Overview
The children and Families Act 2014 requires all Local Authorities to provide independent mediation and disagreement resolution services to help when parents or young people cannot agree with the Local Authority or other providers about the special educational, health or care provision for a child or young person. Other providers include early years settings, schools, colleges and other post-16 provision.
The disagreement resolution arrangements are for all children and young people who have special educational needs, not just those who are being assessed for, or have, an Education, Health and Care Plan.
Following a tendering process, Global Mediation Ltd were appointed to provide a Disagreement Resolution Service across the East Midlands region. Our Mediation and disagreement resolution service aims to help young people, parents and carers, Local Authorities and others responsible for making special educational, health and care provision reach an agreement that is in the best interest of the child or young person.
The service is independent of the Local Authority and is free to young people with special educational needs and to the parents/carers of children with special educational needs.
Contact
Local Offer
The mediation arrangements are for those considering making an appeal to the First-Tier Tribunal (SEND). The law says that young people or parents who want to appeal the First-Tier Tribunal (SEND) must first contact a Mediation Adviser. The Mediation Adviser will give you information about mediation. It is then up to you whether you ask for a mediation meeting. Once you have had mediation advice orr mediation, we will issue a certificate so you can lodge your appeal. You do not have to have mediation advice if your appeal is only about placement, the health and social care elements of an EHC Plan or if it is a disability discrimanation claim.
Your right to appeal is not affected whether you agree to mediation or not and the Tribunal will not make any assumptions if you have not tried mediation.