About us


We’re responsible for handling appeals against local authority decisions regarding special educational needs, including a refusal to:

  • assess a child or young person’s educational, health and care (EHC) needs
  • reassess their EHC needs
  • issue an EHC plan
  • change what’s in a child or young person’s EHC plan
  • maintain the EHC plan

We also handle appeals against decisions to refuse young people in custody:

  • an EHC assessment
  • an EHC plan after assessment
  • a placement to a suitable school or other educational institution after their release

Find more information on appealing an education, health and care (EHC) plan decision.

We also handle appeals against schools or local authorities for discriminating based on a child or young person’s disability.

The SEND Tribunal also holds the power to make recommendations about health and social care issues.

Who we are

We are part of the Health, Education and Social Care Chamber, one of 7 chambers of the First-tier Tribunal which settles legal disputes and is structured around particular areas of law.

Tribunal information