SEN Mediation

What is mediation?

Mediation helps parents and young people and the local authority to agree. You may not agree about the educational support or the health and social care support. It can solve your disagreements in a quick, informal way using a mediator who is neutral. The solution will be helpful to both you and the local authority.

You can contact the mediation service to have a chat when you don't agree with a SEN decision.

This video explains how mediation works.

KIDS is an independent service that will provide a trained mediator to facilitate a discussion. The service is free and confidential - and you can choose whether to use it.

To contact KIDS:

Mediation is a statutory service. It helps parents or young people resolve disagreements about SEN decisions. Parents and young people must contact the mediation service before deciding to appeal. You may not agree about the educational support or the health and social care support.

If you still wish to appeal:

  • the mediation service will give you a certificate that confirms you have thought about mediation
  • you need the certificate to make an appeal to SEND tribunal

If you use the mediation service:

  • it does not affect your right of appeal to SEND Tribunal
  • it does not affect your right to make a complaint to the agency, school, college or early year’s provider

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