SEND Complaints arrangements

To send SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) complaints or arrange disagreement resolutions, contact the school’s SENCo or headteacher first, then escalate a formal written complaint to your local council. If unresolved, you can access local mediation services, appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (SEND), or contact the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman. 

To arrange a SEND complaint or disagreement resolution in Essex, you must navigate the processes managed by Essex County Council or local mediation partners. [1]

1. File a Complaint with Essex County Council

If your dispute is about an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, assessment delays, or council-managed social care, submit a formal complaint directly to the local authority. 

• Online: Use the dedicated Essex County Council Complaints Portal.

• By Post: Write to Compliance and Complaints Customer Services, Essex County Council, PO Box 11, County Hall, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1QH.

• Response Timeline: The council logs your complaint within 5 working days and provides a Stage One decision within 10 working days. [1, 2, 3]

2. Arrange Independent SEND Mediation

If you disagree with a specific council decision (such as a refusal to assess, a refusal to issue an EHC plan, or the named school setting), you have two months from your decision letter to seek mediation. [1]

• Service Provider: The designated, free independent provider for Essex County Council is Global Mediation.

• Contact: You can access their advice and formal disagreement resolution services directly via the Global Mediation Profile on Essex Local Offer. You must obtain a mediation certificate from them if you intend to escalate your case to a tribunal. [1, 2, 3]

3. School-Level SEND Complaints

If your concern is about the school itself not delivering the special educational provision outlined in your child's plan:

• Contact the School: Request the school’s specific internal complaints procedure from their Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) or Headteacher. [1, 2]

• Escalation: If the school's internal multi-stage review panel does not resolve the issue, you can escalate the matter directly to the Department for Education. [1, 2]

Free Advocacy and Support

If you need help drafting letters or preparing for mediation, contact Essex SEND IASS (Information, Advice and Support Service). They offer free, impartial support to parents and carers navigating the Essex local offer.