We can help you take your case to the SEND Tribunal if you disagree with a decision made by your local authority. Our education lawyers regularly help parents with SEND Tribunal appeals and we can support you throughout the process.
We know what a massive impact the Tribunal’s decision can have on your family’s life. We’ll help you get your child the support they need to maximise their potential.
You might be able to make an appeal to the SEND Tribunal if you’re unhappy about:
- Your local authority (LA) refusing to carry out an Education, Health and Care needs assessment.
- The content of your child’s Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) – particularly if you disagree with the school your local authority has chosen.
- Your LA not issuing an EHCP.
- Your LA ceasing to maintain an EHCP.
Call our specialist team on 0800 028 1943 or contact us online for a consultation about your case.
What Services Do We Offer?
We provide advice and representation throughout the appeals process. From deciding whether to appeal, through to deciding whether to take matters further if an appeal is unsuccessful.
Our expert lawyers can:
- Review a decision by your local authority or an Education, Health and Care Plan, and give you advice on whether an appeal is likely to succeed. We offer this service on a fixed fee basis.
- Draft an appeal to set out your case.
- Identify and ask experts to give evidence in support of your case.
- Deal with all communication with the local authority, Tribunal and other third parties.
- Represent you, or arrange for a specialist barrister to represent you, in Tribunal appeals.
- Advise you on the Tribunal’s decision, potential grounds for appeal and what happens next.
Back to top
Why Use A Solicitor?
Although the Tribunal is set up so that parents can make appeals themselves, in practice you might want a lawyer to help make your case.
While you wouldn’t be expected to know the legal technicalities in this area, your case still rests on the strength of the argument you put forward. Reasons you might want to consider using a lawyer include:
- Your local education authority may well instruct a barrister. Barristers and lawyers will know the law in this area very well, which can put you at a disadvantage.
- Making sure your case is as strong as possible. A lawyer can check that your appeal is made on the right grounds, and that you’re concentrating on the right points to win your appeal.
- Getting the right expert evidence to support your case. We have access to a network of expert witnesses who are experienced in giving evidence to the Tribunal.
Back to top
What Powers Does The SEND Tribunal Have?
The Tribunal has a wide range of powers and could help your child access:
- A place at your preferred school (such as a special, independent or residential school)
- 1:1 support
- Speech and language therapy
- Occupational therapy
- A home education programme
- Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) provision
- Equipment they need to access the curriculum.
In addition to this the Tribunal can make recommendations about the health and social care sections of your child’s Education, Health and Care Plan.
Back to top
What’s The Time Limit For Appealing?
You must make your appeal either within:
- Two months of the date of the local authority’s decision letter
- One month of the date of the mediation certificate.
The time limit will be based on whichever of these dates is the later.
Back to top
How Long Will A SEND Tribunal Appeal Take?
You should expect the Tribunal appeal to take roughly four months.
The Tribunal hearing will be approximately 12 weeks after the appeal has been registered. Once the appeal has been heard the Tribunal will send you its written decision within 10 working days.
Back to top
Why Choose Us?
Our education lawyers are highly rated in the independent legal guides Chambers & Partners, and the Legal 500. We have an experienced team of solicitors, each of who helps many families through the SEND Tribunal process every year.
We’re active members of the Education Law Association. Our lawyers also regularly attend “user group” meetings with the SEND Tribunal to provide feedback.
We deliver education law training to charities and groups such as:
- Sense
- Parent Carer Forums
- Contact
- Meningitis Now.
Our team helps people throughout England and Wales from our nationwide network of offices. We have detailed regional knowledge of local authorities, as well as relationships with a large number of expert witness and barrister contacts.
We know the law in this area inside out. We’ll support you throughout the appeal process, and beyond (if you need to take your case to judicial review for instance). We’re proud of the level of service we provide and, being experts in this area, we really understand the importance of getting the best result at the Tribunal.
Back to top
Contact us
For a consultation about your case, call us on 0800 028 1943 or contact us online.
National team of specialist solicitors
Leading experts in SEN law
Established track record of acting in complex Tribunal appeals
We provide support at mediation and annual reviews
Call one of our team free on
0370 1500 100
Or we can call you back at a time of your choice
Phone lines are open 24/7, 365 days a year
