Lodging an appeal
You can appeal as either:
- someone with parental responsibility for a child
- a child’s foster parent or carer
If your child is over the school leaving age, they may be able to appeal on their own behalf instead.
How to appeal
Download and fill in form SEND35.
To learn more, watch this video by Milton Keynes SEND IAS →
There’s a different form if:
A – You are appealing a refusal to secure an EHC Needs Assessment (form SEND35A)
IPSEA have produced a simple information pack to provide advice for parents and young people regarding refusal to assess.
To learn more, watch this video by Milton Keynes SEND IAS →
B – Your child’s in custody (form SEND28)
The forms help you to provide all the information the Tribunal requires to register an appeal. It also ensures that your appeal contains all the necessary details which the law requires.
They are provided as an editable PDF. You can complete the form electronically by saving it to your computer. Remember to save it regularly.
Alternatively, you can print the form and complete it by hand. You should use BLOCK CAPITALS.
Where to send the form
Once you have completed the appeal form and signed it, please send it and all other relevant documents to:
Email: send@justice.gov.uk
– write in the subject line of your email ‘New Appeal’ to ensure it is dealt with quickly
Alternatively, you can post it to:
HM Courts & Tribunals Service
Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal
1st Floor, Darlington Magistrates Court
Parkgate
Darlington
DL1 1RU
Please keep a copy of the appeal form.
The tribunal must receive your appeal within 2 months of the date on the local authority’s decision letter or a month from the date of the mediation certificate – whichever is later.
What happens next?
Once the Tribunal have received your form the appeal will usually be registered within 10 working days.
Get in touch with us
If you can't find what you need, feel free to get in touch with us. Our opening hours are:
- Monday to Thursday from 9.30am to 3pm
- Friday from 9.30am to 2pm
We aim to respond to all enquiries within 3 working days.
Other sources of help and support:
Hertfordshire Local Offer
The Local Offer lets parents and young people know what special educational needs and disabilities services are available in Hertfordshire, and who can access them.
Visit the Local Offer →
Contact
A charity for families with disabled children offering information and advice.
Visit Contact →
HPCI
An independent parent carer organisation ensuring family voices are heard.
Visit the HPCI →
IPSEA
Independent information, advice and support, with free guides, resources and template letters.
Visit IPSEA →