of Education Law, has been ranked in Band 1 of Chambers and Partners in the category of Education Law. He is joined by only two other solicitors in this prestigious band. Chambers and Partners comments: Qaisar Sheikh is very highly regarded in the field for his broad practice representing parents, children and young…