CYP Now - Almost all SEND appeals against council decisions upheld, figures show

Nearly all special educational needs and disability (SEND) tribunal appeals are upheld, research finds, sparking concerns around the quality of decision making by councils.

Action by families against councils’ decisions over the last decade have tripled, research finds. Picture: Adobe Stock

The research found that 96 per cent of all appeals made by families against council decisions around their child’s support are upheld.

Meanwhile, action by families against councils’ decisions over the last decade have tripled. Issues looked at include education, health and care plan (EHCP) assessment and placement decision making

Over the same period the number of successful appeals has increased by 28 per cent.

The findings have emerged in research carried out by the Administrative Justice Council (AJC) into how council decision making around children in need of SEND support can be improved.

Among factors behind the high rate of success of appeals is confusion among councils around their statutory duty to carry out SEND assessments, the research found.

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