For parents preparing for a tribunal
Practical, calm preparation when you've decided to go to tribunal
A tribunal application is a serious step and one most parents reach reluctantly. Tribunal Preparation Support is practical, organisational and emotional help from someone who has worked inside the SEND system for 25 years, so you can approach each stage feeling clearer, more organised and less alone.
What this service is
Practical support, not legal representation
The first thing to be clear about: this is not legal representation. Claire is not a solicitor and SEND Guidance does not provide legal services. If you need someone to represent you at tribunal, you need a SEND solicitor or barrister.
What this service offers is the practical work around the legal process: organising your documents, understanding what evidence matters, preparing your witness statements, talking through what to expect, and giving you a steady hand alongside the formal legal route.
Many parents work with both a solicitor and an independent consultant during a tribunal application. The solicitor handles the law; Claire handles the day-to-day, document-by-document preparation, and acts as a calmer presence through what is often a stressful process.
Who books tribunal preparation support
This service is for parents who are committed to tribunal action
Most parents who book this service are in one of these positions:
- You've received a final EHCP and you disagree with it.
- Your local authority has refused to assess and you're appealing the decision.
- Your local authority has refused to issue an EHCP and you're appealing.
- You're preparing for an upcoming tribunal hearing and you want help getting organised.
- You've started the process and you're overwhelmed by the paperwork.
Tribunal preparation is intensive. The earlier in the process you can get support, the more useful it is.
Tribunal Preparation Support
From £250
Practical, document-by-document support throughout the tribunal process.
- Approach each stage of the process feeling more organised
- Know which evidence strengthens your case and which doesn't
- Have someone steady alongside you through a stressful process
What's included
Practical, document-by-document support
Tribunal Preparation Support is shaped around your specific case rather than a fixed package. Common elements include:
- Help organising your evidence into a structured, navigable bundle
- A clear written summary of what evidence supports your case and what gaps need filling
- Guidance on which expert reports you may need (educational psychologist, speech and language, OT)
- Support drafting your witness statement and your child's contribution
- Preparation for the hearing itself: what to expect, who will be there, how to present your case calmly
- Regular check-in calls throughout the process as you need them
A note on pricing: tribunal cases vary enormously in scope. After a first conversation, Claire will give you a clear written estimate of the work involved and the cost. Most cases are quoted as a fixed total or as a small number of structured packages rather than open-ended hourly billing.
Starting the process
Start with a conversation
Every tribunal case is different, so the first step is always a longer conversation to understand where you are in the process, what's already happened, and where Claire can usefully help.
01
Get in touch
Send a short message describing where you are in the tribunal process. Claire will reply within two working days.
02
Have an initial conversation
A longer first call (no charge for this if it leads to ongoing work) to understand your case and what support would help.
03
Receive a written proposal
A clear plan of what Claire will do, when, and what it costs. No commitment to proceed.
04
Begin the work
Document organisation, evidence review and ongoing preparation, paced around the tribunal timeline.
Common questions
Questions parents often ask
Is Claire a solicitor?
No. Claire is not a solicitor and SEND Guidance does not provide legal advice or representation. If you need a solicitor or barrister for your tribunal, you'll need to instruct one separately. Many parents work with both a solicitor and Claire, the two roles are complementary.
Can I afford a solicitor as well as this service?
Tribunal costs vary widely. Some families qualify for legal aid for SEND tribunal appeals. Others use a solicitor for specific tasks (like drafting the appeal) and Claire for the broader document and evidence work. In an initial conversation, Claire will be honest about whether you genuinely need both, or whether you can manage parts of the process yourself with practical support.
How long does a tribunal process typically take?
From appeal to hearing, usually 6-9 months, sometimes longer. Settled cases (where the local authority agrees to changes before the hearing) can resolve in 3-4 months. Claire will help you anticipate the timeline based on where you are.
What happens if my local authority changes their position before the tribunal?
That's actually a common outcome. Around half of SEND tribunal appeals settle before reaching a hearing because the local authority changes its position once they see the evidence properly assembled. Strong preparation often results in not needing the hearing at all.
Will Claire attend my tribunal hearing?
No, attending a tribunal hearing as a non-legal representative is outside the scope of this service. Some parents are accompanied by their solicitor; others represent themselves with Claire's preparation work behind them.
What if I lose at tribunal?
Tribunals don't always go the way parents hope, even with strong preparation. Claire can talk through what your options are next, whether that's a further appeal, a different placement request, or living with the decision while pursuing changes at the next annual review.
Get in touch
Tribunal cases are individual. Start with a short message describing where you are in the process. Claire will reply within two working days with a sense of how she can help.
Get in touch