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Disagreement Resolution and Mediation

There are a number of steps that the parent or young person can take if they disagree with any of the decisions that are made during the Education Health and Care Needs Assessment process.

Disagreement resolution

A range of informal arrangements are available to help resolve disagreements. These can be accessed by any parent of a child with Special Educational Needs, regardless of whether an Education Health and Care Needs Assessment is being undertaken.

Disagreement resolution can be requested at any time during the Education Health and Care Needs Assessment process from Global Mediation.

Mediation

Formal mediation is also available on request from Global Mediation where there is disagreement at key points in the Education Health and Care Needs Assessment process. Mediation can focus on:

  • The decision not to carry out an Education Health and Care Needs Assessment
  • The decision not to issue an Education Health and Care plan
  • The content of the Education Health and Care plan.

The SEND Tribunal

The SEND Tribunal is a more formal way of appealing against assessments or decisions. Parents or the young person can appeal to the SEND tribunal about key decisions within the Education Health and Care Needs Assessment process. You can read more about how to access the tribunal and what support is available on our SEND Tribunals page.

Your Local Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIAS)

You may find it helpful to talk with SEND and YOU (SAY) who can give you more information and advice about what is involved and the options open to you.

Accessing the SEND and You, disagreement resolution or mediation does not prevent a parent or young person from appealing to the Special Educational Needs tribunal at any time. The rights of a parent or young person are not affected and an appeal to the Tribunal can run at the same time as any disagreement resolution.

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