What to do if you disagree with our decisions

Use this guide to find information on disagreements, mediation and appeals regarding our decisions on your child or young person’s special educational needs. 

Making an appeal if an agreement isn’t reached

You can appeal to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal if you disagree with our decisions about your child's special educational needs, and the disagreement hasn't been resolved by disagreement resolution or mediation.

For example, we may not agree that your child needs extra support in the classroom to help them with learning difficulties.

You usually have to appeal to the tribunal within two months of getting our decision letter.

You can contact us to talk about appeals and tribunals:

Appeals against our decisions no longer go to the High Court, but to the 'First-Tier Tribunal' of the British Court System.

To find out more about the process and how to appeal, contact:

HM Courts & Tribunal Service
Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal
Telephone: 01325 289 350
Email: sendistqueries@hmcts.gsi.gov.uk


Visit the SEND Tribunal website