London SEN Mediation ServicePlease note: This is a free service to parents of SEN children for Education issues. If you do contact them, please have all the relevant information, (such as facts, dates, previous meetings) to hand prior to your call. (They are not a counselling service.)
Visit: www.kids.org.uk/Event/sen-mediation-service |
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The KIDS London SEN Mediation Service provides mediation meetings for parents, local authorities and schools in the majority of London boroughs as well as Luton, Bedford and Hertfordshire.
Our service aims to settle disagreements that arise between parents and local authorities / schools about the special educational needs (SEN) of children and young people, and how best to meet these needs.
The KIDS London SEN Mediation Service provides mediation meetings for parents of children with Special Educational Needs and their local education authority or the child’s school when there is some kind of disagreement surrounding how best to meet those needs. Mediation is an informal, voluntary process where parties in disagreement meet together with an independent mediator.
How does mediation work?
Mediation is an informal, voluntary process which involves an independent facilitator (the mediator) helping those in dispute to reach agreements that are acceptable to all parties. The mediator is impartial, does not take sides, nor put forward suggestions or possible solutions to the dispute. The mediator is there to help to facilitate discussions and to make sure everyone is treated fairly. The mediator is in control of the process but not of the outcome of the mediation. It is the parties themselves that find solutions and decide the outcome through participating in the mediation process.
Using mediation does not affect your right of appeal to the SEND Tribunal.
Mediation works best when parties to the dispute come to the meeting with a real desire to resolve the disagreement and a willingness to negotiate. In deciding whether to take part in mediation, the Local Authority or school and the parent(s)/ carer(s) should consider whether there is scope for agreement on any of the issues causing disagreement.
KIDS London SEN Mediation Service has an experienced panel of independent, experienced mediators who are independent, highly skilled, experienced professionals that have an accredited qualification in mediation and have received additional training in SEN legislation and practice.
Our service aims to settle disagreements that arise between parents and local authorities / schools about the special educational needs (SEN) of children and young people, and how best to meet these needs.
The KIDS London SEN Mediation Service provides mediation meetings for parents of children with Special Educational Needs and their local education authority or the child’s school when there is some kind of disagreement surrounding how best to meet those needs. Mediation is an informal, voluntary process where parties in disagreement meet together with an independent mediator.
How does mediation work?
Mediation is an informal, voluntary process which involves an independent facilitator (the mediator) helping those in dispute to reach agreements that are acceptable to all parties. The mediator is impartial, does not take sides, nor put forward suggestions or possible solutions to the dispute. The mediator is there to help to facilitate discussions and to make sure everyone is treated fairly. The mediator is in control of the process but not of the outcome of the mediation. It is the parties themselves that find solutions and decide the outcome through participating in the mediation process.
Using mediation does not affect your right of appeal to the SEND Tribunal.
Mediation works best when parties to the dispute come to the meeting with a real desire to resolve the disagreement and a willingness to negotiate. In deciding whether to take part in mediation, the Local Authority or school and the parent(s)/ carer(s) should consider whether there is scope for agreement on any of the issues causing disagreement.
KIDS London SEN Mediation Service has an experienced panel of independent, experienced mediators who are independent, highly skilled, experienced professionals that have an accredited qualification in mediation and have received additional training in SEN legislation and practice.
Who is the service for?
This Service is for parents/carers, local authority representatives, school representatives and young people. If referrals are made by anyone other than parents, permission must be given first by the parents before contacting us.
How to make a referral:
Parents can make referrals themselves. Any other party must have parents’ permission for contacting us.
Requests for mediation can come from:
Phone: 03330 062 835 (Option 1).
A member of staff will take details of the case and if both parties to the disagreement agree to take part in mediation, a date will be arranged, and the mediation will proceed.
Please note that Local Authority Officers, Parent Partnership Officers or any other third parties must have permission from parents/ carers before passing their details to the KIDS London SEN Mediation Service.
Parent Referrals
It is important that parents have access to advice and information. This is usually provided by local Parent Partnership Services, IASS. Click here for more information on Bexley's IASS.
The KIDS London SEN Mediation Service is provided free of charge to parents.
This Service is for parents/carers, local authority representatives, school representatives and young people. If referrals are made by anyone other than parents, permission must be given first by the parents before contacting us.
How to make a referral:
Parents can make referrals themselves. Any other party must have parents’ permission for contacting us.
Requests for mediation can come from:
- Parents
- Local Authority Officers
- Parent Partnership Officers
- School staff
- Other parties, such as voluntary agencies.
Phone: 03330 062 835 (Option 1).
A member of staff will take details of the case and if both parties to the disagreement agree to take part in mediation, a date will be arranged, and the mediation will proceed.
Please note that Local Authority Officers, Parent Partnership Officers or any other third parties must have permission from parents/ carers before passing their details to the KIDS London SEN Mediation Service.
Parent Referrals
It is important that parents have access to advice and information. This is usually provided by local Parent Partnership Services, IASS. Click here for more information on Bexley's IASS.
The KIDS London SEN Mediation Service is provided free of charge to parents.
