1. Purpose of This Policy

This policy explains how The SENDNest supports families and schools with Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) processes and SEND Tribunal–related preparation, while setting clear and lawful boundaries around our role. It is intended to provide clarity for: Parents and carers, Schools and education professionals, Local authorities, Other professionals involved in SEND processes

2. The Role of The SENDNest in EHCP Processes

The SENDNest provides specialist SEND advocacy and legally informed advice to support understanding and navigation of EHCP processes.Support is grounded in:

SEND legislation and statutory guidance

Lawful process and procedural fairness

A needs-led, child-centred approach

The SENDNest works to support clarity, evidence, and informed challenge where appropriate, without replacing statutory decision-makers.

3. EHCP Support Services

The SENDNest may support families and schools with:

Advice and advocacy relating to EHCP requests,

Support in preparing and structuring evidence,

Reviewing professional reports and paperwork,

Support with Annual Reviews and phase transfers,

Reviewing draft EHCPs and proposed amendments,

Guidance on outcomes, provision, and specificity,

Advising on next steps following local authority decisions.

Support may be provided before, during, or after EHCP-related processes.

4. Tribunal-Related Support

The SENDNest may provide tribunal-adjacent advocacy support, including:

Explaining SEND Tribunal processes and timescales

Supporting families to understand what a tribunal considers

Helping organise and review written evidence

Supporting preparation of written submissions with families

Supporting families to feel prepared and informed

This support is legally informed and evidence-focused, delivered within advocacy boundaries.

5. Boundaries of Tribunal Support

The SENDNest does not:

Act as a solicitor or barrister

Provide representation as a regulated legal professional

Conduct reserved legal activities

Make submissions to the tribunal as legal counsel

Guarantee tribunal outcomes

Families remain responsible for presenting their case and making decisions throughout tribunal proceedings. Where appropriate, families may be advised to seek specialist legal representation.

6. Representation as a SEND Advocate

The SENDNest may act as a SEND advocate, which may include:

Representing families in meetings and tribunals

Supporting communication with schools and local authorities

Supporting families to express their views, wishes, and concerns clearly

Advocating for lawful process and appropriate consideration of evidence

Representation is provided in the capacity of SEND advocacy, not as legal representation.

7. Roles and Responsibilities

Families remain decision-makers in their own cases

Schools retain responsibility for SEN provision and statutory duties

Local authorities retain responsibility for EHCP decisions

The SENDNest provides advisory and advocacy support only

The SENDNest does not make statutory decisions on behalf of any party.

8. Outcomes and Guarantees

The SENDNest does not guarantee:

That an EHCP request will be agreed

That provision will be specified in a particular way

That a tribunal outcome will be successful

Support focuses on lawful process, quality evidence, and informed advocacy, rather than promised outcomes.

9. Ethical and Professional Approach

The SENDNest is committed to:

Accurate and responsible SEND advice

Non-alarmist and non-exploitative advocacy

Trauma-aware support for families

Respect for professional roles and processes

All support is delivered in the best interests of the child or young person.

10. Review of This Policy

This policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains: Legally accurate, aligned with SEND guidance and practice and appropriate to the scope of The SENDNest