SEND tribunal support

Practical administrative support for education SEND tribunal appeals, from organising paperwork to preparing for a hearing.

Book a free consultation 07772 053605

Free introductory consultation — 15 to 30 minutes. This is a request; Billy or Pravesh will ring you to agree a time. No obligation to proceed.

Illustrative image: Billy Kukadia and Pravesh Rajdev talking with two adults in a bright living room, with a plain folder

Key dates and limits

Asking for an EHC needs assessment: the council should tell you within 6 weeks of your request whether it will carry out an assessment.
If an assessment goes ahead: the final EHC plan should usually be issued within 20 weeks of the request.
Before you appeal: you must contact a mediation adviser first (unless your appeal is only about the school or placement named). If you choose not to mediate, a certificate should be issued within 3 working days of contacting the adviser.
Appeal deadline: appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (SEND) within 2 months of the date of the decision letter, or 1 month from the date of the mediation certificate, whichever is later.
There are exceptions to these time limits. Check the official guidance for your circumstances.
A parent, a young person aged 16 to 25, or a school can ask the council for an EHC needs assessment.

Official sources

Checked 23 October 2026. Rules change, so please check the official page too.

Mediation advice first

You do not have to go on to mediate after contacting the mediation adviser if you do not want to.

This step does not apply if your appeal is only about the named school or placement, or if you are making a disability discrimination claim.

Building your evidence

A tribunal looks at the papers. We help you gather and order them so that nothing important is lost: reports from school and professionals, letters from the council, and your own notes about your child's needs. We put them in date order with a clear index. You decide what goes in.

The hearing

We can help you prepare your notes and organise your bundle before the day, so you know where everything is. Coming with you for practical support can be discussed, subject to the tribunal allowing it and our availability. Check the tribunal's guidance about hearing support.

Wales is different

Wales has a different system, called Additional Learning Needs, with appeals to the Education Tribunal for Wales. This page covers England.

Government SEND reforms were announced in 2026, but the current system still applies.

What we don't do

We don't tell you whether you should appeal, or how strong your appeal is.
We don't write legal arguments or represent you at the tribunal.
We don't take responsibility for your deadlines; we help you keep track of them.

Free help

These services are free and can give you advice we cannot.

IPSEA
Free SEND advice line, booked online at the IPSEA advice line (opens in a new tab).
Your local SENDIASS
Free, impartial SEND advice, found through your council's website.

How we can help

We work from your instructions on the administrative parts of an education appeal.

Reading the council's decision letter with you and noting what it asks you to do next
Organising education reports, correspondence and other evidence you choose to include
Preparing the appeal form from your instructions and gathering supporting documents
Putting paperwork in order and preparing a document index
Recording dates and instructions from tribunal correspondence in a checklist
Preparing hearing notes, organising documents and attending where the tribunal allows

Who this support is for

For parents, carers and young people in England who want practical help organising an education SEND tribunal appeal. We talk through what you need and tell you honestly whether it is within our scope.

We help you organise and prepare your own tribunal paperwork. We are not a law firm and do not act for you in the tribunal. Each tribunal has its own rules about who may accompany or help you at a hearing, so please check the tribunal's guidance or ask the tribunal office. You remain responsible for your case and its deadlines.

How it works

1
Tell us what's happened
Tell us about the letter, form or hearing and the practical help you need.
2
Agree the work
Tasks, boundaries and fees are confirmed in writing before any work starts. Additional charges are agreed beforehand.
3
Prepare and check
We organise paperwork from your instructions. You review the appeal form and supporting documents and approve them before use.

How our fees work Where and how we provide support

Common questions

Can you explain the decision letter?

We can read through the letter with you, identify the documents and next steps it refers to, and help organise questions to ask. We do not interpret your legal rights or advise whether you should appeal.

Can you prepare the appeal form?

We can help type and organise your information and supporting paperwork. You decide what to include, check accuracy and approve the final documents. Legal grounds and strategy need advice from a regulated legal adviser.

Talk through your education appeal paperwork

Describe the practical help you need and we will explain the scope and limits of our support.

Book a free consultation

Message us on WhatsApp

Please don't send documents or personal details until we've agreed how we'll work together.