Evidence is one of the most important parts of your SEND tribunal appeal. It helps the tribunal understand your child’s needs, what support is required, and whether the local authority (LA) has made the right decision.
You will be asked to gather and submit your evidence, and the LA will do the same. Everything sent by both sides is brought together in a single digital or paper bundle, which everyone uses at the hearing.
Good, clear evidence can make a real difference to the outcome of your appeal.
What happens
- the tribunal registers your appeal and sets evidence deadlines
- you gather your evidence, including reports, school information and statements - ones you already have or new ones you get especially for this appeal
- you send your evidence to the tribunal and the LA
- the LA gathers and sends its evidence too
- the LA prepares the final bundle, which includes all documents from both sides
Key timescales
- final evidence deadline: listed in your registration letter
- late evidence: can only be submitted using a request for change (SEND7). If it’s sent within 5 working days of the hearing, the tribunal may reject it unless you can explain why it should be accepted
What you need to do
- review what evidence you already have
- request updated or missing reports
- commission professional reports if needed, (this could be private occupational health or speech and language therapy)
- only send relevant, up to date documents
- write a short position statement to explain your views
- submit all evidence by the deadline in your tribunal directions
- use SEND7 if you need to ask permission for late evidence or extra pages
Who is responsible?
- you: gathering and submitting your evidence, checking the bundle is complete
- the LA: including all your documents in the bundle
- the tribunal: setting the deadlines
Types of evidence you can include
Educational evidence
- school reports (progress, attendance, behaviour)
- SEN support paperwork
- IEPs or provision maps
- EHCP drafts or final versions
- consultation responses from schools
- exclusion records or behaviour logs
- samples of work
Professional assessments
- educational psychology reports
- speech and language therapy assessments
- occupational therapy reports
- physiotherapy assessments
- private assessments
Health and medical evidence
- GP letters
- consultant reports
- CAMHS or mental health assessments
- diagnosis letters (autism, ADHD, dyslexia etc.)
- medication records
- hospital summaries
Voice of the child
- written views
- drawings or letters
- videos or recordings (if appropriate)
- views gathered by professionals
Parent evidence
parent statement
chronology of events
emails and letters to and from school or LA
logs or diaries showing needs or difficulties
Legal and procedural evidence
- subject access requests
- complaint outcomes
- tribunal correspondence
- previous tribunal decisions (if relevant)
Placement evidence
- school prospectuses
- visit notes
- cost breakdowns
- funding refusal letters
Useful links
IPSEA guidance on evidence and bundles What happens after I submit my appeal: evidence and the bundle
Documents to keep safe
- registration letter and directions
- all evidence you submit
- all evidence you receive from the LA
- your parent statement
- SEND7 forms (if used)
FAQs
What if I miss the evidence deadline? Use SEND7 to request late submission — the tribunal decides whether to accept it.
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Tips
- start early — reports take time
- keep everything in one folder
- use bullet points in your parent statement
- don’t include irrelevant or duplicate documents