Commentary on Sections of the Act

Part 2 – Additional Learning Needs

Chapter 2 – Individual Development Plans.
Ceasing to maintain plans
Section 32 - Reconsideration by local authorities of decisions of governing bodies under section 31

92.Section 32 enables a child, a child’s parent or a young person to request that a local authority (which is responsible for the person) reconsiders a school governing body’s decision to cease to maintain an IDP. The period during which this request can be made will be set out in regulations. The local authority must decide whether the duty to maintain the IDP should cease and notify (with reasons) the governing body, the child and their parent, or the young person accordingly. See sections 84 and 85 in respect of a request by a child and the requirements to notify a child.

93.If the local authority decides that the IDP should be maintained, the governing body must continue to maintain it. Where the local authority agrees that the IDP should cease to be maintained, its decision is appealable under section 70 and the appeal must be determined or the time for bringing an appeal must have expired with no appeal being made, before the governing body can cease to maintain the IDP (see section 33).

94.See also paragraph 73 above for further information.