Appeals and mediation

How to appeal

If your child is under the school leaving age (GOV.UK), you can appeal if you have parental responsibility for the child or are their foster parent or carer.

Once a young person reaches school leaving age, they should appeal on their own behalf instead.

If you are appealing a decision not to assess, you should complete the SEND35a form found on GOV.UK and email it to send@justice.gov.uk, or you can post it to the following address:

First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability)
1st Floor, Darlington Magistrates Court
Parkgate
Darlington
DL1 1RU
United Kingdom

For any other appeals, you can apply online (GOV.UK) or download the SEND 35 form at GOV.UK and email or post it, as above.

If posting, we highly recommend that you send by registered post and keep copies of all documents posted.

Video showing how to complete a SEND 35a form (refusal to assess)

Video showing how to complete a SEND 35 form