Free initial consultation  ยท  England & Wales Specialist. Experienced. On your side.
๐Ÿ’› Learning & Educational Needs

Every child deserves
the right support. When
the system says no โ€” we fight back.

Specialist solicitors for EHCP appeals, ALN Tribunal Wales, education tribunal appeals, annual reviews, judicial review and disability discrimination โ€” supporting families across England and Wales.

03333 44 34 84
ALN / SEN Services

Where can we help your child?

Education Health & Care Plans

An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is a legally binding document that sets out a child's special educational needs and the provision that must be made to meet them. When local authorities get these decisions wrong โ€” refusing to assess, failing to issue a plan, naming the wrong school, or under-specifying provision โ€” families can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (SEND).

Decisions that can be appealed

  • Refusal to carry out an EHC needs assessment
  • Refusal to issue an EHCP following assessment
  • The description of a child's SEN or the educational provision specified in the plan
  • The school or type of school named in the plan
  • Refusal to amend or maintain a plan, or cessation of a plan

โฑ๏ธ Time limits are strict. You have 2 months from the local authority's decision letter, or 1 month from the Mediation Certificate โ€” whichever is later.

EHCP Appeals โ€” full details

Individual Development Plans

Wales operates a separate legal framework under the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018. Individual Development Plans (IDPs) replace EHCPs, and appeals are heard by the Education Tribunal for Wales (ETfW).

๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ England โ€” EHCP

  • Education, Health and Care Plans
  • First-tier Tribunal (SEND)
  • Children's and Families Act 2014
  • Mediation required before tribunal

๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ Wales โ€” IDP

  • Individual Development Plans
  • Education Tribunal for Wales
  • ALNET Act 2018
  • Mandatory conciliation before tribunal
ALN / IDP Wales โ€” full details

Education Tribunal Appeals

We represent families throughout the tribunal process โ€” from lodging the appeal to the final hearing. Local authorities are typically represented by experienced solicitors. Our role is to make sure your family's case is presented with equal rigour and expertise.

  • Whether the local authority should have conducted an EHC needs assessment
  • Whether an EHCP or IDP should be issued
  • The content of the plan โ€” the description of needs and the provision specified
  • Which school or type of school should be named
  • Whether a plan should continue to be maintained
Education Tribunal โ€” full details

Education Annual Reviews

Every EHCP must be reviewed at least annually. When local authorities fail to conduct reviews properly โ€” or use them as an opportunity to reduce or remove provision โ€” families need to know their rights.

  • Local authority failures to conduct an annual review within the required timescale
  • Reviews conducted without proper involvement of parents, the child or key professionals
  • Decisions following a review to cease or significantly reduce provision
  • Transition reviews โ€” particularly at Year 9 and moving to adult services
Annual Reviews โ€” full details

Judicial Review

Judicial review is a legal process by which the High Court reviews the lawfulness of a decision by a public body. It may be available where a local authority has acted unlawfully, irrationally, or in breach of its statutory duties.

  • A local authority failing to secure the provision specified in a final EHCP
  • Unlawful delay in conducting an EHC needs assessment or issuing a plan
  • Decisions by a local authority that fall outside tribunal jurisdiction
  • Failure to carry out a lawful annual review
Judicial Review โ€” full details

Disability Discrimination

Under the Equality Act 2010, schools and local authorities must not discriminate against disabled children in any aspect of education.

  • School exclusions linked to behaviour caused by a child's disability
  • Failure to make reasonable adjustments to allow full participation in school life
  • Failure to put in place support identified in an EHCP or by medical professionals
  • Discriminatory treatment in admissions processes
Disability Discrimination โ€” full details

Frequently Asked Questions

The local authority has refused to assess my child. What can I do?
In England, you can appeal a refusal to carry out an EHC needs assessment to the First-tier Tribunal (SEND). In Wales, you can appeal to the Education Tribunal for Wales. Contact us โ€” we'll review the decision and advise on the strength of an appeal.
We want our child to attend an independent specialist school. Can we challenge the LA's refusal?
Yes. This is one of the most common disputes we handle. Parents can request a specific school be named in an EHCP, and local authorities must agree unless specific tests are met. These tests are complex and outcomes depend heavily on evidence.
What is the difference between the EHCP system in England and the ALN system in Wales?
England uses Education, Health and Care Plans under the Children and Families Act 2014, with appeals to the First-tier Tribunal (SEND). Wales uses Individual Development Plans under the ALNET Act 2018, with appeals to the Education Tribunal for Wales.
Do you offer legal aid?
We work on a private fee basis and are not able to offer legal aid. Your free initial consultation will include a clear outline of costs and any fixed-fee options available.

Every child deserves the right support.

Call us today for a free, compassionate conversation about your child's situation.

03333 44 34 84
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