We also provide representation at SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability) Tribunals. This generally involves representing parents of schoolchildren with hearing impairment who disagree with the choice of school named in their child’s SEN Statement on the grounds that the school named is acoustically not suitable.
We will measure noise levels and reverberation times in the schools concerned, prepare a report and proof of evidence, and if necessary provide expert witness representation at the SEND Tribunal. We have a very good record of success and in a recent decision the Tribunal’s written decision stated:
SEND TRIBUNALS
We were impressed with the evidence given my Mr James and given the nature of his expertise and the thoroughness with which he conducted the assessment we accept his evidence that the County Council’s named school does not meet the necessary acoustic standards for hearing impaired children in the rooms that he visited.
Further information on the role of the SEND Tribunal can be found on the Government's Justice website. Although now a little out of date, a useful guide to the appeal process is available to download from the Department of Education website.
