A refusal to carry out an EHC needs assessment, refusal to issue a plan or a plan that does not specify provision needs a disciplined evidence approach. We help families organise professional advice, school evidence, provision gaps and decision correspondence around the issue actually in dispute.
Send the trigger document, the papers you already have and any deadline. We will identify the practical preparation work that can be done within our non-reserved role.
Identify the exact decision
Keep the decision letter, date, mediation information and any stated reasons. The challenge must answer the decision that was made, not merely set out general concern.
Evidence needs and provision
Map needs, recommendations, provision tried, outcomes and continuing gaps. Distinguish evidence from assertion.
Make the chronology do the work
Show requests for help, reviews, missed timescales, professional input, school concerns and the practical effect on the child.
Prepare for the next stage
Create an indexed pack and clear issue list for mediation, review or Tribunal preparation.
Questions people ask
What evidence supports a refusal-to-assess challenge?
School records, SEN Support plans, progress data, attendance information, professional reports, communication with the local authority and evidence of provision already tried can all matter.
What is the point of an evidence map?
It links each identified need to a supporting source and the provision said to be required. This makes it easier to see gaps between professional recommendations and the decision.
Can you prepare Tribunal papers?
We can provide non-reserved preparation and document support within our permitted role. We will explain if a particular step requires an authorised professional.
Get the papers in order
1. Send the trigger document
The notice, assessment, call-up letter, decision or complaint outcome that started the problem.
2. Identify the deadline
Tell us the date served and any hearing, review, complaint or appeal date.
3. Build the evidence pack
We can scope evidence review, chronology, issue mapping and a structured preparation pack.
Wolfe & Black is not a firm of solicitors and does not conduct reserved legal activities. We provide non-reserved case preparation and permitted support. Where authorised representation is needed, we will say so.