Dispute Resolution and Mediation

The Children and Families Act 2014 has an emphasis on mediation and dispute resolution being used to enable disputes to be settled early. The LA must make these services known to parents of children with SEN, young people with SEN, headteachers, governing bodies, proprietors and principals of schools and post 16 institutions.

The Act uses the term 'mediation' when a parent or young person can appeal against a decision of the Local Authority to the SENDIS Tribunal. 'Dispute resolution' is used for all other cases.

Both are requested and carried out in the same way. Mediation and dispute resolution are non-adversarial processes which help to resolve disputes early, quickly and without too much paperwork. They are free at the point of access and can bring about positive outcomes enabling parents, young people and educational establishments to discuss issues, decide the way forward and agree a plan of action acceptable to all; they take a person-centred approach.

Dispute resolution has been used very successfully in Norfolk, bringing together those who have been at loggerheads and cannot accept or understand each other's points of view. Parents who have doubted an educational establishment's motives or not fully understood what is being said have had a chance to have things explained with an impartial mediator keeping the meeting moving in the right direction. Educationalists are also able to have a greater understanding, explain and agree changes in an environment where everybody can have their say and feel listened to.

Mediation and dispute resolution can be used for:

  • SEND related disagreements - these may be between parents, young people, the education provider, the Local Authority including health and social care if they are involved with the child or young people.
  • Disagreements about Continuing (health) Care for children and young people up to age 18.

To access the service call 03330 062 835 or email senmediation@kids.org.uk.

Please let the family know that you are requesting dispute resolution - participation is voluntary for everybody involved. Once a date has been agreed the KIDS mediator will contact the parties and prepare a mediation summary about the key disagreements. The mediator will make sure everybody understands their role at the meeting.

For further information go to www.kids.org.uk/mediation or the Norfolk County Council web section Local Offer - Help when things go wrong, or contact the Norfolk SEND Partnership Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS), who oversee the contract on a day to day basis, on email sendpartnership.iass.org.uk or phone 01603 704070.

This news item was published : 12 October 2018.

Warning this news item was published over 6 years ago and may be out of date.