David Wolfe of Matrix Chambers told a Children's Services Network conference some academies were refusing to comply with the findings of SEN tribunals, even though the government's funding agreements for academies state that these decisions should be respected.
Wolfe said parents have little power if an academy refuses to admit an SEN child. "The funding agreement is a contract between the secretary of state and the sponsors. Parents and pupils are not party to it," he said.
He also accused the government of portraying academies untruthfully: "The government's line when pitching academies is that they are the same as maintained schools - this pitch is flawed. When it comes to academies, there are no rules."
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