Challenging SEND decisions?
If you disagree with a local authority decision about an EHC Plan or Needs Assessment, or your child’s SEND provision, you can appeal. You may also be able to challenge aspects of the way your or your child’s SEND needs and provisions are being addressed. Community Accord provides mediation and disagreement resolution services to help. Our SEND leaflet click here, available to download, provides full details of the process and benefits. Special information is also available for young people aged 15 to 25 with SEND. click here.
Mediation and appeals explained
You can appeal the local authority’s decision to the SEND Tribunal. This is a legal process that decides whether to uphold the Council’s decision or rule in your favour.
Before tribunal, consider mediation – a faster, more informal way to resolve disputes by ‘talking things through’. Mediation doesn’t affect your right to go to tribunal if you’re not satisfied with the outcome.
While mediation is voluntary, you must have a Mediation Advice conversation to understand the process before making a decision. This call, lasting about 30 minutes, covers:
- The background to the local authority’s decision and your concerns.
- The mediation process, timescales, and potential benefits.
If you opt against mediation, we’ll issue a Mediation Information Certificate within three working days. You then have 30 days or 2 month from the date of your decision letter, whichever is the longest, to use this certificate to register your appeal with the Tribunal Service. If you choose mediation, your mediator will arrange a mediation session within 30 days.
Contact us to discuss your options.
