There are instances where you may request, or we may advise a paperwork review to ascertain the merits of your case before any further work is carried out.

This includes:

• A review of your key documents (we will provide guidance on the documents that we will need to see) and a short summary report or meeting to discuss.
• If you go on to purchase one of our appeal packages, the cost of this review will be deducted from your Phase 1 fee.

Fees are payable once you engage us to carry out the work.

You can appeal to the SEND First Tier Tribunal if you do not agree with any of the following decisions made by a local authority (LA):

• A refusal to carry out an EHC needs assessment.
• A refusal to issue an EHCP after an assessment has been carried out.
• If you disagree with the content of the EHCP which can include the description of the needs, the support being provided and/or the school/college named.
• If the LA wants to stop an EHCP.
• If the LA refuses to amend an EHCP following a review.

What we do

• We offer a comprehensive service to handle tribunal appeals on your behalf, including representation at a hearing if necessary. However, in most cases, a hearing isn’t required, as we typically reach a settlement during the appeal process before the hearing date.
• You will be provided with a named advocate throughout the appeal who will support you from start to finish.

We do not provide hearing representation for appeals that have not been taken over and managed by us prior to the hearing.

We are unable to support clients with legal aid. Information about legal aid providers can be found on 0345 345 345.

Our fees
We provide fixed fees so you know how much the appeal will cost up front.
The final fees depend on the type of appeal. An individual quote will be provided to you to confirm the fees for your appeal.

We understand that some parents and carers prefer to run their own SEND Tribunal appeals but would value case-specific guidance along the way. Our Tribunal Advice Service offers a one-hour telephone consultation at any stage of your appeal, with the opportunity for follow-up calls if required.

We can provide advice on:

• Preparing and lodging your appeal.
• Gathering and presenting evidence.
• Understanding the case management process.
• Preparing for the hearing.

Before your call, we will ask you to complete a detailed questionnaire so we can tailor our advice to your specific circumstances.

Cost:
£200 +VAT for 1 hour initial call
£100 + VAT per half hour for any follow up call

Please note:

• This service is advisory only. You will remain responsible for managing your appeal and making all decisions relating to it.
• We do not provide representation, draft documents, or attend hearings as part of this service.
• Appointments are subject to availability.
• Fees are payable on engagement of our services.

Parents/carers are entitled to request an EHC needs assessment which is the first step in the process of obtaining an EHCP.

We provide a service to write and submit the application on your behalf to the local authority who then have up to 6 weeks to consider the request.

This service includes:

• Collation and indexing of evidence.
• Drafting and submission of application, liaison with educational setting as may be required, liaison with LA.
• Discussion with you once the LA’s decision is made about the next steps.

Fees are payable on engagement of our services.

An EHCP should be reviewed every 12 months after it is issued and can be reviewed in between if necessary. The review process provides you with an opportunity to request changes to the EHCP. We provide a flexible service to prepare for the review meeting which includes attendance at the meeting if requested.

The service includes the following for £550 + VAT:

• Review of all documentation and a discussion with you to ascertain what you are looking to achieve.
• We provide a record of the amendments you are seeking to be shared with the LA on your behalf.
• Liaison with the LA and school to discuss the changes you are seeking.
• Providing advice once the LA sends their response to the request.
• For an additional £150 ph + VAT we can attend the annual review meeting remotely.

Appointments are subject to availability. Fees are payable on engagement of our services.

Formal mediation with the local authority (LA) can be a useful alternative to appealing to the SEND First Tier Tribunal. We provide a service to prepare for and attend the meeting.

The service includes:

• Review of all documentation and a discussion with you to ascertain what you are looking to achieve.
• A position statement to share with the LA in advance of the mediation meeting.
• Attendance at the meeting (remotely only).

Fees are payable on engagement of our services.

This service includes:

• Review of all documentation.
• Drafting and submission of the response.
• Liaison with the LA and other professionals as required.
• Advice on the next steps.

Fees are payable on engagement of our services.