Introduction

If you disagree with a decision we’ve made about your child or young person’s education or training, you have the right to challenge it.

For example, you may disagree with:

• what is written in their education, health and care plan (EHCP).
• a decision not to:
  • carry out an education, health and care (EHC) needs assessment or reassessment.
  • issue an EHCP.
  • change the EHCP after an annual review.

2

If you do not reach an agreement

If you have been unable to reach an agreement, there are two services who deal with disagreements in relation to education, health and care assessments and plans.

Disagreement resolution service

The service will help parent carers and young people resolve disagreements about any part of education, health, and care (EHC) provision.

Mediation service

Mediation is an informal and voluntary process led by an independent person. It works best when everyone at the meeting wants to solve the disagreement and is ready to talk and agree.

You can use mediation for any decision that could lead to an appeal to the SEND Tribunal, such as:

• refusing to carry out an EHC assessment
• refusing to issue an EHC plan after an assessment
• deciding to stop an EHC plan
• disagreeing about the needs described, the support needed, or the placement named in an EHC plan.

3

Appeal process

If an agreement still cannot be reached, you can appeal to the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Tribunal.