The Dispute Avoidance and Resolution Service (DARS) came into effect on 1st September 2005 as a result of Special Educational Needs and Disability Order (SENDO).
The DARS aims;
to resolve disagreements between Education and Library Boards or Boards of Governors of schools and parents about the way in which they carry out their responsibilities towards children with Special Educational Needs (SEN);
to resolve disagreements between parents and schools about the provision being made for children with Special Educational Needs.
The DARS is an independent, confidential, voluntary and informal service designed to provide an opportunity for identifying points of disagreement and finding ways forward that all parties are willing to accept.
There is a DARS contact, in each Education and Library Board area, who is independent of its Special Education section. The DARS Manager is the main point of contact in the first instance.
Members of the DARS Team will facilitate a possible resolution of disagreements. Ultimately, agreement can only be reached with the approval of all parties involved.
Involvement with DARS will not affect the right of appeal to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (the SENDIST). The DARS cannot be used to resolve other disputes with a parent or school or Education and Library Board. If you believe that your child has been discriminated against because of a disability then the Equality Commission will provide a conciliation service to resolve this dispute.
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