Mediation
If you are unhappy with the Council’s decision during an Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment or planning process, you must contact mediation services within 2 months of receiving the decision letter that you are unhappy about.
This will bring you and the Council together in a neutral and independently facilitated meeting.
Working together through the mediation process will help to clarify the issues and explore options to reach acceptable solutions.
Any outcomes agreed are legally binding.
You must contact mediation before you can appeal to the SEND tribunal, also known as the First-tier Tribunal.
This means contacting the service so that they can talk to you about mediation and why it might be helpful to you. You can then decide whether to go ahead with it or not.
What is mediation?
Mediation is a meeting you can have with SEND services to find a solution to your problems in an impartial and confidential environment. An independent mediator manages the discussion to help you and the people involved try to reach a resolution.
Mediation services are run by independent organisation: KIDS. Their experienced and qualified mediators put you at ease and find the best way to meet your child’s needs without you having to go through the formal appeal or tribunal process.
Mediation is voluntary, but if you want to go to Tribunal, you must have contacted mediation services, and listened to their advice.
By law, the Council must go to mediation if you request that they do. However, you do not have to attend if you do not want to.
Timescales
You must contact mediation services within 2 months of receiving the decision letter that you are unhappy about, because the law only allows you to appeal to tribunal within 2 months of the decision OR 1 month from the date of the Mediation Certificate, whichever is longer.
If you decide not to go to mediation, then KIDS will send you a mediation certificate within 3 working days of you telling them your decision, following the Mediation Information and Awareness Session which they will arrange for you.
If you agree to mediation, the Council will have 30 days to arrange a date for mediation. The actual mediation may take place after the 30 days. Your mediation certificate will then be issued to you within 3 working days of your mediation session having happened.
Learn more
The Hertfordshire Local Offer provides a range of information about mediation, including the benefits, what to expect and more.
Who to contact
To contact the KIDS mediation service:
Call
03330 062 835
Lodging an appeal
You can appeal as either someone with parental responsibility for a child, or a child’s foster parent or carer.
Learn more including the forms that you need to use to register an appeal.
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 →