Appealing a LA Decision about an EHC plan
Email this pageWe may able to offer support with your appeal, subject to our capacity. How to make a referral - Tribunal Support
You must give the reasons for the appeal including the issues that you want the Tribunal to decide. These are the ‘grounds of appeal’. The reasons don’t have to be lengthy or written in legal language, but need to say more than just, ‘I disagree‘. Explain why you disagree with the decision and what you would like SEND Tribunal to do.
Parents remain in control of the Tribunal process at all times, and are responsible for making decisions about what they want the Tribunal to know about their child’s needs, the support their child requires and the most appropriate educational placement for their child
You can either lodge an appeal online (using their online portal form) or you can complete the SEND 35 appeal form and email your form to the SEND Tribunal, alongside your evidence and mediation certificate (if needed).
Use the blocks below to find out more about how to lodge an appeal to SEND Tribunal.

Online Portal Application
Advice and guidance on how to lodge an appeal online. Read our PowerPoint presentation on how to use the online form.

Completing the SEND 35 Appeal form
Information and advice on how to complete the SEND 35 appeal form. Read our PowerPoint presentation on how to complete the form step by step.

Appealing the contents of a final EHC plan or amended plan
If you disagree with the content of your child's EHC plan you can appeal to the SEND Tribunal

Appealing a School (or school type) named in a plan
If you are unhappy with the school or school type named in your child's final plan you can appeal to the SEND Tribunal

Appealing a Cease to Maintain
If you disagree with the local authority's decision to cease your child or young person's EHC plan you can appeal the SEND Tribunal

Appealing Following an Annual Review
If you disagree with a local authority's decision following an annual review you can appeal to the SEND Tribunal

Appealing a Refusal to Issue an EHC Plan
If the local authority has refused to issue your child or young person with an EHC plan you can appeal to the SEND Tribunal
Also in this section:
Refusal to Carry out an Assessment Appeal
Refusal to Assess appeals are lodged by completing a SEND 35a appeal form.
Local Authority's Response and Bundle
The LA response should include a summary of the facts and may be very brief; the LA will address the issues in detail at the hearing.
Case Review Form
How to complete a Case Review Form for Tribunal
What is a Working Document?
Information and Guidance on how to amend and edit working documents
Appeal Resources
Printable appeal resources to help you understand the process from start to finish
Video Hearings at SEND Tribunal explained (with BSL)
What happens at a video hearing at the Special Educational Needs & Disability Tribunal - British Sign Language (BSL)
Glossary of SEND Tribunal Terms
A glossary of tribunal terms and what they mean