The local authority notifies parents / young person of a decision and right to appeal within 6 weeks from the request for assessment.  

In circumstances where an Education Health and Care Needs Assessment is refused, parents/carers and young people over 16 may appeal to the first-tier SEND tribunal. Full details of how to appear are provided within the decision letter which also contains information about how to contact the local authority to discuss decisions.

Parents/carers may also contact the SEND Family Partnership for further advice and support as outlined above and/or may consider using Mediation. Details of all these services are also contained within the decision letter.