First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability)

This is the tribunal (a type of court) responsible for handling appeals against decisions made by children’s services regarding special educational needs.

These include a refusal to:

• Carry out an education, health and care assessment.
• Create an education, health and care plan.
• Amend what is in an existing education, health and care plan.
• Maintain an education, health and care plan.

The tribunal also handles appeals against decisions to refuse an education, health and care needs assessment or an education, health and care needs plan to young people (aged under 18) who are in custody.

The Tribunal also handles appeals relating to discrimination by schools or local authorities due to a child’s disability.

The tribunal is part of HM Courts and Tribunals Service. This is the government agency that administers the courts in England and Wales.