Why is today so significant? For one child at least, today is significant because today is the deadline by which the Local Authority (LA) needs to decide whether or not to undertake an assessment for an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP).

For children that are struggling in school, the feelings of frustration can build and build, and alas there is rarely a ‘cheat’ way out.

When you have a child who is struggling at school, you want to be able to rely on the system to provide support. Many of us in this situation find ourselves reading up on what support is available, what the law says and we get really well qualified to advocate for our child or children.

So when we come up against parts of the establishment that seem to have a different understanding of the rules of the system it is emotionally draining.

The right to a mainstream education is enshrined in law….

I'll never forget that feeling of despondency.

Seeing my son cowering in the foot-well of the car as yet again I battled to get him into school. We used to walk to school – it was only a 10 – 15 minute walk, and when my son started to refuse to leave the house for school, the prospect of fighting all the way was simply overwhelming. So, I started to take him into the car. Somehow I got him into the car, mainly because he was terrified of being left at home on his own, and at the other end he refused to get out.