Annual review & SENDIST appeals

Keeping the Statement current and your appeal rights

Statements should be reviewed annually. Disagreements can go to SENDIST, which also hears disability discrimination claims.

Your rights: SENDIST decisions are legally binding on the Education Authority, covering SEN provision and disability discrimination in education.

Common pitfall: NI does not currently have the same free mediation requirement as England — check current procedure before appealing.

Your voice: SENDIST gives real weight to parental testimony about day-to-day impact — written, specific examples from home and family life are often what make a case persuasive.

• Prepare written evidence ahead of each annual review

• Note appeal deadlines precisely from the date of any decision letter

• Contact SENAC or a local SEN advice charity before appealing