Essex SEND transport failures put children’s safety at risk
Parents of children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) often face numerous challenges, with support questioned at every stage. Once transport
Education and SEND legal advice for parents
Our education law solicitors provide a range of education law advice for parents including: SEND advice, EHC plans, school admissions appeals, challenging exclusions and independent review panel hearings.
110+
years of service
30
experienced partners
200+
advisers and growing
Practical, compassionate support for families facing education challenges
Expert guidance when systems let you down
We support families of children and young people aged 0-25 to access the education and/or Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision their child is legally entitled to.
When the system is not delivering what your child needs, we step in. We combine specialist education and SEND law expertise with practical, child-centred solutions focused on moving matters forward.
We act only for parents, not Local Authorities. This means our advice is always independent and focused entirely on your child’s needs. What sets us apart is our lived experience. Our team includes SEND parents, school governors and safeguarding and SEND Tribunal specialists. This helps us understand both the legal framework and the reality families face day to day, supporting a child with additional needs.
Our approach is simple and practical. We provide expert education law support to achieve the best outcomes for your child, quickly, efficiently, and without unnecessary expense. Our goal is always the same: making sure your child receives the support and education they are legally entitled to.
"Our experience with Tees was excellent from start to finish, with Victoria Kerr providing outstanding, knowledgeable, and responsive support throughout our EHCP tribunal, making a complex and stressful process feel manageable while always giving us confidence in their expertise. Thanks to their dedication and professionalism, we successfully secured a place for our son at St Elizabeths School and would highly recommend them."
Standing up for your child’s education and SEND Rights
Parents and carers are often left to navigate the complex processes surrounding their child’s educational needs, rights, and available options.
This commonly arises in relation to Education Health and Care Plans (EHCP), including EHC needs assessment (EHCNA) requests, annual reviews, phase transfers, and SEND appeals, particularly where there are delays in assessments, disagreement about the level of support needed, concerns that provision set out in a plan is not being delivered in practice, or disputes about school placements.
Why choose Tees for your Education and SEND matters?
Difficulties can also arise where a child’s behaviour is linked to a disability but is misunderstood or managed through disciplinary action rather than appropriate support.
In other cases, families are dealing with suspensions, exclusions, school refusal, attendance problems, or concerns about off-rolling. Others may be trying to secure a suitable school place or challenge admission decisions.
When these issues arise, the key question is often what can realistically be done next and what your child is legally entitled to receive.
Our Education and SEND team bring together specialist education law expertise with a practical understanding of how schools, colleges, and local authorities operate, helping you move from uncertainty to clear next steps.
Our education law services
- Special Educational Needs (SEN) and disability issues relating to education
- Obtaining or challenging provision under an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP), including tribunal appeals
- Supporting you at independent review panel hearings
- Supporting you to take a decision to judicial review
- Admissions appeals
- Challenging exclusions
- Safeguarding concerns
- Discrimination in educational settings
- Breaches of contract by independent schools
- Disputes regarding student loans
- Represent you in prosecutions brought by Local Authorities for offences under the Education Act 1996.
Our specialist expertise in education law
- Education, Health and Care Needs assessments
- EHCP appeals
- annual reviews
- judicial review and pre-action protocol education disputes
- complaints – including to the local government and social care ombudsman
- exclusions and suspensions
- admission appeals
- disability discrimination claims
- mediation.
Key people
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Tees Law does not provide Legal Aid. You can find more information here about Legal Aid and eligibility requirements.
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What our clients say
★★★★★
“Personable. Professional. Accurate and clear in their communications.”
Legal 500 2027
Public sector
★★★★★
“Very efficient organisation, excellent and timely communication at each stage of the work. Clear information about processes and costing. Legal language explained clearly in layman’s terms.”
Legal 500 2027
Firm wide quote
★★★★★
“Very competent and professional. Explained things clearly and was able to give sound advice and recommendations. Strong communication – responsive and timely.”
Legal 500 2027
Public sector
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