Shropshire Local Authority (LA) wants to work with parents to try to sort out any disagreements or misunderstandings. If you disagree with a decision the LA has taken, please contact your SEN Case Officer first. A conversation with them may help you understand the reasons why a decision has been made. You may also be able to discuss a reconsideration of the decision with them. This is often the quickest way to resolve a disagreement.

Advice and support

In Shropshire, families can access support with SEN issues from the Independent Advice and Support Service (IASS). They can give you information and advice about the options available to you if you disagree with a decision the LA has made for you or your child.

They may also be able to support you in some meetings with the LA, including formal mediation meetings and legal appeals to the SEN Tribunal. Contact IASS for more information about how they can support you.

Disagreement resolution

If your Case Officer cannot change a decision where you disagree with it, you may want to use the formal SEN Disagreement Resolution Service or SEN Mediation Service. These are organised by a firm called Prime Resolution. 

Disagreement resolution is very similar to mediation, but is available in a wider range of circumstances. This service can be used for all children and young people with SEND, including those identified at SEN Support as well as those with an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan and can involve schools and post-16 Colleges as well as the LA or Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin NHS Integrated Care Board (ICB). Disagreement resolution uses people trained in mediation to try to resolve disagreements in a quick and effective way. Disagreement resolution is a voluntary process and can only take place with the agreement of all parties.

This service can be used to try to help find agreement about:

• How an early years setting, school, post-16 setting or LA is working with children and young people with special educational and/or health and care needs
• The support (sometimes called provision) that the early years setting, school, or post-16 setting is giving.
• Health support the NHS Integrated Care Board (ICB) is providing during an EHC needs assessment, while EHC plans are being drawn up or reviewed, when children or young people are being reassessed,
• Social care support the LA is providing during an EHC needs assessment, while EHC plans are being drawn up or reviewed, or when children or young people are being reassessed.

Disagreement resolution is also available if parents or young people disagree with the content of an EHC plan.

If you have any further queries relating to resolving disagreements or mediation, please contact the SEN Team on 01743 254267 or senteam@shropshire.gov.uk