Guides › Public Services › EHC Plan Decision: Appealing to the SEND Tribunal
EHC Plan Decision: Appealing to the SEND Tribunal
You can appeal to the SEND Tribunal if the council refuses to assess your child, refuses to issue an EHC plan, or you disagree with the education parts of the plan or a decision to end it. In most cases you must talk to a mediation adviser first. The tribunal must receive your appeal within 2 months of the decision, or 1 month from the mediation certificate if later.
At a Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Appealing
What You Can Appeal
You can appeal if the council refuses an EHC assessment or reassessment, refuses to create a plan, refuses to change the education sections (B, F and I), or decides a plan is no longer needed. In most cases you must talk to a mediation adviser before you appeal. Free help is available from IPSEA and local Parent Partnership Services; check if you can get legal aid. source
Time Limits
The tribunal must receive your appeal within 2 months of the council's decision letter, or 1 month from the mediation certificate, whichever is later. The tribunal responds within 25 working days, then the council has 30 working days to respond. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 2 monthsAppeal to the SEND TribunalFrom the decision, or 1 month from the mediation certificate
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Note the date on the council's decision letter.
Step 2 of 5
Contact a mediation adviser.
Step 3 of 5
Get your mediation certificate.
Step 4 of 5
Send your appeal to the tribunal in time.
Step 5 of 5
Get free help from IPSEA or your local SEND advice service.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
SEND Tribunal Appeals (GOV.UK)
Appeal after mediation advice.
IPSEA or Your Local SEND Advice Service
Free help.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
Keep every report and email about your child's needs.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 13 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- gov.uk/appeal-ehc-plan-decision Checked 13 October 2026
- gov.uk/appeal-ehc-plan-decision/appeal-as-a-parent Checked 13 October 2026