Purpose
This document sets out the editorial standards, governance requirements, review processes, and correction procedures for all content published by The African Parent.
It applies to website content, downloadable resources, toolkits, FAQ pages, implementation materials, and any other public-facing content containing procedural, rights-based, institutional, or quasi-legal information.
The African Parent provides information, tools, and implementation support to help families and institutions navigate school-related concerns, SEND, exclusion, safeguarding, discrimination, and parent engagement more effectively.
Because our content is used in active situations involving education systems and statutory processes, accuracy, currency, qualification of guidance, and clear editorial governance are essential operational standards.
Jurisdiction
All The African Parent procedural and rights-based content applies to England only unless explicitly stated otherwise. Education, SEND, safeguarding, exclusion, and discrimination frameworks differ significantly across Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
The following statement must appear on all Category A and Category B content:
“This content applies to England only. Frameworks and processes may differ in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Please check the relevant guidance for your nation.”
Disclaimer
The following disclaimer must appear prominently at the top of all Category A content and at the beginning of all downloadable resources containing procedural or legal information:
“This content is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The African Parent does not act as your legal representative. For specialist legal advice, contact IPSEA at ipsea.org.uk or your local SENDIASS service at kids.org.uk/sendiass.”
For lower-risk procedural content, the disclaimer may appear in the footer only.
Content risk categories
All The African Parent content must be assigned a risk category before publication.
High risk
Content that directly interprets or explains legal rights, statutory timelines, formal statutory processes, institutional duties, or legal obligations.
Errors could result in parents misunderstanding legal rights, missing statutory deadlines, escalating incorrectly, or compromising their position.
Examples
- exclusion law and process
- EHCP assessment rights and timelines
- Equality Act interpretation
- safeguarding obligations
- complaints escalation pathways
- tribunal or review processes
- LADO procedures
Review requirement
Requires review by a named reviewer with demonstrable expertise in education law, SEND law, safeguarding, exclusion, or Equality Act processes before publication and at every scheduled review point.
The reviewer must confirm in writing that the content accurately reflects the legal and procedural position in England at the time of review.
Medium risk
Content that describes procedural strategies, institutional behaviour, communication approaches, advocacy structures, evidence gathering, or escalation planning.
Errors are unlikely to create direct legal harm but may reduce the effectiveness of a parent or institution’s response.
Examples
- communication guidance
- meeting preparation
- observation tracking
- institutional translation boxes
- escalation planning tools
- governance implementation resources
Review requirement
Requires founder review or review by a named editorial lead operating under this framework.
Legal review is not required unless the content crosses into Category A territory.
Low risk
Content that provides orientation, signposting, community guidance, brand information, or non-procedural support.
Examples
- welcome pages
- general newsletters
- mission statements
- non-procedural social content
Review requirement
Requires standard editorial review only.
Review and update schedule
Annual review
Every September
All Category A content is reviewed following:
- KCSIE updates
- statutory guidance updates
- major education framework changes
Biannual review
January and September
Category B content is reviewed twice per academic year.
Triggered review
Within 10 working days
Category A and B content is reviewed if:
- legislation changes
- statutory guidance changes
- tribunal or court decisions materially alter interpretation
- IPSEA guidance changes
- safeguarding guidance changes
- external review identifies inaccuracies
Version control and corrections
All Category A and B content must display its last reviewed date, version number, and review status. The African Parent maintains an internal content register reviewed monthly.
Last reviewed: Month Year · Version X.X · Status: Current, England only
- 01
Minor corrections
Minor factual updates may be corrected immediately with version increment, updated review date, and correction logged internally.
- 02
Significant corrections
Where inaccurate guidance could materially affect decisions or escalation pathways, content must be marked “Under Review” immediately, corrected within 10 working days, and the update logged in the content register.
- 03
Emergency withdrawal
Content posing significant risk due to legal or procedural inaccuracy must be temporarily unpublished pending review. Archived content must not remain publicly accessible without clear archival labelling.
Responsibilities
Founder
Editorial governance, review oversight, content standards, legal review commissioning, content register maintenance, and annual framework review.
Editorial leads or advisors
The African Parent may appoint editorial leads or governance reviewers authorised to conduct operational reviews. Delegated reviewers operate within the standards defined in this policy.
Legal reviewer
Reviews Category A content for legal and procedural accuracy and provides update notifications where relevant framework changes occur.
Policy review
This policy is reviewed annually in August before the academic year begins, or earlier where operational growth, legal changes, or platform expansion require revision.
- Next review
- August 2026
- Version
- 1.1
- Owner
- Anne-Rose Obidi, The African Parent
Social content governance
Social media content derived from The African Parent procedural resources carries the same risk category as the source material where procedural guidance remains identifiable.
Posts containing procedural guidance must include: "England only. For specialist SEND advice: ipsea.org.uk"
Translation boxes, red flag callouts, and scripts must link back to the source content wherever possible.
Partial screenshots or cropped excerpts that remove essential context, legal qualification, or escalation conditions must not be published.
Category A derived social content requires founder or editorial lead review before publication.