Mediation is a less formal way of trying to settle the dispute between you and the LA (and/or the health authority, known as the clinical commissioning group (CCG)). It involves a meeting between you, the LA and/or CCG and an independent mediator, who will try to help you reach agreement on the points of dispute. The mediation may also be attended by other relevant parties such as representatives from the child or young person’s school or college. It is free of charge. You have a right to try mediation whenever the LA makes a decision which you could appeal to the SEND Tribunal, including if you only disagree with section I of an EHC plan.

In most cases you will need a mediation certificate before you can appeal. You can get this in two ways:

• Undertake mediation, and if it does not settle all of the points in dispute, you will be issued with a certificate confirming you took part in mediation; or
• Speak to a mediation advisor, and you will be issued with a certificate confirming you have been told about your right to mediate but you do not want to do so.

If you do not wish to mediate, you do not have to. You will need to ring the number the LA gives you on their decision letter (there should be alternatives if you cannot use a phone) and talk to a mediation adviser. They will tell you more about how mediation works, and if you are not interested you can simply explain that you do not want to mediate. They will then provide a certificate. If you have had a lot of discussions already with your LA you may feel mediation would be of little use and you want to save time, get your certificate, and appeal right away.

If you have never had a proper discussion with the LA about why they have reached their decision, mediation may help. You might also consider it to give yourself more time to appeal. The appeal deadline is two months from the date of the decision letter, or one month from the date a mediation certificate is issued, whichever is the later.

If you would like to mediate the LA must arrange this within 30 days of you asking for it. The LA cannot refuse mediation or make you attend some other form of meeting beforehand. You can bring someone to mediation to support you if you like. 

If you attend mediation and the LA agrees to settle the case and take the steps you are asking for, you must ensure that you get their agreement in writing, setting out clearly what they have agreed to do. Regulations 42 and 44 of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014 set out certain timescales that an LA must stick to after a mediation, if they have agreed:

• To carry out an EHC needs assessment: the LA must notify the parent or young person that it is starting within 2 weeks, then either let the parent or young person know they have decided not to issue an EHC plan within 10 weeks, or send a finalised EHC plan within 14 weeks
• To issue an EHC plan: the LA must issue the draft plan within 5 weeks and the finalised EHC plan within 11weeks
• To change the name of a school in an EHC plan: the LA must issue the amended EHC Plan within 2 weeks
• To amend an EHC plan: the LA must issue the amended EHC Plan within 5 weeks

If the LA agree to take certain steps in a mediation agreement but then fail to do so, they are acting unlawfully. This could be challenged via judicial review.

For more information about the process of bringing an appeal about an EHC needs assessment or EHC plan, see our general advice for all appeals.