SEN mediation service - Community Accord - Support and advice

Parents and young people who wish to make an appeal to the First-tier Tribunal need to contact an independent mediation adviser and discuss whether mediation might be a suitable way of resolving a disagreement. This service is independent of the Local Authority and free to access.

You must contact a mediation adviser in most cases before registering an appeal with the Tribunal. Where the parent or young person decides not to go to mediation, the adviser will issue a certificate telling them that they do not want to go to mediation, and confirming that information has been provided. You will not be able to register an appeal without a certificate.

Entering into Mediation Service arrangements does not affect your right to appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (SEND).

If you do wish to pursue mediation, you are required to inform the Authority of this, and also of the mediation issues.

Further information is available within the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice 2015.