IPSEA's Tribunal Support Service provides free, specialist support to parents and carers navigating an appeal to the SEND Tribunal. Our goal is to work alongside families to empower them during the appeal process, helping them secure the education and support that their child is legally entitled to. 

This support is only available by referral after speaking with an adviser on our Tribunal Helpline, who will assess whether this level of support is required. Support is tailored to meet your needs and is offered to parents and carers who meet our criteria. 

How we can support you 

Depending on your circumstances and our availability, we may offer the following types of support: 

• Tribunal support workshops: practical workshops led by our legal team and delivered virtually (via Zoom), designed to help you understand your child’s legal rights, build a strong case, and effectively manage your appeal. 

• Guided telephone support: regular, scheduled telephone calls with our specially trained volunteer advisers to guide you through each stage of the appeal process, including:
  • The case management process
  • Advice on evidence gathering
  • Timely tailored advice for your case
  • Hearing preparation 

• Caseworker support: individual support from one of our trained casework volunteers, which may include:
  • The case management process
  • Preparing papers for Tribunal
  • Advice on evidence required and the role of witnesses
  • Assisting with working documents
  • Negotiation with your local authority
  • Representation at your hearing
  • Assessment of appeal decisions  

Please note: Due to a limited number of volunteers trained to handle disability discrimination claims, we are only able to support a small number of these cases. 

Accessing the Tribunal Support Service 

Start by booking an appointment on our Tribunal Helpline. Our adviser will provide advice regarding your appeal, assess your needs and determine whether a referral to our Tribunal Support Service is required. 

If referred, our team will contact you to gather additional information and determine the right level of support. 

Please be aware that parents and carers remain in control of the Tribunal process at all times. You will remain responsible for making decisions about what you want the Tribunal to know about your child’s needs, the support your child requires and the most appropriate educational placement for your child. 

Privacy policy, data protection  and terms of use 

All calls via IPSEA’s services are recorded for monitoring, training and quality purposes. By using our Tribunal Support Service, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and also our privacy policy.    

Supporting our work 

Our volunteers play a vital role in delivering these services, and we are grateful for their time and expertise in supporting families. While IPSEA volunteers and advisers often receive offers of gifts as tokens of appreciation, they are unable to accept these. If you would like to support our work, your donations and fundraising efforts help make our free services possible. You can make a donation here or take on a fundraising challenge to support our mission.