[F1[F2332B Resolution of disputes [F3— England] W
(1)A [F4local authority] [F5in England] must make arrangements with a view to avoiding or resolving disagreements between authorities (on the one hand) and parents of children in their area (on the other) about the exercise by authorities of functions under this Part.
(2)A [F4local authority] [F5in England] must also make arrangements with a view to avoiding or resolving, in each relevant school, disagreements between the parents of a relevant child and the proprietor of the school about the special educational provision made for that child.
(3)The arrangements must provide for the appointment of independent persons with the function of facilitating the avoidance or resolution of such disagreements.
(4)In making the arrangements, the authority must have regard to any guidance [F6given] [F6given by the Secretary of State] —
(a)[F7for England, by the Secretary of State,]
(b)[F7for Wales, by the National Assembly for Wales.]
(5)The authority must take such steps as they consider appropriate for making the arrangements made under subsections (1) and (2) known to—
(a)the parents of children in their area,
(b)the head teachers and proprietors of schools in their area, and
(c)such other persons as they consider appropriate.
(6)The arrangements cannot affect the entitlement of a parent to appeal to the Tribunal.
(7)In this section—
“authorities” means the governing bodies of maintained schools and the [F4local authority],
“relevant child” means a child who has special educational needs and is a registered pupil at a relevant school.
(8)For the purposes of this section a school is a relevant school in relation to a child if it is—
(a)a maintained school or a maintained nursery school,
(b)a pupil referral unit,
(c)a city technology college, a city college for the technology of the arts [F8, an Academy school or an alternative provision Academy] ,
(d)an independent school named in the statement maintained for the child under section 324, or
(e)a school approved under section 342.]]
Textual Amendments
F1S. 332A and preceding cross-heading inserted (1.1.2002 (E.) and 1.4.2002 (W.)) by 2001 c. 10, s. 2 (with s. 43(13)); S.I. 2001/2217, art. 5, Sch. Pt. II (as amended by S.I. 2001/2614, art. 4); S.I. 2002/74, art. 5, Sch. Pt. II
F2S. 332B inserted (1.1.2002 (E.) and 1.4.2002 (W.)) by 2001 c. 10, s. 3 (with s. 43(13)); S.I. 2001/2217, art. 5, Sch. Pt. II (as amended by S.I. 2001/2614, art. 4); S.I. 2002/74, art. 5, Sch. Pt. II
F3Word in s. 332B heading inserted (6.3.2012) by Education (Wales) Measure 2009 (nawm 5), ss. 5(2)(a), 26(3) (as amended (5.5.2010) by S.I. 2010/1148, arts. 1, 5(2)); S.I. 2012/320, art. 3(d) (with art. 4(b))
F4Words in Act substituted (5.5.2010) by The Local Education Authorities and Children’s Services Authorities (Integration of Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1158), Sch. 2 para. 7(2) (with Sch. 2 para. 7(4)(5))
F5Words in s. 332B(1)(2) inserted (6.3.2012) by Education (Wales) Measure 2009 (nawm 5), ss. 5(2)(b), 26(3) (as amended (5.5.2010) by S.I. 2010/1148, arts. 1, 5(2)); S.I. 2012/320, art. 3(d) (with art. 4(b))
F6Word in s. 332B(4) substituted (6.3.2012) by Education (Wales) Measure 2009 (nawm 5), ss. 5(2)(c), 26(3) (as amended (5.5.2010) by S.I. 2010/1148, arts. 1, 5(2)); S.I. 2012/320, art. 3(d) (with art. 4(b))
F7S. 332B(4)(a)(b) omitted (6.3.2012) by virtue of Education (Wales) Measure 2009 (nawm 5), ss. 5(2)(d), 26(3); S.I. 2012/320, art. 3(d) (with art. 4(b))
F8Words in s. 332B(8)(c) substituted (1.4.2012) by Education Act 2011 (c. 21), s. 82(3), Sch. 13 para. 9(5); S.I. 2012/924, art. 2