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Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (Appeals)
The Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal is an independent tribunal set up to consider parents'/guardians' appeals against decisions made by Local Authorities about a child's special educational needs, where parents cannot agree with the Local Authority. The Tribunal also considers parents' claims of disability discrimination in schools.
Details
Parents are encouraged to discuss their disagreements with the Local Authority (LA) through meeting with the LA and/or using the Disagreement Resolution Service.
Parents can appeal to the Tribunal if:
- we (the LA) will not carry out a formal assessment of their child’s SEN;
- we refuse to issue a statement of the child’s SEN.
After we have made a statement, or have changed a previous statement, parents can appeal against:
- the parts that describe the child’s SEN (part 2) and set out the special educational support (part 3) that we think the child should get;
- the school named in part 4 of the statement; or
- our not naming a school.
Parents can also appeal if the LA:
- refuses to change the school named in the child’s statement, if that statement is at least a year old (but only an LA maintained school can be requested);
- refuses to reassess if the LA has not made a new assessment for at least 6 months;
- decides not to maintain a statement;
- decides not to change the statement after reassessing.
Parents/guardians can appeal within two months of the LA giving the final written decision.
Next Steps
The Special Educational Needs team can give details of how to appeal to the Tribunal. Alternatively, parents can contact the Tribunal directly at the address and telephone numbers below.
Contact Details
Address:
Special Educational Needs, Children and Young People Services, London Borough of Bromley, Civic Centre, Stockwell Close, Bromley BR1 3UH
Telephone: 020 8313 4739 or 4022
Fax: 020 8313 4145
e-mail: sen@bromley.gov.uk
Address:
Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal, Windsor House, 50 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0NW
Disability Helpline: 020 7925 5750
SEN Helpline: 01325 392 555
Fax: 020 7925 6926
Website: www.sendist.gov.uk