Pictured above: Martin Liddiard, Barrister from No 5 Chambers, one of the Barristers who will be running the advice clinic at the open day on Saturday.

A Worcestershire school is offering prospective parents whose children have special educational needs, the opportunity to obtain the advice of a barrister in their battle for council funding.

Annabel Goodman, Principal of the New Elizabethan School in Hartlebury, says a combination of council cutbacks and the existing unfairness of  'postcode lottery' funding, is creating heartache for many parents who are desperate to get appropriate help for their children.

The school provides places for up to 60 children with specific learning difficulties, Many of these rely on local authorities to fund their education.

The school, which is planning an open day on June 18th, for prospective parents to view the full range of facilities on offer, has enlisted the help of two barristers experienced in educational law from Birmingham's No 5. Chambers and they will be holding a legal advice clinic on the day. 

Ms Goodman added: "With more and more parents having to launch a legal challenge to the decisions of local councils, they need to be fully armed with the facts so that they stand the best possible chance of getting their children the education they need."

Ms Goodman explained: "Without council funding, we simply could not continue to offer places  to some children who need the special benefit of one to one support in a small class of no more than eight pupils that they so desperately need. Our pupils have a range of learning difficulties from Dyslexia to ASD and simply could not cope in a mainstream school setting. 

"However, we are finding that as councils are tightening their belts and looking for new ways to save money, they are becoming more reluctant to concede that pupils need the extra help which specialist schools like ours can offer.

"Parents are finding that they have to fight every step of the way to get funding. Some have told me how they have gone through months of red tape and bureaucracy causing stress and anxiety to the whole family." 

Children who need special support to achieve their full potential can qualify for funding which allows them to attend specialist schools like the New Elizabethan School and gain a range of qualifications including GCSEs. However, problems can arise when the council refuses to fund a place at a school able to meet the child's needs and instead nominates a school less able to do so.

However, as the cost of specialist education can run into tens of thousands of pounds over the school life of a child, some councils, in a bid to save money, are keen to avoid classifying children as being eligible for funding support.

Ms Goodman continued: "Children who would previously have been offered authority funded special education without question, are now being turned down by their councils. We know of instances where education authorities have deliberately tried to downgrade a child's disability so that they don't have to provide an adequate level of funding. 

"Every parent wants the best for their child and ours are no different, yet they have to fight tooth and nail to make sure they have access to the specialist support they so desperately need."

To attend the legal clinic, parents will need to book a slot on 01299 250258 as demand will undoubtedly be high. Parents who are finding it difficult to find the right support and education for their children will consider it an event not to be missed. 

Martin Liddiard, one of the Barristers from No 5 Chambers, said "It is important that parents prepare and follow the process carefully, as this could make all the difference should you need to appeal in the event of a refusal. I am always impressed by the parent body here as many of them have travelled this path before with the goal of getting their children the best chance of a happy and fulfilled life and their experience and commitment is contagious and when combined with good legal advice, it is invaluable."