EHCP Appeal Deadline

[wizzbitt]

Hello,
I hope you can help.
My ASC daughter had her initial EHCP application rejected at the end of July. Schools had closed and we were on holiday. Although I didn't agree to it I was resigned to the decision as I assumed I would need more evidence. And as the schools were shut I was at a loss of what to do in terms of contacting SENCO for advice.
Anyway the SENCO contacted us at the start of this term and said we should appeal which is great but we have until the end of September. I feel we are at a slight disadvantage as we were informed at the end of July. Does anyone know of this will be considered? Of course we will do everything to ensure we meet the deadline.
Also how is the meditation process? I'm preparing myself for battle. I realise I could have done a lot better sooner.
Thanks for reading.

If you received the decision at the end of July, you are still within the appeal window and have time to seek a mediation certificate which will extend the deadline, so you aren’t disadvantaged. Don’t rely on the SENCO for advice. Many schools give incorrect information. You don’t have to actively partake in mediation, you only have to consider it so if you don’t want to actively partake you can just ask for the certificate and submit to SENDIST.

Thank you for replying. This is really helpful ☺️

Definitely worth appealing, nearly all appeals get upheld eventually as far as I'm aware.

We did mediation to appeal the content of an EHCP (no problems getting one granted, but the document they produced was so woolly it was totally useless). Our school SENCO joined the mediation session (they don't have to) and we actually got nearly all of our changes agreed to.

If it does go your way, then mediation is much quicker than tribunal, but if it doesn't then I know some other people have found it a total waste of time and energy. So it's entirely up to you, as pp said you don't have to do the mediation. If you do, I would recommend that you bring in the SENCO or someone else to help advocate for your DC.