The Island Project

15/01/2026

Moving to a new phase of education with an EHC plan?

At this time of year, many families reach out to us for advice about their child's move from one phase of education to another - whether it's nursery to primary, primary to secondary, or beyond.

If your child has an EHC plan, your local authority has a legal duty to review and amend the plan when your child moves between particular stages of education.

The deadlines for when your child's EHC plan must be reviewed and amended are:
✅ 31 March for those moving from secondary school to a post-16 institution
✅ 15 February for all other phases of transfer

These deadlines are statutory, not optional.

For further guidance on this topic, take a look at our resources on annual reviews, including template letters to help you take action when your local authority is not complying with the law: https://www.ipsea.org.uk/moving-to-a-new-phase-of-education-with-an-ehc-plan

14/01/2026

The disability support scheme, Access to Work, run by the DWP, is the subject of an inquiry by the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee If you want to submit evidence, you have until the end of Monday, 23 February.
https://committees.parliament.uk/work/9516/the-access-to-work-scheme

13/01/2026

Beautiful dramatic sunset today

12/01/2026

09/01/2026

09/01/2026

Please read and sign

We see so many of our pupils failed at transition. Something has to change

09/01/2026

Last year the SEND Tribunal issued new rules for hearings and bundles with a transitional period. This period is coming to an end, and the SEND Tribunal now expects all parties to comply, or ask for permission not to.

Here are some key changes, unless the Tribunal agrees otherwise:

🔷 final working documents need to be 25 pages maximum
🔶 different evidence page limits apply
🔷 expert reports need to comply with the new rules, including being no more than 15 pages
🔶 witness statements will also need to comply, including being no more than 10 pages
🔷 reports must be no more than 3 years old at the time the appeal is made, unless they are appendices to the EHC plan

We’ve recently updated our website to explain everything parents, carers and young people need to know about this – visit our appeal pages for more information: https://www.ipsea.org.uk/what-happens-after-i-submit-my-appeal-evidence-and-the-bundle

Key pages
🔗 https://www.ipsea.org.uk/the-working-document
🔗 https://www.ipsea.org.uk/evidence-contents-appeals
🔗 https://www.ipsea.org.uk/procedure-for-disability-discrimination-claims

If you’re a parent and carer and need further support, you can also book a call on our Tribunal Helpline, contact our Call-in Helpline or send a query to our Email Information Service.

05/01/2026

After seeing his autistic son Zachary Duncan being bullied online, a father named Stuart Duncan decided to take action instead of accepting it.

Stuart created a private Minecraft server called Autcraft, built specifically to be a safe and welcoming space for autistic children. What began as a way to protect his own child has grown into a community of more than 17,000 autistic kids from around the world.

On Autcraft, players can build, explore, and connect without fear of bullying. The server is carefully moderated, kindness is the rule, and everyone is treated with respect and understanding.

For many children, Autcraft is the first online place where they feel safe, accepted, and truly included.

One father’s love for his son turned into a world where thousands of children finally belong. 💙🎮

27/12/2025