Wirral Mediation Service

Important information – Following the Panorama programme ‘Cruelty in the Classroom’ that was broadcast on BBC One at 8pm on Monday 17th June 2024 WIRED are aware that many parent carers will be concerned about their children and young people.

If any Wirral parent carers are concerned and would like independent and impartial legally based information, advice or support in relation to the Life School or any other Wirral educational setting we would advise that you contact the Wirral SEND Partnership service (SENDIAS) service delivered by WIRED on 0151 522 7990 or via email at ias@wired.me.uk

Disagreement Resolution

When disagreements arise between young people or their parents/carers and the local authority or education, health or social care providers about an aspect of a child or young person’s special educational needs or provision they can be difficult to resolve.

Although ‘disagreement resolution’ and ‘mediation’ are often used interchangeably, under the Children and Families Act they have different meanings.

Disagreement Resolution is for young people or parents of children with special educational needs or disabilities, whether or not they have an Education Health or Care plan (EHCP). It allows parties to come together to discuss issues and explore possible solutions in a respectful, constructive way.

Disagreement resolution meetings are often successful in finding a solution which is agreeable to both parties and can prevent the disagreement from escalating. Both parties come to the meeting voluntarily, with a view to resolving the disagreement amicably. Disagreement Resolution can be used to resolve disputes between parents, young people, education providers, health services and local authorities.

During the meeting a neutral facilitator ensures that both parties have the opportunity to explain their points and listen to what the other party has to say.

The aim of the meeting is to:
• Improve the channels of communication and understanding between the parties
• Reach realistic, practical solutions that meet the young person or child’s needs
• Avoid the need to go through appeal or complaints procedures which can be time-consuming, costly and distressing

Participating in a disagreement resolution meeting does not affect your right to pursue further routes of appeal or complaint.

Mediation

Mediation is a confidential process (except in cases where there are safeguarding issues) and is conducted in a safe, neutral environment that allows for both parties to be listened to and understood.

Young people or their families who have, or who have requested an assessment for, an Education Health and Care plan (EHCP) have the right to ask for mediation if they are unhappy with the local authority’s decision about an EHCP.

Issues which can be discussed in mediation before going to appeal include:
• The Local Authority’s refusal to carry out a needs assessment
• The Local Authority’s decision not to issue an EHCP following assessment
• The description of the young person or child’s special educational needs
• The extra help that is required to meet those needs
• The Local Authority’s decision to cease to maintain an EHCP

Young people and families will be asked to consider mediation before registering an appeal, but having done so, they also have the right to decline it if they so wish. This decision will not affect the outcome of the appeal.

If the disagreement only concerns the name of the educational establishment then the case can proceed straight to appeal without the need for mediation. There are separate appeal processes for challenging the health and social care parts of the plan.

How do I get more information about Mediation?

When the Local Authority writes to you about their decision in regard to an EHCP they will inform you of your right of appeal. Once you have received the letter you can contact Wirral Mediation & Disagreement Resolution Service to discuss whether mediation might be a suitable way to resolve the disagreement.

If you do not wish to participate in mediation a certificate will be issued within 3 working days of the decision being made. You can send this certificate to Tribunal to register an appeal.

If you have agreed to mediation, a meeting with all parties will be arranged within 30 calendar days at a neutral, accessible venue.
Any agreements reached during the meeting will be written out and signed by both parties. The mediator will then produce a certificate within 3 working days of the mediation taking place, regardless of the outcome.

If the mediation did not fully resolve the disagreement, and the young person or parent still wishes to appeal to Tribunal, the certificate must be sent to register an appeal within one month from receiving the certificate or two months from the original decision by the local authority, whichever is later.

Wirral Mediation & Disagreement Resolution Service can give further information about registering an appeal with Tribunal. We can also sign post you to free, impartial, information, advice and support with the Tribunal process.