We understand that choosing an education setting for your child is very important and we may not always make the decision you were hoping for. When this happens, we are keen to work together with you, your child and other professionals to discuss how best to support your child going forward.

When we write to tell you about our decision, we will invite you to a 'Way Forward' meeting. The meeting is voluntary and working together in this way does not impact your legal right to appeal.

If you disagree with your child's final Education Health Care (EHC) Plan, you have the right to request independent mediation and subsequently appeal to a Special Educational Needs (SEND) tribunal. Details of this process will be provided to you with the final EHC plan.

If your child has not be allocated a place at your requested school, after your child's final EHC plan has been issued, you have a right to appeal to an independent Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) tribunal. Further information about this process will be given to you at the time.

Find out more in in depth information about:

• The mediation and appeal process.
• Requesting a particular nursery, school or college when a child has an EHC plan
• Making SEND appeals (GOV.UK)