Mediation

Before you can appeal Appeal A formal challenge to the SEND Tribunal about a council's EHC decision. It is free to bring, and you do not need a lawyer. Read the full definition of Appeal most EHC plan EHCP A legal document, used in England, that sets out a child's needs and the support they must get. It is for children who need more help than their school can give on its own. Read the full definition of EHCP decisions to the tribunal, you must at least consider mediation: a confidential meeting where an impartial mediator helps you and the local authority look for an agreement. It is free for parents and usually much quicker than a tribunal.

Considering mediation is compulsory, attending is not: you can decide it is not right for your case and go straight on to the appeal. There is one exception where you do not need to consider it at all: an appeal that is only about Section I Section I of an EHC plan The part of an EHC plan that names the school, or type of school, your child will go to. A school named here must admit your child. Read the full definition of Section I of an EHC plan , the part of the plan that names the school. Wales and Scotland have their own mediation arrangements under different laws, so this entry describes the English rules.