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send tribunal working document guidance
The Working Document is central to your SEND Tribunal appeal
We help families prepare and manage the Working Document throughout the SEND Tribunal process, ensuring that proposed amendments are clearly drafted, supported by the evidence and focused on securing meaningful changes to the EHC plan.
Understanding SEND Tribunal working document guidance
The Working Document is essentially the editable version of the EHC plan used during an appeal to record the changes being sought, the amendments agreed with the Local Authority and the points that remain in dispute. It is updated as the appeal progresses and is used during negotiations and the final hearing.
The document must follow the Tribunal’s prescribed key and formatting requirements. Any proposed amendments should be clearly drafted and supported by the professional evidence. The wording matters because it will help determine how your child or young person’s needs and provision are recorded in the final EHC plan.
We review the existing EHC plan alongside the available evidence and draft the amendments needed. We can also manage later versions of the Working Document, respond to changes proposed by the Local Authority and ensure that the outstanding issues remain clearly identified throughout the appeal.
Key benefits
How we help with Working Documents
Preparing and managing the Working Document in line with the Tribunal’s formatting requirements
Reviewing the EHC plan against the available professional evidence
Drafting proposed amendments to the relevant sections of the plan
Ensuring identified needs are linked to detailed and specific provision
Reviewing the Local Authority’s amendments and identifying agreed and disputed points
Managing updated versions and producing a clear document for negotiations and the final hearing
You’re not alone
When families seek our SEND appeals support
Families often seek support when one of these situations sounds familiar.
★★★★★
“Laura put your child and what is best for them at the heart of everything she does.”
Kayleigh Davies
Parent we supported
Your Tribunal appeal has been registered and the Working Document needs to be prepared
The Local Authority has sent you a version of the Working Document that needs to be reviewed
The wording in the current EHC plan is vague, unclear or does not specify the provision your child or young person requires
Your hearing has been adjourned or delayed because concerns were raised about the quality, clarity or completeness of the Working Document
New professional evidence has become available and needs to be reflected in the document
You need help applying the Tribunal’s Working Document key and formatting requirements
You need support reviewing the Local Authority’s proposed amendments and identifying which points should remain in dispute
Our SEND Options
Support Options for Working Document Preparation
The Working Document is central to an appeal about the contents of an EHC plan. It records the amendments being sought, the wording agreed with the Local Authority and the issues the Tribunal may ultimately need to decide.
The support required will depend on the stage your appeal has reached. We offer options ranging from preparing the first version of the Working Document to reviewing and managing later versions as evidence is added, amendments are proposed and agreements are reached.
Full Working Document Support with Ongoing Management
This service is for families who would like us to prepare and manage the Working Document throughout the Tribunal appeal.
We review the EHC plan alongside the professional evidence, draft the amendments being sought and prepare the document in line with the Tribunal’s Working Document requirements. As the appeal progresses, we review the Local Authority’s proposed changes, update each version and keep a clear record of the wording that has been agreed and the issues that remain in dispute.
This service may include
Identifying the areas of agreement and those that remain in dispute
Preparing and managing the Working Document in line with Tribunal requirements
Updating the Working Document as further evidence or wording is received
Reviewing and cross-referencing the relevant professional evidence
Managing successive versions throughout the appeal
Drafting and refining proposed amendments
Discussing outstanding issues and preparing the final Working Document for negotiations and Tribunal proceedings
Reviewing and responding to amendments proposed by the Local Authority
Working Document Preparation
This service is for families who would like the first version of the Working Document professionally prepared and are comfortable managing later versions with the Local Authority themselves.
We review the EHC plan alongside the relevant professional evidence, identify the amendments being sought and prepare the document in line with the Tribunal’s Working Document requirements.
Identifying and drafting proposed amendments to the EHC plan
Reviewing and cross-referencing the relevant professional evidence
Ensuring that identified needs are clearly recorded and linked to detailed and specific provision
Preparing the first version of the Working Document using the Tribunal’s prescribed key
Providing a completed Working Document ready to send to the Local Authority
Identifying the main issues reflected within the document
This service covers preparation of the first version only. You will be responsible for reviewing the Local Authority’s response and managing any later versions of the Working Document.
Option three
Adding New Evidence to the Working Document
This service is for families who receive further professional evidence during the appeal and need the Working Document updated to reflect it.
We review the new report or assessment, identify any changes needed to the EHC plan and amend the Working Document. This may include adding newly identified needs, strengthening or changing the provision sought and updating the wording already proposed.
The updated Working Document will show how the new evidence affects the issues in dispute and the amendments being sought.
Please note that this service is available where we prepared the existing Working Document. If the document was prepared or amended by a parent, advocate or another professional, we will need to review it before confirming whether we can update it. This allows us to ensure that the document meets our standards and that you receive the best possible support.
Our process
How our working document support works
1.
Initial review
We review the EHC plan, the relevant professional evidence and any existing Working Document. This allows us to identify the amendments being sought and the issues that remain in dispute.
2.
Working Document preparation
We prepare and update the Working Document in line with Tribunal requirements, using the available evidence to clearly link needs and provision. We ensure the wording is specific, quantified and legally enforceable, setting out what support is required, how often, for how long and by whom.
3.
Review and further amendments
Where ongoing support is included, we review the Local Authority’s proposed changes, consider any further evidence and update the Working Document as the appeal progresses.
4.
Preparing for the next stage
You will have a structured Working Document that records the amendments sought, the wording agreed and the matters that remain for negotiation or determination by the Tribunal.
Is this the right support for you?
When working document support is usually most helpful…
Your Tribunal appeal has been registered and a Working Document needs to be prepared or updated
The Local Authority has sent a Working Document or proposed amendments that you need help reviewing
New professional evidence has become available and any relevant amendments need to be added to the Working Document
You want to ensure that the proposed wording is supported by the evidence and follows the Tribunal’s requirements
The current EHC plan contains vague or unclear wording that needs to be made specific, quantified and legally enforceable
You need support identifying the areas and the issues that should remain in dispute
You want the Working Document to accurately set out the amendments being sought before negotiations or the final hearing
This service may not be the right fit if…
You have not yet registered your appeal with the SEND Tribunal
You need support preparing your grounds of appeal rather than a Working Document
You have not yet received a final EHC plan and are still at an earlier stage of the process
Your Working Document was prepared or substantially amended by another advocate, professional or parent and has not yet been reviewed by us. Where an existing Working Document has been prepared by someone else, we may still be able to assist following an initial review to ensure that the document meets the required standard.
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.
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Real reviews from parents and carers we’ve supported through EHCPs, appeals and Tribunals.
Questions & answers
Frequently asked questions about working document support
Still unsure about something? We’re always happy to talk it through.
Why families choose us
Every family’s experience of the SEND system is different
Our commitment to providing knowledgeable, professional and honest support remains the same.
The SEND Consultancy Group is a multi-award-winning team of independent SEND advocates supporting families across England. We are a professional, experienced team, which means we take the time to understand each child or young person, the difficulties their family is facing and the outcome they are trying to achieve.
Across our team, we bring professional experience from education, health and law, alongside lived experience of SEND and neurodivergence. This gives us a practical understanding of the system, the legal framework that sits behind it and the effect that delays, unsuitable provision and repeated disagreements can have on the whole family.
All our work is underpinned by SEND law and informed by the available professional evidence. We do not take a one-size-fits-all approach. We look carefully at the individual circumstances of each case, explain the options available and provide the level of support the family needs, from an initial advice call or review through to mediation, Tribunal preparation, Working Document management and representation at a hearing.
We are meticulous and thorough in our preparation, clear in our communication and realistic in the advice we provide. Our focus is always on ensuring that a child or young person’s needs are properly identified, that the provision sought is specific and legally enforceable, and that families understand both their position and the next steps available to them.
Every child and every family is different. The support they receive should reflect that.
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Other ways we can help
EHCP Content and Placement Appeals
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EOTIS Support
Support preparing an evidence-based package for education other than in school.
Tribunal Support and Representation
Support if mediation does not resolve the disagreement and formal hearing preparation is needed.
Here when you’re ready
Need support with your working document?
If your appeal has been registered and you need help preparing the first Working Document, reviewing the Local Authority’s amendments or managing later versions, contact us to discuss your case.
We can ensure that the changes you are seeking are clearly drafted, supported by the professional evidence and, where provision is concerned, specific, quantified and legally enforceable.