Mediation in special educational needs appeals

Practical mediation support for families, education providers and other parties seeking collaborative solutions, reducing conflict and stress, and resolving SEN appeals constructively.

We help families prepare for mediation and find practical solutions to SEN disagreements.

Disagreements about special educational needs provision can be stressful and difficult to resolve, particularly when communication between families, local authorities and education providers has broken down. Mediation can offer a constructive, collaborative way to address concerns, understand different perspectives and work towards practical solutions that meet the child or young person’s needs.

Our mediation support helps families prepare for mediation, understand their position and identify the outcomes they want to achieve. Where required, we can also provide support at mediation meetings, helping families approach challenging discussions with clarity and confidence and work towards a practical resolution that meets the child or young person’s needs.

Trusted and nationally recognised special educational needs specialists with decades of experience.
Clear, practical support at every stage, helping families navigate complex SEN processes.

Extensive experience across all SEN appeals, including EHCPs, school placements, and SEND Tribunal proceedings.
Transparent and flexible fee structures, including capped fee options where appropriate.

When is mediation needed?

Mediation can be an important step when there is a disagreement about an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or the provision being made for a child or young person with special educational needs. In many cases, parents and young people must contact a mediation service before they can appeal a local authority decision to the SEND Tribunal. This gives everyone an opportunity to consider whether the disagreement can be resolved without proceeding to a formal appeal.

Mediation may be relevant where there is disagreement about matters such as:

whether an EHCP should be issued;
the contents of an EHCP, including the provision specified;
the school or other educational placement named in the EHCP; or
a decision to cease an EHCP.

Even if you do not wish to take part in mediation, you will generally need to contact the mediation service and obtain a mediation certificate before bringing an appeal, although there are some exceptions. We can advise you on whether mediation is required in your circumstances, explain the process and help you understand the steps you need to take before deciding how best to proceed.

SEN mediation FAQs

How long do I have to contact the mediation service?

You will generally need to contact the mediation service within two months of the date on the local authority’s decision letter if you are considering an appeal to the SEND Tribunal. If you decide to proceed with mediation, the mediation certificate can affect the deadline for making your appeal. We can advise you on the relevant deadlines and help ensure you take the necessary steps in time.

What happens at a mediation meeting?

A mediation meeting provides an opportunity for the parties to discuss the areas of disagreement with the help of an independent mediator. The mediator will guide the discussion, helping everyone explain their concerns, understand the different positions and explore possible solutions. The process is informal and collaborative rather than adversarial, and you will not be expected to present a formal legal case as you would at a Tribunal hearing.

The aim is to see whether an agreement can be reached that addresses the child or young person’s needs. If an agreement is reached, this can be recorded and agreed between the parties. If no agreement is reached, you can still consider your options, including an appeal to the SEND Tribunal where appropriate.

Do I need a solicitor at mediation?

You do not need to have a solicitor present at mediation. The process is designed to allow parents and young people to discuss their concerns directly with the local authority and other relevant parties. However, legal advice before mediation can help you understand your rights, identify the key issues and prepare for the discussions.

If you would prefer to have legal support during the meeting itself, we can also attend with you and provide advice and assistance throughout.

What happens if mediation does not resolve the disagreement?

If mediation does not resolve the disagreement, you may still be able to appeal to the SEND Tribunal, provided the decision is one that can be appealed and you meet the relevant requirements and deadlines. We can advise you on your options following mediation, including whether an appeal is appropriate and help you prepare your case if you decide to proceed.

Can I appeal if I choose not to proceed with mediation?

Yes. You do not have to take part in mediation in every case, but you will generally need to contact the mediation service and obtain a mediation certificate before you can appeal to the SEND Tribunal. There are some exceptions to this requirement, depending on the nature of the local authority’s decision.

We can advise you on whether you need to consider mediation and what you need to do before bringing an appeal.

Why use our special educational needs solicitors?

Specialist experience in SEN law: Our solicitors have extensive experience advising families on the full range of special educational needs legal processes. Our expertise ensures you receive clear, accurate advice grounded in a detailed understanding of the law and how local authorities apply it in practice.

Focused, practical solutions: We take the time to understand your child’s individual needs and circumstances. Our advice is tailored to help you secure the right support, whether that means strengthening an EHCP, challenging inadequate provision, or appealing a local authority decision.

Supportive and collaborative approach: The SEN process can be overwhelming. We work closely with families, schools, professionals and other advisers to ensure all evidence and communication is aligned and coherent. This collaborative approach helps streamline the process and strengthens your case.

A leading full-service law firm: Boyes Turner is recognised by Chambers UK and The Legal 500 as a leading law firm. As a full-service firm, our specialist teams can support you with related legal needs where required, including Court of Protection, community care, medical negligence and private wealth, ensuring a cohesive and coordinated approach to your care.

Contact us

If you would like advice about a related matter, please complete the form and one of our SEN specialists will be in touch as soon as possible.

Please note we do not offer legal aid. Read about our fees.

Or give us a call:

0118 467 6547

Special educational needs insights

Our special educational needs solicitors

Our SEN case studies

What our clients say

Tribunal for placement

Laxmi helped with my son tribunal case in regard to section I of his EHCP. Our tribunal got brought forward by 6 months early, not giving us much time to get everything in place. Laxmi was great and said we can do it even with just little time left to get prepared and ready for the Tuesday. As a parent, I didn’t know what we needed to send or do, Laxmi took the time to explain everything to us and what we needed to do to prepare for the tribunal. Laxmi went above and beyond to help us and successfully won getting the school we needed for are son to start in September 2024. I would highly recommend Laxmi to take on the local authority in regard to any EHCP appeals. Thank you for everything you’ve done for us.

Natalie

What our clients say

We were immediately impressed

We were immediately impressed with James and our initial judgment proved correct as we went on to negotiate with Essex a care package for our daughter. Throughout the process, James supported us and was always on hand to give us excellent advice, source and guide an ISW in writing a report for us, and assist with crafting skilfully worded emails to the Authority. More importantly for us, James was always kind and understanding, and brought a wonderful sense of humour to our meetings. We feel most fortunate to have found him and would not hesitate to recommend him

Kitty Carrick

What our clients say

SEN Tribunal

Laxmi’s exceptional understanding in SEN law combined with her professional, honest and empathic approach gave us the assurance that we had a solicitor who was and would continually do her best on our behalf. We would highly recommend any one seeking a SEN solicitor to use Laxmi.

David Bernstein

What our clients say

Support with the EHCP appeal

We would like to thank the Boyes Turner team, especially Janata Ali, for the exceptional support throughout the process. Just over a year ago we were lost and scared for our child’s future. It is a completely different reality today. Our child is much happier in the new school, with all the support and the quality of teaching, mentoring that he is receiving. It was the right battle to fight. It would not have been possible without Janata’s help, guidance, experience and commitment to our case. We are endlessly grateful, as this means that our child can have a better quality of life now and better prospects in the future.

Boyes Turner Client

What our clients say

SEN support for EHCP

Janata Ali is an expert in n her field which resulted in us winning our case against the local authority to issue an EHCP for our son. Our son will hopefully now thrive and we will be forever grateful for her help and support with our case.

Boyes Turner Client

What our clients say

I would most definitely recommend

James, Laxmi and Daisy, worked so Patrick’s case, due to his very complex profile we had to go through three tribunals. They all worked so hard to secure our son’s placement. I would most definitely recommend James and Laxmi to anyone wishing to pursue the right provision for their young person.

Cath and Phil

What our clients say

I’m thankful

I’m thankful that we found James, without him my son would have been abandoned by his Local Authority. Moving on from college is a stressful process for all the family, & Local Authority knows this & uses this to try & push parents to the limit, by ignoring their responsibility hoping that you will give up . In came James, took pressure off me & onto them . Highly recommend. We won , my son now can start his transition to his next chapter. Thank you.

Rebecca Wallace

What our clients say

James was a pleasure to deal with

We contacted Boyes Turner earlier this year after we ran into a dispute with our local authority. This was about a social care matter and learning disability. The case was handled with professionalism and tact. James was a pleasure to deal with. Clear communication, humour and detailed knowledge of the law in this area.

Andrew

What our clients say

James was knowledgeable but at the same time very approachable

The help and support we received from James for our son’s EHC plan has been absolutely invaluable. With his help, we were able to secure an outcome that suits our child. James was knowledgeable but at the same time very approachable and made a very stressful process much more manageable.

Boyes Turner Client

What our clients say

Guiding us through EHCP and transition

James Pantling-Skeet helped us prepare my daughter’s EHCP to gain a good placement for the future. He was patient, extremely knowledgeable, had brilliant contacts, helped withe emotional upheaval and organised meetings with all parties to keep everything on track. We had the best outcome we could have had due to his professionalism. He was very caring too. He and his team worked tirelessly and answered our queries promptly. I would highly recommend their service.

Boyes Turner Client

Recognised leading UK law firm

Boyes Turner is consistently ranked as a leading law firm by top legal directories Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500.

Mediation in special educational needs appeals

We help families prepare for mediation and find practical solutions to SEN disagreements.

When is mediation needed?

SEN mediation FAQs

Why use our special educational needs solicitors?

Contact us

0118 467 6547

Special educational needs insights

Our special educational needs solicitors

Laxmi Patel

James Pantling-Skeet

Rachael Allison

Emma Trevett

Steven Baylis

Janata Ali

Lacie Smith

Rachel Baxter

Daisy Fox-Clarkin

Libby Buxton

Amber Puri

Our SEN case studies

What our clients say

Tribunal for placement

What our clients say

We were immediately impressed

What our clients say

SEN Tribunal

What our clients say

Support with the EHCP appeal

What our clients say

SEN support for EHCP

What our clients say

I would most definitely recommend

What our clients say

I’m thankful

What our clients say

James was a pleasure to deal with

What our clients say

James was knowledgeable but at the same time very approachable

What our clients say

Guiding us through EHCP and transition

Recognised leading UK law firm

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