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Support with EHCP content and placement appeals
The final EHCP has been issued, but that does not necessarily mean it is the right plan for your child.
We support families to challenge the contents of an EHCP, seek clear and enforceable special educational provision and secure an appropriate educational placement.
What happens when the final EHCP is not right?
A final EHCP should accurately describe a child or young person’s needs, set out clear and enforceable provision and name an appropriate educational placement.
Where the plan does not reflect the evidence, contains vague or insufficient provision, or names an unsuitable placement, Sections B, F and I can be challenged through the SEND Tribunal. An extended appeal can also seek recommendations about the health and social care needs and provision recorded in the plan.
We support families to identify the disputed areas and prepare a clear, evidence-based appeal within the required timescales.
Key benefits
How we help with EHCP content and placement appeals
Detailed review of the final EHCP against the available professional evidence
Identification of proposed amendments to Sections B, F and I
Support preparing the appeal documentation and proposed EHCP wording
Assistance with the Working Document throughout the appeal
Preparation of clear grounds of appeal aligned with the relevant legal framework
Completion and review of the SEND35 appeal documentation
Support with extended appeals seeking recommendations about health and social care needs and provision
Full case management available, including appeal preparation, Working Document management and monitoring Tribunal deadlines
Support with appeals involving specialist or independent placements and Education Otherwise Than in School (EOTIS), where appropriate
You’re not alone
When families often seek SEND appeals support
Families often seek support when one of these situations sounds familiar.
★★★★★
“Without her support I honestly would not have known what to challenge or how to do it clearly.”
Harriet Cooper
Parent we supported
A final EHCP has been issued but important needs are missing or inaccurately described
Section F contains provision that is vague, unclear or insufficiently specified
The placement named in Section I is unsuitable or unable to meet the child or young person’s needs
Professional recommendations have not been properly reflected in the final plan
Stronger, professionally prepared grounds of appeal are required
The Working Document process and Tribunal deadlines feel difficult to manage independently
Our EHCP content and placement appeals
Options
Support options for EHCP content and placement appeals
The Working Document process and Tribunal deadlines feel difficult to manage independently
We offer a range of support options to suit different families and circumstances, from assistance with specific aspects of an appeal through to comprehensive case management support throughout the Tribunal process.
Full support and case management
This service is particularly suited to appeals involving complex needs, extensive professional evidence, disputed specialist or independent placements, EOTIS, extended appeals concerning health and social care, or challenges across multiple sections of the EHCP.
Our focus remains firmly on securing an EHCP that accurately reflects the child or young person’s needs, clearly specifies the provision they require and identifies an appropriate educational placement.
This service may include
Identification of proposed amendments to the EHCP, preparation of appeal documentation and grounds of appeal, and assistance completing and submitting all Tribunal paperwork
Detailed review of the EHCP and supporting evidence, with advice on the strengths of the case and any areas where further evidence may be beneficial
Ongoing management of key Tribunal deadlines, procedural requirements and all guidance relating to placement considerations and supporting evidence
Support throughout the Working Document process, including review of the Local Authority’s response and assistance with the preparation and submission of additional evidence where appropriate
Ongoing advocacy and case management support throughout the appeal
Hearing preparation support to help families understand the Tribunal process and feel confident presenting their case
This option provides consistent support throughout the appeal, reducing the administrative burden and keeping the case focused on securing an EHCP that accurately reflects your child’s needs.
Pre-registration appeal support
For families who would like professional support preparing their appeal but are confident managing the Tribunal process independently once it has been registered. This service focuses on ensuring the EHCP, evidence and appeal documentation are carefully reviewed and clearly prepared before submission.
This service may include
Identification of proposed amendments to the EHCP and guidance on additional evidence that may support the appeal
Review of the EHCP and supporting professional evidence, with advice on the strengths of the case and any areas where further evidence may be beneficial
Review of all appeal paperwork to ensure it is clear, focused and ready for submission, with guidance on next steps once the appeal has been lodged
Preparation of grounds of appeal, supporting documentation and assistance completing the relevant Tribunal application forms
This option is ideal for families who would like expert input at the preparation stage while retaining responsibility for managing the appeal thereafter.
SEND35 form preparation
Suitable for families who would like support completing the SEND35 appeal form but intend to manage the appeal independently.
This service is limited to preparing the SEND35 form and does not include a detailed review of the EHCP or professional evidence, drafting grounds of appeal, preparing proposed amendments or Working Documents, or providing ongoing support throughout the Tribunal process.
Preparation of the SEND35 appeal form on your behalf
An information-gathering meeting to discuss your circumstances and the basis of the appeal
Guidance on the documents that should accompany the application
An opportunity to review the completed form before submission
Please note this service covers preparation of the application form only and does not include review of the EHCP, analysis of professional evidence, Working Document preparation or ongoing Tribunal support.
SEND35 application review
Suitable for families who have completed their own SEND35 appeal form and would like professional feedback before submitting it to the Tribunal.
This service is designed for families who intend to prepare and manage the appeal independently but would value professional input before submission.
Feedback on the overall structure, clarity and presentation of the appeal
A detailed review of the completed SEND35 application form
Guidance to help ensure the application clearly reflects the issues in dispute
Recommendations for amendments or additional information where appropriate
This option is ideal for families who are preparing and managing their own appeal but would value independent professional input before taking the next step.
Our support is grounded in the SEND legal framework and focused on helping families present their evidence in a clear, structured and persuasive way. We provide all clients with our Terms of Business before work begins, ensuring that the scope of support and costs are clearly understood from the outset.
Our process
How our EHCP content and placement appeal support works
1.
Get in touch
Contact us if you have received a final EHCP and have concerns about its contents or the placement named. Please provide the date the plan was issued and explain which sections you are considering challenging.
We will review the information available, explain your options and recommend the most appropriate level of support for your circumstances.
2.
02. We review the EHCP and the evidence
We review the final EHCP alongside the available professional evidence to identify where the plan may not accurately reflect the child or young person’s needs, required provision or appropriate placement.
We consider the strengths of the evidence, identify any areas that may benefit from further support and advise which aspects of the plan may be appropriate to challenge.
3.
Your appeal is prepared
We prepare the grounds of appeal, SEND35 form and proposed amendments to the EHCP, ensuring the case is clearly structured and supported by the available evidence.
Depending on the service selected, we can also assist with the Working Document process, submit the appeal and manage the key stages and deadlines throughout the Tribunal process.
4.
Your appeal progresses
We ensure the appeal is carefully prepared and ready for submission within the required timescales. Where ongoing support or full case management is selected, we continue to guide you through each stage, respond to developments and help keep the case focused as it progresses.
Is this the right support for you?
This support is suitable for families who have received a final EHCP but are concerned that it does not accurately reflect their child or young person’s needs, clearly specify the provision required or name an appropriate educational placement.
We help families understand their right to appeal, review the available evidence and consider the most appropriate next steps within the relevant appeal timescales.
This service is usually most helpful when…
You received a final EHCP within the last two months
Sections B or F do not accurately reflect the professional evidence
The placement named in Section I is unsuitable for your child or young person’s needs
You would like professionally prepared grounds of appeal based on the relevant legal framework and applicable case law
The Working Document process and Tribunal deadlines feel difficult to manage independently
This may not be the right fit if…
The EHC needs assessment has not yet taken place, in which case our EHC Needs Assessment Request Support may be a better starting point.
You are challenging a refusal to assess or refusal to issue decision rather than the contents of a final EHCP
You have received a draft EHCP that has not yet been finalised, in which case our EHCP Draft Checking Service may be more appropriate
Free download
7 Things to Check Before You Accept a Draft EHCP
A practical guide to help you identify unclear wording, missing provision, and the key sections that matter before your EHCP is finalised.
Trusted by families across England
Real reviews from parents and carers we’ve supported through EHCPs, appeals and Tribunals.
Questions & answers
Frequently asked questions about EHCP content and placement appeals
Still unsure about something? We’re always happy to talk it through.
Why families choose us
You are in safe, experienced hands
We are a team of independent SEND advocates and consultants with professional backgrounds across healthcare, education and law. As a team, we also bring lived experience of the SEND system, whether as neurodivergent individuals ourselves and/or as parents supporting our own children, alongside extensive experience supporting hundreds of families through the process.
Our team holds Advanced IPSEA SEND Law training as a minimum standard, we works with ongoing guidance from specialist education lawyers and maintains up-to-date knowledge of current legislation, statutory guidance and case law. We are also proud to have received multiple awards recognising our work in SEND advocacy.
Most importantly, we are proud of the families who place their trust in us and the outcomes achieved for the children and young people we support.
SEND GUIDANCE
Helpful guidance for families navigating SEND
Explore related support
Other ways we can help
Working Document Support
Detailed preparation and management of the working document throughout the appeal process.
Tribunal Support and Representation
Support on the day of your SEND Tribunal hearing.
EOTIS Support
Support preparing an evidence-based package where education outside school is being sought.
Here when you’re ready
The final EHCP has been issued, but that does not necessarily mean it is the right plan for your child.
You may have the right to challenge Sections B, F and I through the SEND Tribunal, and where appropriate, seek recommendations about health and social care through an extended appeal.
We provide specialist support with reviewing the EHCP and professional evidence, preparing grounds of appeal, proposed amendments, Working Documents and full case management throughout the Tribunal process.
Strict appeal deadlines apply, so early advice is important.