Overview
When your tribunal hearing finishes, you won’t get the decision on the day.
You will recieve a written tribunal order, usually within 10 working days. This explains what the tribunal has decided and what must happen next.
This will help you to:
- understand the outcome of your appeal
- know what the local authority (LA) must do next
- be aware of legal deadlines the LA must follow
- know what to do if the LA doesn’t comply
- understand your options if you disagree with the tribunal’s decision
Receiving the decision
Your tribunal order will arrive by email.
It explains whether your appeal was fully or partly successful.
The order will set out exactly what the LA must do, such as:
- naming a new school (section I)
- changing wording in sections B or F
- issuing or updating the EHCP
What happens next?
The LA must follow tribunal order within legal time limits, for example:
- 5 weeks to amend the EHCP
- 2 weeks to name a school
- 4 weeks to start or restart an EHC needs assessment
If you disagree with the tribunal’s decision
You may be able to:
- request a correction if a factual error was made
- ask for a review or a set aside if the hearing was unfair or circumstances have changed
- appeal to the upper tribunal if you believe the law was incorrectly applied
These options all have deadlines — usually within 28 days — so seek advice quickly.
If the local authority does not act
If the LA misses its deadlines:
- contact the LA for an update
- use the LA’s complaints procedure if necessary
- If needed, you can contact the local government ombudsman
IPSEA provides a template letter to support you with non compliance issues.
Useful links
- IPSEA: after the hearing
- challenging SEND tribunal decisions — IPSEA challenging SEND tribunal decisions
- local government ombudsman how to complain
Notes — things to keep track of
- date I received the decision
- what the LA has been ordered to do
- deadlines for the LA’s actions
- if and when I contacted the LA